The drive from Forest Hill, TX to Austin, TX covers 291.5 miles and takes about 5h 18m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on South R L Thornton Freeway, I 35, Purple Heart Trail for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 89.9 miles on South R L Thornton Freeway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $44.05 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
145.7 miles from Forest Hill, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 44m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 18m. Total distance: 291.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (80%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 5h 18m highway drive covering 291.5 miles, with most of the trip on South R L Thornton Freeway and I 35. The longest continuous stretch is about 89.9 miles on South R L Thornton Freeway.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 34 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
South R L Thornton Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 89.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on South R L Thornton Freeway and I 35. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 59.6 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 25 significant decision points across 291.5 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 59.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 95.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 97.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 25 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
59.6 mi into trip|~1h 11m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 75 South, TX 121 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 75 South, TX 121 South
8
95.4 mi into trip|~1h 50m in
Take the exit toward Downtown, Good-Latimer Expressway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 284C
Toward Downtown, Good-Latimer Expressway
9
97.5 mi into trip|~1h 54m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35E North, I 35E South: Denton, Waco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35E North, I 35E South: Denton, Waco
8
288.1 mi into trip|~5h 13m 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
290.5 mi into trip|~5h 16m 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...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Forest Hill, TX and Austin, TX, road signs point toward Trenton, Downtown, Denton, Waco and Dallas Zoo.
Trenton
24.6 mi in|~31m
Downtown
95.4 mi in|~1h 50m
Denton
97.4 mi in|~1h 54m
Waco
97.5 mi in|~1h 54m
Dallas Zoo
98.4 mi in|~1h 56m|via I 35E
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
South R L Thornton Freeway
89.9 mi
1h 32m
I 35
55.8 mi
58m
Purple Heart Trail
40.3 mi
42m
Central Expressway
35 mi
37m
US Highway 82 West
21.1 mi
23m
South State Highway 121
16.9 mi
18m
Sam Rayburn Highway
15.2 mi
17m
North Jack Kultgen Expressway
6.6 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
South R L Thornton Freeway
— 89.9 mi, about 1h 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Forest Hill, TX and Austin, TX.
1
Start on County Road 35050
231 ft·15 sec·County Road 35050
2
Turn left onto FM 38
3.5 mi·8 min·FM 38
3
Turn right onto US 82
21 mi·23 min·US Highway 82 West
4
Take the exit
0.1 mi·19 sec
Exit 670Toward TX 121: Randolph, Trenton
5
Turn straight onto West US Highway 82
0.2 mi·29 sec·West US Highway 82
6
Turn left onto TX 121
2.0 mi·2 min·North State Highway 121
7
Turn right onto TX 56; TX 121
0.5 mi·37 sec·West Sam Rayburn Drive
8
Turn slight left onto TX 121
17 mi·18 min·South State Highway 121
9
Continue on TX 121
15 mi·17 min·Sam Rayburn Highway
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward US 75 South, TX 121 SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto US 75; TX 121
35 mi·37 min·Central Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
501 ft·12 sec
Exit 284CToward Downtown, Good-Latimer ExpresswayUse the slight left lane.
13
Continue on North Central Expressway
0.7 mi·1 min·North Central Expressway
Use the left / straight lanes.
14
Turn right onto Elm Street
304 ft·10 sec·Elm Street
15
Turn left onto North Pearl Expressway
0.2 mi·28 sec·North Pearl Expressway
Use the straight lane.
16
Turn right onto Young Street
0.1 mi·19 sec·Young Street
17
Turn left onto South Harwood Street
315 ft·8 sec·South Harwood Street
Use the left lane.
18
Turn right onto Canton Street
0.4 mi·47 sec·Canton Street
19
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward I 30 West
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·14 sec
Toward I 35E South, I 35E North: Waco, Denton
21
Keep slight left at fork
221 ft·5 sec
Toward I 35E North, I 35E South: Denton, WacoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·30 sec
Toward I 35E South: WacoUse the left / right lanes.
23
Continue on I 35E
0.5 mi·44 sec·South R L Thornton Freeway
24
Continue on I 35E
89 mi·1 hr 31 min·South R L Thornton Freeway
Exit 426Toward Dallas ZooUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Continue on I 35; US 77
6.6 mi·7 min·North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Continue on I 35
38 mi·39 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
56 mi·58 min·I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35; US 290
2.4 mi·3 min·Purple Heart Trail
Toward 32nd Street, Dean Keeton StreetUse the slight left lane.
29
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 234BToward 8th–3rd Streets, Huston-Tillotson UniversityUse the slight right lane.
30
Turn straight onto North Interstate 35
0.2 mi·27 sec·North Interstate 35
Use the straight / right lanes.
31
Turn right onto East 6th Street
0.5 mi·1 min·East 6th Street
Use the right lane.
32
Turn left onto Congress Avenue
357 ft·17 sec·Congress Avenue
33
Turn left onto East 5th Street
28 ft·0 sec·East 5th Street
Use the left lane.
34
Arrive at destination
East 5th Street
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 145.7 miles from Forest Hill, TX, or about 2h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 89.9 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 64 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 145.7 miles or 2h 44m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 21m
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 Forest Hill, 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 Forest Hill, TX
This is one driving day of about 291.5 miles and 5h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 miles from Forest Hill, 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 South R L Thornton Freeway for about 89.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 145.7 mi from Forest Hill, TX
· 2h 44m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Waco Mammoth National Monument
National Monument
Standing as tall as 14 feet and weighing 20,000 pounds, Columbian mammoths roamed across what is present-day Texas thousands of years ago. Today, the fossil specimens represent the nation's first and...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$44.05 one way
$88.09 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg102 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$48.21
$96.42
premium
$4.54
$52.05
$104.09
diesel
$5.61
$64.36
$128.72
Estimated Tolls: $2.86
Central Expressway
(35.7 mi)$2.86
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$72–$97
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 102 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
87.5
1
$30.61
$13.99
Efficient EV
72.9
0
$25.51
$11.66
EV Truck/SUV
116.6
1
$40.81
$18.66
Gas CO2
102 kg
EV CO2
34 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Forest Hill, TX
Afternoon
in Forest Hill on Friday
Local time
12:14 PM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Austin, TX
Afternoon
in Austin on Friday
Local time
12:14 PM
CDT
Current temp
63°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
5 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
5h 18m 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 Forest Hill, TX to Austin, TX covers 291.5 miles and takes about 5h 18m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are South R L Thornton Freeway, I 35, 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 145.7 miles from Forest Hill, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $44.05 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 25 significant decision points across 291.5 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 59.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 95.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 97.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Forest Hill, TX and Austin, TX, road signs point toward Trenton, Downtown, Denton, Waco and Dallas Zoo.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Waco Mammoth National Monument.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
