Origin
Little River-Academy, TX
Morning in Little River-Academy on Friday
Local time
6:14 AM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Little River-Academy, TX to Austin, TX
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 17m
Distance
66.2 mi
106 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 11m
★
6 AM
1h 17m
8 AM
1h 29m
10 AM
1h 21m
12 PM
1h 20m
3 PM
1h 22m
5 PM
1h 29m
8 PM
1h 13m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Little River-Academy, TX
Eddie O.
Austin, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are planning a quick transition from Little River-Academy to Austin, you are looking at a straightforward 69-mile trip that typically takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes. This journey stays entirely within the Great Plains region of Texas, making it an ideal candidate for a simple day trip. You can expect to spend approximately $11 on fuel for the one-way trek. Because of the manageable duration, there is no need to plan for an overnight stay or mid-route lodging. Whether you are heading into the city for business or a change of pace, this route offers a reliable and efficient connection between these two points.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 17m. Total distance: 66.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 17m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise on this path. While you will utilize I-35 and the Purple Heart Trail, the route is characterized by its local feel rather than long, high-speed highway stretches. You will not find any singular, exceptionally long uninterrupted segments here, as the road requires your attention through various transitions. Navigating these 69 miles involves a mix of highway connectivity and local road segments that keep the drive engaging. It is a practical route that favors functional, direct travel over the steady rhythm of a long-distance highway haul.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 13 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 35 is the longest continuous segment at about 49.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and West Main Street. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 13.5 miles in near I 35.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 66.2 miles you will encounter 10 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: at 13.5 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 62.8 miles (I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 65.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
13.5 mi into trip
|
~19m in
|
I 35
Merge onto I 35
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
62.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 11m in
|
I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail toward 32nd Street, Dean Keeton Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward 32nd Street, Dean Keeton Street
8
65.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 14m in
Take the exit toward 8th–3rd Streets, Huston-Tillotson University
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 234B
Toward 8th–3rd Streets, Huston-Tillotson Univer...
6
65.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 15m in
|
East 6th Street
Turn right onto East 6th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
66.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 17m in
|
East 5th Street
Turn left onto East 5th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 35 | 49.3 mi | 52m |
| West Main Street | 7.2 mi | 9m |
| South I-35 Frontage Road | 4.9 mi | 7m |
| Purple Heart Trail | 2.4 mi | 3m |
| Loop 121 | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| East 6th Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| North Interstate 35 | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Congress Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 49.3 mi, about 52m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Little River-Academy, TX and Austin, TX.
1
Start on FM 436
7.2 mi
·
9 min
·
West Main Street
2
Turn left onto Loop 121
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Loop 121
3
Turn left onto South I-35 Frontage Road
0.6 mi
·
59 sec
·
South I-35 Frontage Road
4
Continue on South I-35 Frontage Road
4.3 mi
·
6 min
·
South I-35 Frontage Road
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Toward I 35 South
6
Merge onto I 35
49 mi
·
52 min
·
I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35; US 290
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Toward 32nd Street, Dean Keeton Street
Use the slight left lane.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Exit 234B
Toward 8th–3rd Streets, Huston-Tillotson University
Use the slight right lane.
9
Turn straight onto North Interstate 35
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
North Interstate 35
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Turn right onto East 6th Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
East 6th Street
Use the right lane.
11
Turn left onto Congress Avenue
357 ft
·
17 sec
·
Congress Avenue
12
Turn left onto East 5th Street
28 ft
·
0 sec
·
East 5th Street
Use the left lane.
13
Arrive at destination
East 5th Street
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 33.1 mi from Little River-Academy, TX · 40m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
33 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 15 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 33.1 miles from Little River-Academy, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Austin, TX
The final approach into Austin, TX usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$10.00 one way
$20.01 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
23 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $10.95 | $21.90 |
| premium | $4.54 | $11.82 | $23.64 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $14.62 | $29.23 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$10
Estimated CO2 emission: 23.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 19.9 | 0 | $6.95 | $3.18 |
| Efficient EV | 16.6 | 0 | $5.79 | $2.65 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 26.5 | 0 | $9.27 | $4.24 |
Gas CO2
23 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (65% 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
Austin, TX
Morning in Austin on Friday
Local time
6:14 AM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
2 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
1h 17m 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 Little River-Academy, TX to Austin, TX covers 66.2 miles and takes about 1h 17m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 35, West Main Street, South I-35 Frontage Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 33.1 miles from Little River-Academy, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $10.00 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.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 66.2 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 13.5 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 62.8 miles (I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 65.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Little River-Academy, TX to Austin, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our methodology page documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Austin, TX
More trips to Austin, TX
Explore more options from Little River-Academy, TX or browse trips ending in Austin, TX.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TX road trips.