Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Abilene, TX to Austin, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 14m
Distance
220.6 mi
355 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$30
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 1m
★
6 AM
4h 14m
8 AM
4h 41m
10 AM
4h 24m
12 PM
4h 21m
3 PM
4h 25m
5 PM
4h 39m
8 PM
4h 7m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Abilene, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Austin, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Abilene to Austin is 221 miles and takes about 4 hours 14 minutes via US 83 and US 183, with a fuel budget near $33 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a single-day trip that will take you from the Great Plains region of Texas to a different part of the Great Plains. You'll spend most of your time on highways, making it a straightforward drive to get between these two Texas cities. Plan for around 4 hours of actual driving time.
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
110.3 miles from Abilene, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 9m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 83 | 44.8 mi | 50m |
| US 183 | 44.5 mi | 49m |
| South US Highway 183 | 35.3 mi | 38m |
| US Highway 84 East | 29.2 mi | 33m |
| US 67 | 21.5 mi | 24m |
| 183A Toll Road | 14.3 mi | 14m |
| US 84 | 12 mi | 13m |
| South Treadaway Boulevard | 4.1 mi | 6m |
Longest stretch:
US 83
— 44.8 mi, about 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Abilene, TX and Austin, TX.
1
Start on South Pine Street
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
South Pine Street
2
Turn left onto Chestnut Street
0.4 mi
·
59 sec
·
Chestnut Street
3
Turn left onto South 7th Street
0.4 mi
·
44 sec
·
South 7th Street
4
Turn right onto US 83 Bus
4.1 mi
·
6 min
·
South Treadaway Boulevard
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward US 83 South, US 84 East: Ballinger, Coleman
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
7
Merge onto US 83; US 84
45 mi
·
50 min
·
US 83; US 84
8
Continue on US 84; US 283; TX 206
0.6 mi
·
46 sec
·
US 84; US 283; TX 206
9
Turn left onto US 84; US 283
11 mi
·
12 min
·
US 84; US 283
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on US 67; US 84
21 mi
·
24 min
·
US 67; US 84
11
Turn right onto US 84; US 183
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Garmon Drive
12
Continue on US 84; US 183
29 mi
·
33 min
·
US Highway 84 East
13
Turn right onto US 183; TX 16
22 mi
·
25 min
·
US 183; TX 16
14
Continue on US 183; US 190
15 mi
·
15 min
·
US 183; US 190
15
Merge onto US 183; US 190; US 281
260 ft
·
4 sec
·
North US Highway 281
16
Continue on US 183; US 190; US 281
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
North Key Avenue
17
Continue on US 183
35 mi
·
38 min
·
South US Highway 183
18
Continue on this road
0.4 mi
·
29 sec
·
this road
19
Keep slight left at fork onto 183A Toll
14 mi
·
14 min
·
183A Toll Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Continue on US 183
7.5 mi
·
8 min
·
US 183
21
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Toward Loop 1: Mopac Boulevard
Use the slight right lane.
22
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
Toward Loop 1 South: Mopac Boulevard South
Use the slight right lane.
23
Merge onto Loop 1
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
North Mopac Expressway
24
Take the exit
423 ft
·
10 sec
Toward Express 1 Toll
Use the slight left lane.
25
Merge onto Express 1 Toll
3.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Express 1 Toll
26
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Toward West 5th Street
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
28
Turn straight onto West 5th Street
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
West 5th Street
Use the straight lane.
29
Arrive at destination
East 5th Street
Trip Plan
Consider an early morning departure from Abilene to maximize daylight and arrive in Austin with time to spare. With a total driving time of just over 4 hours, this is a comfortable one-day trip, so you have flexibility with stops. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially as you transition between US 83 and US 183, as services might be more spaced out in certain stretches. The estimated fuel cost is around $33, so factor that into your budget. There's one recommended stop along the way, so plan for a brief break to stretch your legs.
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 110.3 miles from Abilene, TX, or about 2h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 44.8 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 49 miles or 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 110.3 miles or 2h 9m 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 28m
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 Abilene, 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 Abilene, TX
This is one driving day of about 220.6 miles and 4h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 miles from Abilene, 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 83 for about 44.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
110 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 49 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 110.3 miles from Abilene, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Rest Area US-84 US-283
0 mi from route
San Saba Picnic Area
0 mi from route
Paramount Theatre
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, right off the route
0.2 mi from route
~1 min detour
Abilene, Texas
+13256769620
Visit websiteAustin Bat Tours
4.4
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.2 mi from route
~1 min detour
Austin, Texas
Hours: 9 am–10 pm
Visit website12th Armored Division Memorial
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, right off the route
0.2 mi from route
~1 min detour
Abilene, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+13256776515
Visit websiteAdamson-Spalding Storybook Garden
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, right off the route
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
Abilene, Texas
Visit websiteThe Discovery Center & Truth Bookstore
4.4
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the start, right off the route
0.6 mi from route
~2 min detour
Abilene, Texas
Hours: 1–5 pm
+13256735050
Visit websiteLakeline Park
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2.7 mi from route
~7 min detour
Cedar Park, Texas
+15124015500
Visit websiteBotanical Gates of Paradise
4.1
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.7 mi from route
~4 min detour
Austin, Texas
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
The Martin & Frances Lehnis Railroad Museum
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Early stretch
2.7 mi from route
~7 min detour
Brownwood, Texas
Hours: 10 am–4 pm
+13256436376
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 185 decision points cluster between mile 189.3 and 218.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
189.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 37m in
|
183A Toll / 183A Toll Road
Keep slight left at fork onto 183A Toll / 183A Toll Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
211.1 mi into trip
|
~4h in
Take the exit toward Loop 1: Mopac Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Loop 1: Mopac Boulevard
7
211.5 mi into trip
|
~4h 1m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Loop 1 South: Mopac Boulevard South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Loop 1 South: Mopac Boulevard South
6
214.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 5m in
Take the exit toward Express 1 Toll
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward Express 1 Toll
7
218.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 10m in
Keep slight left at fork toward West 5th Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Toward West 5th Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.22 one way
$60.43 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
77 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $33.75 | $67.50 |
| premium | $4.23 | $36.69 | $73.39 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $41.65 | $83.31 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.00
183A Toll Road
(14.3 mi)
$1.00
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
$30
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 77.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 66.2 | 0 | $23.16 | $10.59 |
| Efficient EV | 55.2 | 0 | $19.30 | $8.82 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 88.2 | 1 | $30.88 | $14.12 |
Gas CO2
77 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (66% 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.
Origin
Abilene, TX
Late night in Abilene on Monday
Local time
5:51 AM
CDT
Current temp
90°F
Sunny
S 15 mph
9% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 3:47PM CDT until July 18 at 6:30PM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 3:39PM CDT until July 18 at 6:45PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Destination
Austin, TX
Late night in Austin on Monday
Local time
5:51 AM
CDT
Current temp
94°F
Mostly Sunny
S 10 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 3:47PM CDT until July 18 at 6:30PM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 3:39PM CDT until July 18 at 6:45PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
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
4 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 14m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway, with 86% of the route on major roads. You'll encounter a stretch of 44.8 miles on US 83 before transitioning to US 183. Expect mostly highway cruising with some sections of surface roads as you approach your destination. The longest uninterrupted highway segment you'll experience is on US 83.
86% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 44.8 mi on US 83.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 83 and US 183. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 189.3 miles in near 183A Toll / 183A Toll Road.
Driving Effort
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 220.6 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 189.3 miles (183A Toll / 183A Toll Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 211.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 211.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,980 ft
487 ft
Total Climb
305 ft
Total Descent
1,526 ft
Highest Point
1,980 ft
~31.5 mi in
Elevation Range
1,493 ft
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Starbucks
Cafe
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.1 mi from route
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Hours: Mo-Fr 05:30-21:00, Sa,Su 06:30-19:00
Bennu Coffee Shop
Cafe
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
Austin
Hours: Mo-Su 06:00-01:00
Visit websiteStarbucks
Cafe
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Starbucks
Cafe
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.4 mi from route
~4 min detour
Leander, TX
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Hours: Mo-Sa 05:00-21:00; Su 06:00-21:00
Visit websiteStarbucks
Cafe
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.6 mi from route
~4 min detour
Austin, TX
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Visit websiteStarbucks
Cafe
Near the start, short detour
1.9 mi from route
~5 min detour
Abilene, TX
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Visit websiteIII Forks
Restaurant
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Cuisine: steak_house
Visit website24 Diner
Restaurant
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.7 mi from route
~2 min detour
Austin, TX
Cuisine: diner
Hours: 07:00-23:00
Visit websiteRoppolo's Pizza
Restaurant
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Subway
Fast_food
Near the start, right off the route
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
Abilene, TX
Cuisine: sandwich
Hours: 08:00-21:00
Visit websiteJaimes Spanish Village
Restaurant
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
Jardin Del Rey
Restaurant
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Leander, TX
Cuisine: mexican
Visit websiteSouth Congress Bat Colony
Attraction
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.6 mi from route
~1 min detour
Doug Sahm Hill
Viewpoint
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.7 mi from route
~2 min detour
Santa Rita No. 1 Oil Well
Attraction
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Petrified Tree
Attraction
Near the start, short detour
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Bee Caves Preserve
Park
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
3.3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Gus Fruh Park
Park
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
3.4 mi from route
~8 min detour
Site of Curfew by John J. Clinton
Memorial
Near the start, right off the route
0 mi from route
Twinkle Twinkle Lone Star Guitar
Monument
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.1 mi from route
Duck On A Bike
Artwork
Near the start, right off the route
0.2 mi from route
"Mesteno" - Mustang Statue
Artwork
Near the start, right off the route
0.2 mi from route
45th Infantry Division at Camp Barkeley
Memorial
Near the start, right off the route
0.2 mi from route
~1 min detour
Hotel Wooten
Memorial
Near the start, right off the route
0.2 mi from route
~1 min detour
Coleman Inn
Motel
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
1.7 mi from route
~4 min detour
Coleman, TX
Visit websiteRidgeview RV Resort
Caravan_site
Near the start, short detour
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Points of interest from OpenStreetMap contributors. Listings may not reflect current hours or availability.
About the Cities
Starting in Abilene, TX
Full guide →Founded 1881
Abilene is a city in the North Central Plains of Texas, possibly best known as the destination the fictional family of the Abilene paradox travels to.
Top landmarks
- • Hardin–Simmons University — private university in Abilene, Texas, United States
- • Hotel Wooten — historic place in Abilene, Taylor County, Texas
- • First Presbyterian Church — church at 402 Orange Street in Abilene, Texas
Arriving in Austin, TX
Full guide →“City of the Violet Crown” · Founded 1835
Austin is a city of about 1,054,000 (2026) surpassing Fort Worth to become the 4th most populous city in Texas. It is on the southeast edge of the Hill Country region of Texas, making it the fourth-largest city in the state and the 11th-largest in the country. It is the capital of Texas and a college town, and also a center of an alternative culture away from the major cities on the US coasts, though the city is rapidly gentrifying with its rising popularity. Austin's attitude is commonly emblazoned about town on T-shirts and bumper stickers that read: "Keep Austin Weird." Austin is also marketed as the Live Music Capital of the World due to the large number of venues.
Top landmarks
- • Texas State Capitol — capitol and seat of government of the U.S. state of Texas
- • Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum — presidential library and museum for U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson in Austin,...
- • Texas State Cemetery — historic cemetery in Austin, Texas, USA
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 14m. Total distance: 220.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 44.8 miles on US 83. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.00 in tolls one way, starting with 183A Toll Road. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
Yes — we found about 3 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Austin, TX before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 3 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 189.3 miles (183A Toll / 183A Toll Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 211.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 211.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Austin, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Austin, TX
More trips to Austin, TX
Explore more options from Abilene, TX or browse trips ending in Austin, TX.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TX road trips.