The drive from Manvel, TX to Killeen, TX covers 225.5 miles and takes about 4h 24m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on TX 6, Northwest Freeway, Farm-to-Market Road 485 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 71.6 miles on TX 6.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $34.07 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
112.7 miles from Manvel, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 11m into the drive
.
Killeen is a city in the Central Hill Country of Texas. It is home to U.S. Army installation Fort Cavasos, one of the largest military bases in the world.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 24m. Total distance: 225.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Drive Character
This is a 4h 24m highway drive covering 225.5 miles, with most of the trip on TX 6 and Northwest Freeway. The longest continuous stretch is about 71.6 miles on TX 6.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 38 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
TX 6 is the longest continuous segment at about 71.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on TX 6 and Northwest Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 10.6 miles in near Brazoria County Expressway.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 28 significant decision points across 225.5 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 10.6 miles (Brazoria County Expressway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 37.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 28 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
10.6 mi into trip|~13m in|Brazoria County Expressway
Take the exit onto Brazoria County Expressway toward SHT West, SHT East: 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 West, SHT East: Sam Houston Tollway
7
11 mi into trip|~14m in
Keep slight left at fork toward SHT West: Sam Houston Tollway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward SHT West: Sam Houston Tollway
7
37.8 mi into trip|~46m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 290 West: Austin
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward US 290 West: Austin
8
206.9 mi into trip|~4h 2m in|I 14; US 190 / Central Texas Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 14; US 190 / Central Texas Expressway toward US 190 West: Killeen, Fort Cavazos
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 190 West: Killeen, Fort Cavazos
8
219.9 mi into trip|~4h 16m in
Take the exit toward FM 3470: Rosewood Drive, Stan Schlueter Loop
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 287
Toward FM 3470: Rosewood Drive, Stan Schlueter...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Manvel, TX and Killeen, TX, road signs point toward College Station, Bryan and Fort Cavazos.
College Station
73.8 mi in|~1h 28m|via TX 6
Bryan
73.8 mi in|~1h 28m|via TX 6
Fort Cavazos
206.9 mi in|~4h 2m|via I 14; US 190
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
TX 6
71.6 mi
1h 18m
Northwest Freeway
35.5 mi
40m
Farm-to-Market Road 485
20.4 mi
25m
Farm-to-Market Road 979
15.3 mi
19m
TX 53
13.1 mi
16m
Central Texas Expressway
13.1 mi
13m
West Sam Houston Tollway South
12.2 mi
14m
South Sam Houston Tollway West
10.3 mi
11m
Longest stretch:
TX 6
— 71.6 mi, about 1h 18m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Manvel, TX and Killeen, TX.
1
Start on CR 67
0.3 mi·48 sec·Masters Road
2
Turn left onto TX 6
2.8 mi·4 min·TX 6
3
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·50 sec
Toward TX 288 North
4
Merge onto TX 288
1.9 mi·2 min·Nolan Ryan Expressway
5
Continue on TX 288
0.1 mi·7 sec·South Freeway
6
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 288 Toll
5.1 mi·5 min·Brazoria County Expressway
7
Take the exit onto Brazoria County Expressway
0.4 mi·30 sec·Brazoria County Expressway
Toward SHT West, SHT East: Sam Houston TollwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·2 min
Toward SHT West: Sam Houston TollwayUse the slight left lane.
9
Merge onto SHT
10 mi·11 min·South Sam Houston Tollway West
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on BW 8
1.9 mi·2 min·South Sam Houston Parkway West
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on SHT
12 mi·14 min·West Sam Houston Tollway South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit onto SHT
0.4 mi·27 sec·West Sam Houston Tollway North
Use the slight right lane.
13
Merge onto SHT
0.7 mi·48 sec·West Sam Houston Tollway North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·28 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward US 290 West: AustinUse the slight left lane.
16
Merge onto US 290
35 mi·40 min·Northwest Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
17
Take the exit onto TX 6
0.3 mi·36 sec·TX 6
Toward College Station, BryanUse the slight right lane.
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·19 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Turn right
0.2 mi·12 sec
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Continue on TX 6
11 mi·12 min·TX 6
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Turn straight onto TX 6
58 mi·1 hr 1 min·TX 6
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 6
5.8 mi·5 min·North State Highway 6
23
Continue on TX 6
1.3 mi·2 min·South Main Street
24
Turn left onto FM 979
0.7 mi·1 min·Browning Street
25
Continue on FM 979
15 mi·19 min·Farm-to-Market Road 979
26
At end of road, turn right onto FM 485
20 mi·25 min·Farm-to-Market Road 485
27
At end of road, turn left onto TX 53
13 mi·16 min·TX 53
28
Turn left onto North General Bruce Drive
0.2 mi·20 sec·North General Bruce Drive
29
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward I 35 South
30
Merge onto I 35
7.1 mi·7 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Keep slight right at fork onto I 14; US 190
13 mi·13 min·Central Texas Expressway
Toward US 190 West: Killeen, Fort CavazosUse the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Exit 287Toward FM 3470: Rosewood Drive, Stan Schlueter LoopUse the slight right lane.
33
Turn straight onto West Central Texas Expressway
2.9 mi·3 min·West Central Texas Expressway
34
Turn right onto South W.S. Young Drive
1.3 mi·2 min·South W.S. Young Drive
35
Turn left onto US 190 Bus
1.0 mi·1 min·East Veterans Memorial Boulevard
36
Turn right
83 ft·8 sec
37
Turn right
74 ft·5 sec
38
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 112.7 miles from Manvel, TX, or about 2h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 71.6 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 50 miles or 1h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 112.7 miles or 2h 11m 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 35m
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 Manvel, 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 Manvel, TX
This is one driving day of about 225.5 miles and 4h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 miles from Manvel, 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 6 for about 71.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 112.7 mi from Manvel, TX
· 2h 11m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.07 one way
$68.15 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg79 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$37.30
$74.59
premium
$4.54
$40.26
$80.52
diesel
$5.61
$49.79
$99.58
Estimated Tolls: $1.90
Sam Houston Tollway
(23.7 mi)$1.90
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
$34
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 78.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
67.6
0
$23.68
$10.82
Efficient EV
56.4
0
$19.73
$9.02
EV Truck/SUV
90.2
1
$31.57
$14.43
Gas CO2
79 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Manvel, TX
Late night
in Manvel on Saturday
Local time
5:22 AM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Killeen, TX
Late night
in Killeen on Saturday
Local time
5:22 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
5 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
4h 24m 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 Manvel, TX to Killeen, TX covers 225.5 miles and takes about 4h 24m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are TX 6, Northwest Freeway, Farm-to-Market Road 485. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 112.7 miles from Manvel, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $34.07 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 28 significant decision points across 225.5 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 10.6 miles (Brazoria County Expressway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 37.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Manvel, TX and Killeen, TX, road signs point toward College Station, Bryan and Fort Cavazos.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
