Origin
Mercedes, TX
Morning in Mercedes on Friday
Local time
10:32 AM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Mercedes, TX to Killeen, TX
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
7h 11m
Distance
384.4 mi
619 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$58
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 1m
★
6 AM
7h 12m
8 AM
7h 34m
10 AM
7h 19m
12 PM
7h 17m
3 PM
7h 20m
5 PM
7h 32m
8 PM
7h 5m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Mercedes, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Killeen, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Mercedes, TX to Killeen, TX covers 384.4 miles and takes about 7h 11m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 69C, Pickle Parkway, US 281 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 92 miles on I 69C. At current regular gas prices, budget about $58.08 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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
192.2 miles from Mercedes, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 37m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 11m. Total distance: 384.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 11m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
This is a 7h 11m highway drive covering 384.4 miles, with most of the trip on I 69C and Pickle Parkway. The longest continuous stretch is about 92 miles on I 69C.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 29 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 69C is the longest continuous segment at about 92 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 69C and Pickle Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1 miles in near I 2; US 83.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 384.4 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 1 miles (I 2; US 83): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 17.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 290.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
I 2; US 83
Merge onto I 2; US 83
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
17.3 mi into trip
|
~20m in
Take the exit toward I 69C North, US 281: Edinburg
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.
Exit 146A
Toward I 69C North, US 281: Edinburg
6
290.1 mi into trip
|
~5h 35m in
Keep slight left at fork toward TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco
5
290.5 mi into trip
|
~5h 35m in
|
TX 130 Toll / Pickle Parkway
Merge onto TX 130 Toll / Pickle Parkway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
349 mi into trip
|
~6h 30m in
Keep slight right at fork toward TX 195 North: Florence, Killeen
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward TX 195 North: Florence, Killeen
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Mercedes, TX to Killeen, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Waco along the way.
Waco
290.1 mi in
|
~5h 35m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 69C | 92 mi | 1h 43m |
| Pickle Parkway | 58.5 mi | 54m |
| US 281 | 57.1 mi | 1h |
| State Highway 195 | 34 mi | 38m |
| King David Drive | 31.8 mi | 39m |
| State Highway 80 North | 30.8 mi | 35m |
| State Highway 80 | 23.6 mi | 25m |
| I 2 | 16.2 mi | 18m |
Longest stretch:
I 69C
— 92 mi, about 1h 43m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mercedes, TX and Killeen, TX.
1
Start on South Texas Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South Texas Avenue
2
Turn left onto East Expressway 83
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
·
East Expressway 83
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
4
Merge onto I 2; US 83
16 mi
·
18 min
·
I 2; US 83
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Exit 146A
Toward I 69C North, US 281: Edinburg
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on I 69C
22 mi
·
23 min
·
I 69C
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on US 281
57 mi
·
1 hr
·
US 281
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 69C; US 281
70 mi
·
1 hr 19 min
·
I 69C; US 281
9
Keep slight left at fork onto US 281
11 mi
·
14 min
·
Nueces Street
10
Turn right onto TX 72
32 mi
·
39 min
·
King David Drive
11
Continue on TX 72; TX 239
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
West Main Street
12
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 72; TX 239
233 ft
·
3 sec
·
East Main Street
13
Continue on FM 792
8.4 mi
·
10 min
·
Helena Road
14
Turn straight onto TX 80
24 mi
·
25 min
·
State Highway 80
15
Continue on TX 80
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
South Nixon Avenue
16
Continue on TX 80; TX 97
31 mi
·
35 min
·
State Highway 80 North
17
Continue on US 183
10 mi
·
11 min
·
US 183
18
Continue on US 183
4.9 mi
·
8 min
·
South Colorado Street
19
Continue on US 183
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
United States Highway 183
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
35 sec
Toward TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco
21
Merge onto TX 130 Toll
59 mi
·
54 min
·
Pickle Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Toward TX 195 North: Florence, Killeen
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on North Interstate 35
0.3 mi
·
25 sec
·
North Interstate 35
24
Turn left onto TX 195
34 mi
·
38 min
·
State Highway 195
Use the left / straight lanes.
25
Turn slight right
263 ft
·
9 sec
Use the right lane.
26
Turn slight right onto US 190 Bus
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
West Veterans Memorial Boulevard
Use the right lane.
27
Turn left
83 ft
·
8 sec
28
Turn right
74 ft
·
5 sec
29
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
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 192.2 miles from Mercedes, TX, or about 3h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 92 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 85 miles or 1h 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 192.2 miles or 3h 37m 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 7m
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 Mercedes, 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 Mercedes, TX
This is one driving day of about 384.4 miles and 7h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 85 miles from Mercedes, 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 I 69C for about 92 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 192.2 mi from Mercedes, TX · 3h 37m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
192 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 85 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 192.2 miles from Mercedes, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 69C if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 92 miles.
Arriving in Killeen, TX
The final approach into Killeen, 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 Killeen, 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
$58.08 one way
$116.17 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
135 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $63.58 | $127.15 |
| premium | $4.54 | $68.63 | $137.26 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $84.87 | $169.74 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$58
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$83–$108
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 134.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $40 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 115.3 | 1 | $40.36 | $18.45 |
| Efficient EV | 96.1 | 1 | $33.64 | $15.38 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 153.8 | 1 | $53.82 | $24.60 |
Gas CO2
134 kg
EV CO2
45 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Killeen, TX
Morning in Killeen on Friday
Local time
10:32 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
9 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 11m 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 Mercedes, TX to Killeen, TX covers 384.4 miles and takes about 7h 11m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 69C, Pickle Parkway, US 281. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 192.2 miles from Mercedes, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $58.08 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 16 significant decision points across 384.4 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 1 miles (I 2; US 83): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 17.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 290.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Mercedes, TX to Killeen, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Waco along the way.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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