Origin
Del Rio, TX
Afternoon in Del Rio on Sunday
Local time
1:40 PM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Del Rio, TX to Austin, TX
Drive Time
4h 25m
Distance
231.6 mi
373 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$35
one way
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Spanning 232.8 miles, the drive from Del Rio to Austin takes approximately 3 hours and 48 minutes of travel time. Because this route is a relatively straightforward journey across the Great Plains, it functions perfectly as a single-day trip, requiring only one planned stop to keep you refreshed. You should budget about $35 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Texas cities. Since both locations reside within the Great Plains region, the landscape remains consistent throughout your transit. Whether you are heading to the state capital for business or a change of pace, this direct connection is efficient for those who prefer to keep their travel time under four hours.
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
115.8 miles from Del Rio, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 13m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise, as this route relies on East Gibbs Street, Highway 90 East, and US 90. Because the highway share is 0 percent, you will spend your time navigating local roads that demand more active attention from the driver. You won't find long, high-speed stretches here; in fact, the longest uninterrupted segment is 0 miles on East Gibbs Street. This lack of highway driving means your pace will be dictated by the local road network, creating a different feel compared to a standard freeway trek. Stay alert, as the winding nature of these roads requires constant navigation through the Texas landscape.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
East US Highway 90 is the longest continuous segment at about 75.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on East US Highway 90 and Purple Heart Trail. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 142 miles in.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 231.6 miles you will encounter 10 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 142 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 143.3 miles (I 410; TX 16 / Connally Loop): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 163.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
142 mi into trip
|
~2h 43m in
Take the exit toward I 410 North, TX 16 North
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 I 410 North, TX 16 North
5
143.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 46m in
|
I 410; TX 16 / Connally Loop
Merge onto I 410; TX 16 / Connally Loop
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
163.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 9m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35 North: Austin
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 35 North: Austin
7
230.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 23m in
Take the exit toward 6th - 12th Streets
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 234C
Toward 6th - 12th Streets
7
231.6 mi into trip
|
~4h 25m in
|
East 5th Street
Turn left onto East 5th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| East US Highway 90 | 75.2 mi | 1h 25m |
| Purple Heart Trail | 58.6 mi | 1h 3m |
| US Highway 90 East | 30.9 mi | 35m |
| US 90 | 24.5 mi | 27m |
| Connally Loop | 19.8 mi | 22m |
| North Pan Am Expressway | 6.8 mi | 7m |
| West Main Street | 4.9 mi | 5m |
| Cleto Rodriguez Freeway | 3.3 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
East US Highway 90
— 75.2 mi, about 1h 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Del Rio, TX and Austin, TX.
1
Start on Spur 297
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
Spur 297
2
Turn right onto US 90; US 277
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
East Gibbs Street
3
Continue on US 90
5.5 mi
·
6 min
·
US Highway 90 East
4
Merge onto US 90
24 mi
·
27 min
·
US 90
5
Continue on US 90
37 mi
·
42 min
·
East US Highway 90
6
Continue on US 90
4.9 mi
·
5 min
·
West Main Street
7
Continue on US 90
38 mi
·
43 min
·
East US Highway 90
8
Continue on US 90
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
19th Street
9
Continue on US 90
25 mi
·
29 min
·
US Highway 90 East
10
Continue on US 90
3.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Cleto Rodriguez Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
1.3 mi
·
2 min
Toward I 410 North, TX 16 North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 410; TX 16
20 mi
·
22 min
·
Connally Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward I 35 North: Austin
14
Merge onto I 35
6.8 mi
·
7 min
·
North Pan Am Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I 35
12 mi
·
12 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on I 35
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Interstate Highway 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on I 35
47 mi
·
50 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
Exit 234C
Toward 6th - 12th Streets
Use the slight right lane.
19
Turn left onto East 6th Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
East 6th Street
20
Turn left onto Congress Avenue
357 ft
·
17 sec
·
Congress Avenue
21
Turn left onto East 5th Street
28 ft
·
0 sec
·
East 5th Street
Use the left lane.
22
Arrive at destination
East 5th Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a manageable one-day trip, you have the flexibility to depart whenever suits your schedule best. Plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs, as the turn-heavy nature of the roads can be more taxing than a straight highway drive. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge and budget the $35 in advance to ensure you don't get caught short on local roads. Given that you aren't dealing with interstate speeds, prioritize a steady pace over aggressive driving to stay comfortable behind the wheel. A helpful tip for this specific route is to stay extra vigilant with your navigation tools, as the reliance on local roads like East Gibbs Street means you will be making more turns than on a typical cross-state highway route.
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 115.8 miles from Del Rio, TX, or about 2h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 75.2 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 80 miles or 1h 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 115.8 miles or 2h 13m 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 38m
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 Del Rio, 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 Del Rio, TX
This is one driving day of about 231.6 miles and 4h 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Del Rio, 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 East US Highway 90 for about 75.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 115.8 mi from Del Rio, TX · 2h 13m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
116 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 115.8 miles from Del Rio, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before East US Highway 90 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 75.2 miles.
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
$35.38 one way
$70.76 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
81 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $38.77 | $77.54 |
| premium | $4.59 | $41.86 | $83.72 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $51.45 | $102.91 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 81 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 69.5 | 0 | $24.32 | $11.12 |
| Efficient EV | 57.9 | 0 | $20.26 | $9.26 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 92.6 | 1 | $32.42 | $14.82 |
Gas CO2
81 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (67% 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
Austin, TX
Afternoon in Austin on Sunday
Local time
1:40 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
1 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 25m 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 Del Rio, TX to Austin, TX covers 231.6 miles and takes about 4h 25m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are East US Highway 90, Purple Heart Trail, US Highway 90 East. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 115.8 miles from Del Rio, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $35.38 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 231.6 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 142 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 143.3 miles (I 410; TX 16 / Connally Loop): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 163.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
The route from Del Rio, TX to Austin, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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