Drive Time
7h 14m
Distance
375.3 mi
604 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$57
one way
Photo: Jeff Stapleton
The drive from Harlingen, TX to Killeen, TX covers 375.3 miles and takes about 7h 14m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on West Harrison Avenue, North Expressway 77, I 69E North for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $57.33 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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
187.7 miles from Harlingen, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 37m into the drive .
Expect a 7h 14m drive with frequent turns across 375.3 miles of local and secondary roads.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
The route itself is not hard, but at 7h 14m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 0 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Harlingen, TX to Killeen, TX is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| West Harrison Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| North Expressway 77 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 69E North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Highway 77 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| County Road 10 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| County Road 79 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| County Road 18 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Driscoll Bypass | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Harlingen, TX and Killeen, TX.
Start on South Commerce Street
Turn left onto West Harrison Avenue
Turn right onto North Expressway 77
Take the ramp slight left toward I 69E North, US 77 North
Merge slight left onto U.S. Highway 77
Keep slight left
Merge slight right
Continue on U.S. Highway 77
Take the exit slight right
Turn straight onto US Highway 77 Frontage Road
Turn right onto County Road 10
Turn left onto County Road 79
Turn left onto County Road 18
Turn sharp right
Take the ramp straight
Merge slight left onto Driscoll Bypass
Continue on U.S. Highway 77
Merge slight left
Keep slight left
Continue straight
Take the exit slight right toward TX 359: Mathis, Skidmore
Turn right onto State Highway 359
At the end of the road, turn left onto South 8th Street
Continue on US Highway 181 South
Continue on South Sunset Strip Drive
Turn right onto West Main Street
Keep slight left to continue on East Main Street
Continue on Helena Road
Turn straight onto State Highway 80
Continue on South Nixon Avenue
Continue on State Highway 80 North
Continue on US 183
Continue on South Colorado Street
Continue on United States Highway 183
Keep slight left to continue on TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco
Merge slight left onto Pickle Parkway
Keep slight right to continue on TX 195 North: Florence, Killeen
Continue on North Interstate 35
Turn left onto State Highway 195
Turn slight right
Turn slight right onto West Veterans Memorial Boulevard
Turn left
Turn right
Arrive at your destination
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
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 83 miles or 1h 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 187.7 miles or 3h 37m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Killeen, TX than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Harlingen, 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.
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Harlingen, TX
This is one driving day of about 375.3 miles and 7h 14m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 187.7 mi from Harlingen, TX · 3h 37m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
188 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.
A short stop after about 83 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 187.7 miles from Harlingen, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Regular Gas
$57.33 one way
$114.66 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $62.83 | $125.65 |
| premium | $4.59 | $67.83 | $135.67 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $83.38 | $166.76 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$57
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$82–$107
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 131.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 112.6 | 1 | $39.41 | $18.01 |
| Efficient EV | 93.8 | 1 | $32.84 | $15.01 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 150.1 | 1 | $52.54 | $24.02 |
Gas CO2
131 kg
EV CO2
44 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Late night in Harlingen on Sunday
Local time
5:28 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in Killeen on Sunday
Local time
5:28 AM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
81°F
San Antonio, TX
188 mi in
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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