Origin
Groves, TX
Afternoon in Groves on Sunday
Local time
2:40 PM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Groves, TX to Killeen, TX
Drive Time
5h 33m
Distance
288.4 mi
464 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$44
one way
Groves, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Killeen, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Trip Overview
The drive from Groves, TX to Killeen, TX covers 288.4 miles and takes about 5h 33m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on TX 6, East Grand Parkway North, US 90 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 49.8 miles on TX 6. 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
144.2 miles from Groves, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 45m into the drive .
Drive Character
This is a 5h 33m highway drive covering 288.4 miles, with most of the trip on TX 6 and East Grand Parkway North. The longest continuous stretch is about 49.8 miles on TX 6.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 45 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
TX 6 is the longest continuous segment at about 49.8 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
649 ft
10 ft
Total Climb
799 ft
Total Descent
160 ft
Highest Point
649 ft
~276.4 mi in
Elevation Range
639 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on TX 6 and East Grand Parkway North. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 18.5 miles in near US 69; US 96; US 287.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 34 significant decision points across 288.4 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 18.5 miles (US 69; US 96; US 287): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 18.7 miles (US 69; US 96; US 287): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 115.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 34 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
18.5 mi into trip
|
~21m in
|
US 69; US 96; US 287
Keep slight right at fork onto US 69; US 96; US 287 toward I 10 East, US 69 North, US 96 North, US 287 North: Lake Charles, Lufkin
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 10 East, US 69 North, US 96 North, US...
6
18.7 mi into trip
|
~21m in
|
US 69; US 96; US 287
Keep slight left at fork onto US 69; US 96; US 287 toward I 10 East, US 69 North, US 96 North, US 287 North: Lake Charles, Lufkin
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 10 East, US 69 North, US 96 North, US...
7
115.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 12m in
Take the exit toward TX 249: Boudreaux Road, Rocky Road
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 TX 249: Boudreaux Road, Rocky Road
8
269.9 mi into trip
|
~5h 11m in
|
I 14; US 190 / Central Texas Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 14; US 190 / Central Texas Expressway toward US 190 West: Killeen, Fort Cavazos
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 190 West: Killeen, Fort Cavazos
8
282.9 mi into trip
|
~5h 25m in
Take the exit toward FM 3470: Rosewood Drive, Stan Schlueter Loop
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 287
Toward FM 3470: Rosewood Drive, Stan Schlueter...
Towns Along This Route
Between Groves, TX and Killeen, TX, road signs point toward Lufkin, Tbt Toll North and Fort Cavazos.
Lufkin
18.5 mi in
|
~21m
|
via US 69; US 96; US 287
Tbt Toll North
116.6 mi in
|
~2h 14m
Fort Cavazos
269.9 mi in
|
~5h 11m
|
via I 14; US 190
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| TX 6 | 49.8 mi | 53m |
| East Grand Parkway North | 44 mi | 46m |
| US 90 | 39.6 mi | 45m |
| Aggie Expressway | 24.8 mi | 27m |
| Farm-to-Market Road 485 | 20.4 mi | 25m |
| Farm-to-Market Road 979 | 15.3 mi | 19m |
| Memorial Freeway | 15.2 mi | 16m |
| TX 53 | 13.1 mi | 16m |
Longest stretch:
TX 6
— 49.8 mi, about 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Groves, TX and Killeen, TX.
1
Start on 39th Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
39th Street
2
Turn slight right onto East Parkway Street
0.4 mi
·
44 sec
·
East Parkway Street
3
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
Toward TX 73 West
4
Merge onto TX 73
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
TX 73
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
Toward US 69 South, US 96 South, US 287 South: Beaumont
6
Merge onto US 69; US 96; US 287
15 mi
·
16 min
·
Memorial Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto US 69; US 96; US 287
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
US 69; US 96; US 287
Toward I 10 East, US 69 North, US 96 North, US 287 North: Lake Charles, Lufkin
8
Keep slight left at fork onto US 69; US 96; US 287
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
US 69; US 96; US 287
Toward I 10 East, US 69 North, US 96 North, US 287 North: Lake Charles, Lufkin
9
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
Exit 851
Toward US 90: Liberty
10
Turn straight onto Interstate 10 South Frontage Road
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
Interstate 10 South Frontage Road
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
11
Turn left onto College Street
6.4 mi
·
8 min
·
College Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
12
Continue on US 90
40 mi
·
45 min
·
US 90
13
Turn right onto TX 321
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
North Cleveland Street
14
Turn left onto FM 1960
5.1 mi
·
6 min
·
West Clayton Street
15
Turn right onto East Grand Parkway North
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
East Grand Parkway North
16
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
17
Merge onto TX 99 Toll
44 mi
·
46 min
·
East Grand Parkway North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
Toward TX 249: Boudreaux Road, Rocky Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on North Grand Parkway West
0.4 mi
·
40 sec
·
North Grand Parkway West
20
Turn right onto TX 249
447 ft
·
7 sec
·
Tomball Parkway
21
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Toward TBT Toll North
22
Merge onto TBT
4.9 mi
·
5 min
·
Tomball Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on TX 249 Toll
3.6 mi
·
4 min
·
MCTRA 249 Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Continue on TX 249 Toll
25 mi
·
27 min
·
Aggie Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Continue on TX 105
5.8 mi
·
6 min
·
State Highway 105
26
Turn right onto TX 105
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
State Highway 6
27
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
28
Merge onto TX 6
50 mi
·
53 min
·
TX 6
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 6
5.8 mi
·
5 min
·
North State Highway 6
30
Continue on TX 6
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
South Main Street
31
Turn left onto FM 979
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Browning Street
32
Continue on FM 979
15 mi
·
19 min
·
Farm-to-Market Road 979
33
At end of road, turn right onto FM 485
20 mi
·
25 min
·
Farm-to-Market Road 485
34
At end of road, turn left onto TX 53
13 mi
·
16 min
·
TX 53
35
Turn left onto North General Bruce Drive
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
North General Bruce Drive
36
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward I 35 South
37
Merge onto I 35
7.1 mi
·
7 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
38
Keep slight right at fork onto I 14; US 190
13 mi
·
13 min
·
Central Texas Expressway
Toward US 190 West: Killeen, Fort Cavazos
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
39
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 287
Toward FM 3470: Rosewood Drive, Stan Schlueter Loop
Use the slight right lane.
40
Turn straight onto West Central Texas Expressway
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
West Central Texas Expressway
41
Turn right onto South W.S. Young Drive
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
South W.S. Young Drive
42
Turn left onto US 190 Bus
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
East Veterans Memorial Boulevard
43
Turn right
83 ft
·
8 sec
44
Turn right
74 ft
·
5 sec
45
Arrive at destination
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 144.2 miles from Groves, TX, or about 2h 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 49.8 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 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 144.2 miles or 2h 45m 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 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Killeen, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Groves, 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 Groves, TX
This is one driving day of about 288.4 miles and 5h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Groves, 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 TX 6 for about 49.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 144.2 mi from Groves, TX · 2h 45m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
144 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 144.2 miles from Groves, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Killeen, TX
The final approach into Killeen, 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 Killeen, 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
$44.05 one way
$88.11 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
101 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $48.28 | $96.56 |
| premium | $4.59 | $52.13 | $104.26 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $64.07 | $128.14 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.59
Tomball Tollway
(4.9 mi)
$0.34
MCTRA 249 Tollway
(3.6 mi)
$0.25
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
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 100.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 86.5 | 1 | $30.28 | $13.84 |
| Efficient EV | 72.1 | 0 | $25.23 | $11.54 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 115.4 | 1 | $40.38 | $18.46 |
Gas CO2
101 kg
EV CO2
34 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Killeen, TX
Afternoon in Killeen on Sunday
Local time
2:40 PM
CDT
Current temp
60°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
10 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
5h 33m 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 Groves, TX to Killeen, TX covers 288.4 miles and takes about 5h 33m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are TX 6, East Grand Parkway North, US 90. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 144.2 miles from Groves, 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 34 significant decision points across 288.4 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 18.5 miles (US 69; US 96; US 287): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 18.7 miles (US 69; US 96; US 287): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 115.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Groves, TX and Killeen, TX, road signs point toward Lufkin, Tbt Toll North and Fort Cavazos.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 10 ft to 649 ft elevation with about 799 ft of total climbing.
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