Drive Time
4h 3m
Distance
206.7 mi
333 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$32
one way
Photo: Jeff Stapleton
The drive from Stafford, TX to Killeen, TX covers 206.7 miles and takes about 4h 3m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on TX 6, Northwest Freeway, Farm-to-Market Road 485 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 68.7 miles on TX 6. At current regular gas prices, budget about $31.57 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
103.3 miles from Stafford, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 59m into the drive .
This is a 4h 3m highway drive covering 206.7 miles, with most of the trip on TX 6 and Northwest Freeway. The longest continuous stretch is about 68.7 miles on TX 6.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
181 ft
Total Descent
47 ft
Highest Point
265 ft
~43.1 mi in
Elevation Range
160 ft
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on TX 6 and Northwest Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.8 miles in.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 31 significant decision points across 206.7 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 2.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 19 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Take the ramp toward I 69 North, US 59 North
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward Sam Houston Tollway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork toward US 290 West: Austin
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
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
Between Stafford, TX and Killeen, TX, road signs point toward College Station, Bryan and Fort Cavazos.
College Station
Bryan
Fort Cavazos
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| TX 6 | 68.7 mi | 1h 14m |
| Northwest Freeway | 35.5 mi | 40m |
| Farm-to-Market Road 485 | 20.4 mi | 25m |
| Farm-to-Market Road 979 | 15.3 mi | 19m |
| TX 53 | 13.1 mi | 16m |
| Central Texas Expressway | 13.1 mi | 13m |
| West Sam Houston Tollway South | 12.2 mi | 14m |
| Purple Heart Trail | 7.1 mi | 7m |
Step-by-step road directions between Stafford, TX and Killeen, TX.
Start on this road
Turn right onto US 90 Alt
Take the exit
Turn straight onto FM 1092
Turn left onto West Airport Boulevard
Turn right onto Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 69; US 59
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto BW 8
Continue on SHT
Take the exit onto SHT
Merge onto SHT
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto US 290
Take the exit onto TX 6
Keep slight left at fork
Turn right
Continue on TX 6
Turn straight onto TX 6
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 6
Continue on TX 6
Turn left onto FM 979
Continue on FM 979
At end of road, turn right onto FM 485
At end of road, turn left onto TX 53
Turn left onto North General Bruce Drive
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 35
Keep slight right at fork onto I 14; US 190
Take the exit
Turn straight onto West Central Texas Expressway
Turn right onto South W.S. Young Drive
Turn left onto US 190 Bus
Turn right
Turn right
Arrive at destination
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.
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 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 103.3 miles or 1h 59m 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 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Killeen, TX than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Stafford, 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 Stafford, TX
This is one driving day of about 206.7 miles and 4h 3m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 103.3 mi from Stafford, TX · 1h 59m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
103 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 103.3 miles from Stafford, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before TX 6 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 68.7 miles.
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.
Regular Gas
$31.57 one way
$63.15 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $34.60 | $69.20 |
| premium | $4.59 | $37.36 | $74.72 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $45.92 | $91.84 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.07
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
$32
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 72.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 62 | 0 | $21.70 | $9.92 |
| Efficient EV | 51.7 | 0 | $18.09 | $8.27 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 82.7 | 1 | $28.94 | $13.23 |
Gas CO2
72 kg
EV CO2
24 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Stafford on Sunday
Local time
1:17 PM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Destination
Afternoon in Killeen on Sunday
Local time
1:17 PM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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