Origin
Austin, TX
Afternoon in Austin on Sunday
Local time
4:53 PM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Austin, TX to Longview, TX
Drive Time
4h 59m
Distance
266.5 mi
429 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$41
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 46m
★
6 AM
5h 0m
8 AM
5h 27m
10 AM
5h 9m
12 PM
5h 6m
3 PM
5h 10m
5 PM
5h 25m
8 PM
4h 51m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Austin, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Longview, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Trip Overview
Traveling from Austin to Longview covers 266.5 miles and typically takes about 4 hours and 59 minutes behind the wheel. Because this is a relatively straightforward journey, it works perfectly as a single-day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $40 on fuel, making this a budget-friendly option for your Texas travels. Both cities are situated within the Great Plains, ensuring a consistent regional feel as you traverse the heart of the state. Starting your journey requires navigating local roads like Red River Street and East 7th Street before transitioning toward Interstate 35. This is a practical route for those looking to reach East Texas efficiently without needing multiple days to get there.
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
133.3 miles from Austin, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 24m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a mindless highway cruise, as this route features a 0% highway share according to the data. You will spend your time navigating through local streets and connectors, which demands more focus than a standard interstate trek. Because the path relies on local infrastructure, the experience is less about high-speed momentum and more about steady, measured progress through the landscape. The route requires you to stay alert as you transition away from Austin's urban grid and head toward Longview. Keep in mind that the character of the road remains consistent throughout the 266.5-mile journey, requiring a steady hand and patience at the wheel.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 35 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 96.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 17 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.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 266.5 miles you will encounter 17 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 17 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 none / straight / slight right lanes.
8
103.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 50m in
Take the exit toward US 84: Waco Drive, Bellmead Drive
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 338
Toward US 84: Waco Drive, Bellmead Drive
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Purple Heart Trail | 96.1 mi | 1h 40m |
| State Highway 31 | 35.8 mi | 38m |
| West Front Street | 29.1 mi | 34m |
| State Highway 31 East | 21.1 mi | 24m |
| Corsicana Bypass | 11.8 mi | 13m |
| Northeast 2nd Street | 9.9 mi | 11m |
| East State Highway 31 | 9.8 mi | 11m |
| State Highway 31 West | 9.7 mi | 11m |
Longest stretch:
Purple Heart Trail
— 96.1 mi, about 1h 40m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Austin, TX and Longview, 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
6.0 mi
·
6 min
·
South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
Exit 338
Toward US 84: Waco Drive, Bellmead Drive
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Turn straight onto North Jack Kultgen Expressway
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
·
North Jack Kultgen Expressway
11
Turn right onto US 84
0.3 mi
·
52 sec
·
East Waco Drive
Use the none lane.
12
Continue on US 84
2.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Bellmead Drive
Use the none lane.
13
Continue on US 84
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
East US Highway 84
14
Continue on TX 31
17 mi
·
17 min
·
State Highway 31
15
Continue on TX 31
5.3 mi
·
5 min
·
Hubbard Bypass
16
Continue on TX 31
19 mi
·
21 min
·
State Highway 31
17
Turn right onto TX 31
12 mi
·
13 min
·
Corsicana Bypass
Use the straight lane.
18
Turn right onto TX 31
9.3 mi
·
10 min
·
East State Highway 31
19
Continue on TX 31
9.9 mi
·
11 min
·
Northeast 2nd Street
20
Continue on TX 31
5.3 mi
·
6 min
·
West Royall Boulevard
21
Continue on TX 31
4.1 mi
·
4 min
·
State Highway 31 West
22
Turn left onto TX 31
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
TX 31
23
Merge onto TX 31; Loop 7
6.2 mi
·
7 min
·
Jed Robinson Loop
24
Take the exit onto TX 31
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
·
TX 31
25
Turn left onto TX 31
21 mi
·
24 min
·
State Highway 31 East
26
Continue on TX 31
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
West Highway 31
27
Continue on TX 31
5.6 mi
·
6 min
·
State Highway 31 West
28
Continue on TX 31
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Chandler Highway
29
Continue on TX 31
29 mi
·
34 min
·
West Front Street
30
Turn left onto US 259 Business; TX 31
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
US Highway 259 Business North
31
Continue on US 259; TX 31
0.7 mi
·
44 sec
·
US Highway 259 North
32
Continue on TX 31
6.2 mi
·
7 min
·
State Highway 31 North
33
Continue on TX 31
0.5 mi
·
57 sec
·
East State Highway 31
34
Turn right onto US 80
0.6 mi
·
59 sec
·
West Marshall Avenue
Use the none lane.
35
Arrive at destination
US 80
Trip Plan
Since this is an almost five-hour trek, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh. Aiming for an early morning departure will help you clear the initial local traffic in Austin before the day fully gets underway. Managing your $40 fuel budget is straightforward if you fill up before leaving the city limits, as local roads may offer fewer convenient fueling opportunities compared to major interstates. Flexibility is your best asset on this trip, so don't feel pressured to rush through the turns. A helpful tip for this specific drive is to keep a close eye on your navigation apps, as the reliance on local streets means you will encounter frequent turns that require your full attention to stay on track.
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 133.3 miles from Austin, TX, or about 2h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 96.1 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 133.3 miles or 2h 24m 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 2m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Longview, 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 266.5 miles and 4h 59m.
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 Purple Heart Trail for about 96.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 133.3 mi from Austin, TX · 2h 24m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
133 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 133.3 miles from Austin, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Purple Heart Trail if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 96.1 miles.
Arriving in Longview, TX
The final approach into Longview, 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 Longview, TX.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.71 one way
$81.42 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
93 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $44.61 | $89.23 |
| premium | $4.59 | $48.17 | $96.34 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $59.21 | $118.41 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 93.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 80 | 0 | $27.98 | $12.79 |
| Efficient EV | 66.6 | 0 | $23.32 | $10.66 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 106.6 | 1 | $37.31 | $17.06 |
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 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.
Destination
Longview, TX
Afternoon in Longview on Sunday
Local time
4:53 PM
CDT
Current temp
65°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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
4h 59m 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 Longview, TX covers 266.5 miles and takes about 4h 59m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Purple Heart Trail, State Highway 31, West Front Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 133.3 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 $40.71 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 266.5 miles you will encounter 17 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 Longview, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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