Trip from Killeen, TX to Pecos, TX

Drive Time

7h 8m

Distance

391.3 mi

630 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$60

one way

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Photo: Jeff Stapleton

Trip Overview

The drive from Killeen, TX to Pecos, TX covers 391.3 miles and takes about 7h 8m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 20, United States Highway 87, TX 158 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 95.6 miles on I 20. At current regular gas prices, budget about $59.77 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

2 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

195.6 miles from Killeen, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 42m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 7h 8m highway drive covering 391.3 miles, with most of the trip on I 20 and United States Highway 87. The longest continuous stretch is about 95.6 miles on I 20.

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

There are about 34 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

I 20 is the longest continuous segment at about 95.6 miles.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

1,381 ft 823 ft

Total Climb

558 ft

Total Descent

0 ft

Highest Point

1,381 ft

~48.9 mi in

Elevation Range

558 ft

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and United States Highway 87. You will hit about 21 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 391.3 miles you will encounter 21 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 3.1 miles (I 14; US 190 / Central Texas Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 7.4 miles (US 190): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 21 key points

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

0 mi into trip | ~0m in

Turn left

Navigation decision point

3.1 mi into trip | ~5m in | I 14; US 190 / Central Texas Expressway

Merge onto I 14; US 190 / Central Texas Expressway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

7.4 mi into trip | ~9m in | US 190

Keep slight left at fork onto US 190 toward US 190 West: Lampasas

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Toward US 190 West: Lampasas

107.8 mi into trip | ~2h 4m in | US 190; US 377 / Main Street

At end of road, turn right onto US 190; US 377 / Main Street

Navigation decision point

389.6 mi into trip | ~7h 5m in

Take the exit toward US 285: Carlsbad, Fort Stockton

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit Exit 42 Toward US 285: Carlsbad, Fort Stockton

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Killeen, TX to Pecos, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Sh 158 West: Midland along the way.

Sh 158 West: Midland

230.7 mi in | ~4h 19m | via TX 158

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 20	95.6 mi	1h 33m
United States Highway 87	71.2 mi	1h 16m
TX 158	62.7 mi	1h 11m
US Highway 190 West	61 mi	1h 9m
US Highway 87 North	25.8 mi	26m
US 87	15.8 mi	16m
North US Highway 183	15.1 mi	15m
US 190	12.8 mi	14m

Longest stretch: I 20 — 95.6 mi, about 1h 33m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Killeen, TX and Pecos, TX.

Start on this road

74 ft · 10 sec · this road

Turn left

83 ft · 8 sec

Turn right onto US 190 Bus

2.6 mi · 4 min · East Veterans Memorial Boulevard

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min

Merge onto I 14; US 190

4.3 mi · 4 min · Central Texas Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto US 190

13 mi · 14 min · US 190

Toward US 190 West: Lampasas Use the slight left lane.

Turn right onto FM 1715

6.4 mi · 8 min · FM 1715

At end of road, turn left onto FM 580

2.6 mi · 2 min · East FM 580

Continue on FM 580

1.1 mi · 2 min · East Avenue J

At end of road, turn right onto US 183; US 190; US 281

0.4 mi · 32 sec · North Key Avenue

Continue on US 183; US 190; US 281

0.2 mi · 14 sec · North US Highway 281

Keep slight left at fork onto US 183; US 190

15 mi · 15 min · North US Highway 183

Turn left onto US 190

61 mi · 1 hr 9 min · US Highway 190 West

Continue on US 190

0.1 mi · 13 sec · Boy Street

Turn left onto US 190; US 377

0.7 mi · 54 sec · Bridge Street

At end of road, turn right onto US 190; US 377

271 ft · 8 sec · Main Street

Turn left onto US 190; US 377

281 ft · 7 sec · Church Street

Turn right onto US 87

0.2 mi · 13 sec · Commerce Street

Turn straight onto US 87

71 mi · 1 hr 16 min · United States Highway 87

Continue on US 87; Loop 306

4.1 mi · 5 min · South Bryant Boulevard

Continue on US 87; US 277

1.4 mi · 2 min · South Koenigheim Street

Continue on US 87; US 277; US 67 Bus

4.3 mi · 6 min · North Bryant Boulevard

Continue on US 87

23 mi · 23 min · US Highway 87 North

Continue on US 87

16 mi · 16 min · US 87

Turn straight onto US 87; TX 158; TX 163

2.6 mi · 2 min · US Highway 87 North

Take the exit onto TX 158

63 mi · 1 hr 11 min · TX 158

Toward SH 158 West: Midland

Turn left onto East Interstate 20

0.3 mi · 30 sec · East Interstate 20

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 24 sec

Toward I 20 West: Odessa

Merge onto I 20; TX 158

5.9 mi · 5 min · I 20; TX 158

Continue on I 20; TX 349

90 mi · 1 hr 28 min · I 20; TX 349

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 28 sec

Exit Exit 42 Toward US 285: Carlsbad, Fort Stockton

Turn right onto US 285

1.5 mi · 1 min · South Cedar Street

Turn left onto East 6th Street

67 ft · 3 sec · East 6th Street

Arrive at destination

East 6th Street

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 195.6 miles from Killeen, TX, or about 3h 42m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 95.6 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 86 miles or 1h 39m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 195.6 miles or 3h 42m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 6h 8m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pecos, 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.

Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Killeen, TX

This is one driving day of about 391.3 miles and 7h 8m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 86 miles from Killeen, TX.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on I 20 for about 95.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 195.6 mi from Killeen, TX · 3h 42m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Live Oak, TX

196 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

Leander, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 86 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Live Oak, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 195.6 miles from Killeen, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 20 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 95.6 miles.

Arriving in Pecos, TX

The final approach into Pecos, 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 Pecos, 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

$59.77 one way

$119.55 round trip

$3.88/gal 25.4 MPG avg 137 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$65.50	$131.01
premium	$4.59	$70.73	$141.45
diesel	$5.64	$86.93	$173.87

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$60

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$85–$110

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 136.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $41 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	117.4	1	$41.09	$18.78
Efficient EV	97.8	1	$34.24	$15.65
EV Truck/SUV	156.5	1	$54.78	$25.04

Gas CO2

137 kg

EV CO2

46 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.

Forecast data refreshed 8 hours ago

Origin

Killeen, TX

Afternoon in Killeen on Sunday

Local time

1:40 PM

CDT

Current temp

67°F

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

SSE 10 mph 62% chance Live forecast

Flash Flood Warning

Flash Flood Warning issued April 12 at 4:31AM CDT until April 12 at 6:45AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX

Rip Current Statement

Rip Current Statement issued April 12 at 2:53AM CDT until April 12 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Houston/Galveston TX

Destination

Pecos, TX

Afternoon in Pecos on Sunday

Local time

1:40 PM

CDT

Current temp

58°F

Mostly Cloudy

SE 5 mph 5% chance Live forecast

Flash Flood Warning

Flash Flood Warning issued April 12 at 4:31AM CDT until April 12 at 6:45AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX

Rip Current Statement

Rip Current Statement issued April 12 at 2:53AM CDT until April 12 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Houston/Galveston TX

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

9 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

7h 8m on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

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 Pecos, TX covers 391.3 miles and takes about 7h 8m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 20, United States Highway 87, TX 158. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 195.6 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 $59.77 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

Plan about 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

On the drive from Killeen, TX to Pecos, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Sh 158 West: Midland along the way.

Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 823 ft to 1,381 ft elevation with about 558 ft of total climbing.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Pecos, TX to Killeen, TX

Plan the drive back the other way.

391.4 mi 7h 8m

Explore more options from Killeen, TX or browse trips ending in Pecos, TX.

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