Origin
Austin, TX
Afternoon in Austin on Sunday
Local time
3:24 PM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Austin, TX to Aubrey, TX
Drive Time
4h 16m
Distance
238.2 mi
383 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$36
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 3m
★
6 AM
4h 17m
8 AM
4h 43m
10 AM
4h 26m
12 PM
4h 23m
3 PM
4h 27m
5 PM
4h 42m
8 PM
4h 9m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Austin, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Aubrey, TX
Action Construction Equipment Ltd. - ACE
Trip Overview
Traveling from Austin to Aubrey covers 238.2 miles and typically takes about 4 hours and 16 minutes behind the wheel. Because this journey stays entirely within the Great Plains region of Texas, you can easily manage the trip in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $35 on fuel for the trek. You will start your journey on local roads like Red River Street and East 7th Street before transitioning to Interstate 35. It is a straightforward transit that connects the state capital to the North Texas area, making it a manageable drive for those looking to reach their destination by evening.
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
119.1 miles from Austin, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 6m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a mindless stretch of open highway. While you will utilize Interstate 35 to cover the bulk of the 238.2-mile distance, the initial portions of your trip require navigating local streets. Because the highway share is 0% for the local navigation segments, you should remain alert during the start and end of your trip. The route shifts from urban maneuvering to high-speed transit, requiring you to adjust your driving style as you leave the Austin area. It is a practical, functional drive that requires your full attention rather than a monotonous cruise.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 24 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 0.3 miles in near Red River Street.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 238.2 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 0.3 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 18 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.
7
136.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 24m in
|
I 35W
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W toward I 35W: Fort Worth
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 35W: Fort Worth
7
224.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 56m in
Take the exit toward Loop 288
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 470
Toward Loop 288
Towns Along This Route
Between Austin, TX and Aubrey, TX, road signs point toward Loop 288 and Loop 288 East.
Loop 288
224.4 mi in
|
~3h 56m
Loop 288 East
225.3 mi in
|
~3h 57m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Purple Heart Trail | 129.2 mi | 2h 14m |
| I 35W | 51.5 mi | 54m |
| North Freeway | 17.8 mi | 19m |
| I 35W TEXpress | 16.3 mi | 16m |
| East Sherman Drive | 8.8 mi | 13m |
| South Jack Kultgen Expressway | 6.6 mi | 7m |
| North Loop 288 | 3.3 mi | 4m |
| I 35 | 1.5 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 Aubrey, 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 left at fork onto I 35W
52 mi
·
54 min
·
I 35W
Toward I 35W: Fort Worth
Use the slight left lane.
11
Take the exit onto I 35W TEXpress
16 mi
·
16 min
·
I 35W TEXpress
Toward I 35W Express North: I 35W TEXpress North
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 35W
18 mi
·
19 min
·
North Freeway
Use the none lane.
13
Merge onto I 35E; US 77
0.4 mi
·
26 sec
·
I 35E; US 77
14
Continue on I 35; US 77
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
I 35; US 77
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 470
Toward Loop 288
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Turn straight onto North Interstate 35
0.7 mi
·
59 sec
·
North Interstate 35
17
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
Toward Loop 288 East
18
Continue on this road
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
this road
19
Merge onto Loop 288; US 380 Truck
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
North Loop 288
Use the none lane.
20
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Toward FM 428: Denton, Aubrey
21
Turn left onto FM 428
8.8 mi
·
13 min
·
East Sherman Drive
Use the none lane.
22
Turn right onto FM 428
146 ft
·
10 sec
·
South Main Street
23
Turn left onto East Elm Street
49 ft
·
2 sec
·
East Elm Street
24
Arrive at destination
East Elm Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a 4-hour and 16-minute drive, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refuel. Budgeting $35 for gas should cover your needs, but keep an eye on your gauge as you navigate the local exits near the beginning of your trip. Leaving early in the morning is your best bet to avoid the heaviest congestion on Interstate 35. Given the turn-heavy nature of the route, double-check your GPS settings before pulling away from your starting point on Red River Street. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, so feel free to adjust your pace to ensure you reach Aubrey feeling refreshed rather than fatigued.
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 119.1 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 119.1 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 25m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Aubrey, 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 238.2 miles and 4h 16m.
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 119.1 mi from Austin, TX · 2h 6m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
119 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 119.1 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 Aubrey, TX
The final approach into Aubrey, 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 Aubrey, 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
$36.39 one way
$72.77 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
83 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $39.88 | $79.75 |
| premium | $4.59 | $43.05 | $86.11 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $52.92 | $105.84 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 83.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 71.5 | 0 | $25.01 | $11.43 |
| Efficient EV | 59.6 | 0 | $20.84 | $9.53 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 95.3 | 1 | $33.35 | $15.24 |
Gas CO2
83 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (66% 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
Aubrey, TX
Afternoon in Aubrey on Sunday
Local time
3:24 PM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
62°F
Aledo, TX
119 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
2 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 16m 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 Aubrey, TX covers 238.2 miles and takes about 4h 16m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Purple Heart Trail, I 35W, North Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 119.1 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 $36.39 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 18 significant decision points across 238.2 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 0.3 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.
Between Austin, TX and Aubrey, TX, road signs point toward Loop 288 and Loop 288 East.
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