Origin
Willis, TX
Afternoon in Willis on Friday
Local time
2:48 PM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Willis, TX to Austin, TX
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 22m
Distance
155.2 mi
250 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$23
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 11m
★
6 AM
3h 23m
8 AM
3h 47m
10 AM
3h 31m
12 PM
3h 29m
3 PM
3h 32m
5 PM
3h 46m
8 PM
3h 15m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Willis, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Austin, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Willis to Austin is 155.2 miles and takes about 3h 22m via US Highway 290 West, with a fuel budget near $23 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive is a straightforward, highway-focused journey primarily within Texas's Great Plains region. You'll spend most of your time on major roads, making it a relatively quick trip. Consider this route if you're looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B without significant detours, ideal for a single-day excursion.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
77.6 miles from Willis, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 52m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 22m. Total distance: 155.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 22m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This trip is overwhelmingly a highway-focused drive, with 93% of the route utilizing major roadways. Expect long stretches on US Highway 290 West, including the longest uninterrupted segment of 53.2 miles. While the majority of the drive is on well-maintained highways, you'll also incorporate parts of TX 105, offering a consistent pace for most of the 155.2 miles. The road character remains largely consistent, emphasizing efficient travel over varied scenery.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 27 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US Highway 290 West is the longest continuous segment at about 53.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US Highway 290 West and US 290. You will hit about 17 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 149.7 miles in near US 290.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 155.2 miles you will encounter 17 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 149.7 miles (US 290): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 151.8 miles (I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 154.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
149.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 13m in
|
US 290
Take the exit onto US 290 toward I 35 South, US 290 West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 35 South, US 290 West
8
151.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 17m in
|
I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail toward 32nd Street, Dean Keeton Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward 32nd Street, Dean Keeton Street
8
154.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 20m in
Take the exit toward 8th–3rd Streets, Huston-Tillotson University
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 234B
Toward 8th–3rd Streets, Huston-Tillotson Univer...
6
154.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 21m in
|
East 6th Street
Turn right onto East 6th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
155.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 22m in
|
East 5th Street
Turn left onto East 5th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US Highway 290 West | 53.2 mi | 59m |
| US 290 | 24.1 mi | 29m |
| TX 105 | 23.1 mi | 32m |
| State Highway 105 | 21.6 mi | 28m |
| FM 1097 West | 13.4 mi | 23m |
| Manor Expressway | 6.1 mi | 6m |
| Purple Heart Trail | 3.4 mi | 4m |
| East Main Street | 2 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
US Highway 290 West
— 53.2 mi, about 59m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Willis, TX and Austin, TX.
1
Start on FM 1097
35 ft
·
8 sec
·
East Stewart Street
2
Turn left onto TX 75; FM 1097
360 ft
·
9 sec
·
North Danville Street
3
Turn right onto FM 1097
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
West Montgomery Street
4
Continue on FM 1097
13 mi
·
23 min
·
FM 1097 West
5
At end of road, turn left onto FM 149
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
·
North Liberty Street
6
Turn right onto Lone Star Parkway
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Lone Star Parkway
7
Turn right onto TX 105
23 mi
·
31 min
·
TX 105
Use the right lane.
8
Continue on Spur 515
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Spur 515
9
At end of road, turn right onto TX 6 Bus
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South La Salle Street
10
Turn left onto TX 105
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
East Washington Avenue
11
Continue on TX 105
22 mi
·
28 min
·
State Highway 105
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on TX 105
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
TX 105
Use the straight lane.
13
Turn left onto TX 105
0.3 mi
·
29 sec
·
North Chappell Hill Street
14
Turn right onto TX 105
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
East Main Street
15
Continue on US 290
53 mi
·
59 min
·
US Highway 290 West
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on US 290
21 mi
·
25 min
·
US 290
17
Continue on 290 Toll
6.1 mi
·
6 min
·
Manor Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Continue on US 290
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
US 290
19
Take the exit onto US 290
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
US 290
Toward I 35 South, US 290 West
Use the slight right lane.
20
Merge onto I 35; US 290
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35; US 290
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Toward 32nd Street, Dean Keeton Street
Use the slight left lane.
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Exit 234B
Toward 8th–3rd Streets, Huston-Tillotson University
Use the slight right lane.
23
Turn straight onto North Interstate 35
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
North Interstate 35
Use the straight / right lanes.
24
Turn right onto East 6th Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
East 6th Street
Use the right lane.
25
Turn left onto Congress Avenue
357 ft
·
17 sec
·
Congress Avenue
26
Turn left onto East 5th Street
28 ft
·
0 sec
·
East 5th Street
Use the left lane.
27
Arrive at destination
East 5th Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a manageable 3-hour drive, you have plenty of flexibility for departure time. Leaving Willis in the morning allows you to arrive in Austin with ample time to settle in. With only one suggested stop and a relatively short distance, you won't need to break up the journey extensively. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially before embarking on the longest stretch of 53.2 miles on US Highway 290 West, to ensure you have enough to reach your destination without worry.
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 77.6 miles from Willis, TX, or about 1h 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 53.2 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 34 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 77.6 miles or 1h 52m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 47m
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 Willis, 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 Willis, TX
This is one driving day of about 155.2 miles and 3h 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Willis, 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 US Highway 290 West for about 53.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 77.6 mi from Willis, TX · 1h 52m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
78 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 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 77.6 miles from Willis, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.45 one way
$46.90 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
54 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $25.67 | $51.34 |
| premium | $4.54 | $27.71 | $55.42 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $34.27 | $68.53 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 54.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 46.6 | 0 | $16.30 | $7.45 |
| Efficient EV | 38.8 | 0 | $13.58 | $6.21 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 62.1 | 0 | $21.73 | $9.93 |
Gas CO2
54 kg
EV CO2
18 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
Afternoon in Austin on Friday
Local time
2:48 PM
CDT
Current temp
63°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
15 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
3h 22m 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 Willis, TX to Austin, TX covers 155.2 miles and takes about 3h 22m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US Highway 290 West, US 290, TX 105. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 77.6 miles from Willis, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $23.45 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 155.2 miles you will encounter 17 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 149.7 miles (US 290): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 151.8 miles (I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 154.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Willis, TX to Austin, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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