Origin
Austin, TX
Afternoon in Austin on Sunday
Local time
2:16 PM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Austin, TX to Midland, TX
Drive Time
6h 13m
Distance
316.7 mi
510 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$48
one way
Austin, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Midland, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Trip Overview
If you are planning to travel from Austin to Midland, expect a journey covering 316.7 miles that typically takes about 6 hours and 13 minutes. Because this is a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate sprint, it is best suited as a single-day trip. You should budget approximately $47 for fuel to complete the transit between these two Great Plains hubs. While the drive is manageable in one go, the local nature of the roads means you will spend more time navigating turns than cruising on open pavement. It is a straightforward trek across Texas, ideal for those who prefer navigating through local corridors rather than sticking to major highways.
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
158.3 miles from Austin, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 15m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip features a unique personality, characterized by a 0% highway share that keeps you on local streets like Brazos Street, East 6th Street, and Atlanta Street. Instead of a monotonous interstate grind, you will experience a turn-heavy route that demands your full attention behind the wheel. The road surface changes frequently as you transition between local thoroughfares, creating a driving experience that feels more grounded and technical than a standard freeway cruise. You won't find long, uninterrupted stretches here, as the path relies on city-level infrastructure to move you across the state. Prepare for a steady pace that reflects the local connectivity of the path.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 28 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
United States Highway 87 is the longest continuous segment at about 71.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on United States Highway 87 and TX 158. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Brazos Street.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 316.7 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 0.1 miles (Brazos Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.1 miles (East 6th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 2 miles (Atlanta Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Brazos Street
Turn left onto Brazos Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
East 6th Street
Turn left onto East 6th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
5
2 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
Atlanta Street
Turn left onto Atlanta Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
6.2 mi into trip
|
~10m in
Take the exit toward US 290 West, TX 71 West: Johnson City, Llano
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 US 290 West, TX 71 West: Johnson City, L...
8
6.8 mi into trip
|
~11m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 290 West, TX 71 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the none lane.
Toward US 290 West, TX 71 West
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Austin, TX to Midland, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Sh 158 West: Midland along the way.
Sh 158 West: Midland
251 mi in
|
~4h 58m
|
via TX 158
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| United States Highway 87 | 71.2 mi | 1h 16m |
| TX 158 | 64.1 mi | 1h 13m |
| TX 71 | 48.7 mi | 53m |
| East State Highway 71 | 42 mi | 56m |
| US Highway 87 North | 25.8 mi | 26m |
| West Highway 71 | 22.4 mi | 31m |
| US 87 | 18.6 mi | 20m |
| North Bryant Boulevard | 4.3 mi | 6m |
Longest stretch:
United States Highway 87
— 71.2 mi, about 1h 16m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Austin, TX and Midland, TX.
1
Start on East 5th Street
417 ft
·
15 sec
·
East 5th Street
2
Turn left onto Brazos Street
357 ft
·
23 sec
·
Brazos Street
Use the left lane.
3
Turn left onto East 6th Street
1.9 mi
·
4 min
·
East 6th Street
Use the none lane.
4
Turn left onto Atlanta Street
233 ft
·
6 sec
·
Atlanta Street
Use the left lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward Loop 1 South
6
Merge onto Loop 1
3.9 mi
·
4 min
·
South Mopac Expressway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 290 West, TX 71 West: Johnson City, Llano
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
319 ft
·
7 sec
Toward US 290 West, TX 71 West
Use the none lane.
9
Merge onto US 290; TX 71
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
US 290; TX 71
Use the none lane.
10
Turn slight right onto West Highway 71
22 mi
·
31 min
·
West Highway 71
Use the none lane.
11
Continue on TX 71
42 mi
·
56 min
·
East State Highway 71
Use the none lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 71
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
TX 71
13
Turn left onto TX 29; TX 71
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
West Young Street
14
Continue on TX 71
47 mi
·
50 min
·
TX 71
15
Turn right onto US 87; US 377
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
US 87; US 377
16
At end of road, turn left onto US 87; US 190; US 377
0.3 mi
·
19 sec
·
Commerce Street
17
Turn straight onto US 87
71 mi
·
1 hr 16 min
·
United States Highway 87
18
Continue on US 87; Loop 306
4.1 mi
·
5 min
·
South Bryant Boulevard
19
Continue on US 87; US 277
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
South Koenigheim Street
20
Continue on US 87; US 277; US 67 Bus
4.3 mi
·
6 min
·
North Bryant Boulevard
21
Continue on US 87
23 mi
·
23 min
·
US Highway 87 North
Use the none lane.
22
Continue on US 87
16 mi
·
16 min
·
US 87
Use the none lane.
23
Turn straight onto US 87; TX 158; TX 163
2.6 mi
·
2 min
·
US Highway 87 North
24
Take the exit onto TX 158
64 mi
·
1 hr 13 min
·
TX 158
Toward SH 158 West: Midland
25
Continue on TX 140
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
East Florida Avenue
26
Turn right onto TX 349 Bus
0.6 mi
·
43 sec
·
South Big Spring Street
27
Turn right onto Loop 269
44 ft
·
1 sec
·
West Wall Street
28
Arrive at destination
Loop 269
Trip Plan
To tackle this 316.7-mile route effectively, aim for an early morning departure to account for the slower pace of local roads and navigation through turns. Since you have one planned stop along the way, use that time to stretch and refuel, keeping your $47 fuel budget in mind for the full 6-hour and 13-minute duration. Because the route relies entirely on local streets, stay alert at intersections and follow your navigation closely to avoid missing turns in unfamiliar city grids. Having the flexibility to adjust your pace is a major advantage on this trip, so do not feel pressured to rush through the local segments. Keep your focus on the road ahead, as the turn-heavy nature of the drive requires consistent engagement compared to typical highway travel.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 158.3 miles from Austin, TX, or about 3h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 71.2 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 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 158.3 miles or 3h 15m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 7m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Midland, 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 316.7 miles and 6h 13m.
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 United States Highway 87 for about 71.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 158.3 mi from Austin, TX · 3h 15m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
158 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 158.3 miles from Austin, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before United States Highway 87 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 71.2 miles.
Arriving in Midland, TX
The final approach into Midland, 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 Midland, 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
$48.38 one way
$96.76 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
111 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $53.02 | $106.03 |
| premium | $4.59 | $57.24 | $114.49 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $70.36 | $140.72 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$48
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 110.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 95 | 1 | $33.25 | $15.20 |
| Efficient EV | 79.2 | 0 | $27.71 | $12.67 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 126.7 | 1 | $44.34 | $20.27 |
Gas CO2
111 kg
EV CO2
37 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Midland, TX
Afternoon in Midland on Sunday
Local time
2:16 PM
CDT
Current temp
53°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
12 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
6h 13m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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 Midland, TX covers 316.7 miles and takes about 6h 13m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are United States Highway 87, TX 158, TX 71. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 158.3 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 $48.38 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
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 15 significant decision points across 316.7 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 0.1 miles (Brazos Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.1 miles (East 6th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 2 miles (Atlanta Street): Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Austin, TX to Midland, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Sh 158 West: Midland along the way.
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