Origin
Washington, TX
Night in Washington on Wednesday
Local time
10:06 PM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
2h 13m
Distance
109.4 mi
176 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$17
one way
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Washington, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Austin, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Traveling from Washington to Austin covers 109.4 miles of the Texas Great Plains, making for a straightforward journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 13 minutes. Because the trip is relatively short, it functions perfectly as a single-day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. You can expect to spend roughly $17 on fuel for the trip, keeping the cost manageable for a quick getaway. By sticking primarily to US Highway 290 West and State Highway 105, you maintain a consistent pace across the region. Whether you are heading out for business or a visit, this highway-focused route is designed for efficiency rather than a slow-paced tour.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
54.7 miles from Washington, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 6m into the drive .
This 109.4-mile trek is defined by its reliance on major thoroughfares, with approximately 94% of the distance spent on highways. You will spend a significant portion of your time on US Highway 290, which features a long, uninterrupted stretch of 53.2 miles. Because the route is highway-focused, the driving experience is generally consistent rather than technical or winding. Expect a steady, predictable pace as you transition from State Highway 105 onto the primary US 290 corridor. The road personality remains functional and direct, prioritizing your arrival time over secondary backroads.
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.
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Washington, TX to Austin, TX is easy. At 2h 13m 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 Washington, TX to Austin, TX is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| FM 1155 East | — | — |
| Highway 105 | — | — |
| North Chappell Hill Street | — | — |
| East Main Street | — | — |
| Highway 290 West | — | — |
| Manor Expressway | — | — |
| I 35 South | — | — |
| Purple Heart Trail | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Step-by-step road directions between Washington, TX and Austin, TX.
Start on the route
Turn right onto FM 1155 East
Continue on FM 1155 East
Turn left onto State Highway 105
Continue straight
Turn left onto North Chappell Hill Street
Turn right onto East Main Street
Continue on US Highway 290 West
Continue straight
Continue on Manor Expressway
Continue straight
Take the exit slight right toward I 35 South, US 290 West
Merge slight left onto Purple Heart Trail
Keep slight left to continue on Purple Heart Trail
Take the exit slight right toward 8th–3rd Streets, Huston-Tillotson University
Turn straight onto North Interstate 35
Turn right onto East 6th Street
Turn left onto Congress Avenue
Turn left onto East 5th Street
Arrive at your destination
Since this is a manageable drive under two and a half hours, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You won't need to worry about planning formal stops to break up the journey, as the route is short enough to drive in one go. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before heading out, as the $17 estimated cost can fluctuate based on your vehicle's efficiency and local prices. A smart strategy is to check traffic reports for US 290 before you leave Washington, as this main artery handles the bulk of your travel time. Embracing the simplicity of this direct route allows you to maximize your time once you arrive in Austin.
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.
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 24 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 54.7 miles or 1h 6m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 49m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Austin, TX than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Washington, 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 Washington, TX
This is one driving day of about 109.4 miles and 2h 13m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 54.7 mi from Washington, TX · 1h 6m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
55 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 24 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 54.7 miles from Washington, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Regular Gas
$16.53 one way
$33.06 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $18.09 | $36.19 |
| premium | $4.54 | $19.53 | $39.07 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $24.15 | $48.31 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 38.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 32.8 | 0 | $11.49 | $5.25 |
| Efficient EV | 27.4 | 0 | $9.57 | $4.38 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 43.8 | 0 | $15.32 | $7.00 |
Gas CO2
38 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (66% 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
Night in Washington on Wednesday
Local time
10:06 PM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Destination
Night in Austin on Wednesday
Local time
10:06 PM
CDT
Current temp
63°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
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.
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