Origin
Austin, TX
Afternoon in Austin on Sunday
Local time
2:16 PM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Austin, TX to Atlanta, TX
Drive Time
6h 4m
Distance
321.6 mi
517 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$49
one way
Austin, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Atlanta, TX
Thomas balabaud
Trip Overview
Traveling from Austin to Atlanta, Texas, covers 321.6 miles and typically takes about 6 hours and 4 minutes of driving time. Because this route stays entirely within the Great Plains region of Texas, you can easily complete the trip in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $49 on fuel for the journey. You will navigate a variety of thoroughfares, including the Purple Heart Trail, State Highway 155, and State Highway 31. This is a straightforward, manageable drive for those looking to cross the state, offering a consistent pace that avoids the complexities of a multi-day trek.
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
160.8 miles from Austin, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 55m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip features a mixed-drive profile, with highways accounting for 50% of your total time behind the wheel. You will encounter varying road conditions, ranging from fast highway segments to more localized state roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch occurs on the Purple Heart Trail, where you will cover 96.1 miles at a time. The transition between these different road types keeps the drive from feeling like a monotonous interstate grind. Expect a balanced experience that requires you to stay alert as the landscape shifts from the major trails to the smaller state highways.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 40 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 96.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 21 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near Red River Street.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 321.6 miles you will encounter 21 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (Red River Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.5 miles (East 7th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.5 miles (I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 21 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.3 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Red River Street
Turn left onto Red River Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
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.
6
1.5 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
8
103.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 50m in
Take the exit toward US 84: Waco Drive, Bellmead Drive
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 338
Toward US 84: Waco Drive, Bellmead Drive
6
230.6 mi into trip
|
~4h 17m in
|
US 271; TX 155 / South Beckham Avenue
Turn left onto US 271; TX 155 / South Beckham Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Purple Heart Trail | 96.1 mi | 1h 40m |
| State Highway 155 | 40.2 mi | 45m |
| State Highway 31 | 35.8 mi | 38m |
| State Highway 31 East | 21.1 mi | 24m |
| North Tyler Street | 14.9 mi | 17m |
| US 59 | 14.4 mi | 17m |
| Corsicana Bypass | 11.8 mi | 13m |
| State Highway 155 North | 11.5 mi | 12m |
Longest stretch:
Purple Heart Trail
— 96.1 mi, about 1h 40m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Austin, TX and Atlanta, 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
6.0 mi
·
6 min
·
South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
Exit 338
Toward US 84: Waco Drive, Bellmead Drive
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Turn straight onto North Jack Kultgen Expressway
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
·
North Jack Kultgen Expressway
11
Turn right onto US 84
0.3 mi
·
52 sec
·
East Waco Drive
Use the none lane.
12
Continue on US 84
2.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Bellmead Drive
Use the none lane.
13
Continue on US 84
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
East US Highway 84
14
Continue on TX 31
17 mi
·
17 min
·
State Highway 31
15
Continue on TX 31
5.3 mi
·
5 min
·
Hubbard Bypass
16
Continue on TX 31
19 mi
·
21 min
·
State Highway 31
17
Turn right onto TX 31
12 mi
·
13 min
·
Corsicana Bypass
Use the straight lane.
18
Turn right onto TX 31
9.3 mi
·
10 min
·
East State Highway 31
19
Continue on TX 31
9.9 mi
·
11 min
·
Northeast 2nd Street
20
Continue on TX 31
5.3 mi
·
6 min
·
West Royall Boulevard
21
Continue on TX 31
4.1 mi
·
4 min
·
State Highway 31 West
22
Turn left onto TX 31
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
TX 31
23
Merge onto TX 31; Loop 7
6.2 mi
·
7 min
·
Jed Robinson Loop
24
Take the exit onto TX 31
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
·
TX 31
25
Turn left onto TX 31
21 mi
·
24 min
·
State Highway 31 East
26
Continue on TX 31
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
West Highway 31
27
Continue on TX 31
5.6 mi
·
6 min
·
State Highway 31 West
28
Continue on TX 31
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Chandler Highway
29
Continue on TX 31
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
West Front Street
30
Turn left onto US 271; TX 155
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South Beckham Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
31
Continue on US 271; TX 155
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
East Gentry Parkway
32
Continue on US 271; TX 155
5.5 mi
·
6 min
·
US Highway 271
33
Turn left onto TX 155
4.9 mi
·
5 min
·
State Highway 155 North
34
Continue on TX 155
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
South Main Street
35
Continue on TX 155
6.7 mi
·
7 min
·
State Highway 155 North
36
At end of road, turn right onto US 80; TX 155
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
West Broadway Street
Use the none lane.
37
Turn left onto TX 155
15 mi
·
17 min
·
North Tyler Street
Use the left lane.
38
Turn right onto TX 155
40 mi
·
45 min
·
State Highway 155
39
At end of road, turn left onto US 59
14 mi
·
17 min
·
US 59
40
Arrive at destination
FM 249
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 6-hour journey, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh. Since this is a one-day trip, departing early in the morning allows you to avoid peak traffic and reach Atlanta well before sunset. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge throughout the trip, as the $49 estimate can fluctuate based on your vehicle's specific efficiency. Because you have the flexibility of a single-day drive, you can adjust your pace to suit your personal comfort level. A helpful tip for this route is to prioritize your fuel stops during the longest 96.1-mile stretch on the Purple Heart Trail to ensure you maintain momentum.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 160.8 miles from Austin, TX, or about 2h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 96.1 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 160.8 miles or 2h 55m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 57m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Atlanta, 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 321.6 miles and 6h 4m.
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 96.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 160.8 mi from Austin, TX · 2h 55m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
161 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 160.8 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 96.1 miles.
Arriving in Atlanta, TX
The final approach into Atlanta, 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 Atlanta, TX.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$49.13 one way
$98.25 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
113 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $53.84 | $107.67 |
| premium | $4.59 | $58.13 | $116.26 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $71.45 | $142.90 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$49
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$74–$99
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 112.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 96.5 | 1 | $33.77 | $15.44 |
| Efficient EV | 80.4 | 0 | $28.14 | $12.86 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 128.6 | 1 | $45.02 | $20.58 |
Gas CO2
113 kg
EV CO2
38 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Atlanta, TX
Afternoon in Atlanta on Sunday
Local time
2:16 PM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
65°F
Addison, TX
161 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
6h 4m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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 Atlanta, TX covers 321.6 miles and takes about 6h 4m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Purple Heart Trail, State Highway 155, State Highway 31. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 160.8 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 $49.13 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 321.6 miles you will encounter 21 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (Red River Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.5 miles (East 7th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.5 miles (I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Austin, TX to Atlanta, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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