Origin
Austin, TX
Evening in Austin on Friday
Local time
7:17 PM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Austin, TX to Elkhart, TX
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 39m
Distance
181.2 mi
292 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 27m
★
6 AM
3h 39m
8 AM
4h 4m
10 AM
3h 48m
12 PM
3h 46m
3 PM
3h 49m
5 PM
4h 3m
8 PM
3h 32m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Austin, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Elkhart, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This straightforward 181.2-mile journey from Austin, TX to Elkhart, TX can be completed in about 3 hours and 39 minutes, making it an ideal day trip. You'll primarily be on US 79, with segments of Pickle Parkway and TX 294 contributing to the route. With an estimated fuel cost of $27, this drive is budget-friendly. The route stays within the Great Plains region of Texas, offering a consistent landscape. This trip is designed for a single day, allowing for flexibility and a relaxed pace.
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
90.6 miles from Austin, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 51m into the drive .
About the Cities
Starting in Austin, TX
Full guide →“City of the Violet Crown” · Founded 1835
Austin is a city of about 1,054,000 (2026) surpassing Fort Worth to become the 4th most populous city in Texas. It is on the southeast edge of the Hill Country region of Texas, making it the fourth-largest city in the state and the 11th-largest in the country. It is the capital of Texas and a college town, and also a center of an alternative culture away from the major cities on the US coasts, though the city is rapidly gentrifying with its rising popularity. Austin's attitude is commonly emblazoned about town on T-shirts and bumper stickers that read: "Keep Austin Weird." Austin is also marketed as the Live Music Capital of the World due to the large number of venues.
Top landmarks
- • Texas State Capitol — capitol and seat of government of the U.S. state of Texas
- • Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum — presidential library and museum for U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson in Austin,...
- • Texas State Cemetery — historic cemetery in Austin, Texas, USA
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 39m. Total distance: 181.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive, with 89% of the route utilizing major roads. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 128.1 miles on US 79. This means you'll experience extended periods of steady driving, characteristic of a more direct, less varied route. While primarily highway, the inclusion of Pickle Parkway and TX 294 might offer slight shifts in the road's character before you reach your destination in Elkhart.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 28 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 79 is the longest continuous segment at about 128.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 79 and Pickle Parkway. 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 22 significant decision points across 181.2 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 0.5 miles (East 7th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.4 miles (US 290): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 11.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 22 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
4.4 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
US 290
Take the exit onto US 290 toward US 290 East: Houston
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 238B
Toward US 290 East: Houston
7
11.1 mi into trip
|
~14m in
Take the exit toward TX 130 Toll North, TX 130 Toll South: Georgetown, San Antonio
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.
Toward TX 130 Toll North, TX 130 Toll South: Ge...
7
11.6 mi into trip
|
~15m in
Keep slight left at fork toward TX 130 Toll North: Georgetown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward TX 130 Toll North: Georgetown
8
25.3 mi into trip
|
~29m in
Take the exit toward US 79: Taylor, Round Rock, Palm Valley Boulevard
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 423
Toward US 79: Taylor, Round Rock, Palm Valley B...
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 Elkhart, TX, road signs point toward San Antonio and Round Rock.
San Antonio
11.1 mi in
|
~14m
Round Rock
25.3 mi in
|
~29m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 79 | 128.1 mi | 2h 31m |
| Pickle Parkway | 12.8 mi | 11m |
| TX 294 | 12.2 mi | 18m |
| Palm Valley Boulevard | 5 mi | 6m |
| Carlos G Parker Boulevard Southwest | 4.3 mi | 4m |
| Manor Expressway | 4.2 mi | 4m |
| Purple Heart Trail | 3.5 mi | 4m |
| West 2nd Street | 3.1 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
US 79
— 128.1 mi, about 2h 31m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Austin, TX and Elkhart, 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
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit onto US 290
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
US 290
Exit 238B
Toward US 290 East: Houston
Use the slight right lane.
9
Continue on 290 Toll
4.2 mi
·
4 min
·
Manor Expressway
10
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward TX 130 Toll North, TX 130 Toll South: Georgetown, San Antonio
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Toward TX 130 Toll North: Georgetown
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto TX 45 Toll; TX 130 Toll
13 mi
·
11 min
·
Pickle Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Exit 423
Toward US 79: Taylor, Round Rock, Palm Valley Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on this road
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
this road
Exit 423
Toward US 79: Palm Valley Boulevard
15
Continue on TX 130 Frontage Road
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
TX 130 Frontage Road
16
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
33 sec
17
Merge onto US 79
5.0 mi
·
6 min
·
Palm Valley Boulevard
18
Continue on US 79
3.1 mi
·
3 min
·
West 2nd Street
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Toward US 79 North: Rockdale
20
Continue on US 79
4.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Carlos G Parker Boulevard Southwest
21
Keep slight right at fork onto US 79
53 mi
·
1 hr 5 min
·
US 79
22
Take the exit onto US 79; US 190
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
·
US 79; US 190
23
At end of road, turn left onto US 79; US 190; TX 6
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Market Street
24
Continue on US 79; TX 6
0.3 mi
·
22 sec
·
North State Highway 6
25
Keep slight left at fork onto US 79
75 mi
·
1 hr 25 min
·
US 79
26
Turn right onto TX 294
12 mi
·
18 min
·
TX 294
27
Turn right onto FM 861
113 ft
·
3 sec
·
South Main
28
Arrive at destination
FM 861
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour, 39-minute duration, departing Austin in the morning will comfortably get you to Elkhart by midday. With only one recommended stop, you have plenty of flexibility to pull over when needed. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the longest stretch on US 79, as services can be spaced out. The fuel cost is estimated at $27, so you can factor that into your travel budget. A practical tip for this route: consider starting your drive shortly after sunrise to maximize daylight and minimize traffic leaving Austin.
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 90.6 miles from Austin, TX, or about 1h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 128.1 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 40 miles or 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 90.6 miles or 1h 51m 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 57m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Elkhart, 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 181.2 miles and 3h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 40 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 US 79 for about 128.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 90.6 mi from Austin, TX · 1h 51m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
91 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 40 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 90.6 miles from Austin, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 79 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 128.1 miles.
Arriving in Elkhart, TX
The final approach into Elkhart, 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 Elkhart, 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
$27.38 one way
$54.76 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
63 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $29.97 | $59.94 |
| premium | $4.54 | $32.35 | $64.70 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $40.01 | $80.01 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 63.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 54.4 | 0 | $19.03 | $8.70 |
| Efficient EV | 45.3 | 0 | $15.85 | $7.25 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 72.5 | 0 | $25.37 | $11.60 |
Gas CO2
63 kg
EV CO2
21 kg (67% 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
Elkhart, TX
Evening in Elkhart on Friday
Local time
7:17 PM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
60°F
Rockdale, TX
91 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
3h 39m 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 Elkhart, TX covers 181.2 miles and takes about 3h 39m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 79, Pickle Parkway, TX 294. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 90.6 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 $27.38 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 is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 181.2 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 0.5 miles (East 7th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.4 miles (US 290): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 11.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Austin, TX and Elkhart, TX, road signs point toward San Antonio and Round Rock.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Elkhart, TX
More trips to Elkhart, TX
Explore more options from Austin, TX or browse trips ending in Elkhart, TX.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TX road trips.