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Trip from Mission, TX to Killeen, TX

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

7h 4m

Distance

377.3 mi

607 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$57

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 33 min
4 AM
6h 54m ★
6 AM
7h 5m
8 AM
7h 27m
10 AM
7h 13m
12 PM
7h 10m
3 PM
7h 14m
5 PM
7h 26m
8 PM
6h 58m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in Hidalgo County, Texas, United States

Mission, TX

Wikimedia Commons

city in Bell County, Texas, United States

Killeen, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 377.3-mile drive from Mission, TX, to Killeen, TX, is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can comfortably be completed in about 7 hours and 4 minutes. With 84% of the route on highways, it's designed for efficient travel, making it an ideal day trip. Your estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $57. You'll spend most of your time on major roads like I 69C, Pickle Parkway, and US 281. This route is a solid option if you're looking to cover ground quickly within the Great Plains region of Texas.

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

188.7 miles from Mission, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 34m into the drive .

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
Nueces Street 11.1 mi 14m
Longest stretch: I 69C — 92 mi, about 1h 43m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Mission, TX and Killeen, TX.

1

Start on US 83 Bus

134 ft · 9 sec · East Tom Landry Street
2

Turn left onto TX 107

1.1 mi · 1 min · North Conway Avenue
3

Turn left onto US 83 Exwy Service Road

155 ft · 3 sec · US 83 Exwy Service Road
4

Continue on East Expressway 83

0.6 mi · 1 min · East Expressway 83
5

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 46 sec
Toward I 2 East, US 83 East
6

Merge onto I 2; US 83

8.0 mi · 9 min · I 2; US 83
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Take the exit

1.0 mi · 1 min
Exit 416B Toward I 69C North, US 281: Edinburg
8

Continue on I 69C

22 mi · 23 min · I 69C
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Continue on US 281

57 mi · 1 hr · US 281
10

Keep slight right at fork onto I 69C; US 281

70 mi · 1 hr 19 min · I 69C; US 281
11

Keep slight left at fork onto US 281

11 mi · 14 min · Nueces Street
12

Turn right onto TX 72

32 mi · 39 min · King David Drive
13

Continue on TX 72; TX 239

0.8 mi · 1 min · West Main Street
14

Keep slight left at fork onto TX 72; TX 239

233 ft · 3 sec · East Main Street
15

Continue on FM 792

8.4 mi · 10 min · Helena Road
16

Turn straight onto TX 80

24 mi · 25 min · State Highway 80
17

Continue on TX 80

1.0 mi · 2 min · South Nixon Avenue
18

Continue on TX 80; TX 97

31 mi · 35 min · State Highway 80 North
19

Continue on US 183

10 mi · 11 min · US 183
20

Continue on US 183

4.9 mi · 8 min · South Colorado Street
21

Continue on US 183

0.2 mi · 16 sec · United States Highway 183
22

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 35 sec
Toward TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco
23

Merge onto TX 130 Toll

59 mi · 54 min · Pickle Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 21 sec
Toward TX 195 North: Florence, Killeen Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
25

Continue on North Interstate 35

0.3 mi · 25 sec · North Interstate 35
26

Turn left onto TX 195

34 mi · 38 min · State Highway 195
Use the left / straight lanes.
27

Turn slight right

263 ft · 9 sec
Use the right lane.
28

Turn slight right onto US 190 Bus

0.9 mi · 1 min · West Veterans Memorial Boulevard
Use the right lane.
29

Turn left

83 ft · 8 sec
30

Turn right

74 ft · 5 sec
31

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 7-hour drive, consider departing early in the morning to avoid midday traffic and maximize your daylight hours. With 2 planned stops, you'll have opportunities to stretch and refuel. The longest stretch without a break is 92 miles on I 69C, so plan your personal breaks accordingly. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before heading into longer stretches. Given the manageable duration, this trip is well-suited for a single day, allowing for flexibility in your stopping times.

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 188.7 miles from Mission, TX, or about 3h 34m 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 83 miles or 1h 31m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 188.7 miles or 3h 34m 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

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 Mission, 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 Mission, TX

This is one driving day of about 377.3 miles and 7h 4m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 83 miles from Mission, 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.

city in Texas, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Floresville, TX

189 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

Alice, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 83 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Floresville, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 188.7 miles from Mission, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 69C if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 92 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Sky Park Kids

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour

McAllen, Texas

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+19568004410

Visit website

Lions Park

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour

Mission, Texas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+19565808650

Visit website

Bannworth Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour

Mission, Texas

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+19565808650

Great Escape of Central Texas

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 377.3

Killeen, Texas

Hours: 3:30–9:30 pm

+12546802686

Visit website

Lions Club Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 377.3

Killeen, Texas

Hours: 5 am–10 pm

+12545016390

Visit website

National Butterfly Center

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour

Mission, Texas

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+19565835400

Visit website

McAllen Nature Center

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour

McAllen, Texas

Hours: 8 am–6 pm

+19566813333

Visit website

Palm View Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour

McAllen, Texas

Hours: 6 am–10:30 pm

Visit website

Airport Park

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour

McAllen, Texas

Hours: 6 am–11 pm

+19566813333

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 17

5 decision points cluster between mile 2.1 and 341.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
2.1 mi into trip | ~3m 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.
6
10 mi into trip | ~13m in

Take the exit toward I 69C North, US 281: Edinburg

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 416B Toward I 69C North, US 281: Edinburg
6
282.9 mi into trip | ~5h 28m 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
283.4 mi into trip | ~5h 28m 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
341.9 mi into trip | ~6h 23m 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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$57.01 one way

$114.02 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 132 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.20 $62.40 $124.81
premium $4.54 $67.36 $134.73
diesel $5.61 $83.30 $166.61

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$57

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$82–$107

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 132 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $40 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 113.2 1 $39.62 $18.11
Efficient EV 94.3 1 $33.01 $15.09
EV Truck/SUV 150.9 1 $52.82 $24.15

Gas CO2

132 kg

EV CO2

44 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 18, 2026

Origin

Mission, TX

Afternoon in Mission on Saturday

Local time

2:00 PM

CDT

Current temp

92°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Killeen, TX

Afternoon in Killeen on Saturday

Local time

2:00 PM

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

32 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 4m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a predominantly highway experience on this 7-hour drive, with 84% of the mileage dedicated to faster travel. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 92 miles on I 69C, offering a good opportunity to maintain a consistent pace. While the majority of the route is on major arteries, the transition between these roads will define the character of your drive. It's a profile that prioritizes getting you to your destination efficiently rather than offering winding scenic detours.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 31 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?

8/10

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 2.1 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 17 significant decision points across 377.3 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 2.1 miles (I 2; US 83): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 10 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 282.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

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 Mission, TX to Killeen, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Waco along the way.

Waco

282.9 mi in | ~5h 28m

About the Cities

Starting in Mission, TX

Full guide →

Mission is a city in the South Texas Plains.

Arriving in Killeen, TX

Full guide →

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.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 4m. Total distance: 377.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

7h 4m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Mission, TX to Killeen, TX covers 377.3 miles and takes about 7h 4m 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 188.7 miles from Mission, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $57.01 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 17 significant decision points across 377.3 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 2.1 miles (I 2; US 83): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 10 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 282.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

On the drive from Mission, 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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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