Texas City to Killeen is 240.7 miles and takes about 4 hours 44 minutes via TX 6, with a fuel budget near $36 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily stays within the Great Plains region, offering a straightforward journey across Texas. Expect a highway-focused experience for most of the trip, making it a solid option for a single-day excursion. It’s a practical route if you need to get from the Texas City area to Killeen without much fuss. Consider this for its efficiency, especially if you're looking to maximize your time at your destination.
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
120.4 miles from Texas City, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 23m into the drive
.
Killeen is a city in the Central Hill Country of Texas. It is home to U.S. Army installation Fort Cavasos, one of the largest military bases in the world.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 44m. Total distance: 240.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (73%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is largely a highway-focused drive, with 73% of the route utilizing major roads like the Gulf Freeway and Aggie Expressway before transitioning to TX 6. You'll encounter one uninterrupted stretch of TX 6 measuring 49.8 miles, offering a consistent pace. The character of the drive is predominantly about covering ground efficiently, rather than winding scenic byways. It’s the kind of route where you can settle into a rhythm and make good time, especially as you move onto TX 6.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 36 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
TX 6 is the longest continuous segment at about 49.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on TX 6 and Gulf Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.7 miles in near 9th Avenue North.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 240.7 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 0.7 miles (9th Avenue North): Lane positioning matters here; at 9.4 miles (I 45 / Gulf Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 51 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 21 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.7 mi into trip|~1m in|9th Avenue North
Turn left onto 9th Avenue North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
9.4 mi into trip|~13m in|I 45 / Gulf Freeway
Merge onto I 45 / Gulf Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
51 mi into trip|~1h 2m in
Take the exit toward TX 249
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 57B
Toward TX 249
8
222.2 mi into trip|~4h 22m 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
8
235.2 mi into trip|~4h 36m 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 Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Texas City, TX to Killeen, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Fort Cavazos along the way.
Fort Cavazos
222.2 mi in|~4h 22m|via I 14; US 190
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
TX 6
49.8 mi
53m
Gulf Freeway
33 mi
38m
Aggie Expressway
24.8 mi
27m
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
Tomball Parkway
12.3 mi
15m
Longest stretch:
TX 6
— 49.8 mi, about 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Texas City, TX and Killeen, TX.
1
Start on this road
48 ft·8 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto Spur 197
0.7 mi·1 min·6th Street
3
Turn left onto 9th Avenue North
1.4 mi·2 min·9th Avenue North
Use the left lane.
4
Continue on FM 1764
1.6 mi·2 min·Palmer Highway
5
Continue on FM 1764
5.8 mi·7 min·Emmett F Lowry Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Merge onto I 45
33 mi·38 min·Gulf Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 45
8.6 mi·10 min·North Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Exit 57BToward TX 249Use the slight right lane.
9
Turn straight onto North Freeway Frontage Road
0.4 mi·39 sec·North Freeway Frontage Road
10
Turn left onto TX 249
2.9 mi·4 min·West Mount Houston Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
11
Continue on TX 249
3.8 mi·6 min·Tomball Parkway
12
Continue on TX 249
8.4 mi·9 min·Tomball Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on TBT
7.3 mi·8 min·Tomball Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on TX 249 Toll
3.6 mi·4 min·MCTRA 249 Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on TX 249 Toll
25 mi·27 min·Aggie Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on TX 105
5.8 mi·6 min·State Highway 105
17
Turn right onto TX 105
0.2 mi·16 sec·State Highway 6
18
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·18 sec
19
Merge onto TX 6
50 mi·53 min·TX 6
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 6
5.8 mi·5 min·North State Highway 6
21
Continue on TX 6
1.3 mi·2 min·South Main Street
22
Turn left onto FM 979
0.7 mi·1 min·Browning Street
23
Continue on FM 979
15 mi·19 min·Farm-to-Market Road 979
24
At end of road, turn right onto FM 485
20 mi·25 min·Farm-to-Market Road 485
25
At end of road, turn left onto TX 53
13 mi·16 min·TX 53
26
Turn left onto North General Bruce Drive
0.2 mi·20 sec·North General Bruce Drive
27
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward I 35 South
28
Merge onto I 35
7.1 mi·7 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Keep slight right at fork onto I 14; US 190
13 mi·13 min·Central Texas Expressway
Toward US 190 West: Killeen, Fort CavazosUse the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Exit 287Toward FM 3470: Rosewood Drive, Stan Schlueter LoopUse the slight right lane.
31
Turn straight onto West Central Texas Expressway
2.9 mi·3 min·West Central Texas Expressway
32
Turn right onto South W.S. Young Drive
1.3 mi·2 min·South W.S. Young Drive
33
Turn left onto US 190 Bus
1.0 mi·1 min·East Veterans Memorial Boulevard
34
Turn right
83 ft·8 sec
35
Turn right
74 ft·5 sec
36
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 4 hour 44 minute estimated drive time, starting your trip in Texas City in the morning is ideal to arrive in Killeen with plenty of daylight remaining. With only one recommended stop and a total distance of 240.7 miles, you have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the estimated cost is $36, and plan your refueling accordingly, especially before longer stretches like the 49.8 miles on TX 6. This route is well-suited for a single-day journey, so you can depart when convenient.
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 120.4 miles from Texas City, TX, or about 2h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 49.8 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 53 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 120.4 miles or 2h 23m 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 52m
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 Texas City, 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 Texas City, TX
This is one driving day of about 240.7 miles and 4h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 miles from Texas City, 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 TX 6 for about 49.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 120.4 mi from Texas City, TX
· 2h 23m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.37 one way
$72.74 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg84 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$39.81
$79.62
premium
$4.54
$42.98
$85.95
diesel
$5.61
$53.14
$106.29
Estimated Tolls: $0.76
Tomball Tollway
(7.3 mi)$0.51
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
$36
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 84.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
72.2
0
$25.27
$11.55
Efficient EV
60.2
0
$21.06
$9.63
EV Truck/SUV
96.3
1
$33.70
$15.40
Gas CO2
84 kg
EV CO2
28 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.
Forecast as of Dec 18, 2023
Origin
Texas City, TX
Late night
in Texas City on Saturday
Local time
5:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Killeen, TX
Late night
in Killeen on Saturday
Local time
5:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
60°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
3 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 44m 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 Texas City, TX to Killeen, TX covers 240.7 miles and takes about 4h 44m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are TX 6, Gulf Freeway, Aggie Expressway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 120.4 miles from Texas City, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $36.37 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 21 significant decision points across 240.7 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.7 miles (9th Avenue North): Lane positioning matters here; at 9.4 miles (I 45 / Gulf Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 51 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Texas City, TX to Killeen, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Fort Cavazos along the way.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
