The drive from Austin, TX to New London, TX covers 241 miles and takes about 4h 50m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 79, Arp Drive, Pickle Parkway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 165.4 miles on US 79.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $36.42 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
120.5 miles from Austin, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 25m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 50m. Total distance: 241 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (83%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 4h 50m highway drive covering 241 miles, with most of the trip on US 79 and Arp Drive. The longest continuous stretch is about 165.4 miles on US 79.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 37 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 79 is the longest continuous segment at about 165.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 79 and Arp Drive. 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 East 7th Street.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 29 significant decision points across 241 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 (East 7th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.4 miles (US 290): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 11.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 29 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|East 7th Street
Turn right onto East 7th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
4.4 mi into trip|~6m in|US 290
Take the exit onto US 290 toward US 290 East: Houston
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 238B
Toward US 290 East: Houston
7
11.1 mi into trip|~14m in
Take the exit toward TX 130 Toll North, TX 130 Toll South: Georgetown, San Antonio
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 TX 130 Toll North, TX 130 Toll South: Ge...
7
11.6 mi into trip|~15m in
Keep slight left at fork toward TX 130 Toll North: Georgetown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward TX 130 Toll North: Georgetown
8
25.3 mi into trip|~29m in
Take the exit toward US 79: Taylor, Round Rock, Palm Valley Boulevard
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 423
Toward US 79: Taylor, Round Rock, Palm Valley B...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Austin, TX to New London, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Round Rock along the way.
Round Rock
25.3 mi in|~29m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 79
165.4 mi
3h 15m
Arp Drive
12.8 mi
17m
Pickle Parkway
12.8 mi
11m
TX 135
9.9 mi
11m
East Pine Street
7 mi
7m
Palm Valley Boulevard
5 mi
6m
Carlos G Parker Boulevard Southwest
4.3 mi
4m
Manor Expressway
4.2 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
US 79
— 165.4 mi, about 3h 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Austin, TX and New London, 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
2.9 mi·3 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit onto US 290
2.5 mi·3 min·US 290
Exit 238BToward US 290 East: HoustonUse the slight right lane.
9
Continue on 290 Toll
4.2 mi·4 min·Manor Expressway
10
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward TX 130 Toll North, TX 130 Toll South: Georgetown, San AntonioUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward TX 130 Toll North: GeorgetownUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto TX 45 Toll; TX 130 Toll
13 mi·11 min·Pickle Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 423Toward US 79: Taylor, Round Rock, Palm Valley BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on this road
0.3 mi·34 sec·this road
Exit 423Toward US 79: Palm Valley Boulevard
15
Continue on TX 130 Frontage Road
0.2 mi·35 sec·TX 130 Frontage Road
16
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·33 sec
17
Merge onto US 79
5.0 mi·6 min·Palm Valley Boulevard
18
Continue on US 79
3.1 mi·3 min·West 2nd Street
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Toward US 79 North: Rockdale
20
Continue on US 79
4.3 mi·4 min·Carlos G Parker Boulevard Southwest
21
Keep slight right at fork onto US 79
53 mi·1 hr 5 min·US 79
22
Take the exit onto US 79; US 190
0.1 mi·26 sec·US 79; US 190
23
At end of road, turn left onto US 79; US 190; TX 6
1.6 mi·1 min·South Market Street
24
Continue on US 79; TX 6
0.3 mi·22 sec·North State Highway 6
25
Keep slight left at fork onto US 79
79 mi·1 hr 30 min·US 79
26
Merge onto US 79; US 84
33 mi·39 min·US 79; US 84
27
Turn left onto US 69
0.3 mi·26 sec·South Jackson Street
28
Turn right onto TX 135
7.0 mi·7 min·East Pine Street
29
Turn straight onto TX 135
9.9 mi·11 min·TX 135
30
Turn right onto Duval Street
0.4 mi·29 sec·Duval Street
31
Turn left onto TX 135
0.2 mi·16 sec·North Ponsard Street
32
Turn straight onto TX 135
13 mi·17 min·Arp Drive
33
Turn right onto TX 323
3.4 mi·4 min·Hwy 323
34
Turn left onto TX 42
0.5 mi·53 sec·Main Street
35
Turn right onto Phillips Street
0.1 mi·29 sec·Phillips Street
36
Turn left onto Burnett Street
295 ft·13 sec·Burnett Street
37
Arrive at destination
Burnett Street
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 120.5 miles from Austin, TX, or about 2h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 165.4 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 53 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 120.5 miles or 2h 25m 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 54m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near New London, 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 241 miles and 4h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 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 US 79 for about 165.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 120.5 mi from Austin, TX
· 2h 25m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.42 one way
$72.83 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg84 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$39.86
$79.72
premium
$4.54
$43.03
$86.06
diesel
$5.61
$53.21
$106.42
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 84.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
8 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
South Congress Hotel - Tesla Supercharger
Austin, TX
Tesla
8 DCFC
PIE AE SEAHOLM DC4
Austin, TX
ChargePoint Network
1 DCFC
PIE AE SEAHOLM DC1
Austin, TX
ChargePoint Network
1 DCFC
PIE AE SEAHOLM DC7
Austin, TX
ChargePoint Network
1 DCFC
PIE AE SEAHOLM DC2
Austin, TX
ChargePoint Network
1 DCFC
PIE AE SEAHOLM DC6
Austin, TX
ChargePoint Network
1 DCFC
PIE AE SEAHOLM DC8
Austin, TX
ChargePoint Network
1 DCFC
PIE AE SEAHOLM DC5
Austin, TX
ChargePoint Network
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Network: 7
Tesla: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
72.3
0
$25.30
$11.57
Efficient EV
60.3
0
$21.09
$9.64
EV Truck/SUV
96.4
1
$33.74
$15.42
Gas CO2
84 kg
EV CO2
28 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
Evening
in Austin on Thursday
Local time
5:11 PM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
New London, TX
Evening
in New London on Thursday
Local time
5:11 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
58°F
Buffalo, TX
121 mi in
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
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
4h 50m 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 New London, TX covers 241 miles and takes about 4h 50m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 79, Arp Drive, Pickle Parkway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 120.5 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 $36.42 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 29 significant decision points across 241 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 (East 7th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.4 miles (US 290): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 11.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Austin, TX to New London, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Round Rock along the way.
