Trip from Killeen, TX to Socorro, TX

Drive Time

9h 46m

Distance

570.6 mi

918 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$87

one way

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Photo: Jan van der Wolf

Trip Overview

Traveling from Killeen to Socorro covers 570.6 miles and typically requires about 9 hours and 46 minutes of time behind the wheel. Because of this duration, it is best to treat this as a two-day journey rather than a single-day sprint. You will primarily navigate via I-10, US Highway 190 West, and Ranch Road 864 to complete the trip. Budgeting approximately $87 for fuel is a smart move to keep your finances in check before you head out. Both your starting point and destination sit within the Great Plains, keeping the regional landscape consistent throughout the drive. Planning an overnight stop will make the transition between these Texas locations much more manageable.

Trip Pace

Best split across 2 days

Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.

Break Rhythm

2 planned breaks

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

Midpoint

285.3 miles from Killeen, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 5h 12m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a long-distance experience where highways make up roughly 90% of your total travel time. The route hits its most intense phase during a 365.9-mile stretch on I-10, which serves as the primary backbone of the journey. You will transition from regional roads like US Highway 190 West and Ranch Road 864 onto this major interstate corridor. This combination means you spend the vast majority of your time maintaining consistent highway speeds rather than navigating technical local turns. Prepare yourself for a steady, high-mileage drive that demands focus during the extended interstate portions.

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

There are about 35 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

I 10 is the longest continuous segment at about 365.9 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and US Highway 190 West. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.

Route Complexity 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 25 significant decision points across 570.6 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: 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 25 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 none lane.

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 left onto US 190; US 377 / Main Street

Navigation decision point

107.9 mi into trip | ~2h 4m in | US 190; US 377 / East Commerce Street

Turn right onto US 190; US 377 / East Commerce Street

Navigation decision point

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 10	365.9 mi	5h 44m
US Highway 190 West	61 mi	1h 9m
Ranch Road 864	42 mi	45m
United States Highway 190	18.7 mi	27m
West US Highway 190	16.4 mi	17m
North US Highway 183	15.1 mi	15m
US 190	12.8 mi	14m
East US Highway 190	11.2 mi	11m

Longest stretch: I 10 — 365.9 mi, about 5h 44m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Killeen, TX and Socorro, 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 none lane.

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 · 57 sec · Bridge Street

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

127 ft · 1 sec · Main Street

Turn right onto US 190; US 377

356 ft · 9 sec · Blackburn Street

Turn right onto US 190; US 377

274 ft · 11 sec · East Commerce Street

Turn left onto US 87; US 190; US 377

1.4 mi · 1 min · Bridge Street

Turn right onto US 190

0.9 mi · 1 min · Menard Highway

Continue on US 190

19 mi · 27 min · United States Highway 190

Continue on US 190

11 mi · 11 min · East US Highway 190

At end of road, turn left onto US 83; US 190

1.1 mi · 1 min · US 83; US 190

Turn right onto US 190

16 mi · 17 min · West US Highway 190

Turn left onto RM 864

42 mi · 45 min · Ranch Road 864

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 34 sec

Toward I 10 West: El Paso

Merge onto I 10

366 mi · 5 hr 44 min · I 10

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 23 sec

Toward FM 1281: Horizon City, Socorro

Continue on Gateway Boulevard West

0.2 mi · 21 sec · Gateway Boulevard West

Keep slight right at fork onto Gateway Boulevard West

0.2 mi · 25 sec · Gateway Boulevard West

Turn left onto FM 1281

3.0 mi · 5 min · Horizon Boulevard

Use the none / right lanes.

Continue on Buford Road

1.1 mi · 2 min · Buford Road

Turn right onto FM 258

249 ft · 5 sec · Socorro Road

Turn right

139 ft · 10 sec

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

To keep your energy levels steady, aim to break the 570.6-mile trip into two manageable days with at least two planned stops. Since you are facing a significant 365.9-mile stretch on I-10, ensure your vehicle is fueled up and ready before hitting that section to avoid unnecessary anxiety. Departing early in the morning is your best strategy to beat traffic and maximize daylight hours for the longer leg of the journey. Given the fuel cost of $87, consider tracking your mileage periodically to stay on budget. Keep a close watch on your fuel gauge during the interstate portion, as services can be spaced out significantly compared to the highway segments closer to your origin.

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.

This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.

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

The halfway point lands around 285.3 miles from Killeen, TX, or about 5h 12m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 365.9 miles.

Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 126 miles or 2h 31m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 285.3 miles or 5h 12m in

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

Overnight split

Day 1 wrap after about 285.3 miles or 5h 12m

Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 8h 44m

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

Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Killeen, TX

Aim for roughly 285 miles and 4.9 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Finish the approach into Socorro, TX

Aim for roughly 285 miles and 4.9 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 126 miles from Killeen, TX.

This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.

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

The longest stretch is on I 10 for about 365.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 285.3 mi from Killeen, TX · 5h 12m into the drive

First major stop

Coffee and fuel

Kerrville, TX

188 mi into the route

Best for: Coffee, fuel, and an easy first stretch

This is a natural early stop once the first hours of the drive are behind you.

Second major stop

Overnight candidate

Fort Davis, TX

377 mi into the route

Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start

This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.

Find hotels in Fort Davis, TX

Overnight Options

Night 1

Big Lake, TX

285 mi · about 4.9h in

A practical overnight split lands near Big Lake, TX after about 285 miles or 4.9 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

Kerrville, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 126 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

McCamey, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 285.3 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 10 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 365.9 miles.

Overnight split

Hotel stop

For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 285 miles or 4.9 hours on the road.

Arriving in Socorro, TX

The final approach into Socorro, 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 Socorro, TX.

On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach Socorro, TX with some flexibility left in the schedule.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$87.16 one way

$174.33 round trip

$3.88/gal 25.4 MPG avg 200 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$95.52	$191.04
premium	$4.59	$103.13	$206.27
diesel	$5.64	$126.77	$253.54

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$87

Hotel (1n)

$80–$140

Meals

$50–$100

Total

$217–$327

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 199.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $60 in charging · 2 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	171.2	2	$59.91	$27.39
Efficient EV	142.7	1	$49.93	$22.82
EV Truck/SUV	228.2	2	$79.88	$36.52

Gas CO2

200 kg

EV CO2

67 kg (67% less)

Plan for 2 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

Killeen, TX

Afternoon in Killeen on Sunday

Local time

1:40 PM

CDT

Current temp

60°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Socorro, TX

Afternoon in Socorro on Sunday

Local time

12:40 PM

MDT

Current temp

52°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.

For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.

Time zone

1 hour earlier

The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.

Temperature spread

8 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

9h 46m on the road

This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.

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 Socorro, TX covers 570.6 miles and takes about 9h 46m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 10, US Highway 190 West, Ranch Road 864. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.

Yes. This route is usually more comfortable as a 2-day drive. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 285 miles on day one.

The midpoint is about 285.3 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 $87.16 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.