Trip from Addison, TX to Austin, TX

Pin this trip

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 20, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 42m

Distance

207.9 mi

335 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$28

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min

4 AM

3h 30m ★

6 AM

3h 42m

8 AM

4h 7m

10 AM

3h 51m

12 PM

3h 49m

3 PM

3h 52m

5 PM

4h 6m

8 PM

3h 35m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

Google Maps Waze Apple Maps

Download GPX

Addison, TX

Thomas balabaud

Austin, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 207.9-mile drive from Addison, TX, to Austin, TX, is designed for a single day, taking approximately 3 hours and 42 minutes. Your journey will primarily follow major highways, with about 74% of the route being on interstates, including the South R L Thornton Freeway and I-35. With a projected fuel cost of around $31, this is an economical trip. Both Addison and Austin are located within the Great Plains region, so you won't be crossing major geographical divides. Given the relatively short duration and highway focus, this route is well-suited for a straightforward, efficient trip, allowing you to reach your destination with plenty of time to spare.

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

104 miles from Addison, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 51m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
South R L Thornton Freeway	89.9 mi	1h 32m
I 35	55.8 mi	58m
Purple Heart Trail	40.3 mi	42m
Dallas North Tollway	10.5 mi	12m
North Jack Kultgen Expressway	6.6 mi	7m
North Stemmons Freeway	1.9 mi	2m
Addison Road	0.5 mi	1m
East 6th Street	0.5 mi	1m

Longest stretch: South R L Thornton Freeway — 89.9 mi, about 1h 32m

Traffic on I-35

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 84 FHWA count stations on your route.

Peak

5 PM

~4,276 veh/hr typical · worst 4,985

Quietest

2 AM

~739 veh/hr

Peak-to-quiet ratio

5.8×

busier at peak than in the quiet hours

12a 6a noon 6p 11p

Averaged across 51 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Addison, TX and Austin, TX.

Start on this road

84 ft · 11 sec · this road

Turn left

66 ft · 6 sec

Turn right onto Addison Circle

200 ft · 11 sec · Addison Circle

Turn left onto Addison Road

0.5 mi · 1 min · Addison Road

Use the straight / right lanes.

Turn left onto Belt Line Road

0.4 mi · 54 sec · Belt Line Road

Turn straight

283 ft · 10 sec

Turn straight onto Dallas Parkway

163 ft · 3 sec · Dallas Parkway

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 25 sec

Toward DNT South

Merge onto DNT

11 mi · 12 min · Dallas North Tollway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 49 sec

Toward I 35E South Use the right lane.

Keep slight right at fork

329 ft · 8 sec

Toward I 35E South Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Turn straight onto North Stemmons Freeway

0.1 mi · 12 sec · North Stemmons Freeway

Take the ramp

0.1 mi · 17 sec

Toward I 35E South

Merge onto I 35E

1.8 mi · 2 min · North Stemmons Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 35E

0.5 mi · 44 sec · South R L Thornton Freeway

Continue on I 35E

89 mi · 1 hr 31 min · South R L Thornton Freeway

Exit 426 Toward Dallas Zoo Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 35; US 77

6.6 mi · 7 min · North Jack Kultgen Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 35

38 mi · 39 min · Purple Heart Trail

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 35

56 mi · 58 min · I 35

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

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.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 26 sec

Exit 234B Toward 8th–3rd Streets, Huston-Tillotson University Use the slight right lane.

Turn straight onto North Interstate 35

0.2 mi · 27 sec · North Interstate 35

Use the straight / right lanes.

Turn right onto East 6th Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · East 6th Street

Use the right lane.

Turn left onto Congress Avenue

357 ft · 17 sec · Congress Avenue

Turn left onto East 5th Street

28 ft · 0 sec · East 5th Street

Use the left lane.

Arrive at destination

East 5th Street

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 3-hour and 42-minute drive, consider departing Addison, TX, early in the morning to avoid the heaviest traffic, especially as you approach Austin. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost of about $31, you have flexibility in planning your breaks. Keep an eye on the fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without a major exit opportunity is nearly 90 miles. Given the relatively short distance, you can easily complete this trip in one day, but if you prefer a more relaxed pace, a brief overnight stop is also an option. A specific tip: utilize real-time traffic apps to navigate any congestion points on I-35 closer to 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 104 miles from Addison, TX, or about 1h 51m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 89.9 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 46 miles or 51m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 104 miles or 1h 51m 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 1m

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 Addison, 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 Addison, TX

This is one driving day of about 207.9 miles and 3h 42m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 miles from Addison, 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 South R L Thornton Freeway for about 89.9 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

town in Ellis County, Texas, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Italy, TX

104 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

Waxahachie, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 46 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Waco, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 104 miles from Addison, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

2.5 mi from route

Austin 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 website

City Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour

Dallas, Texas

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+19724823055

Visit website

Doris D Miller Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour

Waco, Texas

Hours: Open 24 hours

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

Home stretch 4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour

Georgetown, Texas

+15129305253

Visit website

Historic Downtown Carrollton

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour

Carrollton, Texas

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+19728809855

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 17

5 decision points cluster between mile 11.8 and 207.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

11.8 mi into trip | ~15m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 35E South

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Toward I 35E South

12.2 mi into trip | ~16m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 35E South

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward I 35E South

204.6 mi into trip | ~3h 36m 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

207 mi into trip | ~3h 39m 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...

207.9 mi into trip | ~3h 42m in | East 5th Street

Turn left onto East 5th Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$28.48 one way

$56.95 round trip

$3.48/gal 25.4 MPG avg 73 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$3.89	$31.81	$63.61
premium	$4.23	$34.58	$69.16
diesel	$4.80	$39.26	$78.51

Estimated Tolls: $0.84

Dallas North Tollway (10.5 mi) $0.84

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

$28

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$54–$79

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 72.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.

Driving Electric?

About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	62.4	0	$21.83	$9.98
Efficient EV	52	0	$18.19	$8.32
EV Truck/SUV	83.2	1	$29.11	$13.31

Gas CO2

73 kg

EV CO2

24 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.

Forecast as of Jul 18, 2026

Origin

Addison, TX

Morning in Addison on Monday

Local time

6:21 AM

CDT

Current temp

80°F

Mostly Clear

S 5 to 15 mph 1% chance Live forecast

Flash Flood Warning

Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 6:05PM CDT until July 18 at 6:45PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 6:04PM CDT by NWS Lubbock TX

Destination

Austin, TX

Morning in Austin on Monday

Local time

6:21 AM

CDT

Current temp

76°F

Mostly Cloudy

S 5 to 10 mph 1% chance Live forecast

Flash Flood Warning

Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 6:05PM CDT until July 18 at 6:45PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 6:04PM CDT by NWS Lubbock TX

100°F

Italy, TX

104 mi in

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 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 42m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Waco Mammoth National Monument

National Monument

Standing as tall as 14 feet and weighing 20,000 pounds, Columbian mammoths roamed across what is present-day Texas thousands of years ago. Today, the fossil specimens represent the nation's first and...

5 mi from route ~13 min detour Free near mile 107.6

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this route, with 74% of your travel occurring on interstates. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 89.9 miles along the South R L Thornton Freeway, offering a consistent pace. While I-35 is a major artery, it can become busy, especially closer to urban areas. The Purple Heart Trail designation might offer some subtle points of interest along the way. Overall, this drive is characterized by its efficiency and directness, prioritizing getting you from point A to point B with minimal detours.

74% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 89.9 mi on South R L Thornton Freeway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on South R L Thornton Freeway and I 35. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 11.8 miles in.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 207.9 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 11.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 204.6 miles (I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

841 ft 433 ft

Total Climb

929 ft

Total Descent

1,078 ft

Highest Point

841 ft

~193.1 mi in

Elevation Range

408 ft

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 Addison, TX to Austin, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Dallas Zoo along the way.

Dallas Zoo

14.9 mi in | ~19m | via I 35E

About the Cities

Starting in Addison, TX

Full guide →

Founded 1846

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 3h 42m. Total distance: 207.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (74%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 89.9 miles on South R L Thornton Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $0.84 in tolls one way, starting with Dallas North Tollway. 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 23 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 23 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Possible but tiring. At 3.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.4 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Explore more options from Addison, TX or browse trips ending in Austin, TX.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TX road trips.

Trip from Addison, TX to Austin, TX

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Traffic on I-35

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

Bell County Northbound Rest Area

Hill County Northbound Rest Area

Flying J Travel Center

Walburg Travel Center & Food Court

Love's Travel Stop

Petro Stopping Centers

Buc-ee's

Service Plaza

QuikTrip

Flying J Travel Plaza

Pilot Travel Center

Hill County Southbound Rest Area

QuikTrip

Road Ranger

Love's Travel Stop

Love's Travel Stop

Buc-ee's

TA

Service Plaza

Bell County Southbound Rest Area

Love's Travel Stop

Service Plaza

Pilot Travel Center

Austin Bat Tours

City Park

Doris D Miller Park

Botanical Gates of Paradise

Barton Creek Greenbelt

NTER - The Great Escape

Jim Hogg Park

Historic Downtown Carrollton

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Addison, TX

Austin, TX

Same local time

4 degrees cooler at arrival

3h 42m on the road

National Parks Near This Route

Waco Mammoth National Monument

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Elevation Profile

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Starting in Addison, TX

Arriving in Austin, TX

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

How do I pay the tolls on this route?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Are there national parks near this route?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

Continue From Austin, TX

More from Addison, TX

More trips to Austin, TX