Origin
Kempner, TX
Afternoon in Kempner on Thursday
Local time
1:30 PM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Kempner, TX to Austin, TX
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h 16m
Distance
69 mi
111 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 10m
★
6 AM
1h 16m
8 AM
1h 28m
10 AM
1h 21m
12 PM
1h 19m
3 PM
1h 21m
5 PM
1h 28m
8 PM
1h 13m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Kempner, TX
Thomas balabaud
Austin, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Embark on a straightforward 69-mile journey from Kempner, TX, to Austin, TX, which should take about 1 hour and 16 minutes. This drive is best suited as a single-day trip, requiring no overnight stops. You'll navigate primarily via Central Texas Expressway and local roads like FM 2657, with a highway share of 0%, indicating a more local driving experience. Budget approximately $11 for fuel for this relatively short excursion. Both Kempner and Austin are situated within the Great Plains region, so you're not traversing significant geographical shifts, making for a consistent feel throughout the drive.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 16m. Total distance: 69 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 16m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
This route is characterized as a 'Turn-heavy local drive,' meaning you'll encounter frequent turns and intersections rather than long stretches of uninterrupted highway. With 0% highway share, expect to be on local roads for the entirety of your 69-mile trip. The absence of a 'longest stretch' metric suggests a continuous sequence of local road navigation. Prepare for a driving experience that requires constant attention to turns and traffic signals as you make your way through the Texas landscape.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Central Texas Expressway is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Driving Effort
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Kempner, TX to Austin, TX is easy. At 1h 16m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Kempner, TX to Austin, TX is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Central Texas Expressway | — | — |
| FM 2657 | — | — |
| Farm-to-Market Road 2657 | — | — |
| Loop 308 | — | — |
| Walker Street | — | — |
| Highway 183 | — | — |
| 183A Toll Road | — | — |
| Loop 1 | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
Central Texas Expressway
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kempner, TX and Austin, TX.
1
Start on Depot Avenue
161 ft
·
9 sec
·
Depot Avenue
2
Turn right
180 ft
·
13 sec
3
Turn left onto Central Texas Expressway
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Central Texas Expressway
4
Turn right
4.5 mi
·
6 min
5
At the end of the road, turn right onto FM 2657
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
FM 2657
6
Continue on Farm-to-Market Road 2657
14 mi
·
19 min
·
Farm-to-Market Road 2657
7
Continue on Loop 308
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
Loop 308
8
Turn left onto Walker Street
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
Walker Street
9
Merge slight right onto US Highway 183
16 mi
·
18 min
·
US Highway 183
10
Continue straight
0.4 mi
·
30 sec
11
Keep slight left to continue on 183A Toll Road
14 mi
·
14 min
·
183A Toll Road
12
Continue straight
7.5 mi
·
8 min
13
Take the exit slight right toward Loop 1: Mopac Boulevard
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
·
Loop 1: Mopac Boulevard
14
Keep slight right to continue on Loop 1 South: Mopac Boulevard South
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
·
Loop 1 South: Mopac Boulevard South
15
Merge slight left onto North Mopac Expressway
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
North Mopac Expressway
16
Take the exit slight left toward Express 1 Toll
423 ft
·
10 sec
·
Express 1 Toll
17
Merge slight left
3.9 mi
·
4 min
18
Take the exit slight right
0.7 mi
·
1 min
19
Keep slight left to continue on West 5th Street
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
West 5th Street
20
Turn straight onto West 5th Street
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
West 5th Street
21
Arrive at your destination
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 34.5 mi from Kempner, TX · 38m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
35 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 15 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 34.5 miles from Kempner, 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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$10.43 one way
$20.85 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
24 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $11.41 | $22.82 |
| premium | $4.54 | $12.32 | $24.64 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $15.23 | $30.47 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$10
Estimated CO2 emission: 24.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 20.7 | 0 | $7.24 | $3.31 |
| Efficient EV | 17.3 | 0 | $6.04 | $2.76 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 27.6 | 0 | $9.66 | $4.42 |
Gas CO2
24 kg
EV CO2
8 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
Afternoon in Austin on Thursday
Local time
1:30 PM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Cloudy
S 5 mph
3% chance
Live forecast
High Wind Warning
High Wind Warning issued April 14 at 1:21AM MDT until April 14 at 10:00PM MDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 14 at 12:13AM CDT until April 14 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX
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
12 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
1h 16m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Kempner, TX to Austin, TX covers 69 miles and takes about 1h 16m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Central Texas Expressway, FM 2657, Farm-to-Market Road 2657. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 34.5 miles from Kempner, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $10.43 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
The drive from Kempner, TX to Austin, TX is easy. At 1h 16m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Kempner, TX to Austin, TX is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Kempner, TX to Austin, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Austin, TX
More from Kempner, TX
More trips to Austin, TX
Explore more options from Kempner, TX or browse trips ending in Austin, TX.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TX road trips.
Explore maps for Kempner, TX or Austin, TX on MapSof.net.