Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
3h 38m
Distance
171.9 mi
277 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
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
Port O'Connor, TX
Nate Biddle
The drive from Austin, TX to Port O'Connor, TX covers 171.9 miles and takes about 3h 38m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on North United States Highway 183, East Broadway Street, Port Lavaca Drive for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 43.5 miles on North United States Highway 183. At current regular gas prices, budget about $25.97 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
85.9 miles from Austin, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 42m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 38m. Total distance: 171.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
The drive from Austin, TX to Port O'Connor, TX covers 171.9 miles and takes about 3h 38m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 19 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.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 171.9 miles you will encounter 19 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 16.8 miles (TX 130 Toll / Pickle Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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
Merge onto TX 130 Toll / Pickle Parkway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward US 183 South: Lockhart
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto US 87 / East Goodwin Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Austin, TX to Port O'Connor, TX, road signs begin pointing toward San Antonio along the way.
San Antonio
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North United States Highway 183 | 43.5 mi | 47m |
| East Broadway Street | 23.8 mi | 27m |
| Port Lavaca Drive | 21.3 mi | 25m |
| Bastrop Highway | 11.7 mi | 15m |
| FM 1289 | 11.2 mi | 19m |
| US 183 | 10.1 mi | 11m |
| Pickle Parkway | 9.8 mi | 8m |
| State Highway 185 East | 6.9 mi | 12m |
Step-by-step road directions between Austin, TX and Port O'Connor, 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 ramp
Merge onto TX 130 Toll
Take the exit
Continue on US 183
Continue on US 183
Continue on US 183
Continue on US 183
Turn left onto US 90; US 183
Continue on US 183
Continue on US 77 Alt; US 183
Turn left onto US 87
Continue on US 87
Turn left onto US 87; US 59 Bus; US 77 Bus
Turn right onto US 87
Turn left onto US 87
Continue on US 87
Keep slight left at fork onto US 87
Turn right onto FM 1090
Turn right onto TX 238
Continue on TX 238
Turn left onto FM 1289
At end of road, turn left onto TX 185
Continue on TX 185
Turn right onto TX 185
Arrive at destination
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 38 miles or 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 85.9 miles or 1h 42m 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 48m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Port O'Connor, 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 171.9 miles and 3h 38m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 85.9 mi from Austin, TX · 1h 42m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
86 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 38 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 85.9 miles from Austin, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Port O'Connor, 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 Port O'Connor, TX.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$25.97 one way
$51.95 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $28.43 | $56.86 |
| premium | $4.54 | $30.69 | $61.38 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $37.95 | $75.91 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 60.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 51.6 | 0 | $18.05 | $8.25 |
| Efficient EV | 43 | 0 | $15.04 | $6.88 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 68.8 | 0 | $24.07 | $11.00 |
Gas CO2
60 kg
EV CO2
20 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Austin on Thursday
Local time
5:57 PM
CDT
Current temp
89°F
Mostly Sunny
Destination
Evening in Port O'Connor on Thursday
Local time
5:57 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
64°F
Gonzales, TX
86 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
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.
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