Origin
Austin, TX
Afternoon in Austin on Sunday
Local time
4:50 PM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Austin, TX to Texas City, TX
Drive Time
3h 49m
Distance
203.6 mi
328 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$31
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 36m
★
6 AM
3h 49m
8 AM
4h 15m
10 AM
3h 58m
12 PM
3h 55m
3 PM
3h 59m
5 PM
4h 13m
8 PM
3h 41m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Austin, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Texas City, TX
Thomas balabaud
Trip Overview
Traveling from Austin to Texas City covers 203.6 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 49 minutes of driving time. Because this route is a turn-heavy local drive rather than a straight highway shot, it is best suited for a single-day trip. You should budget approximately $30 for fuel to complete the journey comfortably. Since both cities are located within the Great Plains region, the landscape remains consistent throughout the trip. It is a straightforward trek that avoids the monotony of long-distance interstate travel, making it a manageable excursion for those who prefer navigating local roads over high-speed corridors.
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
101.8 miles from Austin, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 51m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a hands-on driving experience as you depart via Red River Street, East 7th Street, and Airport Boulevard. This route features a 0% highway share, emphasizing a turn-heavy, local-road profile that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Unlike a standard interstate grind, you will be navigating through local infrastructure for the duration of the 203.6-mile trip. The drive lacks long, uninterrupted highway stretches, so be prepared for a steady pace that requires frequent adjustments. It is a practical route for drivers who enjoy staying engaged with their surroundings rather than cruising on cruise control.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 25 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Texas State Highway 71 is the longest continuous segment at about 137 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Texas State Highway 71 and Gulf Freeway. 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.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 203.6 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 5.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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.
6
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
5.2 mi into trip
|
~8m in
Take the exit toward TX 71 East: Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Toward TX 71 East: Austin-Bergstrom Internation...
6
147.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 39m in
Take the exit toward I 10 Toll: Katy Tollway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 10 Toll: Katy Tollway
7
161.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 57m in
Take the exit toward I 45 South: Galveston
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 768B
Toward I 45 South: Galveston
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Texas State Highway 71 | 137 mi | 2h 25m |
| Gulf Freeway | 32.8 mi | 38m |
| Katy Freeway | 10.3 mi | 12m |
| Emmett F Lowry Expressway | 5.8 mi | 7m |
| Katy Tollway | 3.2 mi | 4m |
| East 7th Street | 3 mi | 4m |
| East State Highway 71 | 2.7 mi | 3m |
| Bastrop Freeway | 1.9 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Texas State Highway 71
— 137 mi, about 2h 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Austin, TX and Texas City, 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
3.0 mi
·
4 min
·
East 7th Street
Use the right lane.
4
Turn straight onto Loop 111
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
Airport Boulevard
5
Continue on US 183
0.1 mi
·
8 sec
·
Ed Bluestein Boulevard
6
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
Toward 183 Toll South: Lockhart
7
Merge onto 183 Toll
0.8 mi
·
47 sec
·
Bergstrom Expressway
8
Continue on US 183
0.4 mi
·
26 sec
·
Bastrop Highway
Use the straight / slight left / none lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward TX 71 East: Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
10
Continue on TX 71
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
East State Highway 71
Use the none lane.
11
Turn straight onto 71 Toll
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Bastrop Freeway
Toward 71 Toll East, TX 45 Toll North, TX 130 Toll North
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on TX 71
0.5 mi
·
29 sec
·
East State Highway 71
13
Continue on TX 71
137 mi
·
2 hr 25 min
·
Texas State Highway 71
Use the none lane.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
22 sec
Toward I 10 Toll: Katy Tollway
Use the slight left lane.
15
Merge onto I 10 Toll
3.2 mi
·
4 min
·
Katy Tollway
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Merge onto I 10; US 90
10 mi
·
12 min
·
Katy Freeway
Use the slight left / none lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Exit 768B
Toward I 45 South: Galveston
Use the slight left lane.
19
Merge onto I 45
33 mi
·
38 min
·
Gulf Freeway
Use the straight / left / none lanes.
20
Take the exit onto FM 1764
5.8 mi
·
7 min
·
Emmett F Lowry Expressway
Toward FM 1764: Texas City
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on FM 1764
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Palmer Highway
22
Continue on FM 1764
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
9th Avenue North
23
Turn right onto Spur 197
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
6th Street
Use the right lane.
24
Turn right
48 ft
·
3 sec
25
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 3-hour and 49-minute journey, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refuel. Since you are navigating local streets, leave early to account for potential traffic patterns that often impact urban and local road travel. Keep your $30 fuel budget in mind, as local driving can occasionally be less fuel-efficient than consistent highway speeds. Given the length of the trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your itinerary based on your personal comfort. A key tip for this specific drive is to monitor your GPS closely while transitioning between Red River Street, East 7th Street, and Airport Boulevard to stay on the correct path.
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 101.8 miles from Austin, TX, or about 1h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 137 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 80 miles or 1h 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 101.8 miles or 1h 51m 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 4m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Texas City, 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 203.6 miles and 3h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 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 Texas State Highway 71 for about 137 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 101.8 mi from Austin, TX · 1h 51m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
102 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 101.8 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 137 miles.
Arriving in Texas City, TX
The final approach into Texas City, 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 Texas City, 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.10 one way
$62.20 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
71 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $34.08 | $68.17 |
| premium | $4.59 | $36.80 | $73.60 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $45.23 | $90.47 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.23
Katy Tollway
(3.2 mi)
$0.23
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 71.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 61.1 | 0 | $21.38 | $9.77 |
| Efficient EV | 50.9 | 0 | $17.81 | $8.14 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 81.4 | 1 | $28.50 | $13.03 |
Gas CO2
71 kg
EV CO2
24 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Texas City, TX
Afternoon in Texas City on Sunday
Local time
4:50 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°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
8 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 49m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Austin, TX to Texas City, TX covers 203.6 miles and takes about 3h 49m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Texas State Highway 71, Gulf Freeway, Katy Freeway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 101.8 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 $31.10 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 16 significant decision points across 203.6 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 5.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Austin, TX to Texas City, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Texas City, TX
More trips to Texas City, TX
Explore more options from Austin, TX or browse trips ending in Texas City, TX.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TX road trips.
Explore maps for Austin, TX or Texas City, TX on MapSof.net.