Origin
Austin, TX
Afternoon in Austin on Sunday
Local time
3:28 PM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Austin, TX to Cleburne, TX
Drive Time
3h 5m
Distance
167.6 mi
270 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 54m
★
6 AM
3h 5m
8 AM
3h 28m
10 AM
3h 13m
12 PM
3h 11m
3 PM
3h 15m
5 PM
3h 27m
8 PM
2h 58m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Austin, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Cleburne, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Trip Overview
Spanning 167.6 miles, the drive from Austin to Cleburne typically takes about 3 hours and 5 minutes. Since this is a manageable distance, you can easily complete the trip in a single day without needing an overnight stay. You will navigate a mix of city streets like Red River and East 7th before transitioning onto Interstate 35. With an estimated fuel cost of $25, it is a budget-friendly journey across the Great Plains. Because both cities are located within the same region, you won't experience drastic changes in terrain, but the route provides a steady connection between these two Texas hubs.
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
83.8 miles from Austin, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 29m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is defined by its turn-heavy, local nature rather than a high-speed interstate cruise. You will spend your time navigating through urban and local environments, as the highway share for this route is 0%. Expect a hands-on driving experience that requires your full attention as you transition off the main interstate arteries. The journey lacks long, uninterrupted stretches, keeping you engaged with frequent turns and changing road conditions. It is a practical, functional drive that favors local maneuvering over the monotonous drone of wide-open highway miles.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 20 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?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 13 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 167.6 miles you will encounter 13 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 13 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
8
152.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 39m in
Take the exit toward FM 916: Grandview, Maypearl
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 15
Toward FM 916: Grandview, Maypearl
Towns Along This Route
Between Austin, TX and Cleburne, TX, road signs point toward Fm 916: Grandview and Maypearl.
Fm 916: Grandview
152.5 mi in
|
~2h 39m
Maypearl
152.5 mi in
|
~2h 39m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Purple Heart Trail | 129.2 mi | 2h 14m |
| I 35W | 15.7 mi | 15m |
| East FM 4 | 11.7 mi | 19m |
| South Jack Kultgen Expressway | 6.6 mi | 7m |
| East 2nd Street | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| East Criner Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| McDuff Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| South Caddo Street | 0.5 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 Cleburne, 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
16 mi
·
15 min
·
I 35W
Toward I 35W: Fort Worth
Use the slight left lane.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Exit 15
Toward FM 916: Grandview, Maypearl
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Turn left onto I-35 Frontage Road
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
I-35 Frontage Road
13
Turn left onto FM 916
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
East Criner Street
14
Continue on FM 4; FM 916
393 ft
·
7 sec
·
East Criner Street
15
Continue on FM 4; FM 916
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
McDuff Avenue
16
Continue on FM 4; FM 916
12 mi
·
19 min
·
East FM 4
17
Continue on FM 4
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
East 2nd Street
18
Turn right onto TX 171; TX 174; FM 4
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
·
South Caddo Street
19
Turn left onto US 67 Bus
232 ft
·
3 sec
·
East Henderson Street
20
Arrive at destination
US 67 Bus
Trip Plan
To ensure a smooth journey, plan for at least one stop to break up the 3-hour drive. Leaving early in the day is your best strategy to avoid peak congestion, especially when navigating the turn-heavy local roads that characterize this route. Budget approximately $25 for fuel, and keep your GPS accessible since the lack of highway travel means you will be making frequent navigation decisions. Because the trip is short and flexible, you have the advantage of adjusting your pace to suit your personal schedule. Focus on staying alert during the local segments, as the transition between city streets and secondary roads requires constant navigation adjustments.
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 83.8 miles from Austin, TX, or about 1h 29m 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 83.8 miles or 1h 29m 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 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cleburne, 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 167.6 miles and 3h 5m.
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 83.8 mi from Austin, TX · 1h 29m 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.
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 83.8 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 129.2 miles.
Arriving in Cleburne, TX
The final approach into Cleburne, 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 Cleburne, 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
$25.60 one way
$51.20 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
59 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $28.06 | $56.11 |
| premium | $4.59 | $30.29 | $60.59 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $37.23 | $74.47 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 50.3 | 0 | $17.60 | $8.04 |
| Efficient EV | 41.9 | 0 | $14.67 | $6.70 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 67 | 0 | $23.46 | $10.73 |
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.
Destination
Cleburne, TX
Afternoon in Cleburne on Sunday
Local time
3:28 PM
CDT
Current temp
58°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
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
3h 5m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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 Cleburne, TX covers 167.6 miles and takes about 3h 5m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Purple Heart Trail, I 35W, East FM 4. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 83.8 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 $25.60 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 167.6 miles you will encounter 13 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.
Between Austin, TX and Cleburne, TX, road signs point toward Fm 916: Grandview and Maypearl.
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