This 428.9-mile journey from Marfa, TX to Austin, TX is a substantial drive, estimated to take around 7 hours and 31 minutes. It's a trip that can be comfortably completed in a single day, but be prepared for a full 7.5 hours behind the wheel. The route primarily follows La Entrada al Pacifico Corridor and East US Highway 290. With a fuel cost estimated at $65, this drive through the Great Plains region offers a mixed driving experience. It's a practical option for those looking to cover ground efficiently while still experiencing Texas highways.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
214.4 miles from Marfa, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 36m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 31m. Total distance: 428.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 31m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
You'll encounter a mixed driving profile on this 428.9-mile route, with 38% of it being on highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll navigate is a significant 228.3 miles along the La Entrada al Pacifico Corridor. This means there are periods of consistent driving, interspersed with other road types. Expect the character of the drive to evolve as you progress, moving from the open feel of longer corridors to the more varied conditions of US Highway 290 as you approach your destination.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 29 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
La Entrada al Pacifico Corridor is the longest continuous segment at about 228.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. 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 17 / South Highland Street.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 428.9 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 17 / South Highland Street): Navigation decision point; at 422.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 427 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|TX 17 / South Highland Street
Turn right onto TX 17 / South Highland Street
Navigation decision point
6
422.3 mi into trip|~7h 21m in
Take the exit toward Loop 1 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Loop 1 North
7
427 mi into trip|~7h 27m in
Take the exit toward 5th Street, Lake Austin Boulevard, Cesar Chavez Street
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 5th Street, Lake Austin Boulevard, Cesar...
9
427.1 mi into trip|~7h 27m in
Keep slight left at fork toward West 5th Street, Lake Austin Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward West 5th Street, Lake Austin Boulevard
8
427.2 mi into trip|~7h 27m in
Keep slight right at fork toward 5th Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward 5th Street
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
La Entrada al Pacifico Corridor
228.3 mi
3h 34m
East US Highway 290
58.1 mi
1h 8m
US Highway 290
39 mi
42m
South US Higway 67
25.4 mi
28m
US Highway 90 East
24.9 mi
26m
US Highway 67
21.6 mi
24m
East US Highway 90
7.6 mi
8m
South US Highway 281
5.4 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
La Entrada al Pacifico Corridor
— 228.3 mi, about 3h 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Marfa, TX and Austin, TX.
1
Start on this road
190 ft·15 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto TX 17
181 ft·13 sec·South Highland Street
3
Turn left onto US 67; US 90
0.4 mi·57 sec·East San Antonio Street
4
Continue on US 67; US 90
25 mi·26 min·US Highway 90 East
5
Continue on US 67; US 90
1.6 mi·1 min·West Holland Avenue
6
Continue on US 67; US 90
7.6 mi·8 min·East US Highway 90
7
Turn slight left onto US 67
22 mi·24 min·US Highway 67
8
Continue on US 67
25 mi·28 min·South US Higway 67
9
Turn right onto Interstate 10 West
0.1 mi·13 sec·Interstate 10 West
10
Take the ramp onto La Entrada al Pacifico Corridor
228 mi·3 hr 34 min·La Entrada al Pacifico Corridor
Toward I 10 East: Fort Stockton
11
Take the exit
1.1 mi·2 min
Exit 477Toward US 290 East: Fredericksburg
12
Continue on US 290
39 mi·42 min·US Highway 290
13
Continue on US 290; US 87
3.5 mi·7 min·West Main Street
14
Continue on US 290
27 mi·30 min·East US Highway 290
15
Continue on US 290
1.0 mi·2 min·West Main Street
16
Take the exit onto US 290
0.1 mi·18 sec·US 290
17
Merge onto US 281; US 290
5.4 mi·6 min·South US Highway 281
18
Turn slight left onto US 290
31 mi·37 min·East US Highway 290
Toward US 290: AustinUse the left lane.
19
Continue on US 290
0.3 mi·18 sec·West US Highway 290
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
21
Continue on West US Highway 290
2.0 mi·2 min·West US Highway 290
22
Continue on US 290; TX 71
1.6 mi·1 min·US 290; TX 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward Loop 1 NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Merge onto Loop 1
4.0 mi·4 min·South Mopac Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.1 mi·12 sec
Toward 5th Street, Lake Austin Boulevard, Cesar Chavez StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·14 sec
Toward West 5th Street, Lake Austin BoulevardUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
27
Keep slight right at fork
120 ft·2 sec
Toward 5th StreetUse the slight right lane.
28
Turn straight onto West 5th Street
1.6 mi·3 min·West 5th Street
Use the straight lane.
29
Arrive at destination
East 5th Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 7-hour, 31-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Marfa to maximize daylight. With 2 stops recommended, plan for one midway break to stretch your legs and refuel, especially given the 228.3-mile longest stretch. The estimated fuel cost of $65 is a good baseline, but always check current prices. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, particularly during the longer segments on La Entrada al Pacifico Corridor, as services can be spread out in West Texas.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 214.4 miles from Marfa, TX, or about 3h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 228.3 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 94 miles or 1h 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 214.4 miles or 3h 36m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 16m
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 Marfa, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Marfa, TX
This is one driving day of about 428.9 miles and 7h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 94 miles from Marfa, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on La Entrada al Pacifico Corridor for about 228.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 214.4 mi from Marfa, TX
· 3h 36m into the drive
The midpoint is around 214.4 miles from Marfa, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before La Entrada al Pacifico Corridor if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 228.3 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park tells the story of our 36th president beginning with his ancestors until his final resting place on his beloved LBJ Ranch. This entire "circle of life" gives...
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Free
near mile 369.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$64.81 one way
$129.62 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg150 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$70.94
$141.87
premium
$4.54
$76.58
$153.15
diesel
$5.61
$94.70
$189.39
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$65
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$90–$115
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 150.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $45 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
128.7
1
$45.03
$20.59
Efficient EV
107.2
1
$37.53
$17.16
EV Truck/SUV
171.6
2
$60.05
$27.45
Gas CO2
150 kg
EV CO2
50 kg (67% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Marfa, TX
Late night
in Marfa on Friday
Local time
3:33 AM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Austin, TX
Late night
in Austin on Friday
Local time
3:33 AM
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
18 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
7h 31m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Marfa, TX to Austin, TX covers 428.9 miles and takes about 7h 31m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are La Entrada al Pacifico Corridor, East US Highway 290, US Highway 290. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 214.4 miles from Marfa, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $64.81 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 2 meaningful breaks 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 15 significant decision points across 428.9 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 17 / South Highland Street): Navigation decision point; at 422.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 427 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Marfa, 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.
National park proximity is from the
NPS API.
Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our
methodology page
documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
