Origin
Cleburne, TX
Afternoon in Cleburne on Sunday
Local time
3:28 PM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Cleburne, TX to Austin, TX
Drive Time
3h 5m
Distance
167.6 mi
270 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 54m
★
6 AM
3h 5m
8 AM
3h 28m
10 AM
3h 13m
12 PM
3h 11m
3 PM
3h 14m
5 PM
3h 27m
8 PM
2h 58m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cleburne, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Austin, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are planning to travel from Cleburne to Austin, expect a 163.3-mile journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 36 minutes to complete. This route is best suited as a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $24 for fuel to cover the distance. Navigating through the Great Plains, you will primarily rely on local roads like North Main Street, East 2nd Street, and FM 4 rather than major interstates. It is a straightforward, turn-heavy drive that prioritizes local connectivity over highway speed, making it a practical choice for those who prefer avoiding heavy traffic 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
83.8 miles from Cleburne, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 35m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a unique experience behind the wheel, as this route is defined by its turn-heavy local nature rather than a monotonous interstate grind. With 0% of the drive on major highways, you will stay off the fast-paced thoroughfares entirely. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 0 miles on North Main Street, meaning you will encounter frequent shifts in direction and road transitions throughout the trip. This profile requires your full attention, as the path relies on local roads that demand more active steering than a standard highway cruise. You will get a true feel for the local landscape as you navigate these secondary roads from start to finish.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 35 is the longest continuous segment at about 55.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and I 35W. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 108.4 miles in near I 35.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 167.6 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 108.4 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 164.2 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 166.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
108.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 1m in
|
I 35
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
164.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 59m in
|
I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail
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
Use the slight left lane.
Toward 32nd Street, Dean Keeton Street
8
166.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 2m in
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
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 234B
Toward 8th–3rd Streets, Huston-Tillotson Univer...
6
167 mi into trip
|
~3h 3m in
|
East 6th Street
Turn right onto East 6th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
167.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 5m in
|
East 5th Street
Turn left onto East 5th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 35 | 55.8 mi | 58m |
| I 35W | 48.9 mi | 49m |
| Purple Heart Trail | 40.3 mi | 42m |
| East FM 4 | 11.7 mi | 19m |
| North Jack Kultgen Expressway | 6.6 mi | 7m |
| East 2nd Street | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| East Criner Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| McDuff Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 55.8 mi, about 58m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cleburne, TX and Austin, TX.
1
Start on US 67 Bus
49 ft
·
8 sec
·
East Henderson Street
2
Turn left onto TX 171; TX 174; FM 4
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
North Main Street
3
Turn left onto FM 4
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
East 2nd Street
4
Keep slight right at fork onto FM 4
12 mi
·
19 min
·
East FM 4
5
Continue on FM 4; FM 916
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
McDuff Avenue
6
Continue on FM 4; FM 916
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
East Criner Street
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
8
Merge onto I 35W
49 mi
·
49 min
·
I 35W
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 35; US 77
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 35
38 mi
·
39 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
56 mi
·
58 min
·
I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35; US 290
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Toward 32nd Street, Dean Keeton Street
Use the slight left lane.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Exit 234B
Toward 8th–3rd Streets, Huston-Tillotson University
Use the slight right lane.
14
Turn straight onto North Interstate 35
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
North Interstate 35
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Turn right onto East 6th Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
East 6th Street
Use the right lane.
16
Turn left onto Congress Avenue
357 ft
·
17 sec
·
Congress Avenue
17
Turn left onto East 5th Street
28 ft
·
0 sec
·
East 5th Street
Use the left lane.
18
Arrive at destination
East 5th Street
Trip Plan
For the smoothest experience, plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the 2-hour and 36-minute duration. Since this is a local-road-heavy trip, check your tire pressure and fuel levels before leaving Cleburne, as service options may vary along the smaller FM 4 stretches. Leaving during daylight hours is highly recommended to better navigate the frequent turns and local intersections you will encounter. Because the trip is relatively short, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace to suit your personal schedule. A key tip for this specific route is to keep a close eye on your navigation system, as the reliance on local streets means you will be making multiple turns rather than following a single highway sign.
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 83.8 miles from Cleburne, TX, or about 1h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 55.8 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 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 83.8 miles or 1h 35m 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 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Austin, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Cleburne, 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 Cleburne, TX
This is one driving day of about 167.6 miles and 3h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Cleburne, 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 I 35 for about 55.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 83.8 mi from Cleburne, TX · 1h 35m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
84 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 83.8 miles from Cleburne, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Austin, TX
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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.60 one way
$51.20 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
59 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $28.06 | $56.11 |
| premium | $4.59 | $30.29 | $60.59 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $37.23 | $74.47 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 50.3 | 0 | $17.60 | $8.04 |
| Efficient EV | 41.9 | 0 | $14.67 | $6.70 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 67 | 0 | $23.46 | $10.73 |
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 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
Austin, TX
Afternoon in Austin on Sunday
Local time
3:28 PM
CDT
Current temp
65°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
7 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 5m 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 Cleburne, TX to Austin, TX covers 167.6 miles and takes about 3h 5m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 35, I 35W, Purple Heart Trail. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 83.8 miles from Cleburne, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $25.60 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 12 significant decision points across 167.6 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 108.4 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 164.2 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 166.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Cleburne, TX to Austin, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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