Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
3h 7m
Distance
152.3 mi
245 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$23
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Austin, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Markham, TX
Thomas balabaud
This straightforward 152.3-mile drive from Austin, TX to Markham, TX is easily accomplished in a single day, taking approximately 3 hours and 7 minutes. The route is heavily focused on highways, with 97% of it utilizing main roads like Texas State Highway 71 and FM 1468, making for an efficient journey. With an estimated fuel cost of $23, this trip offers a budget-friendly option for reaching your destination within the Great Plains region. Its direct nature and manageable duration make it an ideal candidate for a day trip, allowing you to maximize your time at your destination.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
76.2 miles from Austin, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 24m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 7m. Total distance: 152.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Straightforward navigation.
Expect a highway-focused experience for nearly the entire 152.3 miles, with 97% of the journey on established roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 78.7 miles on Texas State Highway 71. This segment will likely feel like a steady, efficient cruise, characteristic of a well-maintained highway. As you progress, the route primarily utilizes Texas State Highway 71 and then transitions to State Highway 71 South and FM 1468, maintaining a consistent driving profile with minimal deviations into slower, local roads.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Texas State Highway 71 and State Highway 71 South. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near Red River Street.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 3h 7m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
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 5.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto Red River Street
Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto East 7th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward TX 71 East: Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Turn straight onto 71 Toll / Bastrop Freeway toward 71 Toll East, TX 45 Toll North, TX 130 Toll North
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn left onto FM 1468
Lane positioning matters here
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Austin, TX and Markham, TX, road signs point toward 71 Toll East and El Campo.
71 Toll East
El Campo
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Texas State Highway 71 | 78.7 mi | 1h 23m |
| State Highway 71 South | 53.3 mi | 1h 11m |
| FM 1468 | 9.9 mi | 17m |
| East 7th Street | 3 mi | 4m |
| East State Highway 71 | 2.7 mi | 3m |
| Bastrop Freeway | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| Bergstrom Expressway | 0.8 mi | <1m |
| Bastrop Highway | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Austin, TX and Markham, TX.
Start on East 5th Street
Turn left onto Red River Street
Turn right onto East 7th Street
Turn straight onto Loop 111
Continue on US 183
Take the ramp
Merge onto 183 Toll
Continue on US 183
Take the exit
Continue on TX 71
Turn straight onto 71 Toll
Continue on TX 71
Continue on TX 71
Take the exit
Continue on TX 71
Turn right onto TX 71
Turn left onto FM 1468
Arrive at destination
Given the relatively short 3-hour and 7-minute duration of this 152.3-mile trip, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience. Leaving in the morning will allow ample time at your destination in Markham, TX, with only one main road change to consider. The fuel cost is estimated at a modest $23, so ensure your tank is full before leaving Austin, TX, as the longest stretch without a significant road change is 78.7 miles. While the drive is predominantly on highways, pay attention to the transition onto FM 1468, which may indicate a slight change in road character as you approach Markham.
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.
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 34 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 76.2 miles or 1h 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 2h 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Markham, TX than in the middle of the route.
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 152.3 miles and 3h 7m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 76.2 mi from Austin, TX · 1h 24m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
76 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.
A short stop after about 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 76.2 miles from Austin, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Texas State Highway 71 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 78.7 miles.
The final approach into Markham, 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 Markham, TX.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$23.01 one way
$46.03 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $25.19 | $50.38 |
| premium | $4.54 | $27.19 | $54.38 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $33.63 | $67.25 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 53.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 45.7 | 0 | $15.99 | $7.31 |
| Efficient EV | 38.1 | 0 | $13.33 | $6.09 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 60.9 | 0 | $21.32 | $9.75 |
Gas CO2
53 kg
EV CO2
18 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Austin on Thursday
Local time
6:54 PM
CDT
Current temp
89°F
Mostly Sunny
Destination
Evening in Markham on Thursday
Local time
6:54 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Austin, TX or browse trips ending in Markham, TX.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TX road trips.
Explore maps for Austin, TX or Markham, TX on MapSof.net.
