Origin
Austin, TX
Afternoon in Austin on Sunday
Local time
2:17 PM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Austin, TX to Garland, TX
Drive Time
6h 11m
Distance
345.4 mi
556 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$53
one way
Austin, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Spanning 346.7 miles, your journey from Austin to Garland is a straightforward trek across the Great Plains that typically takes 5 hours and 11 minutes of driving time. Because this route is manageable in a single day, you likely won't need an overnight stay unless you prefer a more leisurely pace. Budgeting roughly $52 for fuel will cover your gas requirements for the trip. You will navigate a mix of city streets like Red River Street and East 7th Street before transitioning to Interstate 35. Since both your origin and destination sit within the same region, you can expect a consistent Great Plains landscape throughout your travels. It is a practical drive that gets you from Central Texas to the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex efficiently.
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
172.7 miles from Austin, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 1m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a mindless highway cruise, as this route requires you to navigate local thoroughfares before reaching the interstate. With a highway share of 0%, you should prepare for more frequent stops and traffic signals compared to a standard cross-country freeway haul. The experience behind the wheel will feel more technical than a long, straight stretch of open road, demanding your full attention as you transition between city arteries. Because the route relies on local roads, the rhythm of your drive will change frequently as you exit urban centers and navigate toward Garland. Stay alert, as the lack of sustained high-speed highway segments means the pace remains steady but deliberate.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
East R L Thornton Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 132.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on East R L Thornton Freeway and Purple Heart Trail. 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.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 345.4 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 136.8 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 193 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 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
136.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 24m in
|
I 35E
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E toward I 35E: Dallas
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 35E: Dallas
8
193 mi into trip
|
~3h 22m in
Take the exit toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Riverfront Boulevard, Griffin Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 427A
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Riverfront Bouleva...
7
193.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 23m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 30 East: Texarkana
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana
7
201.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 33m in
|
I 30; US 67 / East R L Thornton Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 30; US 67 / East R L Thornton Freeway toward I 30 East: Texarkana
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana
Towns Along This Route
Between Austin, TX and Garland, TX, road signs point toward Fort Worth, Texarkana, Convention Center and Daingerfield.
Fort Worth
193.4 mi in
|
~3h 23m
Texarkana
193.4 mi in
|
~3h 23m
Convention Center
193.4 mi in
|
~3h 23m
Daingerfield
326.5 mi in
|
~5h 41m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| East R L Thornton Freeway | 132.6 mi | 2h 17m |
| Purple Heart Trail | 129.2 mi | 2h 14m |
| I 35E | 56.2 mi | 58m |
| US Highway 259 North | 16.5 mi | 24m |
| South Jack Kultgen Expressway | 6.6 mi | 7m |
| FM 1701 | 2.1 mi | 4m |
| East 5th Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| North Interstate 35 | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
East R L Thornton Freeway
— 132.6 mi, about 2h 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Austin, TX and Garland, 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 right at fork onto I 35E
56 mi
·
58 min
·
I 35E
Toward I 35E: Dallas
Use the slight right lane.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
Exit 427A
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Riverfront Boulevard, Griffin Street
Use the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
422 ft
·
5 sec
Toward I 35E North, I 30 West: Denton, Fort Worth, Texarkana
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
32 sec
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Convention Center
14
Keep slight left at fork
385 ft
·
6 sec
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana
Use the none lane.
15
Continue on I 30; US 67
7.5 mi
·
9 min
·
East R L Thornton Freeway
Use the none lane.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 30; US 67
125 mi
·
2 hr 8 min
·
East R L Thornton Freeway
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
Toward US 259: De Kalb, Daingerfield
18
Turn left onto US 259
17 mi
·
24 min
·
US Highway 259 North
19
Turn left onto FM 1701
2.1 mi
·
4 min
·
FM 1701
20
Arrive at destination
FM 1701
Trip Plan
Planning your departure is key, as the heavy reliance on local roads means traffic can significantly impact your 5-hour and 11-minute drive time. Aim to leave during off-peak hours to avoid the congestion typical of city-bound arteries. Since you have one planned stop along the way, use that time to refuel and stretch your legs, keeping your $52 budget in mind as you monitor your gauge. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, so adjust your pace if you encounter unexpected delays on Red River Street or East 7th Street. A concrete tip for this specific route: double-check your GPS frequently, as the turn-heavy nature of the local roads can lead to missed exits if you aren't watching the navigation closely.
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 172.7 miles from Austin, TX, or about 3h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 132.6 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 172.7 miles or 3h 1m 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 59m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Garland, 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 345.4 miles and 6h 11m.
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 East R L Thornton Freeway for about 132.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 172.7 mi from Austin, TX · 3h 1m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
173 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 172.7 miles from Austin, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before East R L Thornton Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 132.6 miles.
Arriving in Garland, TX
The final approach into Garland, 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 Garland, 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
$52.76 one way
$105.52 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
121 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $57.82 | $115.64 |
| premium | $4.59 | $62.43 | $124.86 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $76.74 | $153.47 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$53
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$78–$103
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 120.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 103.6 | 1 | $36.27 | $16.58 |
| Efficient EV | 86.4 | 0 | $30.22 | $13.82 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 138.2 | 1 | $48.36 | $22.11 |
Gas CO2
121 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.
Destination
Garland, TX
Afternoon in Garland on Sunday
Local time
2:17 PM
CDT
Current temp
63°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
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
6h 11m 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 Garland, TX covers 345.4 miles and takes about 6h 11m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are East R L Thornton Freeway, Purple Heart Trail, I 35E. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 172.7 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 $52.76 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 16 significant decision points across 345.4 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 136.8 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 193 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Austin, TX and Garland, TX, road signs point toward Fort Worth, Texarkana, Convention Center and Daingerfield.
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