Origin
Port O'Connor, TX
Evening in Port O'Connor on Thursday
Local time
5:57 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Port O'Connor, TX to Austin, TX
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
3h 39m
Distance
171.9 mi
277 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 27m
★
6 AM
3h 39m
8 AM
4h 4m
10 AM
3h 48m
12 PM
3h 46m
3 PM
3h 49m
5 PM
4h 3m
8 PM
3h 32m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Port O'Connor, TX
Nate Biddle
Austin, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 171.9-mile drive from Port O'Connor, TX to Austin, TX is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 39 minutes. You'll primarily be on US 183 and US 87, with 88% of the journey on highways. With a fuel cost estimated at $26, it's an economical option. The route begins in the Great Plains region and ends in the same region, offering a straightforward transition. This drive is focused on efficient travel rather than extensive sightseeing, making it ideal for getting from point A to point B comfortably.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
86 miles from Port O'Connor, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 56m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 39m. Total distance: 171.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience for most of this 171.9-mile route, with 88% of your travel occurring on major roads like US 183 and US 87. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 35.9 miles on US 183, offering a good period of consistent driving. While largely highway-based, the personality of the drive is less about monotonous interstate and more about navigating through Texas landscapes on well-maintained US highways. You'll likely experience a steady pace, allowing for efficient progress towards Austin.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 34 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 183 is the longest continuous segment at about 35.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 183 and US 87. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 144.8 miles in.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 171.9 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 144.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 155.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 167.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 19 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
144.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 6m 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
7
155.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 15m in
Take the exit toward US 183 North: Austin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 460
Toward US 183 North: Austin
7
167.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 31m in
Take the exit toward Loop 111: Cesar Chavez Street, 5th Street, 6th Street, 7th Street, Airport Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward Loop 111: Cesar Chavez Street, 5th Stree...
6
168.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 32m in
|
East 7th Street
Keep slight left at fork onto East 7th Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
7
171.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 39m in
|
East 5th Street
Turn left onto East 5th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
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 Port O'Connor, TX to Austin, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Waco along the way.
Waco
144.8 mi in
|
~3h 6m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 183 | 35.9 mi | 41m |
| US 87 | 25.7 mi | 30m |
| North US Highway 183 | 22.7 mi | 24m |
| US Highway 87 North | 22.1 mi | 25m |
| US Highway 183 South | 11.8 mi | 15m |
| FM 1289 | 11.2 mi | 19m |
| Pickle Parkway | 9.8 mi | 8m |
| State Highway 185 East | 6.9 mi | 12m |
Longest stretch:
US 183
— 35.9 mi, about 41m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Port O'Connor, TX and Austin, TX.
1
Start on TX 185
91 ft
·
7 sec
·
2nd Street
2
Turn left onto TX 185
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Adams Avenue
3
Continue on TX 185
6.9 mi
·
12 min
·
State Highway 185 East
4
Turn right onto FM 1289
11 mi
·
19 min
·
FM 1289
5
Turn right onto TX 238
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
State Highway 238
6
At end of road, turn left onto TX 238
3.2 mi
·
5 min
·
TX 238
7
Turn left onto FM 1090
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Alcoa Drive
8
At end of road, turn left onto US 87
4.9 mi
·
5 min
·
US 87
9
Turn straight onto US 87
21 mi
·
24 min
·
US 87
10
Turn right onto US 87
0.5 mi
·
50 sec
·
North Navarro Street
11
Turn left onto US 87; US 59 Bus; US 77 Bus
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
East Rio Grande Street
12
Turn right onto US 87
3.9 mi
·
6 min
·
North Main Street
13
Continue on US 87
22 mi
·
25 min
·
US Highway 87 North
14
Continue on US 87
1.7 mi
·
1 min
·
East Broadway Street
15
Turn right onto US 77 Alt; US 183
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North Esplanade Street
16
Continue on US 77 Alt; US 183
23 mi
·
24 min
·
North US Highway 183
17
Continue on US 183; TX 111
6.0 mi
·
6 min
·
US 183; TX 111
18
Continue on US 183; TX 97
20 mi
·
23 min
·
US 183; TX 97
19
Turn right onto US 183; TX 80
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
South Magnolia Avenue
20
Continue on US 183
10 mi
·
11 min
·
US 183
21
Continue on US 183
4.9 mi
·
8 min
·
South Colorado Street
22
Continue on US 183
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
United States Highway 183
23
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
35 sec
Toward TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco
24
Merge onto TX 130 Toll
9.8 mi
·
8 min
·
Pickle Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
Exit 460
Toward US 183 North: Austin
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Continue on US 183
12 mi
·
15 min
·
US Highway 183 South
Use the left lane.
27
Continue on 183 Toll
0.7 mi
·
40 sec
·
Bergstrom Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
54 sec
Toward Loop 111: Cesar Chavez Street, 5th Street, 6th Street, 7th Street, Airport Boulevard
Use the right lane.
29
Keep slight left at fork onto East 7th Street
2.8 mi
·
4 min
·
East 7th Street
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
30
Turn left onto Brushy Street
352 ft
·
17 sec
·
Brushy Street
31
Turn right onto East 6th Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East 6th Street
32
Turn left onto Congress Avenue
357 ft
·
17 sec
·
Congress Avenue
33
Turn left onto East 5th Street
28 ft
·
0 sec
·
East 5th Street
Use the left lane.
34
Arrive at destination
East 5th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour and 39-minute duration, this trip works well as a single-day adventure. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize your daylight hours and allow for an unhurried arrival in Austin. With only one recommended stop on this 171.9-mile journey, you have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially before embarking on the 35.9-mile stretch on US 183, to ensure a smooth ride. The estimated fuel cost is around $26, so budget accordingly.
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 86 miles from Port O'Connor, TX, or about 1h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 35.9 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 38 miles or 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 86 miles or 1h 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 2h 59m
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 Port O'Connor, 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 O'Connor, TX
This is one driving day of about 171.9 miles and 3h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from Port O'Connor, 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 183 for about 35.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 86 mi from Port O'Connor, TX · 1h 56m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
86 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 38 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 86 miles from Port O'Connor, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.97 one way
$51.95 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
60 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $28.43 | $56.86 |
| premium | $4.54 | $30.69 | $61.38 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $37.95 | $75.91 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 60.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 51.6 | 0 | $18.05 | $8.25 |
| Efficient EV | 43 | 0 | $15.04 | $6.88 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 68.8 | 0 | $24.07 | $11.00 |
Gas CO2
60 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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
Evening in Austin on Thursday
Local time
5:57 PM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
64°F
Gonzales, TX
86 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
3h 39m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Port O'Connor, TX to Austin, TX covers 171.9 miles and takes about 3h 39m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 183, US 87, North US Highway 183. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 86 miles from Port O'Connor, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $25.97 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 171.9 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 144.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 155.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 167.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Port O'Connor, TX to Austin, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Waco along the way.
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