Origin
Killeen, TX
Afternoon in Killeen on Sunday
Local time
1:47 PM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Killeen, TX to Bedford, TX
Drive Time
2h 53m
Distance
159.2 mi
256 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
Killeen, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Bedford, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Trip Overview
Traveling from Killeen to Bedford covers 159.2 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 53 minutes. Because this is a relatively short trip, you can easily complete it in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Your journey will take you across the Great Plains, utilizing East Veterans Memorial Boulevard, Edwards Drive, and I-14 East to navigate the distance. Expect to spend approximately $24 on fuel for the trip. This route works well for those looking for a direct transit between these two Texas locations, offering a straightforward travel experience.
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
79.6 miles from Killeen, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 26m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. Since the highway share is 0%, you will spend your time navigating through local routes and connecting roads rather than sustained high-speed highway stretches. The personality of this drive is dictated by its technical nature, requiring your full attention as you transition between local segments. Because the route relies on local infrastructure, the pace remains steady but requires more frequent adjustments than a typical freeway haul. Stay alert for the constant shifts in road direction as you move toward your destination.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Purple Heart Trail is the longest continuous segment at about 70.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 190 Bus / East Veterans Memorial Boulevard.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 159.2 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: near the start (US 190 Bus / East Veterans Memorial Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 94.4 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 146.5 miles (US 377): 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.
6
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 190 Bus / East Veterans Memorial Boulevard
Turn left onto US 190 Bus / East Veterans Memorial Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
7
94.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 41m in
|
I 35W
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W toward I 35W: Fort Worth
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 35W: Fort Worth
8
146.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 37m in
|
US 377
Take the exit onto US 377 toward TX 121 North, US 377 North: DFW Airport, Belknap Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 52B
Toward TX 121 North, US 377 North: DFW Airport,...
9
155 mi into trip
|
~2h 47m in
|
TX 121; TX 183 / Airport Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 121; TX 183 / Airport Freeway toward TX 121 North, TX 183 East: DFW Airport, Dallas
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 22A
Toward TX 121 North, TX 183 East: DFW Airport,...
7
158.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 50m in
Take the exit toward Bedford Road, Forest Ridge Drive
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Bedford Road, Forest Ridge Drive
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Purple Heart Trail | 70.8 mi | 1h 12m |
| I 35W | 52.1 mi | 55m |
| Airport Freeway | 11.4 mi | 13m |
| Central Texas Expressway | 10.7 mi | 11m |
| South Jack Kultgen Expressway | 6.6 mi | 7m |
| East Veterans Memorial Boulevard | 5.1 mi | 8m |
| Bedford Road | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Edwards Drive | 0.5 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Purple Heart Trail
— 70.8 mi, about 1h 12m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Killeen, TX and Bedford, TX.
1
Start on this road
74 ft
·
10 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left
83 ft
·
11 sec
3
Turn left onto US 190 Bus
5.1 mi
·
8 min
·
East Veterans Memorial Boulevard
Use the none lane.
4
Turn slight right onto Edwards Drive
0.5 mi
·
55 sec
·
Edwards Drive
5
Take the ramp
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 14 East, US 190 East
6
Merge onto I 14; US 190
11 mi
·
11 min
·
Central Texas Expressway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 35; US 190
38 mi
·
38 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 35
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 35; US 77
33 mi
·
33 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the none lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W
52 mi
·
55 min
·
I 35W
Toward I 35W: Fort Worth
Use the slight left lane.
11
Take the exit onto US 377
0.3 mi
·
25 sec
·
US 377
Exit 52B
Toward TX 121 North, US 377 North: DFW Airport, Belknap Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto TX 121
8.2 mi
·
9 min
·
Airport Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 121; TX 183
3.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Airport Freeway
Exit 22A
Toward TX 121 North, TX 183 East: DFW Airport, Dallas
Use the slight right lane.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Toward Bedford Road, Forest Ridge Drive
Use the slight right lane.
15
Turn straight onto Airport Freeway
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
Airport Freeway
16
Turn left onto Bedford Road
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Bedford Road
Use the none lane.
17
Turn right onto Forest Ridge Drive
95 ft
·
2 sec
·
Forest Ridge Drive
Use the none lane.
18
Arrive at destination
Forest Ridge Drive
Trip Plan
To ensure a smooth trip, plan for at least one stop to break up the nearly three-hour drive. Leaving during off-peak hours will help you manage the turn-heavy local roads more comfortably. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge early on, as local roads can lead to unpredictable consumption compared to consistent highway driving. Since the trip is short and flexible, you have the advantage of choosing your own pace without the pressure of a long-haul itinerary. Make sure to double-check your navigation before departing Killeen, as the heavy reliance on local streets like Edwards Drive makes it easy to miss a turn.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 79.6 miles from Killeen, TX, or about 1h 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 70.8 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 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 79.6 miles or 1h 26m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bedford, 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 159.2 miles and 2h 53m.
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.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Purple Heart Trail for about 70.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 79.6 mi from Killeen, TX · 1h 26m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
80 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 79.6 miles from Killeen, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Purple Heart Trail if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 70.8 miles.
Arriving in Bedford, TX
The final approach into Bedford, 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 Bedford, 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
$24.32 one way
$48.64 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
56 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $26.65 | $53.30 |
| premium | $4.59 | $28.78 | $57.55 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $35.37 | $70.74 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 55.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 47.8 | 0 | $16.72 | $7.64 |
| Efficient EV | 39.8 | 0 | $13.93 | $6.37 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 63.7 | 0 | $22.29 | $10.19 |
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (66% 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
Bedford, TX
Afternoon in Bedford on Sunday
Local time
1:47 PM
CDT
Current temp
81°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
21 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
2h 53m 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 Bedford, TX covers 159.2 miles and takes about 2h 53m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Purple Heart Trail, I 35W, Airport Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 79.6 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 $24.32 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 159.2 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.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 190 Bus / East Veterans Memorial Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 94.4 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 146.5 miles (US 377): 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 Bedford, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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