Origin
Austin, TX
Afternoon in Austin on Sunday
Local time
1:36 PM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Austin, TX to Anna, TX
Drive Time
4h 17m
Distance
239.3 mi
385 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$37
one way
Photo: Victor Gavela
Trip Overview
Spanning 239.3 miles, the journey from Austin to Anna is a straightforward drive that typically takes about 4 hours and 17 minutes. Because the trip falls well within a single day of travel, you won’t need to plan for an overnight stay unless you prefer a slower pace. Expect to spend approximately $37 on fuel, making this a relatively affordable trek across the Texas Great Plains. You will primarily navigate via the Purple Heart Trail, I-35E, and the North Central Expressway. Since both your starting point and destination are located within the same region, the landscape remains consistent throughout the trip. It is a practical, no-nonsense route that is well-suited for travelers looking to move efficiently between these two Texas cities.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
119.6 miles from Austin, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 6m into the drive .
Drive Character
This drive is a mixed experience, with 43% of the journey spent on highways that demand your full attention. You will settle into a rhythm quickly, as the longest uninterrupted stretch covers 129.2 miles along the Purple Heart Trail. While the road transitions from the open stretches of the trail to the busier lanes of I-35E and the North Central Expressway, the pace remains fairly consistent. You should be prepared for the shift in traffic intensity as you approach the more developed areas near Anna. Overall, the route feels like a standard interstate corridor, offering a reliable, if utilitarian, driving experience.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 27 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Purple Heart Trail is the longest continuous segment at about 129.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near East 7th Street.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 239.3 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (East 7th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 136.8 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 193 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 20 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
0.5 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
East 7th Street
Turn right onto East 7th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
136.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 24m in
|
I 35E
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E toward I 35E: Dallas
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 35E: Dallas
8
193 mi into trip
|
~3h 22m in
Take the exit toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Riverfront Boulevard, Griffin Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 427A
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Riverfront Bouleva...
8
194.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 24m in
Take the exit toward I 45, US 75: Houston, McKinney
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 46
Toward I 45, US 75: Houston, McKinney
8
195.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 26m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 75 North: McKinney, Bryan Street East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the none lane.
Toward US 75 North: McKinney, Bryan Street East
Towns Along This Route
Between Austin, TX and Anna, TX, road signs point toward Fort Worth, Texarkana, Convention Center, Mckinney and Bryan Street East.
Fort Worth
193.4 mi in
|
~3h 23m
Texarkana
193.4 mi in
|
~3h 23m
Convention Center
193.4 mi in
|
~3h 23m
Mckinney
194.7 mi in
|
~3h 24m
Bryan Street East
195.6 mi in
|
~3h 26m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Purple Heart Trail | 129.2 mi | 2h 14m |
| I 35E | 56.2 mi | 58m |
| North Central Expressway | 35.1 mi | 37m |
| South Jack Kultgen Expressway | 6.6 mi | 7m |
| McKinney Street | 3.3 mi | 5m |
| South Powell Parkway | 2.4 mi | 3m |
| Sam Rayburn Highway | 1 mi | 1m |
| East R L Thornton Freeway | 0.8 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Purple Heart Trail
— 129.2 mi, about 2h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Austin, TX and Anna, TX.
1
Start on East 5th Street
0.3 mi
·
52 sec
·
East 5th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
2
Turn left onto Red River Street
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
Red River Street
Use the left lane.
3
Turn right onto East 7th Street
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
East 7th Street
Use the right lane.
4
Turn left onto North Interstate 35
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
North Interstate 35
Use the left lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Toward I 35 North, US 290 East
6
Merge onto I 35; US 290
0.6 mi
·
42 sec
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the none lane.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35; US 290
96 mi
·
1 hr 40 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 35
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 35; US 77
33 mi
·
33 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the none lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E
56 mi
·
58 min
·
I 35E
Toward I 35E: Dallas
Use the slight right lane.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
Exit 427A
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Riverfront Boulevard, Griffin Street
Use the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
422 ft
·
5 sec
Toward I 35E North, I 30 West: Denton, Fort Worth, Texarkana
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
32 sec
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Convention Center
14
Keep slight left at fork
385 ft
·
6 sec
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana
Use the none lane.
15
Continue on I 30; US 67
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
East R L Thornton Freeway
16
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
45 sec
Exit 46
Toward I 45, US 75: Houston, McKinney
Use the slight right lane.
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 75 North: McKinney
Use the slight left lane.
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
Toward US 75 North: McKinney, Bryan Street East
Use the none lane.
19
Merge onto US 75
0.7 mi
·
49 sec
·
Julius Schepps Freeway
Use the none lane.
20
Continue on US 75
35 mi
·
37 min
·
North Central Expressway
Use the none / straight / right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 44
Toward TX 121 North: Bonham
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on TX 121
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Sam Rayburn Highway
Toward TX 121 North: Bonham
23
Turn left onto TX 5
3.3 mi
·
5 min
·
McKinney Street
24
Continue on TX 5
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
South Powell Parkway
25
Turn right onto FM 2862
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
West 4th Street
26
Turn right onto South Sherley Road
35 ft
·
1 sec
·
South Sherley Road
27
Arrive at destination
South Sherley Road
Trip Plan
To keep your drive smooth, consider departing early in the morning to avoid the heaviest congestion on the major expressways. You should plan for one scheduled stop to stretch your legs and refuel, which fits perfectly within the 4-hour and 17-minute timeframe. Since this is a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure based on your personal preference for traffic levels. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during that 129.2-mile stretch on the Purple Heart Trail, as service stations may be spaced out. A pro tip for this specific route: prioritize your rest stop once you transition onto the I-35E portion, as the increased traffic density often makes finding a convenient exit easier after you complete the initial highway leg.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 119.6 miles from Austin, TX, or about 2h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 129.2 miles.
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 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 119.6 miles or 2h 6m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Anna, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
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 239.3 miles and 4h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Austin, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Purple Heart Trail for about 129.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 119.6 mi from Austin, TX · 2h 6m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
120 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 119.6 miles from Austin, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Purple Heart Trail if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 129.2 miles.
Arriving in Anna, TX
The final approach into Anna, 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 Anna, TX.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.55 one way
$73.11 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
84 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $40.06 | $80.12 |
| premium | $4.59 | $43.25 | $86.51 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $53.16 | $106.33 |
Estimated Tolls: $2.81
Central Expressway
(35.1 mi)
$2.81
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 83.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 71.8 | 0 | $25.13 | $11.49 |
| Efficient EV | 59.8 | 0 | $20.94 | $9.57 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 95.7 | 1 | $33.50 | $15.32 |
Gas CO2
84 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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.
Destination
Anna, TX
Afternoon in Anna on Sunday
Local time
1:36 PM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
62°F
Aledo, TX
120 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
7 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 17m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Austin, TX to Anna, TX covers 239.3 miles and takes about 4h 17m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Purple Heart Trail, I 35E, North Central Expressway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 119.6 miles from Austin, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $36.55 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 239.3 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (East 7th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 136.8 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 193 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Austin, TX and Anna, TX, road signs point toward Fort Worth, Texarkana, Convention Center, Mckinney and Bryan Street East.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Anna, TX
More trips to Anna, TX
Explore more options from Austin, TX or browse trips ending in Anna, TX.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TX road trips.
Explore maps for Austin, TX or Anna, TX on MapSof.net.