Origin
Kingsville, TX
Morning in Kingsville on Wednesday
Local time
7:06 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Kingsville, TX to Killeen, TX
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
5h 28m
Distance
287.2 mi
462 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$43
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 15m
★
6 AM
5h 29m
8 AM
5h 55m
10 AM
5h 38m
12 PM
5h 35m
3 PM
5h 39m
5 PM
5h 54m
8 PM
5h 21m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Kingsville, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Killeen, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 287.2-mile drive from Kingsville, TX to Killeen, TX will take you approximately 5 hours and 28 minutes. Primarily utilizing Pickle Parkway and US 281, with a final stretch on State Highway 195, this route is well-suited for a single-day trip. The journey through the Great Plains region of Texas is estimated to cost around $43 in fuel. With a highway share of 74%, expect a focused drive that makes good time. This is a straightforward trip, perfect if you're looking to cover ground efficiently.
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
143.6 miles from Kingsville, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 51m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This is largely a highway-focused drive, with 74% of the route on faster roads. You'll experience a significant uninterrupted stretch of 58.5 miles on Pickle Parkway, allowing for smooth progress. While much of the journey involves efficient travel on main roads like US 281, be prepared for the transition as you approach Killeen on State Highway 195. The overall feel is one of steady movement across the Texas landscape.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 25 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Pickle Parkway is the longest continuous segment at about 58.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pickle Parkway and US 281. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near TX 141 / East King Avenue.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 287.2 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 (TX 141 / East King Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 192.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 193.3 miles (TX 130 Toll / Pickle Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
TX 141 / East King Avenue
Turn right onto TX 141 / East King Avenue
Navigation decision point
6
192.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 52m in
Keep slight left at fork toward TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco
5
193.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 52m in
|
TX 130 Toll / Pickle Parkway
Merge onto TX 130 Toll / Pickle Parkway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
251.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 47m in
Keep slight right at fork toward TX 195 North: Florence, Killeen
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward TX 195 North: Florence, Killeen
5
287.1 mi into trip
|
~5h 28m in
Turn right
Navigation decision point
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Kingsville, TX to Killeen, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Waco along the way.
Waco
192.8 mi in
|
~3h 52m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pickle Parkway | 58.5 mi | 54m |
| US 281 | 54.2 mi | 1h 1m |
| State Highway 195 | 34 mi | 38m |
| King David Drive | 31.8 mi | 39m |
| State Highway 80 North | 30.8 mi | 35m |
| State Highway 80 | 23.6 mi | 25m |
| East King Avenue | 15.2 mi | 19m |
| Nueces Street | 11.1 mi | 14m |
Longest stretch:
Pickle Parkway
— 58.5 mi, about 54m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kingsville, TX and Killeen, TX.
1
Start on US 77 Business
54 ft
·
5 sec
·
South 14th Street
2
Turn right onto TX 141
15 mi
·
19 min
·
East King Avenue
3
Take the ramp
0.6 mi
·
1 min
4
Merge onto US 281
54 mi
·
1 hr 1 min
·
US 281
5
Keep slight left at fork onto US 281
11 mi
·
14 min
·
Nueces Street
6
Turn right onto TX 72
32 mi
·
39 min
·
King David Drive
7
Continue on TX 72; TX 239
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
West Main Street
8
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 72; TX 239
233 ft
·
3 sec
·
East Main Street
9
Continue on FM 792
8.4 mi
·
10 min
·
Helena Road
10
Turn straight onto TX 80
24 mi
·
25 min
·
State Highway 80
11
Continue on TX 80
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
South Nixon Avenue
12
Continue on TX 80; TX 97
31 mi
·
35 min
·
State Highway 80 North
13
Continue on US 183
10 mi
·
11 min
·
US 183
14
Continue on US 183
4.9 mi
·
8 min
·
South Colorado Street
15
Continue on US 183
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
United States Highway 183
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
35 sec
Toward TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco
17
Merge onto TX 130 Toll
59 mi
·
54 min
·
Pickle Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Toward TX 195 North: Florence, Killeen
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on North Interstate 35
0.3 mi
·
25 sec
·
North Interstate 35
20
Turn left onto TX 195
34 mi
·
38 min
·
State Highway 195
Use the left / straight lanes.
21
Turn slight right
263 ft
·
9 sec
Use the right lane.
22
Turn slight right onto US 190 Bus
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
West Veterans Memorial Boulevard
Use the right lane.
23
Turn left
83 ft
·
8 sec
24
Turn right
74 ft
·
5 sec
25
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Starting your journey from Kingsville in the morning will allow you to reach Killeen with ample daylight, given the 5-hour 28-minute estimated duration. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially before embarking on the 58.5-mile stretch on Pickle Parkway, as services can be spaced out. This is a manageable day trip, so you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay.
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 143.6 miles from Kingsville, TX, or about 2h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 58.5 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 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 143.6 miles or 2h 51m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 32m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Killeen, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Kingsville, 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 Kingsville, TX
This is one driving day of about 287.2 miles and 5h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Kingsville, 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 Pickle Parkway for about 58.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 143.6 mi from Kingsville, TX · 2h 51m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
144 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 143.6 miles from Kingsville, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Killeen, TX
The final approach into Killeen, 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 Killeen, 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
$43.40 one way
$86.79 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
101 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $47.50 | $95.00 |
| premium | $4.54 | $51.28 | $102.56 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $63.41 | $126.82 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$43
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 100.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 86.2 | 1 | $30.16 | $13.79 |
| Efficient EV | 71.8 | 0 | $25.13 | $11.49 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 114.9 | 1 | $40.21 | $18.38 |
Gas CO2
100 kg
EV CO2
34 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.
Destination
Killeen, TX
Morning in Killeen on Wednesday
Local time
7:06 AM
CDT
Current temp
60°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
6 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
5h 28m 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 Kingsville, TX to Killeen, TX covers 287.2 miles and takes about 5h 28m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Pickle Parkway, US 281, State Highway 195. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 143.6 miles from Kingsville, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $43.40 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 14 significant decision points across 287.2 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 (TX 141 / East King Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 192.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 193.3 miles (TX 130 Toll / Pickle Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Kingsville, TX to Killeen, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Waco along the way.
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