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Trip from Austin, TX to Richland Hills, TX

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 30m

Distance

196.7 mi

317 km

Drive Score

10/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$30

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min
4 AM
3h 18m ★
6 AM
3h 31m
8 AM
3h 55m
10 AM
3h 39m
12 PM
3h 37m
3 PM
3h 40m
5 PM
3h 54m
8 PM
3h 23m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Austin, TX, TX

Austin, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Austin, TX to Richland Hills, TX covers 196.7 miles and takes about 3h 30m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Purple Heart Trail, I 35W, South Jack Kultgen Expressway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 129.2 miles on Purple Heart Trail. At current regular gas prices, budget about $29.72 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

98.3 miles from Austin, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 44m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Purple Heart Trail 129.2 mi 2h 14m
I 35W 52.1 mi 55m
South Jack Kultgen Expressway 6.6 mi 7m
Airport Freeway 5.5 mi 6m
Handley Ederville Road 0.6 mi 1m
Vance Road 0.5 mi 1m
Baker Boulevard 0.4 mi <1m
East 5th Street 0.3 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Purple Heart Trail — 129.2 mi, about 2h 14m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Austin, TX and Richland Hills, 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

96 mi · 1 hr 40 min · Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Continue on I 35

6.6 mi · 7 min · South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Continue on I 35; US 77

33 mi · 33 min · Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W

52 mi · 55 min · I 35W
Toward I 35W: Fort Worth Use the slight left lane.
11

Take the exit onto US 377

0.3 mi · 25 sec · US 377
Exit 52B Toward TX 121 North, US 377 North: DFW Airport, Belknap Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Merge onto TX 121

5.5 mi · 6 min · Airport Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward Handley-Ederville Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Turn left onto Handley Ederville Road

0.6 mi · 1 min · Handley Ederville Road
15

At end of road, turn left onto TX 183

0.4 mi · 55 sec · Baker Boulevard
Use the left lane.
16

Turn right onto Vance Road

0.5 mi · 1 min · Vance Road
17

Turn right onto Dover Lane

117 ft · 5 sec · Dover Lane
18

Arrive at destination

Dover Lane

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 98.3 miles from Austin, TX, or about 1h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 129.2 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 43 miles or 46m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 98.3 miles or 1h 44m 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 49m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Richland Hills, 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 196.7 miles and 3h 30m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 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 Purple Heart Trail for about 129.2 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Waco, TX, TX

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Waco, TX

98 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

Jarrell, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 43 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Beverly Hills, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 98.3 miles from Austin, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Purple Heart Trail if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 129.2 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Austin Bat Tours

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour

Austin, Texas

Hours: 9 am–10 pm

Visit website

iFLY Indoor Skydiving - Fort Worth

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 196.7

Hurst, Texas

Hours: 10:30 am–6:30 pm

+18178184359

Visit website

Cultural Activities Center

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 70.2

Temple, Texas

Hours: 8:30 am–4 pm

+12547739926

Visit website

Botanical Gates of Paradise

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour

Austin, Texas

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

Doris D Miller Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 98.3

Waco, Texas

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Barton Creek Greenbelt

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour

Austin, Texas

Hours: 5 am–10 pm

+15129746700

Visit website

Forest Park Miniature Railroad

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 182.6

Fort Worth, Texas

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+18179665509

Visit website

Jim Hogg Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 28.1

Georgetown, Texas

+15129305253

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 14

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 188.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
0.3 mi into trip | ~0m in | Red River Street

Turn left onto Red River Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
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.
6
1.5 mi into trip | ~3m in | I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail

Keep slight right at fork onto I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
136.8 mi into trip | ~2h 24m in | I 35W

Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W toward I 35W: Fort Worth

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Toward I 35W: Fort Worth
8
188.9 mi into trip | ~3h 19m in | US 377

Take the exit onto US 377 toward TX 121 North, US 377 North: DFW Airport, Belknap Street

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 52B Toward TX 121 North, US 377 North: DFW Airport,...

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$29.72 one way

$59.44 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 69 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.20 $32.53 $65.07
premium $4.54 $35.12 $70.24
diesel $5.61 $43.43 $86.86

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$30

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$55–$80

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 68.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 59 0 $20.65 $9.44
Efficient EV 49.2 0 $17.21 $7.87
EV Truck/SUV 78.7 0 $27.54 $12.59

Gas CO2

69 kg

EV CO2

23 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.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Austin, TX

Afternoon in Austin on Saturday

Local time

1:45 PM

CDT

Current temp

63°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Richland Hills, TX

Afternoon in Richland Hills on Saturday

Local time

1:45 PM

CDT

Current temp

61°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

2 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

3h 30m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

The drive from Austin, TX to Richland Hills, TX covers 196.7 miles and takes about 3h 30m, using a mix of highways and local roads.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Purple Heart Trail is the longest continuous segment at about 129.2 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. 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.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 196.7 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 0.3 miles (Red River Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.5 miles (East 7th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.5 miles (I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

About the Cities

Starting in Austin, TX

Full guide →

“City of the Violet Crown” · Founded 1835

Austin is a city of about 1,054,000 (2026) surpassing Fort Worth to become the 4th most populous city in Texas. It is on the southeast edge of the Hill Country region of Texas, making it the fourth-largest city in the state and the 11th-largest in the country. It is the capital of Texas and a college town, and also a center of an alternative culture away from the major cities on the US coasts, though the city is rapidly gentrifying with its rising popularity. Austin's attitude is commonly emblazoned about town on T-shirts and bumper stickers that read: "Keep Austin Weird." Austin is also marketed as the Live Music Capital of the World due to the large number of venues.

Top landmarks

  • • Texas State Capitol — capitol and seat of government of the U.S. state of Texas
  • • Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum — presidential library and museum for U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson in Austin,...
  • • Texas State Cemetery — historic cemetery in Austin, Texas, USA

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 30m. Total distance: 196.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Austin, TX to Richland Hills, TX covers 196.7 miles and takes about 3h 30m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Purple Heart Trail, I 35W, South Jack Kultgen Expressway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 98.3 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 $29.72 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 196.7 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 0.3 miles (Red River Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.5 miles (East 7th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.5 miles (I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

The route from Austin, TX to Richland Hills, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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