Origin
Midland, TX
Afternoon in Midland on Sunday
Local time
3:28 PM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Midland, TX to Austin, TX
Drive Time
6h 12m
Distance
314.8 mi
507 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$48
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 0m
★
6 AM
6h 13m
8 AM
6h 38m
10 AM
6h 22m
12 PM
6h 19m
3 PM
6h 23m
5 PM
6h 37m
8 PM
6h 5m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Midland, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Austin, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from Midland to Austin covers 316.8 miles and typically takes about 5 hours and 29 minutes of drive time. Because this route relies on local roads like South Big Spring Street, West Florida Avenue, and Garden City Highway rather than major interstates, it functions best as a focused, single-day journey. You should budget approximately $47 for fuel to complete the trip. Both cities are situated within the Great Plains, meaning the terrain remains consistent throughout your transit. While you could technically make this trek in one go, planning for at least one stop is recommended to break up the drive. This trip is ideal for those who prefer navigating through the heart of the region rather than sticking to high-speed transit corridors.
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
157.4 miles from Midland, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 56m 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 spend your time navigating through town streets and regional highways, which requires more active attention than typical highway driving. The constant shifts in roads mean you won't encounter long, uninterrupted stretches, keeping the pace varied as you move between Midland and your destination. Because you are avoiding major highways, the road's personality is defined by its local character and frequent transitions. Be prepared for a more hands-on experience behind the wheel compared to a standard cross-country freeway haul.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 26 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 87 is the longest continuous segment at about 104.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 87 and East State Highway 158. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 241.2 miles in near TX 16; TX 71 / Bessemer Avenue.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 314.8 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 241.2 miles (TX 16; TX 71 / Bessemer Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 312 miles (South Mopac Service Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 312.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. 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.
6
241.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 28m in
|
TX 16; TX 71 / Bessemer Avenue
Turn right onto TX 16; TX 71 / Bessemer Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
6
312 mi into trip
|
~6h 7m in
|
South Mopac Service Road
Turn left onto South Mopac Service Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
312.9 mi into trip
|
~6h 8m 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
313 mi into trip
|
~6h 8m 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
313.2 mi into trip
|
~6h 8m 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 |
|---|---|---|
| US 87 | 104.4 mi | 1h 55m |
| East State Highway 158 | 61.4 mi | 1h 9m |
| TX 71 | 58 mi | 1h 18m |
| State Highway 71 | 47.2 mi | 50m |
| US Highway 87 South | 14.6 mi | 14m |
| Bee Caves Road | 10.3 mi | 15m |
| TX 29 | 2.8 mi | 3m |
| Bridge Street | 2.8 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
US 87
— 104.4 mi, about 1h 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Midland, TX and Austin, TX.
1
Start on Loop 269
44 ft
·
6 sec
·
West Wall Street
2
Turn left onto TX 349 Bus
0.6 mi
·
48 sec
·
South Big Spring Street
3
Turn left onto TX 140
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
West Florida Avenue
4
Continue on TX 140
2.7 mi
·
4 min
·
Garden City Highway
5
Continue on TX 158
61 mi
·
1 hr 9 min
·
East State Highway 158
6
Merge onto US 87; TX 158; TX 163
2.6 mi
·
2 min
·
US Highway 87 North
7
Continue on US 87; TX 158; TX 163
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
4th Street
8
Continue on US 87
15 mi
·
14 min
·
US Highway 87 South
9
Continue on US 87
104 mi
·
1 hr 55 min
·
US 87
Use the none lane.
10
Turn right onto US 87; US 190; US 377
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Bridge Street
11
Turn left onto TX 71
47 mi
·
50 min
·
State Highway 71
12
Turn left onto TX 29; TX 71
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
TX 29; TX 71
13
Turn right onto TX 16; TX 71
0.4 mi
·
31 sec
·
Bessemer Avenue
Use the none lane.
14
Continue on TX 16; TX 71
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Ford Street
15
Turn left onto TX 71
58 mi
·
1 hr 18 min
·
TX 71
Use the none lane.
16
Turn left onto RM 2244
8.0 mi
·
11 min
·
Bee Caves Road
Use the left lane.
17
Continue on RM 2244
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Bee Cave Road
18
Continue on RM 2244
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Bee Caves Road
Use the none lane.
19
Turn left onto South Mopac Service Road
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
South Mopac Service Road
Use the left lane.
20
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
Toward Loop 1 North
21
Merge onto Loop 1
0.6 mi
·
42 sec
·
South Mopac Expressway
22
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
Toward 5th Street, Lake Austin Boulevard, Cesar Chavez Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
Toward West 5th Street, Lake Austin Boulevard
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight right at fork
120 ft
·
2 sec
Toward 5th Street
Use the slight right lane.
25
Turn straight onto West 5th Street
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
West 5th Street
Use the none / straight lanes.
26
Arrive at destination
East 5th Street
Trip Plan
Since this 316.8-mile journey is quite manageable, you have the flexibility to depart early in the morning to beat local traffic or leave mid-day without feeling rushed. Plan to make at least one significant stop during your 5-hour and 29-minute trip to ensure you stay alert on the local roads. Keep your gas tank in mind, as the $47 fuel estimate can fluctuate based on your vehicle's efficiency and idling time in local traffic. Given the turn-heavy nature of the route, double-check your GPS navigation settings before you pull away from Midland to ensure you stay on the correct path through the various local streets. Making this a single-day trip is efficient, provided you account for the slower pace of non-highway driving.
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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 157.4 miles from Midland, TX, or about 2h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 104.4 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 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 157.4 miles or 2h 56m 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 52m
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 Midland, 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 Midland, TX
This is one driving day of about 314.8 miles and 6h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Midland, 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 US 87 for about 104.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 157.4 mi from Midland, TX · 2h 56m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
157 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 157.4 miles from Midland, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 87 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 104.4 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
$48.09 one way
$96.18 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
110 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $52.70 | $105.40 |
| premium | $4.59 | $56.90 | $113.80 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $69.94 | $139.88 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$48
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 110.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 94.4 | 1 | $33.05 | $15.11 |
| Efficient EV | 78.7 | 0 | $27.54 | $12.59 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 125.9 | 1 | $44.07 | $20.15 |
Gas CO2
110 kg
EV CO2
37 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
Austin, TX
Afternoon in Austin on Sunday
Local time
3:28 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
12 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
6h 12m 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 Midland, TX to Austin, TX covers 314.8 miles and takes about 6h 12m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 87, East State Highway 158, TX 71. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 157.4 miles from Midland, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $48.09 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 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 16 significant decision points across 314.8 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 241.2 miles (TX 16; TX 71 / Bessemer Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 312 miles (South Mopac Service Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 312.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Midland, TX to Austin, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Austin, TX
More trips to Austin, TX
Explore more options from Midland, TX or browse trips ending in Austin, TX.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TX road trips.
Explore maps for Midland, TX or Austin, TX on MapSof.net.