Origin
Stowell, TX
Afternoon in Stowell on Sunday
Local time
4:05 PM
CDT
Current temp
83°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Stowell, TX to Austin, TX
Drive Time
4h 12m
Distance
224.2 mi
361 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$34
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 0m
★
6 AM
4h 13m
8 AM
4h 39m
10 AM
4h 22m
12 PM
4h 20m
3 PM
4h 23m
5 PM
4h 38m
8 PM
4h 5m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Stowell, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Austin, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from Stowell to Austin covers 224.2 miles and typically takes about 4 hours and 12 minutes of pure driving time. Because this journey is manageable in a single day, it is perfect for a quick transition between these two Texas locations. You can expect to spend approximately $34 on fuel, making it a fairly budget-friendly excursion. Since both cities are located within the Great Plains region, the landscape remains consistent throughout your trip. Whether you are heading out for business or a weekend getaway, the direct nature of this route keeps the planning process straightforward. Just be prepared to spend the vast majority of your time on major corridors as you navigate across the state.
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
112.1 miles from Stowell, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 8m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a classic highway-focused experience, as 97% of your travel occurs on high-speed roads. Your journey relies heavily on I-10, which accounts for a substantial 133.2-mile stretch, followed by transitions onto TX-71 and East 7th Street as you near your destination. This setup means you will spend most of your time maintaining steady speeds on wide-open pavement rather than navigating technical local turns. While the interstate portion is efficient and direct, the shift to state highways and city streets provides a clear change in pace as you reach the Austin area. It is a functional, no-nonsense drive that prioritizes speed and efficiency over winding backroads.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 10 is the longest continuous segment at about 133.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and TX 71. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 137.3 miles in near TX 71.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 224.2 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 137.3 miles (TX 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 218.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 220.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
137.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 36m in
|
TX 71
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 71
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
7
218.5 mi into trip
|
~4h 3m in
Take the exit toward US 183 North, 183 Toll North: Lampasas
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 US 183 North, 183 Toll North: Lampasas
7
220.1 mi into trip
|
~4h 5m 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
220.7 mi into trip
|
~4h 6m 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 / none lanes.
7
224.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 12m in
|
East 5th Street
Turn left onto East 5th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 10 | 133.2 mi | 2h 30m |
| TX 71 | 77.7 mi | 1h 22m |
| East 7th Street | 2.8 mi | 4m |
| Gulfway Drive | 2.6 mi | 4m |
| East State Highway 71 | 2.2 mi | 2m |
| Bastrop Freeway | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| TX 73 | 0.7 mi | <1m |
| Bergstrom Expressway | 0.7 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 133.2 mi, about 2h 30m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Stowell, TX and Austin, TX.
1
Start on TX 124
2.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Gulfway Drive
Use the none lane.
2
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
Use the left lane.
3
Merge onto TX 73
0.7 mi
·
47 sec
·
TX 73
4
Merge onto I 10
133 mi
·
2 hr 30 min
·
I 10
Use the none lane.
5
Take the exit onto TX 71
0.5 mi
·
33 sec
·
TX 71
Toward TX 71 West: La Grange, Austin
6
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 71
77 mi
·
1 hr 22 min
·
TX 71
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on 71 Toll
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Bastrop Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on TX 71
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
East State Highway 71
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 183 North, 183 Toll North: Lampasas
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto US 183
0.4 mi
·
26 sec
·
Bastrop Highway
11
Continue on 183 Toll
0.7 mi
·
40 sec
·
Bergstrom Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
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.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto East 7th Street
2.8 mi
·
4 min
·
East 7th Street
Use the straight / slight left / none lanes.
14
Turn left onto Brushy Street
352 ft
·
17 sec
·
Brushy Street
15
Turn right onto East 6th Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East 6th Street
Use the none lane.
16
Turn left onto Congress Avenue
357 ft
·
17 sec
·
Congress Avenue
17
Turn left onto East 5th Street
28 ft
·
0 sec
·
East 5th Street
Use the left lane.
18
Arrive at destination
East 5th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour and 12-minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule. With only one recommended stop, you can easily knock out the majority of the 224.2-mile distance in one go if you prefer to minimize travel time. Try to time your arrival on East 7th Street to avoid peak local traffic, which can build up as you approach the city center. Make sure to budget your $34 for gas before you hit the longest 133.2-mile stretch on I-10 to ensure you are not caught off guard. Taking a single, well-timed break midway will help you stay alert for the final transition off the highway and into the heart of Austin.
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 112.1 miles from Stowell, TX, or about 2h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 133.2 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 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 112.1 miles or 2h 8m 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 25m
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 Stowell, 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 Stowell, TX
This is one driving day of about 224.2 miles and 4h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Stowell, 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 I 10 for about 133.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 112.1 mi from Stowell, TX · 2h 8m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
112 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 112.1 miles from Stowell, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 10 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 133.2 miles.
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.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.25 one way
$68.50 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
78 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $37.53 | $75.06 |
| premium | $4.59 | $40.52 | $81.05 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $49.81 | $99.62 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 78.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 67.3 | 0 | $23.54 | $10.76 |
| Efficient EV | 56.1 | 0 | $19.62 | $8.97 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 89.7 | 1 | $31.39 | $14.35 |
Gas CO2
78 kg
EV CO2
26 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.
Destination
Austin, TX
Afternoon in Austin on Sunday
Local time
4:05 PM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
18 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 12m 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 Stowell, TX to Austin, TX covers 224.2 miles and takes about 4h 12m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 10, TX 71, East 7th Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 112.1 miles from Stowell, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $34.25 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 13 significant decision points across 224.2 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 137.3 miles (TX 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 218.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 220.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Stowell, TX to Austin, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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