Origin
Smithville, TX
Night in Smithville on Wednesday
Local time
9:39 PM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Smithville, TX to Austin, TX
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
51m
Distance
42.4 mi
68 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 48m
★
6 AM
0h 52m
8 AM
1h 1m
10 AM
0h 55m
12 PM
0h 54m
3 PM
0h 55m
5 PM
1h 0m
8 PM
0h 49m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Smithville, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Austin, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a straightforward connection between Smithville and Austin, this 42.4-mile trip is a highly efficient choice. You can easily complete the drive in about 51 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day excursion. Budgeting roughly $6 for fuel is sufficient for the transit, which relies heavily on TX 21, TX 95, and East 7th Street. Since both ends of your journey sit within the Great Plains region of Texas, the landscape remains consistent throughout the trip. Because the duration is under an hour, you do not need to worry about overnight logistics or mid-trip hotel stays. This route is designed for those who value speed and directness over a meandering scenic tour.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
This drive is short enough that no stops are needed.
Midpoint
21.2 miles from Smithville, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 26m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 84% of your journey takes place on high-speed roads. You will settle into a steady rhythm quickly, with the longest uninterrupted stretch covering 17.1 miles specifically on TX 21. The transition from the more rural feel of Smithville to the urban approach of Austin happens smoothly as you navigate the primary highway corridors. While the drive is functional rather than technical, it offers a consistent pace that keeps you moving toward your destination without unnecessary complications. Behind the wheel, you will find a predictable environment that rewards drivers who enjoy clear, well-marked highway travel.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
3rd Street is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Smithville, TX to Austin, TX is easy. At 51m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Smithville, TX to Austin, TX is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 3rd Street | — | — |
| Royston Street | — | — |
| Loop 230 | — | — |
| Bastrop Freeway | — | — |
| Highway 71 | — | — |
| US 183 North | — | — |
| Bastrop Highway | — | — |
| Bergstrom Expressway | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
3rd Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Smithville, TX and Austin, TX.
1
Start on Main Street
43 ft
·
5 sec
·
Main Street
2
Turn right onto 3rd Street
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
3rd Street
3
Turn right onto Royston Street
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
Royston Street
4
Continue on Loop 230
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Loop 230
5
Take the ramp left
13 mi
·
14 min
6
Continue straight
0.7 mi
·
50 sec
7
Continue straight
17 mi
·
19 min
8
Continue on Bastrop Freeway
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Bastrop Freeway
9
Continue on East State Highway 71
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
East State Highway 71
10
Take the exit slight right toward US 183 North, 183 Toll North: Lampasas
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
US 183 North, 183 Toll North: Lampasas
11
Merge slight left onto Bastrop Highway
0.4 mi
·
27 sec
·
Bastrop Highway
12
Continue on Bergstrom Expressway
0.7 mi
·
41 sec
·
Bergstrom Expressway
13
Take the exit slight right toward Loop 111: Cesar Chavez Street, 5th Street, 6th Street, 7th Street, Airport Boulevard
0.5 mi
·
54 sec
·
Loop 111: Cesar Chavez Street, 5th Street, 6th Street, 7th Street, Airport Boulevard
14
Keep slight left to continue on East 7th Street
2.8 mi
·
4 min
·
East 7th Street
15
Turn left onto Brushy Street
351 ft
·
18 sec
·
Brushy Street
16
Turn right onto East 6th Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East 6th Street
17
Turn left onto Congress Avenue
358 ft
·
18 sec
·
Congress Avenue
18
Turn left onto East 5th Street
26 ft
·
1 sec
·
East 5th Street
19
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a short trip with zero mandatory stops, you have maximum flexibility regarding your departure time. You can comfortably leave whenever it suits your schedule, though keep in mind that traffic patterns may shift as you transition from the outskirts into the heart of Austin via East 7th Street. Because the entire drive is only 42.4 miles, there is no need to plan for lengthy rest breaks or complex refueling stops. A smart strategy is to check local traffic reports for the final segment on East 7th Street before you leave to ensure the smoothest entry into the city. Keep your $6 fuel budget in mind, but otherwise, enjoy the simplicity of this quick, uncomplicated transit across the Texas plains.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 21.2 miles from Smithville, TX, or about 26m into the drive.
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 42 miles or 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 21.2 miles or 26m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Austin, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Have your navigation ready before leaving Smithville, TX.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Smithville, TX
This is one driving day of about 42.4 miles and 51m.
At 42.4 miles this is a quick drive — no planned stops needed.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 21.2 mi from Smithville, TX · 26m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
21 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 42 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 21.2 miles from Smithville, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Austin, TX
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Austin, TX if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$6.41 one way
$12.81 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
15 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $7.01 | $14.03 |
| premium | $4.54 | $7.57 | $15.14 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $9.36 | $18.72 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$31–$56
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 14.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 12.7 | 0 | $4.45 | $2.04 |
| Efficient EV | 10.6 | 0 | $3.71 | $1.70 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 17 | 0 | $5.94 | $2.71 |
Gas CO2
15 kg
EV CO2
5 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
Night in Austin on Wednesday
Local time
9:39 PM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
62°F
Bastrop, TX
21 mi in
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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
51m 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 Smithville, TX to Austin, TX covers 42.4 miles and takes about 51m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are 3rd Street, Royston Street, Loop 230. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 21.2 miles from Smithville, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $6.41 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
The drive from Smithville, TX to Austin, TX is easy. At 51m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Smithville, TX to Austin, TX is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Smithville, TX to Austin, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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