Origin
Killeen, TX
Afternoon in Killeen on Sunday
Local time
2:27 PM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Killeen, TX to Austin, TX
Drive Time
1h 17m
Distance
67.3 mi
108 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
Killeen, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Austin, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from Killeen to Austin is a straightforward 73.8-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 14 minutes. Because the trip is relatively short, you can easily complete it as a comfortable day trip without needing an overnight stay. You will navigate using a combination of East Veterans Memorial Boulevard, South Fort Hood Street, and Interstate 35 to reach the state capital. Budgeting roughly $11 for fuel makes this an economical excursion within the Great Plains region. Whether you are heading out for business or leisure, the quick transit time provides plenty of flexibility for your schedule. It is a practical route for those looking to move between these two Texas hubs efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
33.6 miles from Killeen, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 38m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise on this route. While you will eventually merge onto Interstate 35, the path begins with local maneuvers along East Veterans Memorial Boulevard and South Fort Hood Street. Interestingly, there are no long, uninterrupted stretches of highway, as the longest segment on East Veterans Memorial Boulevard is 0 miles. You should prepare for a dynamic driving experience that requires your full attention as you transition between city streets and larger road systems. The lack of a high highway percentage means the pace remains steady and grounded in local traffic conditions throughout the duration of your trip.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
South Fort Hood Street is the longest continuous segment at about 33.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 67.3 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start: Navigation decision point; at 63.9 miles (I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 66.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
Turn left
Navigation decision point
8
63.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 11m 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
66.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 14m 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...
6
66.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 15m in
|
East 6th Street
Turn right onto East 6th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
67.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 17m in
|
East 5th Street
Turn left onto East 5th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South Fort Hood Street | 33.8 mi | 37m |
| Purple Heart Trail | 30.3 mi | 33m |
| North Interstate 35 | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| East Veterans Memorial Boulevard | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| East 6th Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Congress Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| East 5th Street | <0.1 mi | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
South Fort Hood Street
— 33.8 mi, about 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Killeen, TX and Austin, TX.
1
Start on this road
74 ft
·
10 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left
83 ft
·
8 sec
3
Turn right onto US 190 Bus
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
East Veterans Memorial Boulevard
4
Turn left onto TX 195
34 mi
·
37 min
·
South Fort Hood Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
6
Continue on North Interstate 35
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
North Interstate 35
7
Continue on North Interstate 35
0.6 mi
·
46 sec
·
North Interstate 35
8
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
Toward I 35 South: Austin
9
Merge onto I 35
28 mi
·
30 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
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.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Exit 234B
Toward 8th–3rd Streets, Huston-Tillotson University
Use the slight right lane.
12
Turn straight onto North Interstate 35
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
North Interstate 35
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Turn right onto East 6th Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
East 6th Street
Use the right lane.
14
Turn left onto Congress Avenue
357 ft
·
17 sec
·
Congress Avenue
15
Turn left onto East 5th Street
28 ft
·
0 sec
·
East 5th Street
Use the left lane.
16
Arrive at destination
East 5th Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick 1-hour and 14-minute drive, you have the advantage of being able to depart whenever it suits your needs. You will not need to plan for any formal stops, allowing you to travel straight through to your destination. Keep in mind that traffic can fluctuate when entering the Austin area via Interstate 35, so checking real-time conditions before you pull away is a smart move. With a fuel budget of only $11, you can afford to keep your tank topped off without worrying about major expenses. Focus your energy on navigating the initial turns out of Killeen, as the route is most active during the first leg of your journey.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 33.6 miles from Killeen, TX, or about 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 33.8 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 67.3 miles or 1h 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 33.6 miles or 38m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 4m
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 Killeen, 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 Killeen, TX
This is one driving day of about 67.3 miles and 1h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Killeen, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on South Fort Hood Street for about 33.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 33.6 mi from Killeen, TX · 38m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
34 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 67.3 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 33.6 miles from Killeen, 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
$10.28 one way
$20.56 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
24 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $11.27 | $22.53 |
| premium | $4.59 | $12.16 | $24.33 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $14.95 | $29.90 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$35–$60
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 23.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 20.2 | 0 | $7.07 | $3.23 |
| Efficient EV | 16.8 | 0 | $5.89 | $2.69 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 26.9 | 0 | $9.42 | $4.31 |
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 Sunday
Local time
2:27 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
5 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 17m 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 Killeen, TX to Austin, TX covers 67.3 miles and takes about 1h 17m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are South Fort Hood Street, Purple Heart Trail, North Interstate 35. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 33.6 miles from Killeen, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $10.28 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.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 67.3 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: near the start: Navigation decision point; at 63.9 miles (I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 66.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Killeen, TX to Austin, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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