Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026
Drive Time
4h 21m
Distance
226 mi
364 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$34
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
Redland, TX
Jeff Stapleton
This 226-mile drive from Austin, TX to Redland, TX takes about 4 hours and 21 minutes, making it a very manageable one-day trip. You'll primarily be on TX 21 and TX 7, with a brief stint on East US Highway 290. With 96% of the drive on highways, expect a straightforward journey. The estimated fuel cost is around $34, and with only one recommended stop, you can cover this distance efficiently. This route stays within the Great Plains region, offering a consistent driving experience across Texas.
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
113 miles from Austin, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 9m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 21m. Total distance: 226 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
This drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 96% of your journey on well-maintained roads. You'll experience the longest uninterrupted stretch of 132.7 miles on TX 21, which means extended periods of cruising. While the profile suggests a highway-centric experience, the combination of TX 21, TX 7, and East US Highway 290 likely offers a mix of faster-paced sections and potentially some more local road feel as you get closer to your destination. Expect a steady pace for most of the trip.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on TX 21 and TX 7. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near Red River Street.
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 22 significant decision points across 226 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 0.3 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.
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
Turn left onto North Interstate 35
Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit onto US 290 toward US 290 East: Houston
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| TX 21 | 132.7 mi | 2h 29m |
| TX 7 | 33 mi | 36m |
| East US Highway 290 | 29 mi | 33m |
| TX 103 | 11.9 mi | 12m |
| Manor Expressway | 6.2 mi | 6m |
| Purple Heart Trail | 3.5 mi | 4m |
| US 290 | 2.5 mi | 3m |
| Ellen Trout Drive | 1.8 mi | 2m |
Step-by-step road directions between Austin, TX and Redland, TX.
Start on East 5th Street
Turn left onto Red River Street
Turn right onto East 7th Street
Turn left onto North Interstate 35
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 35; US 290
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35; US 290
Take the exit onto US 290
Continue on 290 Toll
Continue on US 290
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Turn left onto TX 21
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 21
At end of road, turn right onto TX 7; TX 21
Continue on TX 103
Turn left onto TX 103; Loop 287
Take the exit onto TX 103; Loop 287
Continue on Loop 287
Take the ramp onto Loop 287
Merge onto US 69; Loop 287
Take the exit
Continue on this road
Turn left onto US 59 Bus
Take the ramp
Merge onto US 59
Turn left onto Winston 8 Ranch Road
Turn right
Arrive at destination
Given the 4 hour and 21 minute duration, this trip is perfect for a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to allow ample time for any unforeseen delays and to arrive with daylight. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility; however, plan to refuel before you leave Austin to ensure you have plenty of gas for the 132.7-mile stretch on TX 21. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as services might be spaced out between towns on these state highways.
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 50 miles or 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 113 miles or 2h 9m 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 32m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Redland, 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 226 miles and 4h 21m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 113 mi from Austin, TX · 2h 9m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
113 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 50 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 113 miles from Austin, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before TX 21 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 132.7 miles.
The final approach into Redland, 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 Redland, TX.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$34.15 one way
$68.30 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $37.38 | $74.76 |
| premium | $4.54 | $40.35 | $80.70 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $49.90 | $99.80 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 79.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 67.8 | 0 | $23.73 | $10.85 |
| Efficient EV | 56.5 | 0 | $19.78 | $9.04 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 90.4 | 1 | $31.64 | $14.46 |
Gas CO2
79 kg
EV CO2
26 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in Austin on Thursday
Local time
10:40 PM
CDT
Current temp
89°F
Mostly Sunny
Destination
Night in Redland on Thursday
Local time
10:40 PM
CDT
Current temp
81°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
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.
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