This 239.5-mile drive from New London, TX, to Austin, TX, is designed for a single day, taking an estimated 4 hours and 50 minutes. Primarily utilizing US 79, about 73% of this journey is on highways, making it a highway-focused experience. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $36. As you travel from the Great Plains region of Texas to another part of the same region, you'll find a straightforward path. This route is well-suited for a day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop.
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
119.7 miles from New London, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 23m into the drive
.
Austin is a city of about 1,054,000 (2026) surpassing Fort Worth to become the 4th most populous city in Texas. It is on the southeast edge of the Hill Country region of Texas, making it the fourth-largest city in the state and the 11th-largest in the country. It is the capital of Texas and a college town, and also a center of an alternative culture away from the major cities on the US coasts, though the city is rapidly gentrifying with its rising popularity. Austin's attitude is commonly emblazoned about town on T-shirts and bumper stickers that read: "Keep Austin Weird." Austin is also marketed as the Live Music Capital of the World due to the large number of venues.
Top landmarks
•Texas State Capitol — capitol and seat of government of the U.S. state of Texas
•Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum — presidential library and museum for U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson in Austin,...
•Texas State Cemetery — historic cemetery in Austin, Texas, USA
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 50m. Total distance: 239.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (73%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
The personality of this drive is largely defined by its 73% highway share, offering a predominantly fast-paced journey. You'll encounter stretches, including one that lasts for 131.2 miles on US 79, where you can settle into a steady rhythm. While the main artery is US Highway 79 West and South Railroad Avenue, the overall profile suggests a focus on efficient travel rather than winding scenic byways. Expect a consistent driving experience for the majority of the trip.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 36 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 79 is the longest continuous segment at about 131.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 79 and US Highway 79 West. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 216.5 miles in.
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 26 significant decision points across 239.5 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 216.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 226.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 234 miles (US 290): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 26 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
216.5 mi into trip|~4h 22m in
Take the ramp toward TX 130 Toll South: Austin, Pflugerville
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 426
Toward TX 130 Toll South: Austin, Pflugerville
7
226.9 mi into trip|~4h 32m in
Take the exit toward 290 Toll West: Austin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 437B
Toward 290 Toll West: Austin
7
234 mi into trip|~4h 41m in|US 290
Take the exit onto US 290 toward I 35 South, US 290 West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 35 South, US 290 West
8
236.1 mi into trip|~4h 44m in|I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail toward 32nd Street, Dean Keeton Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward 32nd Street, Dean Keeton Street
8
238.5 mi into trip|~4h 47m in
Take the exit toward 8th–3rd Streets, Huston-Tillotson University
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 234B
Toward 8th–3rd Streets, Huston-Tillotson Univer...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between New London, TX and Austin, TX, road signs point toward Pflugerville, Toll 130 South: Austin and 290 Toll West: Austin.
Pflugerville
216.5 mi in|~4h 22m
Toll 130 South: Austin
216.7 mi in|~4h 22m
290 Toll West: Austin
226.9 mi in|~4h 32m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 79
131.2 mi
2h 36m
US Highway 79 West
22.9 mi
25m
South Railroad Avenue
17 mi
19m
South Commerce Street
12.8 mi
17m
West Oak Street
11.7 mi
13m
Pickle Parkway
10 mi
9m
East 2nd Street
6.9 mi
8m
Manor Expressway
4.1 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
US 79
— 131.2 mi, about 2h 36m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between New London, TX and Austin, TX.
1
Start on Burnett Street
295 ft·15 sec·Burnett Street
2
Turn right onto Phillips Street
0.1 mi·28 sec·Phillips Street
3
Turn left onto TX 42
0.5 mi·53 sec·Main Street
4
Turn right onto TX 323
3.4 mi·4 min·TX 323
5
At end of road, turn left onto TX 135
13 mi·17 min·South Commerce Street
6
Continue on TX 135
0.2 mi·18 sec·North Ponsard Street
7
Turn right onto East Duval Street
0.4 mi·26 sec·East Duval Street
8
Turn left onto TX 135
17 mi·19 min·South Railroad Avenue
9
Turn left onto US 69
0.3 mi·25 sec·North Jackson Street
10
Turn right onto US 79
1.2 mi·1 min·East Rusk Street
11
Continue on US 79
23 mi·25 min·US Highway 79 West
12
Continue on US 79
3.5 mi·5 min·East Palestine Avenue
13
Continue on US 79; US 84
12 mi·13 min·West Oak Street
14
Turn straight onto US 79
75 mi·1 hr 25 min·US 79
15
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
16
Continue on US 79; US 190
54 mi·1 hr 7 min·US 79; US 190
17
Turn left onto Porter Street
0.1 mi·22 sec·Porter Street
18
Turn right onto East 2nd Street
6.9 mi·8 min·East 2nd Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Continue on US 79
2.6 mi·3 min·US 79
20
Turn left onto FM 685
2.1 mi·2 min·Chris Kelley Boulevard
Use the left lane.
21
Turn left onto FM 685
1.3 mi·1 min·TX 130 Frontage Road
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
22
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·10 sec
Exit 426Toward TX 130 Toll South: Austin, PflugervilleUse the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 437BToward 290 Toll West: AustinUse the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Merge onto 290 Toll
4.1 mi·4 min·Manor Expressway
27
Continue on US 290
1.6 mi·1 min·US 290
28
Take the exit onto US 290
1.1 mi·2 min·US 290
Toward I 35 South, US 290 WestUse the slight right lane.
29
Merge onto I 35; US 290
1.0 mi·1 min·Purple Heart Trail
30
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35; US 290
2.4 mi·3 min·Purple Heart Trail
Toward 32nd Street, Dean Keeton StreetUse the slight left lane.
31
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 234BToward 8th–3rd Streets, Huston-Tillotson UniversityUse the slight right lane.
32
Turn straight onto North Interstate 35
0.2 mi·27 sec·North Interstate 35
Use the straight / right lanes.
33
Turn right onto East 6th Street
0.5 mi·1 min·East 6th Street
Use the right lane.
34
Turn left onto Congress Avenue
357 ft·17 sec·Congress Avenue
35
Turn left onto East 5th Street
28 ft·0 sec·East 5th Street
Use the left lane.
36
Arrive at destination
East 5th Street
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour and 50-minute drive, consider an early morning departure to maximize your time in Austin. With only one recommended stop indicated, you have flexibility in pacing your journey. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the longest stretch of 131.2 miles on US 79, as services might be less frequent in certain sections. The $36 fuel estimate is a good baseline for your budget, but always factor in potential price variations. This route is manageable in one day, so you can depart at your convenience.
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 119.7 miles from New London, TX, or about 2h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 131.2 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 53 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 119.7 miles or 2h 23m 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 56m
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 New London, 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 New London, TX
This is one driving day of about 239.5 miles and 4h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 miles from New London, 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 79 for about 131.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 119.7 mi from New London, TX
· 2h 23m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.19 one way
$72.38 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg84 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$39.61
$79.22
premium
$4.54
$42.76
$85.52
diesel
$5.61
$52.88
$105.76
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 83.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
71.9
0
$25.15
$11.50
Efficient EV
59.9
0
$20.96
$9.58
EV Truck/SUV
95.8
1
$33.53
$15.33
Gas CO2
84 kg
EV CO2
28 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
New London, TX
Evening
in New London on Friday
Local time
8:44 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Austin, TX
Evening
in Austin on Friday
Local time
8:44 PM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
58°F
Buffalo, TX
120 mi in
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
11 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 50m 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 New London, TX to Austin, TX covers 239.5 miles and takes about 4h 50m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 79, US Highway 79 West, South Railroad Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 119.7 miles from New London, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $36.19 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 26 significant decision points across 239.5 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 216.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 226.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 234 miles (US 290): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between New London, TX and Austin, TX, road signs point toward Pflugerville, Toll 130 South: Austin and 290 Toll West: Austin.
