Skip to main content
Trip.ovh Logo
Trip.ovh

Trip from Austin, TX to Hillsboro, TX

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

2h 23m

Distance

134 mi

216 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$20

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

6 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 29 min
4 AM
2h 14m ★
6 AM
2h 23m
8 AM
2h 43m
10 AM
2h 30m
12 PM
2h 28m
3 PM
2h 31m
5 PM
2h 42m
8 PM
2h 18m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
Downtown Austin, TX, TX

Austin, TX

Wikimedia Commons

city in and county seat of Hill County, Texas, United States

Hillsboro, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 134-mile drive from Austin, TX, to Hillsboro, TX, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 23 minutes. With a fuel cost estimated at $20, it's an affordable excursion. You'll primarily navigate on the Purple Heart Trail, South Jack Kultgen Expressway, and Abbott Avenue, with a relatively low highway share of 5%. The journey offers a local driving experience, making it suitable for a relaxed pace. Since both your origin and destination are within the Great Plains region, expect consistent, open-road characteristics throughout.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

67 miles from Austin, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 11m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 23m. Total distance: 134 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (5%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Scenic Drive

Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.

Drive Character

Expect a turn-heavy local drive for this 134-mile route. While only 5% of the journey is on highways, you'll encounter local roads for the majority of the time. The longest continuous stretch you'll experience is 122.7 miles on the Purple Heart Trail, offering a good period of uninterrupted travel before transitioning to more urban or local segments. This profile suggests a drive that requires attention to navigation and local traffic patterns rather than a high-speed interstate cruise.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 12 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 122.7 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 8 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.

Driving Effort 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 134 miles you will encounter 8 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 0.6 miles (North Interstate 35): Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 8 key points

These 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.
5
0.6 mi into trip | ~1m in | North Interstate 35

Turn left onto North Interstate 35

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left 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 straight / slight right lanes.
7
130.4 mi into trip | ~2h 17m in | TX 81 / Abbott Avenue

Take the exit onto TX 81 / Abbott Avenue toward TX 81 North: Hillsboro

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 364B Toward TX 81 North: Hillsboro

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Purple Heart Trail 122.7 mi 2h 7m
South Jack Kultgen Expressway 6.6 mi 7m
Abbott Avenue 3.1 mi 4m
South Waco Street 0.5 mi <1m
East 5th Street 0.3 mi <1m
North Interstate 35 0.2 mi <1m
East 7th Street 0.1 mi <1m
Red River Street 0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Purple Heart Trail — 122.7 mi, about 2h 7m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Austin, TX and Hillsboro, 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

96 mi · 1 hr 40 min · Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Continue on I 35

6.6 mi · 7 min · South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Continue on I 35; US 77

27 mi · 26 min · Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Take the exit onto TX 81

3.1 mi · 4 min · Abbott Avenue
Exit 364B Toward TX 81 North: Hillsboro Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Continue on TX 81

0.5 mi · 53 sec · South Waco Street
12

Arrive at destination

TX 81

Trip Plan

Given the relatively short duration of just over two hours, this trip is perfect for a spontaneous day drive. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize your time at your destination. With no designated stops, you have the flexibility to pull over as needed, but keep an eye on your fuel, as the longest stretch is significant. A good tip for this route is to be prepared for frequent turns as you transition between local roads, especially as you approach Hillsboro.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 67 miles from Austin, TX, or about 1h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 122.7 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 29 miles or 31m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 67 miles or 1h 11m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 56m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hillsboro, 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 134 miles and 2h 23m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 miles from Austin, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Purple Heart Trail for about 122.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 67 mi from Austin, TX · 1h 11m into the drive

city in Bell County, Texas

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Troy, TX

67 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

Georgetown, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 29 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Temple, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 67 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 Purple Heart Trail if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 122.7 miles.

Arriving in Hillsboro, TX

The final approach into Hillsboro, 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 Hillsboro, 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Waco Mammoth National Monument

Waco Mammoth National Monument

National Monument

Standing as tall as 14 feet and weighing 20,000 pounds, Columbian mammoths roamed across what is present-day Texas thousands of years ago. Today, the fossil specimens represent the nation's first and...

5 mi from route ~12 min detour Free near mile 101.6
View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$20.25 one way

$40.50 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 47 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.20 $22.16 $44.33
premium $4.54 $23.92 $47.85
diesel $5.61 $29.59 $59.17

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$20

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$45–$70

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 46.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

6 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Lakehills Plaza - Tesla Supercharger

Austin, TX

Tesla

12 DCFC

PIE AE AUSTIN HS DCFC1

Austin, TX

ChargePoint Network

1 DCFC

PIE AE AUSTIN HS DCFC3

Austin, TX

ChargePoint Network

1 DCFC

PIE AE AUSTIN HS DCFC4

Austin, TX

ChargePoint Network

1 DCFC

PIE AE AUSTIN HS DCFC2

Austin, TX

ChargePoint Network

1 DCFC

PIE AE TRAVIS CO DC 1

Austin, TX

ChargePoint Network

1 DCFC

ChargePoint Network: 5 Tesla: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 40.2 0 $14.07 $6.43
Efficient EV 33.5 0 $11.73 $5.36
EV Truck/SUV 53.6 0 $18.76 $8.58

Gas CO2

47 kg

EV CO2

16 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Austin, TX

Afternoon in Austin on Thursday

Local time

3:24 PM

CDT

Current temp

63°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Hillsboro, TX

Afternoon in Hillsboro on Thursday

Local time

3:24 PM

CDT

Current temp

70°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

60°F

Troy, TX

67 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 warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

2h 23m 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 Hillsboro, TX covers 134 miles and takes about 2h 23m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Purple Heart Trail, South Jack Kultgen Expressway, Abbott Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 67 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 $20.25 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 134 miles you will encounter 8 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 0.6 miles (North Interstate 35): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Austin, TX to Hillsboro, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Continue From Hillsboro, TX

Irving, TX 71.1 mi · 1h 20m Arlington, TX 65.9 mi · 1h 16m Dallas, TX 62.6 mi · 1h 8m Fort Worth, TX 53.7 mi · 58m

More from Austin, TX

Gruver, TX 599.2 mi · 10h 44m Spearman, TX 584.9 mi · 10h 30m El Paso, TX 577.2 mi · 9h 42m Amarillo, TX 495.5 mi · 8h 54m Shamrock, TX 466 mi · 8h 28m Muleshoe, TX 442 mi · 7h 58m

More trips to Hillsboro, TX

Montopolis, TX 140 mi Frisco, TX 87.9 mi Plano, TX 80.5 mi Irving, TX 68.3 mi Arlington, TX 65.5 mi Dallas, TX 62.1 mi
Weekend drives from Austin, TX Scenic drives in TX

Explore more options from Austin, TX or browse trips ending in Hillsboro, TX.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TX road trips.

Explore maps for Austin, TX or Hillsboro, TX on MapSof.net.