Origin
Austin, TX
Afternoon in Austin on Thursday
Local time
3:08 PM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Austin, TX to Lampasas, TX
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h 18m
Distance
68.9 mi
111 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 12m
★
6 AM
1h 18m
8 AM
1h 31m
10 AM
1h 23m
12 PM
1h 21m
3 PM
1h 23m
5 PM
1h 30m
8 PM
1h 15m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Austin, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Lampasas, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a quick getaway from Austin to Lampasas, this 68.9-mile trip is a straightforward journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 18 minutes. Since the entire route stays within the Great Plains region of Texas, you will find consistent terrain as you head northwest. It is perfectly suited as a one-day excursion, meaning you can easily head out and return without needing to pack for an overnight stay. With an estimated fuel cost of just $11, this is an affordable drive for a weekend escape or a quick change of scenery. You will primarily utilize North US Highway 183 and 183A Toll to navigate the distance efficiently. Ultimately, the simplicity of this route makes it a practical choice for those who prefer to spend less time in the car and more time at their destination.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 18m. Total distance: 68.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (68%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive, as 68% of this route is comprised of major roads designed for steady travel. You will spend a significant portion of your time on North US Highway 183, which features a longest uninterrupted stretch of 35.7 miles. The transition from the Austin metro area onto the highway creates a clear shift in pace, moving you quickly away from urban traffic. Because this is a high-speed route, you will experience a functional, no-nonsense drive that prioritizes efficiency over technical winding roads. Keeping your eyes on the road is key during the longer highway segments where the pace remains consistent for miles at a time.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
North US Highway 183 is the longest continuous segment at about 35.7 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,128 ft
487 ft
Total Climb
931 ft
Total Descent
391 ft
Highest Point
1,128 ft
~49.2 mi in
Elevation Range
642 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on North US Highway 183 and 183A Toll. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near Red River Street.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 68.9 miles you will encounter 10 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 10 key pointsThese 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
5.5 mi into trip
|
~7m in
Take the exit toward US 183 North: Lampasas
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 240B
Toward US 183 North: Lampasas
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North US Highway 183 | 35.7 mi | 38m |
| 183A Toll | 14.6 mi | 14m |
| US 183 | 11.3 mi | 13m |
| Purple Heart Trail | 4.5 mi | 5m |
| South Key Avenue | 1 mi | 2m |
| East 5th Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| North Interstate 35 | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| East 7th Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
North US Highway 183
— 35.7 mi, about 38m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Austin, TX and Lampasas, 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
4.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Exit 240B
Toward US 183 North: Lampasas
Use the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto US 183
11 mi
·
13 min
·
US 183
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on 183A Toll
15 mi
·
14 min
·
183A Toll
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on US 183
36 mi
·
38 min
·
North US Highway 183
12
Continue on US 183
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
South Key Avenue
13
Turn right onto Loop 257
111 ft
·
3 sec
·
East 4th Street
14
Arrive at destination
Loop 257
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 34.5 mi from Austin, TX · 39m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
34 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 15 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 34.5 miles from Austin, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Lampasas, TX
The final approach into Lampasas, TX usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$10.41 one way
$20.82 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
24 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $11.40 | $22.79 |
| premium | $4.54 | $12.30 | $24.60 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $15.21 | $30.42 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$10
Estimated CO2 emission: 24.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 20.7 | 0 | $7.23 | $3.31 |
| Efficient EV | 17.2 | 0 | $6.03 | $2.76 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 27.6 | 0 | $9.65 | $4.41 |
Gas CO2
24 kg
EV CO2
8 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
Lampasas, TX
Afternoon in Lampasas on Thursday
Local time
3:08 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
11 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
1h 18m 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 Lampasas, TX covers 68.9 miles and takes about 1h 18m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are North US Highway 183, 183A Toll, US 183. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 34.5 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 $10.41 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 68.9 miles you will encounter 10 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 Lampasas, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 487 ft to 1,128 ft elevation with about 931 ft of total climbing.
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