Origin
Longview, TX
Afternoon in Longview on Sunday
Local time
4:53 PM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Longview, TX to Austin, TX
Drive Time
4h 59m
Distance
266.4 mi
429 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$41
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 46m
★
6 AM
4h 59m
8 AM
5h 26m
10 AM
5h 9m
12 PM
5h 6m
3 PM
5h 10m
5 PM
5h 25m
8 PM
4h 51m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Longview, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Austin, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from Longview to Austin covers 275.9 miles and typically takes about 4 hours and 35 minutes of drive time. Because this route stays within the Great Plains region of Texas, you can easily complete the trip in a single day, making an overnight stay unnecessary unless you prefer a slower pace. Budgeting approximately $41 for fuel is a smart way to prepare for the journey ahead. Since the route relies on local roads rather than major interstates, you should expect a more hands-on driving experience. It is a straightforward trip that connects two distinct Texas cities while keeping your travel logistics simple and manageable.
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
133.2 miles from Longview, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 34m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise, as this route features zero percent highway travel. You will navigate primarily via North Spur 63 and Highway 259, which demand more attention than a standard freeway trek. Because the longest stretch of road is essentially non-existent on North Spur 63, you should be prepared for frequent turns and a changing road environment. This path is ideal if you prefer local scenery over high-speed transit. Staying focused is key, as the winding nature of these local roads defines the personality of the entire 4 hour and 35 minute journey.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 36 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
State Highway 31 East is the longest continuous segment at about 59.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on State Highway 31 East and I 35. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 104.2 miles in near TX 31 / Corsicana Bypass.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 266.4 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 104.2 miles (TX 31 / Corsicana Bypass): Lane positioning matters here; at 207.2 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 263.1 miles (I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 20 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
104.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 2m in
|
TX 31 / Corsicana Bypass
Turn left onto TX 31 / Corsicana Bypass
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
207.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 55m in
|
I 35
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
263.1 mi into trip
|
~4h 53m 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
265.5 mi into trip
|
~4h 56m 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...
7
266.4 mi into trip
|
~4h 59m in
|
East 5th Street
Turn left onto East 5th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| State Highway 31 East | 59.9 mi | 1h 9m |
| I 35 | 55.8 mi | 58m |
| Purple Heart Trail | 40.3 mi | 42m |
| West State Highway 31 | 18.8 mi | 21m |
| State Highway 31 | 17.2 mi | 17m |
| Corsicana Bypass | 11.8 mi | 13m |
| State Highway 31 West | 9.7 mi | 11m |
| Northwest 2nd Street | 9.3 mi | 10m |
Longest stretch:
State Highway 31 East
— 59.9 mi, about 1h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Longview, TX and Austin, TX.
1
Start on US 80
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
West Marshall Avenue
2
Turn left onto TX 31; Spur 63
6.8 mi
·
8 min
·
North Spur 63
Use the left lane.
3
Continue on US 259; TX 31
0.6 mi
·
41 sec
·
US Highway 259 North
4
Keep slight right at fork onto US 259 Business; TX 31
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
US Highway 259 Business North
5
Turn right onto TX 31
29 mi
·
34 min
·
State Highway 31 East
6
Continue on TX 31
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Chandler Highway
7
Continue on TX 31
5.6 mi
·
6 min
·
State Highway 31 West
8
Continue on TX 31
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
East Highway 31
9
Continue on TX 31
21 mi
·
23 min
·
State Highway 31 East
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
11
Merge onto US 175; TX 19; TX 31; Loop 7
6.2 mi
·
7 min
·
Jed Robinson Loop
12
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
13
Keep slight left at fork
445 ft
·
14 sec
14
Turn right onto TX 31
4.0 mi
·
4 min
·
State Highway 31 West
15
Continue on TX 31
5.4 mi
·
6 min
·
East Royall Boulevard
16
Continue on TX 31
9.9 mi
·
11 min
·
State Highway 31 East
17
Continue on TX 31
9.3 mi
·
10 min
·
Northwest 2nd Street
18
Turn left onto TX 31
12 mi
·
13 min
·
Corsicana Bypass
Use the straight lane.
19
At end of road, turn left onto TX 31
19 mi
·
21 min
·
West State Highway 31
20
Continue on TX 31
5.5 mi
·
5 min
·
Hubbard Bypass
21
Continue on TX 31
17 mi
·
17 min
·
State Highway 31
22
Continue on US 84
2.5 mi
·
2 min
·
East US Highway 84
23
Continue on US 84
2.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Bellmead Drive
24
Turn straight onto US 84
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
East Waco Drive
25
Turn left onto North Jack Kultgen Expressway
519 ft
·
12 sec
·
North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the left / straight lanes.
26
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward I 35 South, US 77 South
27
Merge onto I 35; US 77
6.1 mi
·
6 min
·
North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Continue on I 35
38 mi
·
39 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
56 mi
·
58 min
·
I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
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.
31
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Exit 234B
Toward 8th–3rd Streets, Huston-Tillotson University
Use the slight right lane.
32
Turn straight onto North Interstate 35
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
North Interstate 35
Use the straight / right lanes.
33
Turn right onto East 6th Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
East 6th Street
Use the right lane.
34
Turn left onto Congress Avenue
357 ft
·
17 sec
·
Congress Avenue
35
Turn left onto East 5th Street
28 ft
·
0 sec
·
East 5th Street
Use the left lane.
36
Arrive at destination
East 5th Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 275.9-mile trip, aim to depart early in the morning to beat local traffic congestion. Planning for at least one stop will help you stay refreshed, as the turn-heavy nature of the roads requires constant focus. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $41 estimate may fluctuate depending on your vehicle's efficiency on local roads. Since you are not restricted to interstate corridors, you have the flexibility to pull over whenever you need a break. A specific tip for this route: since you are traveling on Highway 259, ensure your GPS is updated and ready to handle the frequent turns required to stay on track.
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 133.2 miles from Longview, TX, or about 2h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 59.9 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 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 133.2 miles or 2h 34m 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 6m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Austin, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Longview, 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 Longview, TX
This is one driving day of about 266.4 miles and 4h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Longview, 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 State Highway 31 East for about 59.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 133.2 mi from Longview, TX · 2h 34m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
133 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 133.2 miles from Longview, 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.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Austin, 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
$40.69 one way
$81.39 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
93 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $44.60 | $89.19 |
| premium | $4.59 | $48.15 | $96.30 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $59.18 | $118.37 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 93.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 79.9 | 0 | $27.97 | $12.79 |
| Efficient EV | 66.6 | 0 | $23.31 | $10.66 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 106.6 | 1 | $37.30 | $17.05 |
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 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.
Destination
Austin, TX
Afternoon in Austin on Sunday
Local time
4:53 PM
CDT
Current temp
65°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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
4h 59m 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 Longview, TX to Austin, TX covers 266.4 miles and takes about 4h 59m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are State Highway 31 East, I 35, Purple Heart Trail. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 133.2 miles from Longview, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $40.69 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 20 significant decision points across 266.4 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 104.2 miles (TX 31 / Corsicana Bypass): Lane positioning matters here; at 207.2 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 263.1 miles (I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Longview, TX to Austin, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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