Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
2h 48m
Distance
153.7 mi
247 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$23
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
Spring Valley, TX
Jeff Stapleton
The drive from Austin, TX to Spring Valley, TX covers 153.7 miles and takes about 2h 48m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Texas State Highway 71, East 7th Street, East State Highway 71 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 142.1 miles on Texas State Highway 71. At current regular gas prices, budget about $23.22 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
76.8 miles from Austin, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 25m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 48m. Total distance: 153.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Straightforward navigation.
This is a 2h 48m highway drive covering 153.7 miles, with most of the trip on Texas State Highway 71 and East 7th Street. The longest continuous stretch is about 142.1 miles on Texas State Highway 71.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Texas State Highway 71 and East 7th Street. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near Red River Street.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 48m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow 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 5.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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
Take the exit toward TX 71 East: Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Turn straight onto 71 Toll / Bastrop Freeway toward 71 Toll East, TX 45 Toll North, TX 130 Toll North
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward Bingle Road, Voss Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Austin, TX to Spring Valley, TX, road signs begin pointing toward 71 Toll East along the way.
71 Toll East
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Texas State Highway 71 | 142.1 mi | 2h 31m |
| East 7th Street | 3 mi | 4m |
| East State Highway 71 | 2.7 mi | 3m |
| Bastrop Freeway | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| Bergstrom Expressway | 0.8 mi | <1m |
| Katy Freeway Frontage Road | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Bastrop Highway | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| East 5th Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Austin, TX and Spring Valley, 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 exit
Continue on TX 71
Turn straight onto 71 Toll
Continue on TX 71
Continue on TX 71
Take the exit
Turn straight onto Katy Freeway Frontage Road
Continue on Katy Freeway Frontage Road
Turn right onto Voss Road
Arrive at destination
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
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 34 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 76.8 miles or 1h 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 2h 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Spring Valley, 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 153.7 miles and 2h 48m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 76.8 mi from Austin, TX · 1h 25m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
77 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 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 76.8 miles from Austin, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Texas State Highway 71 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 142.1 miles.
The final approach into Spring Valley, 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 Spring Valley, 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
$23.22 one way
$46.45 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $25.42 | $50.84 |
| premium | $4.54 | $27.44 | $54.88 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $33.94 | $67.87 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 53.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 46.1 | 0 | $16.14 | $7.38 |
| Efficient EV | 38.4 | 0 | $13.45 | $6.15 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 61.5 | 0 | $21.52 | $9.84 |
Gas CO2
54 kg
EV CO2
18 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
Afternoon in Austin on Thursday
Local time
3:04 PM
CDT
Current temp
89°F
Mostly Sunny
Destination
Afternoon in Spring Valley on Thursday
Local time
3:04 PM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
63°F
Colorado, TX
77 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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