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Trip from Austin, TX to Gardendale, TX

Data updated 4 hours ago

Drive Time

6h 44m

Distance

343.9 mi

554 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$52

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min
4 AM
6h 33m ★
6 AM
6h 45m
8 AM
7h 8m
10 AM
6h 53m
12 PM
6h 51m
3 PM
6h 54m
5 PM
7h 7m
8 PM
6h 38m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Austin, TX, TX

Austin, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Gardendale, TX, TX

Gardendale, TX

Jeff Stapleton

Trip Overview

The drive from Austin, TX to Gardendale, TX covers 343.9 miles and takes about 6h 44m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on United States Highway 87, TX 158, TX 71 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 71.2 miles on United States Highway 87. At current regular gas prices, budget about $51.96 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

172 miles from Austin, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 30m into the drive .

Loading map...

Drive Character

This is a 6h 44m highway drive covering 343.9 miles, with most of the trip on United States Highway 87 and TX 158. The longest continuous stretch is about 71.2 miles on United States Highway 87.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 38 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
United States Highway 87 is the longest continuous segment at about 71.2 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on United States Highway 87 and TX 158. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Brazos Street.

Route Complexity 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 343.9 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 0.1 miles (Brazos Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.1 miles (East 6th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 2 miles (Atlanta Street): Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 20 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

7
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | Brazos Street

Turn left onto Brazos Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
6
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | East 6th Street

Turn left onto East 6th Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
5
2 mi into trip | ~5m in | Atlanta Street

Turn left onto Atlanta Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
7
6.2 mi into trip | ~10m in

Take the exit toward US 290 West, TX 71 West: Johnson City, Llano

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 US 290 West, TX 71 West: Johnson City, L...
6
6.8 mi into trip | ~11m in

Keep slight left at fork toward US 290 West, TX 71 West

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 290 West, TX 71 West

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Austin, TX to Gardendale, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Sh 158 West: Midland along the way.

Sh 158 West: Midland

251 mi in | ~4h 58m | via TX 158

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
United States Highway 87 71.2 mi 1h 16m
TX 158 62.7 mi 1h 11m
TX 71 48.7 mi 53m
East State Highway 71 42 mi 56m
US Highway 87 North 25.8 mi 26m
West Highway 71 22.4 mi 31m
US 87 18.6 mi 20m
I 20 16.8 mi 17m
Longest stretch: United States Highway 87 — 71.2 mi, about 1h 16m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Austin, TX and Gardendale, TX.

1

Start on East 5th Street

417 ft · 15 sec · East 5th Street
2

Turn left onto Brazos Street

357 ft · 23 sec · Brazos Street
Use the left lane.
3

Turn left onto East 6th Street

1.9 mi · 4 min · East 6th Street
Use the straight lane.
4

Turn left onto Atlanta Street

233 ft · 6 sec · Atlanta Street
Use the left lane.
5

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 26 sec
Toward Loop 1 South
6

Merge onto Loop 1

3.9 mi · 4 min · South Mopac Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward US 290 West, TX 71 West: Johnson City, Llano Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Keep slight left at fork

319 ft · 7 sec
Toward US 290 West, TX 71 West
9

Merge onto US 290; TX 71

2.5 mi · 3 min · US 290; TX 71
Use the straight / right lanes.
10

Turn slight right onto West Highway 71

22 mi · 31 min · West Highway 71
11

Continue on TX 71

42 mi · 56 min · East State Highway 71
Use the right lane.
12

Keep slight right at fork onto TX 71

1.5 mi · 2 min · TX 71
13

Turn left onto TX 29; TX 71

2.7 mi · 3 min · West Young Street
14

Continue on TX 71

47 mi · 50 min · TX 71
15

Turn right onto US 87; US 377

2.8 mi · 3 min · US 87; US 377
16

At end of road, turn left onto US 87; US 190; US 377

0.3 mi · 19 sec · Commerce Street
17

Turn straight onto US 87

71 mi · 1 hr 16 min · United States Highway 87
18

Continue on US 87; Loop 306

4.1 mi · 5 min · South Bryant Boulevard
19

Continue on US 87; US 277

1.4 mi · 2 min · South Koenigheim Street
20

Continue on US 87; US 277; US 67 Bus

4.3 mi · 6 min · North Bryant Boulevard
21

Continue on US 87

23 mi · 23 min · US Highway 87 North
22

Continue on US 87

16 mi · 16 min · US 87
23

Turn straight onto US 87; TX 158; TX 163

2.6 mi · 2 min · US Highway 87 North
24

Take the exit onto TX 158

63 mi · 1 hr 11 min · TX 158
Toward SH 158 West: Midland
25

Turn left onto East Interstate 20

0.3 mi · 30 sec · East Interstate 20
26

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 24 sec
Toward I 20 West: Odessa
27

Merge onto I 20; TX 158

5.9 mi · 5 min · I 20; TX 158
28

Continue on I 20; TX 349

11 mi · 11 min · I 20; TX 349
29

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 19 sec
Toward Loop 338: Odessa
30

Turn left onto East Interstate 20

235 ft · 4 sec · East Interstate 20
31

Turn right onto Loop 338

0.7 mi · 53 sec · Southeast Loop 338
32

Continue on Loop 338

2.6 mi · 3 min · Ray C. Stoker, Jr. Memorial Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
33

Continue on Loop 338

2.8 mi · 3 min · Northeast Loop 338
34

Take the exit

225 ft · 6 sec
35

Turn straight onto FM 554

6.2 mi · 7 min · FM 554
36

Turn left onto East Goldenrod Drive

0.3 mi · 41 sec · East Goldenrod Drive
37

Turn right onto North Gardendale Avenue

140 ft · 6 sec · North Gardendale Avenue
38

Arrive at destination

North Gardendale Avenue

Trip Plan

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 172 miles from Austin, TX, or about 3h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 71.2 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 50m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 172 miles or 3h 30m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 5h 35m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gardendale, 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 343.9 miles and 6h 44m.

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 United States Highway 87 for about 71.2 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 172 mi from Austin, TX · 3h 30m into the drive

city in Wiliamson Couty, Texas, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Leander, TX

172 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

Leander, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Live Oak, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 172 miles from Austin, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before United States Highway 87 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 71.2 miles.

Arriving in Gardendale, TX

The final approach into Gardendale, 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 Gardendale, TX.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park

Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park tells the story of our 36th president beginning with his ancestors until his final resting place on his beloved LBJ Ranch. This entire "circle of life" gives...

23 mi from route ~58 min detour Free near mile 47.4
Park Closure: Texas White House Complex Closure
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$51.96 one way

$103.93 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 120 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.20 $56.88 $113.76
premium $4.54 $61.40 $122.80
diesel $5.61 $75.93 $151.86

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$52

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$77–$102

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 120.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $36 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 103.2 1 $36.11 $16.51
Efficient EV 86 0 $30.09 $13.76
EV Truck/SUV 137.6 1 $48.15 $22.01

Gas CO2

120 kg

EV CO2

40 kg (67% 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.

Forecast data refreshed 5 days ago

Origin

Austin, TX

Night in Austin on Tuesday

Local time

11:21 PM

CDT

Current temp

65°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Gardendale, TX

Night in Gardendale on Tuesday

Local time

11:21 PM

CDT

Current temp

53°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

12 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

6h 44m 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 Gardendale, TX covers 343.9 miles and takes about 6h 44m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are United States Highway 87, TX 158, TX 71. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 172 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 $51.96 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 is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 343.9 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 0.1 miles (Brazos Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.1 miles (East 6th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 2 miles (Atlanta Street): Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Austin, TX to Gardendale, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Sh 158 West: Midland along the way.

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