Skip to main content

Trip from Belton, TX to Killeen, TX

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

24m

Distance

19.9 mi

32 km

Drive Score

6/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$3

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 7 min
4 AM
0h 22m ★
6 AM
0h 25m
8 AM
0h 29m
10 AM
0h 26m
12 PM
0h 26m
3 PM
0h 26m
5 PM
0h 29m
8 PM
0h 23m

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

city in Texas, USA

Belton, TX

Wikimedia Commons

city in Bell County, Texas, United States

Killeen, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This short 19.9-mile journey from Belton, TX to Killeen, TX takes approximately 24 minutes to complete, making it a very manageable drive. With a modest estimated fuel cost of $3, this trip is designed for a single day, with no overnight stays required. The primary roads you'll navigate include East Central Avenue and I-35, specifically I 35 South. As you travel between two points within the Great Plains region, expect a straightforward drive. This route is characterized by frequent turns, suggesting a local feel rather than an open highway experience.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

0 planned breaks

This drive is short enough that no stops are needed.

Midpoint

9.9 miles from Belton, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 12m into the drive .

Drive Character

This drive is classified as a 'Turn-heavy local drive,' meaning you'll be making numerous turns rather than cruising on long, straight stretches. With a 0% highway share, you won't encounter any interstate monotony. The longest uninterrupted stretch is not a factor here, reinforcing the idea of a route with frequent changes in direction. Expect to engage with local road networks for the entirety of the 19.9 miles, which should take around 24 minutes. This type of route offers a more intimate connection with the landscape as you navigate through towns and communities.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 13 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
East Central Avenue is one of the defining roads on this drive.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.

Route Complexity 1/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

The drive from Belton, TX to Killeen, TX is easy. At 24m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

Where does it get tricky?

This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Belton, TX to Killeen, TX is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
East Central Avenue
I-35
I 35 South
Purple Heart Trail
Central Texas Expressway
FM 3470
West Central Texas Expressway
South W

Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.

Longest stretch: East Central Avenue — detailed segment metrics are refreshing.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Belton, TX and Killeen, TX.

1

Start on South Main Street

217 ft · 10 sec · South Main Street
2

Turn right onto East Central Avenue

0.6 mi · 1 min · East Central Avenue
3

Turn right onto South I-35 Frontage Road

348 ft · 7 sec · South I-35 Frontage Road
4

Take the ramp slight left toward I 35 South, US 190 West

0.2 mi · 20 sec · I 35 South, US 190 West
5

Merge slight left onto Purple Heart Trail

0.5 mi · 34 sec · Purple Heart Trail
6

Keep slight right to continue on Central Texas Expressway

13 mi · 13 min · Central Texas Expressway
7

Take the exit slight right toward FM 3470: Rosewood Drive, Stan Schlueter Loop

0.3 mi · 33 sec · FM 3470: Rosewood Drive, Stan Schlueter Loop
8

Turn straight onto West Central Texas Expressway

2.9 mi · 3 min · West Central Texas Expressway
9

Turn right onto South W.S. Young Drive

1.3 mi · 2 min · South W.S. Young Drive
10

Turn left onto East Veterans Memorial Boulevard

1.0 mi · 1 min · East Veterans Memorial Boulevard
11

Turn right

82 ft · 8 sec
12

Turn right

75 ft · 5 sec
13

Arrive at your destination

Trip Plan

Given its short 19.9-mile length and quick 24-minute duration, this drive offers significant flexibility. You can depart at any time without concern for breaking up a long journey. The estimated fuel cost of $3 is minimal, so a full tank is more than sufficient. Since this is a turn-heavy local drive, pay close attention to navigation and road signs, especially as you transition between East Central Avenue and I-35 South. There are no designated stops or longest stretches to plan around, so focus on a smooth transition through the local road network between Belton and Killeen.

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 9.9 miles from Belton, TX, or about 12m into the drive.

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 19.9 miles or 24m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 9.9 miles or 12m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 20m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Killeen, TX than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Have your navigation ready before leaving Belton, TX.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Belton, TX

This is one driving day of about 19.9 miles and 24m.

At 19.9 miles this is a quick drive — no planned stops needed.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 9.9 mi from Belton, TX · 12m into the drive

Pacing Suggestions

Lone Star, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 19.9 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Harker Heights, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 9.9 miles from Belton, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Killeen, TX

Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Killeen, TX if you are unfamiliar with the area.

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$3.01 one way

$6.01 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 7 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.20 $3.29 $6.58
premium $4.54 $3.55 $7.11
diesel $5.61 $4.39 $8.79

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$3

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$28–$53

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 71% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 6 0 $2.09 $0.96
Efficient EV 5 0 $1.74 $0.80
EV Truck/SUV 8 0 $2.79 $1.27

Gas CO2

7 kg

EV CO2

2 kg (71% 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

Belton, TX

Night in Belton on Wednesday

Local time

11:41 PM

CDT

Current temp

60°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Killeen, TX

Night in Killeen on Wednesday

Local time

11:41 PM

CDT

Current temp

60°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

Very similar conditions

Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.

Road read

24m 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 Belton, TX to Killeen, TX covers 19.9 miles and takes about 24m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are East Central Avenue, I-35, I 35 South. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 9.9 miles from Belton, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $3.01 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
The drive from Belton, TX to Killeen, TX is easy. At 24m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Belton, TX to Killeen, TX is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Belton, TX to Killeen, 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

Explore More

Explore more options from Belton, TX or browse trips ending in Killeen, TX.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TX road trips.

Explore maps for Belton, TX or Killeen, TX on MapSof.net.