The drive from Austin, TX to Kingsville, TX covers 231.3 miles and takes about 4h 5m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 37, Purple Heart Trail, I 69E for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 118.7 miles on I 37.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $34.95 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
115.6 miles from Austin, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 5m into the drive
.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 5m. Total distance: 231.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Drive Character
This is a 4h 5m highway drive covering 231.3 miles, with most of the trip on I 37 and Purple Heart Trail. The longest continuous stretch is about 118.7 miles on I 37.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 37 is the longest continuous segment at about 118.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 37 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 North Interstate 35.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 231.3 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 (North Interstate 35): Lane positioning matters here; at 71.1 miles (I 410 / Connally Loop): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 82 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
0.5 mi into trip|~1m in|North Interstate 35
At end of road, turn right onto North Interstate 35
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
7
71.1 mi into trip|~1h 18m in|I 410 / Connally Loop
Keep slight right at fork onto I 410 / Connally Loop toward I 410 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 410 South
8
82 mi into trip|~1h 31m in
Take the exit toward I 37, US 281 North: San Antonio, Corpus Christi
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 41
Toward I 37, US 281 North: San Antonio, Corpus...
7
82.2 mi into trip|~1h 31m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 37 South: Corpus Christi
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 37 South: Corpus Christi
7
201.5 mi into trip|~3h 32m in|I 69E; US 77
Take the exit onto I 69E; US 77 toward I 69E, US 77: Kingsville, Brownsville
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 I 69E, US 77: Kingsville, Brownsville
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 Kingsville, TX, road signs point toward Corpus Christi and Brownsville.
Corpus Christi
82 mi in|~1h 31m
Brownsville
201.5 mi in|~3h 32m|via I 69E; US 77
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 37
118.7 mi
1h 59m
Purple Heart Trail
58.3 mi
1h 3m
I 69E
28.6 mi
31m
Connally Loop
11 mi
12m
North Pan Am Expressway
10 mi
11m
Interstate Highway 35
1.7 mi
1m
East King Avenue
0.9 mi
1m
East 5th Street
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 37
— 118.7 mi, about 1h 59m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Austin, TX and Kingsville, TX.
1
Start on East 5th Street
0.5 mi·1 min·East 5th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
2
At end of road, turn right onto North Interstate 35
0.4 mi·39 sec·North Interstate 35
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward I 35 South
4
Merge onto I 35; US 290
46 mi·50 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Continue on I 35
1.7 mi·1 min·Interstate Highway 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on I 35
12 mi·12 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 35
10.0 mi·11 min·North Pan Am Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 410
11 mi·12 min·Connally Loop
Toward I 410 SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 41Toward I 37, US 281 North: San Antonio, Corpus ChristiUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 37 South: Corpus ChristiUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 37
119 mi·1 hr 59 min·I 37
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit onto I 69E; US 77
29 mi·31 min·I 69E; US 77
Toward I 69E, US 77: Kingsville, BrownsvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.1 mi·18 sec
Toward TX 141
14
Turn straight onto South US Highway 77 Bypass
0.1 mi·25 sec·South US Highway 77 Bypass
15
Turn right onto TX 141
0.9 mi·1 min·East King Avenue
16
Turn right onto US 77 Business
54 ft·0 sec·South 14th Street
17
Arrive at destination
US 77 Business
Trip Plan
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 115.6 miles from Austin, TX, or about 2h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 118.7 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 51 miles or 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 115.6 miles or 2h 5m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kingsville, 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 231.3 miles and 4h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 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 I 37 for about 118.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 115.6 mi from Austin, TX
· 2h 5m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Welcome to San Antonio Missions, a National Park Service site and the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Texas. Each mission in the park is a center of community and has been since the early 1700s. Th...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 79.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.95 one way
$69.90 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg81 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$38.26
$76.51
premium
$4.54
$41.30
$82.59
diesel
$5.61
$51.07
$102.14
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 80.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
9 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
PIE AE AUSTIN HS DCFC3
Austin, TX
ChargePoint Network
1 DCFC
PIE AE SEAHOLM DC1
Austin, TX
ChargePoint Network
1 DCFC
PIE AE AUSTIN HS DCFC2
Austin, TX
ChargePoint Network
1 DCFC
PIE AE SEAHOLM DC2
Austin, TX
ChargePoint Network
1 DCFC
PIE AE SEAHOLM DC7
Austin, TX
ChargePoint Network
1 DCFC
PIE AE AUSTIN HS DCFC1
Austin, TX
ChargePoint Network
1 DCFC
PIE AE SEAHOLM DC4
Austin, TX
ChargePoint Network
1 DCFC
PIE AE AUSTIN HS DCFC4
Austin, TX
ChargePoint Network
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Network: 9
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
69.4
0
$24.29
$11.10
Efficient EV
57.8
0
$20.24
$9.25
EV Truck/SUV
92.5
1
$32.38
$14.80
Gas CO2
81 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Late night
in Austin on Saturday
Local time
12:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Kingsville, TX
Late night
in Kingsville on Saturday
Local time
12:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°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
3 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
4h 5m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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 Kingsville, TX covers 231.3 miles and takes about 4h 5m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 37, Purple Heart Trail, I 69E. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 115.6 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 $34.95 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 231.3 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 (North Interstate 35): Lane positioning matters here; at 71.1 miles (I 410 / Connally Loop): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 82 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Austin, TX and Kingsville, TX, road signs point toward Corpus Christi and Brownsville.
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, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
