Origin
Lufkin, TX
Evening in Lufkin on Thursday
Local time
8:20 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lufkin, TX to Austin, TX
Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026
Drive Time
4h 15m
Distance
222.6 mi
358 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$34
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 2m
★
6 AM
4h 15m
8 AM
4h 42m
10 AM
4h 25m
12 PM
4h 22m
3 PM
4h 26m
5 PM
4h 40m
8 PM
4h 7m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lufkin, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Austin, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from Lufkin to Austin covers 223.9 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 48 minutes to complete. Because the duration is relatively short, you can easily manage this as a single-day trip without needing an overnight stay. Expect to budget roughly $33 for fuel to make the journey between these two Texas cities. You will remain within the Great Plains region for the duration of your travel. While the trip is straightforward, it is best categorized as a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate haul. Use this guide to help determine if the local road navigation suits your driving preferences.
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
111.3 miles from Lufkin, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 6m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 15m. Total distance: 222.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 15m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a hands-on driving experience as you navigate away from Lufkin using West Frank Avenue, North Raguet Street, and Raguet Street. This route features a 0% highway share, meaning you will be dealing with local road conditions for the entire 223.9-mile distance. Because there is no significant highway cruising, your longest uninterrupted stretch on West Frank Avenue is effectively 0 miles, requiring your full attention behind the wheel. The journey maintains a technical, turn-heavy character that contrasts with the typical monotonous interstate grind found elsewhere in Texas. Be prepared for a consistent pace that keeps you engaged with the local road network.
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.
TX 21 is the longest continuous segment at about 132.5 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
535 ft
193 ft
Total Climb
482 ft
Total Descent
308 ft
Highest Point
535 ft
~206.7 mi in
Elevation Range
342 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on TX 21 and US 290. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 217.1 miles in near US 290.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 222.6 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 217.1 miles (US 290): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 219.2 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 221.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
217.1 mi into trip
|
~4h 6m in
|
US 290
Take the exit onto US 290 toward I 35 South, US 290 West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 35 South, US 290 West
8
219.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 9m 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
221.6 mi into trip
|
~4h 12m 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
222 mi into trip
|
~4h 13m in
|
East 6th Street
Turn right onto East 6th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
222.6 mi into trip
|
~4h 15m in
|
East 5th Street
Turn left onto East 5th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| TX 21 | 132.5 mi | 2h 29m |
| US 290 | 31.8 mi | 37m |
| TX 7 | 31.3 mi | 34m |
| Raguet Street | 11.7 mi | 12m |
| Manor Expressway | 6.1 mi | 6m |
| Purple Heart Trail | 3.4 mi | 4m |
| North Raguet Street | 2.3 mi | 3m |
| East Goliad Avenue | 1.6 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
TX 21
— 132.5 mi, about 2h 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lufkin, TX and Austin, TX.
1
Start on Loop 266
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
South First Street
2
Turn left onto TX 94
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
·
West Frank Avenue
3
Turn right onto Spur 339
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
North Raguet Street
4
Continue on Spur 339
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
·
North Raguet Street
5
Continue on TX 103
12 mi
·
12 min
·
Raguet Street
6
Continue on TX 7
31 mi
·
34 min
·
TX 7
7
Turn right onto US 287; TX 7
129 ft
·
2 sec
·
5th Street
8
Turn left onto US 287; TX 7; TX 19; TX 21
196 ft
·
6 sec
·
East Houston Avenue
9
Turn left onto US 287; TX 7; TX 19; TX 21
289 ft
·
8 sec
·
South 4th Street
10
Turn right onto TX 7; TX 21
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
East Goliad Avenue
11
Turn left onto TX 21
133 mi
·
2 hr 29 min
·
TX 21
Use the left lane.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
13
Merge onto US 290
7.7 mi
·
8 min
·
US 290
14
Continue on US 290
21 mi
·
25 min
·
US 290
15
Continue on 290 Toll
6.1 mi
·
6 min
·
Manor Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Continue on US 290
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
US 290
17
Take the exit onto US 290
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
US 290
Toward I 35 South, US 290 West
Use the slight right lane.
18
Merge onto I 35; US 290
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
19
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.
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Exit 234B
Toward 8th–3rd Streets, Huston-Tillotson University
Use the slight right lane.
21
Turn straight onto North Interstate 35
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
North Interstate 35
Use the straight / right lanes.
22
Turn right onto East 6th Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
East 6th Street
Use the right lane.
23
Turn left onto Congress Avenue
357 ft
·
17 sec
·
Congress Avenue
24
Turn left onto East 5th Street
28 ft
·
0 sec
·
East 5th Street
Use the left lane.
25
Arrive at destination
East 5th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 3 hour and 48 minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time around local traffic patterns. Since you are limited to only one stop, choose your break location strategically to ensure you stay refreshed throughout the drive. Keep in mind that the turn-heavy nature of this route can be more fatiguing than highway driving, so prioritize your comfort behind the wheel. Budgeting $33 for gas is a solid baseline, but consider topping off your tank before leaving Lufkin to avoid searching for fuel on smaller local roads. Always monitor your navigation closely, as the lack of long highway stretches means you will encounter frequent turns throughout the journey.
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 111.3 miles from Lufkin, TX, or about 2h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 132.5 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 49 miles or 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 111.3 miles or 2h 6m 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 26m
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 Lufkin, 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 Lufkin, TX
This is one driving day of about 222.6 miles and 4h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 miles from Lufkin, 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 TX 21 for about 132.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 111.3 mi from Lufkin, TX · 2h 6m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
111 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 49 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 111.3 miles from Lufkin, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before TX 21 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 132.5 miles.
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.
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
$33.64 one way
$67.27 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
78 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $36.82 | $73.63 |
| premium | $4.54 | $39.74 | $79.49 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $49.15 | $98.29 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 77.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 66.8 | 0 | $23.37 | $10.68 |
| Efficient EV | 55.7 | 0 | $19.48 | $8.90 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 89 | 1 | $31.16 | $14.25 |
Gas CO2
78 kg
EV CO2
26 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
Evening in Austin on Thursday
Local time
8:20 PM
CDT
Current temp
63°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 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 15m 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 Lufkin, TX to Austin, TX covers 222.6 miles and takes about 4h 15m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are TX 21, US 290, TX 7. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 111.3 miles from Lufkin, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $33.64 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 17 significant decision points across 222.6 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 217.1 miles (US 290): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 219.2 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 221.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Lufkin, TX to Austin, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 193 ft to 535 ft elevation with about 482 ft of total climbing.
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