Origin
Hughes Springs, TX
Afternoon in Hughes Springs on Sunday
Local time
2:24 PM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Hughes Springs, TX to Austin, TX
Drive Time
5h 43m
Distance
297.5 mi
479 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$45
one way
Hughes Springs, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Austin, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from Hughes Springs to Austin covers 297.5 miles across the Great Plains, making for a straightforward journey that typically takes 5 hours and 43 minutes. Because this route is manageable in a single day, you likely won't need to book an overnight stay unless you prefer a slower pace. Plan to budget around $45 for fuel to complete the trip comfortably. You will navigate via a mix of routes, including TX 155, the Purple Heart Trail, and I-35. It is an efficient way to cross this part of Texas, serving as a practical connection between two distinct points in the region.
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
148.7 miles from Hughes Springs, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 1m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is a highway-focused drive, with 66% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You should be prepared for a variety of conditions, shifting from state roads to the faster pace of the interstate. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 55.8-mile segment on I-35, which serves as the primary artery for the final portion of your journey. Expect the character of the road to change as you transition from local routes like TX 155 onto the busier interstate system. Overall, the drive offers a consistent experience that prioritizes steady progress over technical terrain.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 47 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 35 is the longest continuous segment at about 55.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and TX 155. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 135.3 miles in near TX 31 / Corsicana Bypass.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 30 significant decision points across 297.5 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 135.3 miles (TX 31 / Corsicana Bypass): Lane positioning matters here; at 238.3 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 294.1 miles (I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 30 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
135.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 45m in
|
TX 31 / Corsicana Bypass
Turn left onto TX 31 / Corsicana Bypass
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
238.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 38m in
|
I 35
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
8
294.1 mi into trip
|
~5h 37m 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
296.5 mi into trip
|
~5h 40m 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...
7
297.5 mi into trip
|
~5h 43m in
|
East 5th Street
Turn left onto East 5th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 35 | 55.8 mi | 58m |
| TX 155 | 41.6 mi | 47m |
| Purple Heart Trail | 40.3 mi | 42m |
| State Highway 31 East | 30.9 mi | 35m |
| West State Highway 31 | 18.8 mi | 21m |
| State Highway 31 | 17.2 mi | 17m |
| Corsicana Bypass | 11.8 mi | 13m |
| State Highway 31 West | 9.7 mi | 11m |
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 55.8 mi, about 58m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hughes Springs, TX and Austin, TX.
1
Start on Ward
104 ft
·
6 sec
·
Ward
2
Turn right onto TX 11; TX 49; FM 250
428 ft
·
12 sec
·
1st Street
3
Turn left onto FM 161; FM 250
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
FM 161; FM 250
4
Turn right onto FM 250
6.0 mi
·
10 min
·
FM 250
5
Turn left onto US 259
7.2 mi
·
10 min
·
South Main Street
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
7
Keep slight right at fork
302 ft
·
8 sec
8
Merge onto TX 155
16 mi
·
17 min
·
TX 155
9
Turn left onto US 271; TX 155
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
North Wood Street
10
Turn straight onto TX 155
13 mi
·
15 min
·
TX 155
11
Turn right onto US 80; TX 155
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
West Broadway Street
Use the left lane.
12
Turn left onto TX 155
13 mi
·
14 min
·
TX 155
Use the left lane.
13
Turn right onto US 271; TX 155
4.8 mi
·
5 min
·
US Highway 271
14
Turn right onto Loop 323
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
East Northeast Loop 323
15
Continue on Loop 323
4.3 mi
·
6 min
·
West Northwest Loop 323
16
Continue on Loop 323
0.6 mi
·
43 sec
·
South Southwest Loop 323
17
Turn right onto TX 31
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Chandler Highway
18
Continue on TX 31
5.6 mi
·
6 min
·
State Highway 31 West
19
Continue on TX 31
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
East Highway 31
20
Continue on TX 31
21 mi
·
23 min
·
State Highway 31 East
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
22
Merge onto US 175; TX 19; TX 31; Loop 7
6.2 mi
·
7 min
·
Jed Robinson Loop
23
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
24
Keep slight left at fork
445 ft
·
14 sec
25
Turn right onto TX 31
4.0 mi
·
4 min
·
State Highway 31 West
26
Continue on TX 31
5.4 mi
·
6 min
·
East Royall Boulevard
27
Continue on TX 31
9.9 mi
·
11 min
·
State Highway 31 East
28
Continue on TX 31
9.3 mi
·
10 min
·
Northwest 2nd Street
29
Turn left onto TX 31
12 mi
·
13 min
·
Corsicana Bypass
Use the straight lane.
30
At end of road, turn left onto TX 31
19 mi
·
21 min
·
West State Highway 31
31
Continue on TX 31
5.5 mi
·
5 min
·
Hubbard Bypass
32
Continue on TX 31
17 mi
·
17 min
·
State Highway 31
33
Continue on US 84
2.5 mi
·
2 min
·
East US Highway 84
34
Continue on US 84
2.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Bellmead Drive
Use the none lane.
35
Turn straight onto US 84
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
East Waco Drive
36
Turn left onto North Jack Kultgen Expressway
519 ft
·
12 sec
·
North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the left / straight lanes.
37
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward I 35 South, US 77 South
38
Merge onto I 35; US 77
6.1 mi
·
6 min
·
North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the none lane.
39
Continue on I 35
38 mi
·
39 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the none lane.
40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
56 mi
·
58 min
·
I 35
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
41
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35; US 290
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Toward 32nd Street, Dean Keeton Street
Use the slight left lane.
42
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Exit 234B
Toward 8th–3rd Streets, Huston-Tillotson University
Use the slight right lane.
43
Turn straight onto North Interstate 35
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
North Interstate 35
Use the straight / right lanes.
44
Turn right onto East 6th Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
East 6th Street
Use the right lane.
45
Turn left onto Congress Avenue
357 ft
·
17 sec
·
Congress Avenue
46
Turn left onto East 5th Street
28 ft
·
0 sec
·
East 5th Street
Use the left lane.
47
Arrive at destination
East 5th Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a sub-six-hour drive, your best bet is to leave early in the morning to avoid peak traffic, especially as you approach the Austin area. With only one recommended stop planned, you have plenty of flexibility to stretch your legs whenever you need a quick break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge during the initial stretches to ensure you aren't caught off guard before hitting the more populated corridors. Because the route relies heavily on I-35 for the final 55.8 miles, stay alert for potential congestion as you near your destination. Packing snacks and water will help you stay focused during the longer highway segments.
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 148.7 miles from Hughes Springs, TX, or about 3h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 55.8 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 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 148.7 miles or 3h 1m 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 44m
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 Hughes Springs, 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 Hughes Springs, TX
This is one driving day of about 297.5 miles and 5h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Hughes Springs, 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 I 35 for about 55.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 148.7 mi from Hughes Springs, TX · 3h 1m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
149 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 148.7 miles from Hughes Springs, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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
$45.44 one way
$90.89 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
104 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $49.80 | $99.60 |
| premium | $4.59 | $53.77 | $107.55 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $66.09 | $132.19 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$45
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 104.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 89.3 | 1 | $31.24 | $14.28 |
| Efficient EV | 74.4 | 0 | $26.03 | $11.90 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 119 | 1 | $41.65 | $19.04 |
Gas CO2
104 kg
EV CO2
35 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
Austin, TX
Afternoon in Austin on Sunday
Local time
2:24 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 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 43m 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 Hughes Springs, TX to Austin, TX covers 297.5 miles and takes about 5h 43m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 35, TX 155, 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 148.7 miles from Hughes Springs, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $45.44 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 30 significant decision points across 297.5 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 135.3 miles (TX 31 / Corsicana Bypass): Lane positioning matters here; at 238.3 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 294.1 miles (I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Hughes Springs, TX to Austin, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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