Origin
Killeen, TX
Afternoon in Killeen on Sunday
Local time
1:17 PM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Killeen, TX to Stafford, TX
Drive Time
4h 2m
Distance
204.6 mi
329 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$31
one way
Photo: Thomas balabaud
Trip Overview
The drive from Killeen, TX to Stafford, TX covers 204.6 miles and takes about 4h 2m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 290, North Earl Rudder Freeway, State Highway 6 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 35.4 miles on US 290. At current regular gas prices, budget about $31.25 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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
102.3 miles from Killeen, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 4m into the drive .
Drive Character
This is a 4h 2m highway drive covering 204.6 miles, with most of the trip on US 290 and North Earl Rudder Freeway. The longest continuous stretch is about 35.4 miles on US 290.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 37 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 290 is the longest continuous segment at about 35.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 290 and North Earl Rudder Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 23.8 miles in.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 204.6 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: at 23.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 149.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 185.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 22 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
23.8 mi into trip
|
~29m in
Take the exit toward TX 53, FM 2305: Central Avenue, Adams Avenue
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 301
Toward TX 53, FM 2305: Central Avenue, Adams Av...
7
149.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 56m in
Turn left toward US 290 East, TX 6 South
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward US 290 East, TX 6 South
7
185.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 37m in
Take the exit toward SHT North, SHT South: Sam Houston Tollway
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.
Toward SHT North, SHT South: Sam Houston Tollwa...
7
185.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 37m in
Keep slight right at fork toward SHT South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward SHT South
6
193.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 47m in
|
SHT / West Sam Houston Tollway South
Keep slight left at fork onto SHT / West Sam Houston Tollway South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Towns Along This Route
Between Killeen, TX and Stafford, TX, road signs point toward Fm 2305, Sht North, Sht South: Sam Houston Tollway and Sht South.
Fm 2305
24 mi in
|
~30m
|
via South General Bruce Drive
Sht North
185.4 mi in
|
~3h 37m
Sht South: Sam Houston Tollway
185.4 mi in
|
~3h 37m
Sht South
185.6 mi in
|
~3h 37m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 290 | 35.4 mi | 40m |
| North Earl Rudder Freeway | 30.1 mi | 31m |
| State Highway 6 | 22.4 mi | 25m |
| FM 485 | 20.4 mi | 25m |
| Farm-to-Market Road 979 | 15.3 mi | 19m |
| South State Highway 6 | 13.7 mi | 14m |
| West Adams Avenue | 12 mi | 14m |
| Central Texas Expressway | 10.7 mi | 11m |
Longest stretch:
US 290
— 35.4 mi, about 40m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Killeen, TX and Stafford, 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
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 straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 35; US 190
6.8 mi
·
7 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Exit 301
Toward TX 53, FM 2305: Central Avenue, Adams Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
9
Turn straight onto South General Bruce Drive
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
South General Bruce Drive
Toward TX 53, FM 2305
10
Turn slight right
222 ft
·
8 sec
11
Turn slight right onto TX 53
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
West Central Avenue
12
Turn left onto TX 53; Spur 290
216 ft
·
3 sec
·
North 3rd Street
13
Turn right onto TX 53
12 mi
·
14 min
·
West Adams Avenue
14
Turn right onto FM 485
20 mi
·
25 min
·
FM 485
15
Turn left onto FM 979
15 mi
·
19 min
·
Farm-to-Market Road 979
16
Continue on FM 979
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Browning Street
17
Turn right onto TX 6
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
South Main Street
18
Continue on TX 6
6.2 mi
·
6 min
·
North State Highway 6
19
Continue on US 79; TX 6
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
North Market Street
20
Continue on US 190; TX 6
14 mi
·
14 min
·
South State Highway 6
21
Continue on US 190; TX 6
30 mi
·
31 min
·
North Earl Rudder Freeway
22
Continue on TX 6
22 mi
·
25 min
·
State Highway 6
Use the straight / right lanes.
23
Continue on US 290 Business
423 ft
·
10 sec
·
US 290 Business
Toward US 290 East, TX 6 South
24
Turn left
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
Toward US 290 East, TX 6 South
Use the left lane.
25
Merge onto US 290
35 mi
·
40 min
·
US 290
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
Toward SHT North, SHT South: Sam Houston Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
Toward SHT South
Use the slight right lane.
28
Merge onto SHT
7.8 mi
·
9 min
·
West Sam Houston Tollway North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Keep slight left at fork onto SHT
5.6 mi
·
6 min
·
West Sam Houston Tollway South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Continue on BW 8
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
West Sam Houston Parkway South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Take the exit onto BW 8
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
BW 8
Toward Stafford
Use the slight right lane.
32
Turn right onto Stafford Road
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Stafford Road
33
Take the ramp onto Stafford Road
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
Stafford Road
34
Turn right onto US 90 Alt
132 ft
·
7 sec
·
North Main Street
35
Turn left
55 ft
·
6 sec
36
Turn right
53 ft
·
3 sec
37
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 102.3 miles from Killeen, TX, or about 2h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 35.4 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 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 102.3 miles or 2h 4m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Stafford, 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 204.6 miles and 4h 2m.
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 US 290 for about 35.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 102.3 mi from Killeen, TX · 2h 4m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
102 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 102.3 miles from Killeen, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Stafford, TX
The final approach into Stafford, 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 Stafford, 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
$31.25 one way
$62.51 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
72 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $34.25 | $68.50 |
| premium | $4.59 | $36.98 | $73.96 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $45.46 | $90.91 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.08
Sam Houston Tollway
(13.4 mi)
$1.08
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 71.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 61.4 | 0 | $21.48 | $9.82 |
| Efficient EV | 51.2 | 0 | $17.90 | $8.18 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 81.8 | 1 | $28.64 | $13.09 |
Gas CO2
72 kg
EV CO2
24 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
Stafford, TX
Afternoon in Stafford on Sunday
Local time
1:17 PM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SE 15 mph
56% chance
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
22 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
4h 2m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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 Stafford, TX covers 204.6 miles and takes about 4h 2m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 290, North Earl Rudder Freeway, State Highway 6. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 102.3 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 $31.25 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 204.6 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 23.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 149.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 185.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Killeen, TX and Stafford, TX, road signs point toward Fm 2305, Sht North, Sht South: Sam Houston Tollway and Sht South.
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