Trip from Port Arthur, TX to Killeen, TX

Drive Time

5h 34m

Distance

292.9 mi

471 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$45

one way

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Port Arthur, TX

John Hill

Killeen, TX

Jeff Stapleton

Trip Overview

The drive from Port Arthur, TX to Killeen, TX covers 292.9 miles and takes about 5h 34m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on East Grand Parkway North, TX 6, I 10 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 62.2 miles on East Grand Parkway North. At current regular gas prices, budget about $44.74 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

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

146.5 miles from Port Arthur, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 43m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 5h 34m highway drive covering 292.9 miles, with most of the trip on East Grand Parkway North and TX 6. The longest continuous stretch is about 62.2 miles on East Grand Parkway North.

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

There are about 40 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

East Grand Parkway North is the longest continuous segment at about 62.2 miles.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

823 ft 1 ft

Total Climb

903 ft

Total Descent

81 ft

Highest Point

823 ft

~292.9 mi in

Elevation Range

822 ft

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on East Grand Parkway North and TX 6. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 29.5 miles in near I 10.

Route Complexity 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 26 significant decision points across 292.9 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: at 29.5 miles (I 10): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 57.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 120.1 miles: 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.

29.5 mi into trip | ~32m in | I 10

Merge onto I 10

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

57.2 mi into trip | ~1h 4m in

Take the exit toward TX 99 Toll: Grand Parkway

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 799 Toward TX 99 Toll: Grand Parkway

120.1 mi into trip | ~2h 13m in

Take the exit toward TX 249: Boudreaux Road, Rocky Road

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 TX 249: Boudreaux Road, Rocky Road

274.4 mi into trip | ~5h 12m in | I 14; US 190 / Central Texas Expressway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 14; US 190 / Central Texas Expressway toward US 190 West: Killeen, Fort Cavazos

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward US 190 West: Killeen, Fort Cavazos

287.4 mi into trip | ~5h 25m in

Take the exit toward FM 3470: Rosewood Drive, Stan Schlueter Loop

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 287 Toward FM 3470: Rosewood Drive, Stan Schlueter...

Towns Along This Route

Between Port Arthur, TX and Killeen, TX, road signs point toward Tbt Toll North and Fort Cavazos.

Tbt Toll North

121.1 mi in | ~2h 15m

Fort Cavazos

274.4 mi in | ~5h 12m | via I 14; US 190

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
East Grand Parkway North	62.2 mi	1h 6m
TX 6	49.8 mi	53m
I 10	27.7 mi	31m
Aggie Expressway	24.8 mi	27m
TX 82	20.4 mi	21m
Farm-to-Market Road 485	20.4 mi	25m
Farm-to-Market Road 979	15.3 mi	19m
TX 53	13.1 mi	16m

Longest stretch: East Grand Parkway North — 62.2 mi, about 1h 6m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on Augusta Avenue

197 ft · 7 sec · Augusta Avenue

Turn right onto TX 87

1.4 mi · 2 min · Gulfway Drive

Continue on TX 87

0.3 mi · 34 sec · Dowling Road

Turn right onto TX 82

20 mi · 21 min · TX 82

Use the left lane.

Continue on TX 73

3.9 mi · 3 min · TX 73

Turn straight onto TX 73

3.3 mi · 3 min · TX 73

Merge onto I 10

28 mi · 31 min · I 10

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 30 sec

Exit 799 Toward TX 99 Toll: Grand Parkway Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn straight onto East Freeway Frontage Road

0.2 mi · 20 sec · East Freeway Frontage Road

Turn right onto TX 99 Toll

0.5 mi · 1 min · East Grand Parkway North

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 41 sec

Merge onto TX 99 Toll

62 mi · 1 hr 5 min · East Grand Parkway North

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 58 sec

Toward TX 249: Boudreaux Road, Rocky Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on North Grand Parkway West

0.4 mi · 40 sec · North Grand Parkway West

Turn right onto TX 249

447 ft · 7 sec · Tomball Parkway

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 25 sec

Toward TBT Toll North

Merge onto TBT

4.9 mi · 5 min · Tomball Tollway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on TX 249 Toll

3.6 mi · 4 min · MCTRA 249 Tollway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on TX 249 Toll

25 mi · 27 min · Aggie Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on TX 105

5.8 mi · 6 min · State Highway 105

Turn right onto TX 105

0.2 mi · 16 sec · State Highway 6

Take the ramp

0.1 mi · 18 sec

Merge onto TX 6

50 mi · 53 min · TX 6

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto TX 6

5.8 mi · 5 min · North State Highway 6

Continue on TX 6

1.3 mi · 2 min · South Main Street

Turn left onto FM 979

0.7 mi · 1 min · Browning Street

Continue on FM 979

15 mi · 19 min · Farm-to-Market Road 979

At end of road, turn right onto FM 485

20 mi · 25 min · Farm-to-Market Road 485

At end of road, turn left onto TX 53

13 mi · 16 min · TX 53

Turn left onto North General Bruce Drive

0.2 mi · 20 sec · North General Bruce Drive

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 26 sec

Toward I 35 South

Merge onto I 35

7.1 mi · 7 min · Purple Heart Trail

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 14; US 190

13 mi · 13 min · Central Texas Expressway

Toward US 190 West: Killeen, Fort Cavazos Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 32 sec

Exit 287 Toward FM 3470: Rosewood Drive, Stan Schlueter Loop Use the slight right lane.

Turn straight onto West Central Texas Expressway

2.9 mi · 3 min · West Central Texas Expressway

Turn right onto South W.S. Young Drive

1.3 mi · 2 min · South W.S. Young Drive

Turn left onto US 190 Bus

1.0 mi · 1 min · East Veterans Memorial Boulevard

Turn right

83 ft · 8 sec

Turn right

74 ft · 5 sec

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

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 146.5 miles from Port Arthur, TX, or about 2h 43m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 62.2 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 80 miles or 1h 30m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 146.5 miles or 2h 43m 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 29m

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 Port Arthur, 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 Port Arthur, TX

This is one driving day of about 292.9 miles and 5h 34m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Port Arthur, 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 East Grand Parkway North for about 62.2 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 146.5 mi from Port Arthur, TX · 2h 43m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Houston, TX

146 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.

Popular next leg

Houston, TX to Killeen, TX

199.5 mi · 3h 56m

Pacing Suggestions

Pasadena, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Houston, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 146.5 miles from Port Arthur, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before East Grand Parkway North if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 62.2 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

$44.74 one way

$89.48 round trip

$3.88/gal 25.4 MPG avg 103 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$49.03	$98.06
premium	$4.59	$52.94	$105.88
diesel	$5.64	$65.07	$130.14

Estimated Tolls: $0.59

Tomball Tollway (4.9 mi) $0.34

MCTRA 249 Tollway (3.6 mi) $0.25

Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$45

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$70–$95

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 102.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	87.9	1	$30.75	$14.06
Efficient EV	73.2	0	$25.63	$11.72
EV Truck/SUV	117.2	1	$41.01	$18.75

Gas CO2

102 kg

EV CO2

34 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 data refreshed 13 hours ago

Origin

Port Arthur, TX

Afternoon in Port Arthur on Sunday

Local time

2:42 PM

CDT

Current temp

69°F

Mostly Cloudy

SE 10 mph 2% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 12 at 12:44AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 12 at 12:28AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX

Destination

Killeen, TX

Afternoon in Killeen on Sunday

Local time

2:42 PM

CDT

Current temp

67°F

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

SE 10 to 15 mph 47% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 12 at 12:44AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 12 at 12:28AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX

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

2 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

5h 34m 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 Port Arthur, TX to Killeen, TX covers 292.9 miles and takes about 5h 34m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are East Grand Parkway North, TX 6, I 10. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 146.5 miles from Port Arthur, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $44.74 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.

Between Port Arthur, TX and Killeen, TX, road signs point toward Tbt Toll North and Fort Cavazos.

Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 1 ft to 823 ft elevation with about 903 ft of total climbing.

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Return Trip

Killeen, TX to Port Arthur, TX

Plan the drive back the other way.

287.2 mi 5h 35m

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Trip from Port Arthur, TX to Killeen, TX

Trip Overview

Drive Character

Elevation Profile

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Killeen, TX

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Port Arthur, TX

Killeen, TX

Same local time

2 degrees cooler at arrival

5h 34m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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