Traveling from Addison to Killeen covers 167.4 miles and typically takes about 3 hours behind the wheel. Because this journey stays entirely within the Great Plains region of Texas, you can easily complete the trip in a single day. You should budget approximately $25 for fuel to cover the distance. Since the route relies on local roads like Belt Line Road and Addison Road rather than major interstates, it offers a hands-on driving experience that differs from a standard highway commute. This drive is best suited as a straightforward day trip, providing enough flexibility to head out in the morning and reach your destination by midday without needing an overnight stay.
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
83.7 miles from Addison, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 30m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
South R L Thornton Freeway
89.9 mi
1h 32m
Purple Heart Trail
37.9 mi
39m
Central Texas Expressway
13.1 mi
13m
Dallas North Tollway
10.5 mi
12m
North Jack Kultgen Expressway
6.6 mi
7m
West Central Texas Expressway
2.9 mi
3m
North Stemmons Freeway
1.9 mi
2m
South W.S. Young Drive
1.3 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
South R L Thornton Freeway
— 89.9 mi, about 1h 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Addison, TX and Killeen, TX.
1
Start on this road
84 ft·11 sec·this road
2
Turn left
66 ft·6 sec
3
Turn right onto Addison Circle
200 ft·11 sec·Addison Circle
4
Turn left onto Addison Road
0.5 mi·1 min·Addison Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Turn left onto Belt Line Road
0.4 mi·54 sec·Belt Line Road
6
Turn straight
283 ft·10 sec
7
Turn straight onto Dallas Parkway
163 ft·3 sec·Dallas Parkway
8
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·25 sec
Toward DNT South
9
Merge onto DNT
11 mi·12 min·Dallas North Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·49 sec
Toward I 35E SouthUse the right lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork
329 ft·8 sec
Toward I 35E SouthUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
12
Turn straight onto North Stemmons Freeway
0.1 mi·12 sec·North Stemmons Freeway
13
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·17 sec
Toward I 35E South
14
Merge onto I 35E
1.8 mi·2 min·North Stemmons Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I 35E
0.5 mi·44 sec·South R L Thornton Freeway
16
Continue on I 35E
89 mi·1 hr 31 min·South R L Thornton Freeway
Exit 426Toward Dallas ZooUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on I 35; US 77
6.6 mi·7 min·North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on I 35
38 mi·39 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
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.
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Exit 287Toward FM 3470: Rosewood Drive, Stan Schlueter LoopUse the slight right lane.
21
Turn straight onto West Central Texas Expressway
2.9 mi·3 min·West Central Texas Expressway
22
Turn right onto South W.S. Young Drive
1.3 mi·2 min·South W.S. Young Drive
23
Turn left onto US 190 Bus
1.0 mi·1 min·East Veterans Memorial Boulevard
24
Turn right
83 ft·8 sec
25
Turn right
74 ft·5 sec
26
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 167.4-mile trek, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and break up the turn-heavy nature of the route. Since you are staying off the highways, keep a close eye on your navigation to ensure you don't miss any turns on the local roads that make up the bulk of your path. Leaving during off-peak hours is highly recommended to avoid local congestion on Belt Line Road and other primary streets. With a fuel budget of $25, filling up before you leave Addison will ensure you have plenty of range to reach Killeen without worry. Remember that this route's lack of highway time means you should prioritize comfort in your vehicle, as you will be actively steering for the entire duration.
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 83.7 miles from Addison, TX, or about 1h 30m 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 37 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 83.7 miles or 1h 30m 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 26m
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 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 167.4 miles and 3h.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 161.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Addison Road
Turn left onto Addison Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
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
7
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
8
148.8 mi into trip|~2h 38m 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
161.8 mi into trip|~2h 51m 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...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.29 one way
$50.59 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg59 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$27.69
$55.37
premium
$4.54
$29.89
$59.78
diesel
$5.61
$36.96
$73.92
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
$25
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
50.2
0
$17.58
$8.04
Efficient EV
41.9
0
$14.65
$6.70
EV Truck/SUV
67
0
$23.44
$10.71
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Addison, TX
Late night
in Addison on Sunday
Local time
2:30 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Killeen, TX
Late night
in Killeen on Sunday
Local time
2:30 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
12 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 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.
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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 103.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate grind, as this route maintains a 0% highway share. You will navigate through local thoroughfares like Addison Circle, Addison Road, and Belt Line Road, which keeps your focus sharp throughout the 3-hour duration. Because the longest uninterrupted stretch is 0 miles on Addison Circle, you should prepare for a drive that requires constant attention to turns and neighborhood traffic patterns. This path avoids the high-speed, repetitive nature of major highways, offering a more technical and engaged experience as you transition from the Addison area toward Killeen.
68% 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?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on South R L Thornton Freeway and Purple Heart Trail. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Addison Road.
Driving Effort9/10
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 16 significant decision points across 167.4 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 0.1 miles (Addison Road): Lane positioning matters here; 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Addison, TX and Killeen, TX, road signs point toward Dallas Zoo and Fort Cavazos.
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 3h. Total distance: 167.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h drive, comfortable solo distance.
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.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Killeen, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Addison Road): Lane positioning matters here; 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.
Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Killeen, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.
