Drive Time
3h 5m
Distance
174.1 mi
280 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
Photo: Thomas balabaud
The drive from Burleson, TX to Austin, TX covers 174.1 miles and takes about 3h 5m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 35W, I 35, Purple Heart Trail for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 68 miles on I 35W. At current regular gas prices, budget about $26.59 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
87 miles from Burleson, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 32m into the drive .
This is a 3h 5m highway drive covering 174.1 miles, with most of the trip on I 35W and I 35. The longest continuous stretch is about 68 miles on I 35W.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35W and I 35. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 114.9 miles in near I 35.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 174.1 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 114.9 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 170.7 miles (I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 173.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail toward 32nd Street, Dean Keeton Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward 8th–3rd Streets, Huston-Tillotson University
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn right onto East 6th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto East 5th Street
Lane positioning matters here
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 35W | 68 mi | 1h 9m |
| I 35 | 55.8 mi | 58m |
| Purple Heart Trail | 40.3 mi | 42m |
| North Jack Kultgen Expressway | 6.6 mi | 7m |
| South Burleson Boulevard | 1.7 mi | 2m |
| East 6th Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| West Renfro Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| North Interstate 35 | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Burleson, TX and Austin, TX.
Start on East Ellison Street
Continue on East Ellison Street
Turn left onto South Commerce Street
Turn right onto Spur 50
Turn right onto South Burleson Boulevard
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 35W
Continue on I 35; US 77
Continue on I 35
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35; US 290
Take the exit
Turn straight onto North Interstate 35
Turn right onto East 6th Street
Turn left onto Congress Avenue
Turn left onto East 5th Street
Arrive at destination
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.
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 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 87 miles or 1h 32m 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 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Austin, TX than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Burleson, 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 Burleson, TX
This is one driving day of about 174.1 miles and 3h 5m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 87 mi from Burleson, TX · 1h 32m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
87 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 87 miles from Burleson, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 35W if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 68 miles.
The final approach into Austin, 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 Austin, TX.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$26.59 one way
$53.19 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $29.14 | $58.29 |
| premium | $4.59 | $31.47 | $62.94 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $38.68 | $77.36 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 60.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 52.2 | 0 | $18.28 | $8.36 |
| Efficient EV | 43.5 | 0 | $15.23 | $6.96 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 69.6 | 0 | $24.37 | $11.14 |
Gas CO2
61 kg
EV CO2
20 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Late night in Burleson on Sunday
Local time
4:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in Austin on Sunday
Local time
4:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
60°F
Killeen, TX
87 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
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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