Origin
Austin, TX
Evening in Austin on Thursday
Local time
7:57 PM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Austin, TX to Anthony, TX
Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026
Drive Time
4h 55m
Distance
268 mi
431 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$41
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 42m
★
6 AM
4h 55m
8 AM
5h 22m
10 AM
5h 5m
12 PM
5h 2m
3 PM
5h 6m
5 PM
5h 21m
8 PM
4h 47m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Austin, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Anthony, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 268-mile journey from Austin, TX to Anthony, TX is a straightforward single-day drive, estimated to take about 4 hours and 55 minutes. You'll primarily be on the Purple Heart Trail and I-35E, making for a mixed driving experience. With a fuel cost estimated at $41, this route is quite economical for a trip of its length. It's a manageable drive that can easily be completed in one day, allowing for flexibility in your schedule. Both Austin and Anthony are situated within the Great Plains region, so you can expect consistent landscapes throughout your travel.
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
134 miles from Austin, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 21m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 55m. Total distance: 268 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Drive Character
Expect a mixed drive on this route, with 44% of it being on highways. The Purple Heart Trail will present the longest uninterrupted stretch at 129.2 miles, offering a substantial portion of your journey on a single road. The transition between the Purple Heart Trail and I-35E will alter the driving feel, moving from potentially less trafficked sections to a more standard interstate experience. This blend means you won't be stuck in a monotonous interstate grind for the entire trip, offering some variety as you travel north.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 28 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.
Driving Effort
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 268 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 21 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
7
195.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 25m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 75 North: McKinney
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward US 75 North: McKinney
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Austin, TX and Anthony, TX, road signs point toward Fort Worth, Texarkana, Convention Center, Mckinney, Bryan Street East and Blue Ridge.
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
Blue Ridge
246.1 mi in
|
~4h 22m
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 |
| Sam Rayburn Highway | 13.7 mi | 15m |
| State Highway 160 | 8.4 mi | 12m |
| US 69 | 7.8 mi | 11m |
| South Jack Kultgen Expressway | 6.6 mi | 7m |
| Ole Ambrose Road | 4.4 mi | 6m |
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 Anthony, 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
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35; US 290
96 mi
·
1 hr 40 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 35
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 35; US 77
33 mi
·
33 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
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
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
19
Merge onto US 75
0.7 mi
·
49 sec
·
Julius Schepps Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Continue on US 75
35 mi
·
37 min
·
North Central Expressway
Use the 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
14 mi
·
15 min
·
Sam Rayburn Highway
Toward TX 121 North: Bonham
23
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
Toward TX 160: Whitewright, Blue Ridge
24
Turn left onto TX 160
8.4 mi
·
12 min
·
State Highway 160
Use the left lane.
25
Continue on US 69
7.8 mi
·
11 min
·
US 69
26
Turn right onto FM 1897
4.4 mi
·
6 min
·
Ole Ambrose Road
27
Turn right onto FM 1753
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
FM 1753
28
Arrive at destination
FM 1753
Trip Plan
Given the 4 hour and 55-minute duration, starting your drive from Austin in the morning is recommended to maximize daylight and arrive at a reasonable hour in Anthony. With only one recommended stop, you have the flexibility to pace yourself. Keep an eye on fuel, especially during the 129.2-mile stretch on the Purple Heart Trail, as services might be less frequent. Planning your fuel stops proactively will ensure a smooth journey and avoid any unnecessary delays on this efficient Texas route.
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 134 miles from Austin, TX, or about 2h 21m 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 59 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 134 miles or 2h 21m 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 52m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Anthony, 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 268 miles and 4h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 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 134 mi from Austin, TX · 2h 21m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
134 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 59 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 134 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 Anthony, TX
The final approach into Anthony, 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 Anthony, 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
$40.50 one way
$80.99 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
94 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $44.33 | $88.65 |
| premium | $4.54 | $47.85 | $95.70 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $59.17 | $118.34 |
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
$41
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 93.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 80.4 | 0 | $28.14 | $12.86 |
| Efficient EV | 67 | 0 | $23.45 | $10.72 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 107.2 | 1 | $37.52 | $17.15 |
Gas CO2
94 kg
EV CO2
31 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
Anthony, TX
Evening in Anthony on Thursday
Local time
7:57 PM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
9 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 55m 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 Anthony, TX covers 268 miles and takes about 4h 55m 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 134 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 $40.50 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 21 significant decision points across 268 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 Anthony, TX, road signs point toward Fort Worth, Texarkana, Convention Center, Mckinney, Bryan Street East and Blue Ridge.
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