Origin
Bellaire, TX
Evening in Bellaire on Sunday
Local time
5:04 PM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Bellaire, TX to Killeen, TX
Drive Time
3h 55m
Distance
199.8 mi
321 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$31
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 42m
★
6 AM
3h 55m
8 AM
4h 21m
10 AM
4h 4m
12 PM
4h 2m
3 PM
4h 6m
5 PM
4h 20m
8 PM
3h 48m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bellaire, TX
Mark Direen
Killeen, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Trip Overview
Traveling from Bellaire to Killeen covers a distance of 199.8 miles, typically taking about 3 hours and 55 minutes behind the wheel. Because this is a highway-focused drive within the Great Plains region, it is easily manageable as a single-day trip without the need for an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $31 for fuel to complete the journey. Navigating this route involves a blend of major thoroughfares, including TX 6, the Aggie Expressway, and Farm-to-Market Road 485. It is a straightforward trip that balances efficiency with the practical realities of Texas road travel, making it a reliable choice for those looking to reach their destination in one go.
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
99.9 miles from Bellaire, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 55m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a drive defined by its highway-focused nature, with roughly 64% of your travel time spent on major roads. The terrain across the Great Plains remains consistent, though the driving experience shifts as you transition between high-speed expressways and more localized routes. You will encounter your longest stretch of uninterrupted driving on TX 6, which spans 49.8 miles. This segment requires steady focus as you navigate the transition from the bustling area around Bellaire toward the more open landscapes approaching Killeen. The mix of fast-paced highway sections and the slower, secondary roads like FM 485 keeps the drive from feeling like a monotonous interstate grind.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 35 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
TX 6 is the longest continuous segment at about 49.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on TX 6 and Aggie Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 6.5 miles in near US 290 / Northwest Freeway.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 24 significant decision points across 199.8 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 6.5 miles (US 290 / Northwest Freeway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 6.7 miles (US 290 / Northwest Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 9.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 24 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
6.5 mi into trip
|
~8m in
|
US 290 / Northwest Freeway
Take the exit onto US 290 / Northwest Freeway toward US 290 West: Austin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 13A
Toward US 290 West: Austin
6
6.7 mi into trip
|
~8m in
|
US 290 / Northwest Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto US 290 / Northwest Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
7
9.7 mi into trip
|
~12m in
Take the exit toward Bingle Road, Pinemont Drive
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.
Toward Bingle Road, Pinemont Drive
8
181.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 33m in
|
I 14; US 190 / Central Texas Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 14; US 190 / Central Texas Expressway toward US 190 West: Killeen, Fort Cavazos
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 190 West: Killeen, Fort Cavazos
8
194.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 47m in
Take the exit toward FM 3470: Rosewood Drive, Stan Schlueter Loop
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 287
Toward FM 3470: Rosewood Drive, Stan Schlueter...
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Bellaire, TX to Killeen, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Fort Cavazos along the way.
Fort Cavazos
181.2 mi in
|
~3h 33m
|
via I 14; US 190
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| TX 6 | 49.8 mi | 53m |
| Aggie Expressway | 24.8 mi | 27m |
| Farm-to-Market Road 485 | 20.4 mi | 25m |
| Farm-to-Market Road 979 | 15.3 mi | 19m |
| TX 53 | 13.1 mi | 16m |
| Central Texas Expressway | 13.1 mi | 13m |
| Tomball Parkway | 9.7 mi | 11m |
| Tomball Tollway | 7.3 mi | 8m |
Longest stretch:
TX 6
— 49.8 mi, about 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bellaire, TX and Killeen, TX.
1
Start on West Loop South Frontage Road
347 ft
·
7 sec
·
West Loop South Frontage Road
Use the straight / left / none lanes.
2
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Toward I 610 North
3
Merge onto I 610
6.2 mi
·
7 min
·
West Loop South
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Take the exit onto US 290
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
Northwest Freeway
Exit 13A
Toward US 290 West: Austin
Use the slight left lane.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto US 290
3.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Northwest Freeway
Use the none lane.
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward Bingle Road, Pinemont Drive
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Turn straight onto Northwest Freeway Frontage Road
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
Northwest Freeway Frontage Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Turn right onto Bingle Road
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Bingle Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Continue on North Houston Rosslyn Road
3.9 mi
·
6 min
·
North Houston Rosslyn Road
Use the none lane.
10
Turn left onto TX 249
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Tomball Parkway
Use the left / straight lanes.
11
Continue on TX 249
8.4 mi
·
9 min
·
Tomball Parkway
Use the none lane.
12
Continue on TBT
7.3 mi
·
8 min
·
Tomball Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on TX 249 Toll
3.6 mi
·
4 min
·
MCTRA 249 Tollway
Use the none lane.
14
Continue on TX 249 Toll
25 mi
·
27 min
·
Aggie Expressway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on TX 105
5.8 mi
·
6 min
·
State Highway 105
16
Turn right onto TX 105
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
State Highway 6
17
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
18
Merge onto TX 6
50 mi
·
53 min
·
TX 6
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 6
5.8 mi
·
5 min
·
North State Highway 6
20
Continue on TX 6
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
South Main Street
21
Turn left onto FM 979
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Browning Street
22
Continue on FM 979
15 mi
·
19 min
·
Farm-to-Market Road 979
23
At end of road, turn right onto FM 485
20 mi
·
25 min
·
Farm-to-Market Road 485
24
At end of road, turn left onto TX 53
13 mi
·
16 min
·
TX 53
25
Turn left onto North General Bruce Drive
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
North General Bruce Drive
26
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward I 35 South
27
Merge onto I 35
7.1 mi
·
7 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the none lane.
28
Keep slight right at fork onto I 14; US 190
13 mi
·
13 min
·
Central Texas Expressway
Toward US 190 West: Killeen, Fort Cavazos
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
29
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 287
Toward FM 3470: Rosewood Drive, Stan Schlueter Loop
Use the slight right lane.
30
Turn straight onto West Central Texas Expressway
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
West Central Texas Expressway
31
Turn right onto South W.S. Young Drive
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
South W.S. Young Drive
32
Turn left onto US 190 Bus
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
East Veterans Memorial Boulevard
33
Turn right
83 ft
·
8 sec
34
Turn right
74 ft
·
5 sec
35
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 3 hour and 55 minute drive, plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the journey. Leaving early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid potential traffic congestion as you transition between the different road types. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, especially since you should set aside around $31 for gas to ensure you reach Killeen without stress. Since this route is relatively short, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace based on your personal preference for breaks. A helpful tip is to account for the specific demands of the 49.8-mile stretch on TX 6, as that is where you will likely spend the largest chunk of your time on the road.
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 99.9 miles from Bellaire, TX, or about 1h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 49.8 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 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 99.9 miles or 1h 55m 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 12m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Killeen, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Bellaire, 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 Bellaire, TX
This is one driving day of about 199.8 miles and 3h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Bellaire, 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 TX 6 for about 49.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 99.9 mi from Bellaire, TX · 1h 55m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
100 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 99.9 miles from Bellaire, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Killeen, TX
The final approach into Killeen, 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 Killeen, TX.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.52 one way
$61.04 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
70 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $33.45 | $66.89 |
| premium | $4.59 | $36.11 | $72.23 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $44.39 | $88.78 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.76
Tomball Tollway
(7.3 mi)
$0.51
MCTRA 249 Tollway
(3.6 mi)
$0.25
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
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 69.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 59.9 | 0 | $20.98 | $9.59 |
| Efficient EV | 50 | 0 | $17.48 | $7.99 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 79.9 | 0 | $27.97 | $12.79 |
Gas CO2
70 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.
Destination
Killeen, TX
Evening in Killeen on Sunday
Local time
5:04 PM
CDT
Current temp
60°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
12 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 55m 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 Bellaire, TX to Killeen, TX covers 199.8 miles and takes about 3h 55m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are TX 6, Aggie Expressway, Farm-to-Market Road 485. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 99.9 miles from Bellaire, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $30.52 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 24 significant decision points across 199.8 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 6.5 miles (US 290 / Northwest Freeway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 6.7 miles (US 290 / Northwest Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 9.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Bellaire, TX to Killeen, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Fort Cavazos along the way.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Killeen, TX
More from Bellaire, TX
More trips to Killeen, TX
Explore more options from Bellaire, TX or browse trips ending in Killeen, TX.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TX road trips.
Explore maps for Bellaire, TX or Killeen, TX on MapSof.net.