Origin
Burkburnett, TX
Morning in Burkburnett on Saturday
Local time
7:05 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Burkburnett, TX to Killeen, TX
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 51m
Distance
253.5 mi
408 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$38
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 38m
★
6 AM
4h 51m
8 AM
5h 18m
10 AM
5h 1m
12 PM
4h 58m
3 PM
5h 2m
5 PM
5h 17m
8 PM
4h 43m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Burkburnett, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Killeen, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Burkburnett, TX to Killeen, TX covers 253.5 miles and takes about 4h 51m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 281, Henry S Grace Freeway, FM 116 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 65.2 miles on US 281. At current regular gas prices, budget about $38.30 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
126.8 miles from Burkburnett, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 25m into the drive .
About the Cities
Arriving in Killeen, TX
Full guide →Killeen is a city in the Central Hill Country of Texas. It is home to U.S. Army installation Fort Cavasos, one of the largest military bases in the world.
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 4h 51m. Total distance: 253.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 4h 51m highway drive covering 253.5 miles, with most of the trip on US 281 and Henry S Grace Freeway. The longest continuous stretch is about 65.2 miles on US 281.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 36 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 281 is the longest continuous segment at about 65.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 281 and Henry S Grace Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.8 miles in.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 253.5 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 1.8 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.9 miles (I 44; US 277; US 281 / South Red River Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 163.9 miles (US 281 / North Walnut Street): 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.
5
1.8 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Take the ramp toward I 44 West, US 277 South, US 281 South: Wichita Falls
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 44 West, US 277 South, US 281 South: W...
5
1.9 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
I 44; US 277; US 281 / South Red River Expressway
Merge onto I 44; US 277; US 281 / South Red River Expressway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
163.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 7m in
|
US 281 / North Walnut Street
Turn right onto US 281 / North Walnut Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
242.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 36m in
|
FM 116 / Farm-to-Market Road 116
Keep slight right at fork onto FM 116 / Farm-to-Market Road 116
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
6
250.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 45m in
Take the exit toward T.J. Mills Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward T.J. Mills Boulevard
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 281 | 65.2 mi | 1h 13m |
| Henry S Grace Freeway | 63.4 mi | 1h 13m |
| FM 116 | 22.3 mi | 28m |
| FM 1241 | 19.9 mi | 21m |
| North US Highway 281 | 19 mi | 20m |
| South US Highway 281 | 18 mi | 20m |
| US 84 | 11.6 mi | 11m |
| Central Freeway | 9.5 mi | 10m |
Longest stretch:
US 281
— 65.2 mi, about 1h 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Burkburnett, TX and Killeen, TX.
1
Start on TX 240
70 ft
·
9 sec
·
East 3rd Street
2
Turn left onto Loop 267
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
North Avenue D
3
Continue on Loop 267
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Sheppard Road
4
Continue on TX 240
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
South Red River Expressway
5
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
Toward I 44 West, US 277 South, US 281 South: Wichita Falls
6
Merge onto I 44; US 277; US 281
2.7 mi
·
2 min
·
South Red River Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 44; US 277; US 281
9.5 mi
·
10 min
·
Central Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on US 277; US 281; US 287
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Lloyd Ruby Overpass
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on US 281; US 287
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Central East Freeway
10
Keep slight left at fork onto US 281
2.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Henry S Grace Freeway
11
Keep slight left at fork onto US 281
61 mi
·
1 hr 10 min
·
Henry S Grace Freeway
12
Continue on US 281
65 mi
·
1 hr 13 min
·
US 281
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on US 281
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
East Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Continue on US 281
18 mi
·
20 min
·
South US Highway 281
15
Continue on US 281; TX 6
0.4 mi
·
28 sec
·
North 2nd Street
16
Turn right onto US 281
0.6 mi
·
38 sec
·
North Walnut Street
Use the right lane.
17
Turn straight onto US 281
19 mi
·
20 min
·
North US Highway 281
18
Continue on US 281
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
North Rice Street
19
Turn left onto East Baker Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
East Baker Street
20
Continue on FM 932
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Farm-to-Market Road 932
21
Turn straight onto FM 1241
20 mi
·
21 min
·
FM 1241
22
At end of road, turn right onto FM 932
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Farm-to-Market Road 932
23
Continue on FM 932
0.6 mi
·
48 sec
·
Farm-to-Market Road 932
24
Turn left onto US 84
12 mi
·
11 min
·
US 84
25
Take the exit
164 ft
·
7 sec
26
Turn straight onto FM 116
22 mi
·
28 min
·
FM 116
27
Continue on FM 116
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
Farm-to-Market Road 116
28
Keep slight right at fork onto FM 116
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
Farm-to-Market Road 116
29
Turn left onto TX 9
3.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Highway 9
30
Merge onto US 190 Business
0.3 mi
·
22 sec
·
US 190 Business
31
Continue on I 14; US 190
4.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Central Texas Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Toward T.J. Mills Boulevard
Use the slight right lane.
33
Continue on US 190 Bus
3.0 mi
·
5 min
·
West Veterans Memorial Boulevard
34
Turn left
83 ft
·
8 sec
35
Turn right
74 ft
·
5 sec
36
Arrive at destination
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 126.8 miles from Burkburnett, TX, or about 2h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 65.2 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 56 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 126.8 miles or 2h 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 3h 56m
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 Burkburnett, 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 Burkburnett, TX
This is one driving day of about 253.5 miles and 4h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 miles from Burkburnett, 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 US 281 for about 65.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 126.8 mi from Burkburnett, TX · 2h 25m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
127 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 56 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 126.8 miles from Burkburnett, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 281 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 65.2 miles.
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
$38.30 one way
$76.61 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
89 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $41.93 | $83.85 |
| premium | $4.54 | $45.26 | $90.52 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $55.97 | $111.94 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 88.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 76.1 | 0 | $26.62 | $12.17 |
| Efficient EV | 63.4 | 0 | $22.18 | $10.14 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 101.4 | 1 | $35.49 | $16.22 |
Gas CO2
89 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Morning in Killeen on Saturday
Local time
7:05 AM
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
13 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
4h 51m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Burkburnett, TX to Killeen, TX covers 253.5 miles and takes about 4h 51m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 281, Henry S Grace Freeway, FM 116. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 126.8 miles from Burkburnett, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $38.30 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 253.5 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 1.8 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.9 miles (I 44; US 277; US 281 / South Red River Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 163.9 miles (US 281 / North Walnut Street): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Burkburnett, TX to Killeen, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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