Origin
Granbury, TX
Night in Granbury on Thursday
Local time
11:10 PM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Granbury, TX to Austin, TX
Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026
Drive Time
3h 29m
Distance
182.2 mi
293 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$28
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 17m
★
6 AM
3h 29m
8 AM
3h 54m
10 AM
3h 38m
12 PM
3h 35m
3 PM
3h 39m
5 PM
3h 53m
8 PM
3h 22m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Granbury, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Austin, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from Granbury to Austin covers 174.7 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 4 minutes of drive time. Because this journey stays entirely within the Great Plains region of Texas, you will experience a consistent landscape throughout the trip. Budget approximately $26 for fuel to complete the transit between these two cities. While the route is manageable as a single-day excursion, planning for at least one stop is recommended to break up the drive. Since this path relies on local roads rather than major interstates, it serves as a practical, direct connection for those looking to avoid heavier highway traffic.
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
91.1 miles from Granbury, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 44m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 29m. Total distance: 182.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 29m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (84%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that prioritizes backroads over high-speed transit. You will navigate using West Pearl Street, Highway 377, and the East South Loop, resulting in a 0% highway share. This profile means you won't encounter long, monotonous stretches; in fact, the longest uninterrupted segment is 0 miles on West Pearl Street. Behind the wheel, you should prepare for a more engaged driving experience compared to a standard interstate cruise. The route demands your full attention as you transition through the local road network connecting Granbury to your destination in Austin.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 25 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
South US Highway 281 is the longest continuous segment at about 61.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on South US Highway 281 and South US Highway 183. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 150.8 miles in near 183A Toll / 183A Toll Road.
Driving Effort
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 182.2 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 150.8 miles (183A Toll / 183A Toll Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 172.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 173 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
150.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 52m in
|
183A Toll / 183A Toll Road
Keep slight left at fork onto 183A Toll / 183A Toll Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
172.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 15m in
Take the exit toward Loop 1: Mopac Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Loop 1: Mopac Boulevard
7
173 mi into trip
|
~3h 16m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Loop 1 South: Mopac Boulevard South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Loop 1 South: Mopac Boulevard South
6
175.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 19m in
Take the exit toward Express 1 Toll
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward Express 1 Toll
7
180.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 25m in
Keep slight left at fork toward West 5th Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Toward West 5th Street
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Granbury, TX to Austin, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Loop 1 South: Mopac Boulevard South along the way.
Loop 1 South: Mopac Boulevard South
173 mi in
|
~3h 16m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South US Highway 281 | 61.1 mi | 1h 9m |
| South US Highway 183 | 35.3 mi | 38m |
| West US Highway 377 | 27.1 mi | 31m |
| North US Highway 281 | 19 mi | 20m |
| 183A Toll Road | 14.3 mi | 14m |
| US 183 | 7.5 mi | 8m |
| Express 1 Toll | 3.9 mi | 4m |
| North Mopac Expressway | 2.4 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
South US Highway 281
— 61.1 mi, about 1h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Granbury, TX and Austin, TX.
1
Start on TX 144; FM 51
86 ft
·
10 sec
·
South Morgan Street
2
Turn left onto US 377 Bus
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
West Pearl Street
3
Merge onto US 377
27 mi
·
31 min
·
West US Highway 377
4
Continue on US 377
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
East South Loop
5
Turn left onto US 281
0.3 mi
·
24 sec
·
East Road
6
Continue on US 281
18 mi
·
20 min
·
South US Highway 281
7
Continue on US 281; TX 6
0.4 mi
·
28 sec
·
North 2nd Street
8
Turn right onto US 281
0.6 mi
·
38 sec
·
North Walnut Street
Use the right lane.
9
Turn straight onto US 281
19 mi
·
20 min
·
North US Highway 281
10
Continue on US 281
2.3 mi
·
2 min
·
North Rice Street
11
Continue on US 281
43 mi
·
49 min
·
South US Highway 281
12
Continue on US 183; US 190; US 281
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
North Key Avenue
13
Continue on US 183
35 mi
·
38 min
·
South US Highway 183
14
Continue on this road
0.4 mi
·
29 sec
·
this road
15
Keep slight left at fork onto 183A Toll
14 mi
·
14 min
·
183A Toll Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on US 183
7.5 mi
·
8 min
·
US 183
17
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Toward Loop 1: Mopac Boulevard
Use the slight right lane.
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
Toward Loop 1 South: Mopac Boulevard South
Use the slight right lane.
19
Merge onto Loop 1
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
North Mopac Expressway
20
Take the exit
423 ft
·
10 sec
Toward Express 1 Toll
Use the slight left lane.
21
Merge onto Express 1 Toll
3.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Express 1 Toll
22
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Toward West 5th Street
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
24
Turn straight onto West 5th Street
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
West 5th Street
Use the straight lane.
25
Arrive at destination
East 5th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour duration, this drive offers significant scheduling flexibility, allowing you to depart at your convenience without needing an overnight stay. Since you are relying on local roads rather than major highways, keep an eye on your navigation as you transition between Highway 377 and the East South Loop. Plan for at least one stop along the way to stretch your legs, as the constant turning can be more tiring than highway driving. If you are budget-conscious, keep that $26 fuel estimate in mind when planning your total trip expenses. A helpful tip for this specific route is to double-check your turn-by-turn directions before leaving Granbury, as local road signage can be less intuitive than interstate markers.
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 91.1 miles from Granbury, TX, or about 1h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 61.1 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 40 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 91.1 miles or 1h 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 2h 50m
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 Granbury, 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 Granbury, TX
This is one driving day of about 182.2 miles and 3h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 40 miles from Granbury, 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 US Highway 281 for about 61.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 91.1 mi from Granbury, TX · 1h 44m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
91 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 40 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 91.1 miles from Granbury, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before South US Highway 281 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 61.1 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
$27.53 one way
$55.06 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
64 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $30.13 | $60.27 |
| premium | $4.54 | $32.53 | $65.06 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $40.23 | $80.45 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.00
183A Toll Road
(14.3 mi)
$1.00
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
$28
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 63.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 54.7 | 0 | $19.13 | $8.75 |
| Efficient EV | 45.6 | 0 | $15.94 | $7.29 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 72.9 | 0 | $25.51 | $11.66 |
Gas CO2
64 kg
EV CO2
21 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.
Destination
Austin, TX
Night in Austin on Thursday
Local time
11:10 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
4 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 29m 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 Granbury, TX to Austin, TX covers 182.2 miles and takes about 3h 29m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are South US Highway 281, South US Highway 183, West US Highway 377. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 91.1 miles from Granbury, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $27.53 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 13 significant decision points across 182.2 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 150.8 miles (183A Toll / 183A Toll Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 172.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 173 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Granbury, TX to Austin, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Loop 1 South: Mopac Boulevard South along the way.
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