Trip from Kaufman, TX to Austin, TX

Drive Time

3h 50m

Distance

217.2 mi

349 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$33

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min

4 AM

3h 38m ★

6 AM

3h 51m

8 AM

4h 16m

10 AM

4h 0m

12 PM

3h 57m

3 PM

4h 1m

5 PM

4h 15m

8 PM

3h 43m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Kaufman, TX

Thomas balabaud

Austin, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

If you are planning a trip from Kaufman to Austin, you are looking at a straightforward 217.2-mile journey across the Great Plains. This drive typically takes about 3 hours and 50 minutes, making it a manageable day trip that does not require an overnight stop. You will spend the vast majority of your time on major corridors, specifically South R L Thornton Freeway, I-35, and the Purple Heart Trail. With an estimated fuel cost of $33, the route is budget-friendly for a quick getaway. Because both your starting point and destination reside within the Great Plains, you can expect a consistent regional landscape throughout the entire transit. Overall, it is a practical, highway-focused drive that prioritizes efficiency over scenic detours.

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

108.6 miles from Kaufman, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 55m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a focused, high-speed experience, as 80% of this route is comprised of highways. You will settle into the rhythm of the road early on, facing a longest uninterrupted stretch of 80.3 miles while navigating the South R L Thornton Freeway. The transition from regional thoroughfares onto the heavy-traffic lanes of I-35 defines the middle portion of your trip. While the drive is largely a functional interstate grind, the shift from smaller stretches to major highway systems keeps the pace brisk. You will find yourself behind the wheel on a route designed for directness, demanding steady focus as you traverse the Texas landscape.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 20 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 80.3 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 20.5 miles in.

Route Complexity 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 217.2 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 20.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 32.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 213.8 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 15 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

20.5 mi into trip | ~22m in

Take the exit toward I 20 West: Fort Worth

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 20 West: Fort Worth

32.2 mi into trip | ~36m in

Take the exit toward I 35E South: Waco

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 467B Toward I 35E South: Waco

213.8 mi into trip | ~3h 45m 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

216.2 mi into trip | ~3h 48m 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...

217.2 mi into trip | ~3h 50m in | East 5th Street

Turn left onto East 5th Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
South R L Thornton Freeway	80.3 mi	1h 22m
I 35	55.8 mi	58m
Purple Heart Trail	40.3 mi	42m
US 175	19.5 mi	20m
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway	10.8 mi	11m
North Jack Kultgen Expressway	6.6 mi	7m
Ed Hall Drive	0.7 mi	1m
East 6th Street	0.5 mi	1m

Longest stretch: South R L Thornton Freeway — 80.3 mi, about 1h 22m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Kaufman, TX and Austin, TX.

Start on TX 243

85 ft · 4 sec · East Mulberry Street

Turn right onto TX 243

233 ft · 9 sec · North Washington Street

Turn left onto TX 243

0.1 mi · 12 sec · West Grove Street

Turn straight onto TX 243

0.7 mi · 1 min · Ed Hall Drive

Take the ramp onto TX 243

0.1 mi · 13 sec · TX 243

Toward US 175 West

Merge onto US 175

20 mi · 20 min · US 175

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.8 mi · 1 min

Toward I 20 West: Fort Worth Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 20

11 mi · 11 min · Lyndon B Johnson Freeway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

1.0 mi · 2 min

Exit 467B Toward I 35E South: Waco Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 35E

80 mi · 1 hr 22 min · South R L Thornton Freeway

Use the none lane.

Continue on I 35; US 77

6.6 mi · 7 min · North Jack Kultgen Expressway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 35

38 mi · 39 min · Purple Heart Trail

Use the none lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 35

56 mi · 58 min · I 35

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

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.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 26 sec

Exit 234B Toward 8th–3rd Streets, Huston-Tillotson University Use the slight right lane.

Turn straight onto North Interstate 35

0.2 mi · 27 sec · North Interstate 35

Use the straight / right lanes.

Turn right onto East 6th Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · East 6th Street

Use the right lane.

Turn left onto Congress Avenue

357 ft · 17 sec · Congress Avenue

Turn left onto East 5th Street

28 ft · 0 sec · East 5th Street

Use the left lane.

Arrive at destination

East 5th Street

Trip Plan

To make the most of your 3-hour and 50-minute drive, consider leaving early in the morning to navigate the heavier traffic sections of I-35 with more ease. Since the route only requires one planned stop, use that break strategically to refuel and stretch your legs before the final push into Austin. Keep your $33 fuel budget in mind when planning your fill-ups, as prices can fluctuate significantly once you hit the busier stretches of the interstate. Because this is a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time based on real-time traffic reports. A concrete tip for this trek: monitor the I-35 corridor closely for delays before you depart, as this is the most critical link in your journey.

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 108.6 miles from Kaufman, TX, or about 1h 55m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 80.3 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 25m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 108.6 miles or 1h 55m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 7m

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 Kaufman, 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 Kaufman, TX

This is one driving day of about 217.2 miles and 3h 50m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Kaufman, 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 80.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 108.6 mi from Kaufman, TX · 1h 55m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Killeen, TX

109 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.

Popular next leg

Killeen, TX to Austin, TX

67.3 mi · 1h 17m

Pacing Suggestions

Arlington, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Killeen, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 108.6 miles from Kaufman, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before South R L Thornton Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 80.3 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

$33.18 one way

$66.36 round trip

$3.88/gal 25.4 MPG avg 76 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$36.36	$72.72
premium	$4.59	$39.26	$78.52
diesel	$5.64	$48.25	$96.51

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$33

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$58–$83

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 76 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	65.2	0	$22.81	$10.43
Efficient EV	54.3	0	$19.01	$8.69
EV Truck/SUV	86.9	1	$30.41	$13.90

Gas CO2

76 kg

EV CO2

25 kg (67% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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 data refreshed 2 days ago

Origin

Kaufman, TX

Afternoon in Kaufman on Sunday

Local time

3:28 PM

CDT

Current temp

65°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Austin, TX

Afternoon in Austin on Sunday

Local time

3:28 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

Very similar conditions

Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.

Road read

3h 50m 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 Kaufman, TX to Austin, TX covers 217.2 miles and takes about 3h 50m 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 108.6 miles from Kaufman, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $33.18 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.

The route from Kaufman, TX to Austin, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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Trip from Kaufman, TX to Austin, TX

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Austin, TX

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Kaufman, TX

Austin, TX

Same local time

Very similar conditions

3h 50m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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