Drive Time
3h 15m
Distance
167.4 mi
269 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
Photo: Jeff Stapleton
The drive from Austin, TX to Porter Heights, TX covers 167.4 miles and takes about 3h 15m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Red River Street, East 7th Street, Interstate 35 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $24.91 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
83.7 miles from Austin, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 37m into the drive .
Expect a 3h 15m drive with frequent turns across 167.4 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Red River Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East 7th Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Interstate 35 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 35 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Purple Heart Trail | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| US 290 East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Manor Expressway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Highway 290 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Austin, TX and Porter Heights, TX.
Start on East 5th Street
Turn left onto Red River Street
Turn right onto East 7th Street
Turn left onto North Interstate 35
Take the ramp slight left toward I 35 North, US 290 East
Merge slight left onto Purple Heart Trail
Keep slight right to continue on Purple Heart Trail
Take the exit slight right toward US 290 East: Houston
Continue on Manor Expressway
Continue on East US Highway 290
Continue on West Austin Street
Take the exit slight right toward US 290 East, TX 36 South: Houston, Bellville
Merge slight left onto US Highway 290 West
Take the exit slight right toward TX 99 Toll North, TX 99 Toll South: Grand Parkway
Keep slight left to continue on TX 99 Toll North: Grand Parkway
Merge slight left onto North Grand Parkway West
Take the exit slight right toward FM 1314: Porter, Conroe
Turn sharp left onto FM 1314
Turn left onto Porter Lane
Turn left
Arrive at your destination
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 80 miles or 1h 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 83.7 miles or 1h 37m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Porter Heights, TX than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Austin, TX so your first major turns are already loaded.
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Austin, TX
This is one driving day of about 167.4 miles and 3h 15m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 83.7 mi from Austin, TX · 1h 37m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
84 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 83.7 miles from Austin, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Porter Heights, TX usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Porter Heights, TX.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$24.91 one way
$49.81 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $28.02 | $56.05 |
| premium | $4.59 | $30.26 | $60.51 |
| diesel | $3.99 | $26.32 | $52.63 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.6 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 50.2 | 0 | $17.58 | $8.04 |
| Efficient EV | 41.9 | 0 | $14.65 | $6.70 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 67 | 0 | $23.44 | $10.71 |
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Morning in Austin on Saturday
Local time
10:37 AM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Porter Heights on Saturday
Local time
10:37 AM
CDT
Current temp
87°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
70°F
Houston, TX
84 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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