Trip from Alton, TX to Austin, TX

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 50m

Distance

312.1 mi

502 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$43

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min

4 AM

5h 37m ★

6 AM

5h 50m

8 AM

6h 16m

10 AM

5h 59m

12 PM

5h 57m

3 PM

6h 1m

5 PM

6h 15m

8 PM

5h 42m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Alton, TX

Mark Direen

Austin, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Alton to Austin is 312.1 miles and takes about 5h 50m via I 69C, US 281, and Purple Heart Trail, with a fuel budget near $45 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive takes you across the Great Plains region of Texas, offering a straightforward path between two points. The majority of the trip is on main highways, making it a relatively quick transit. Plan for a single recommended day, with a reasonable fuel cost, making it an accessible option for a Texas road trip.

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

156 miles from Alton, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 58m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 69C	138.2 mi	2h 31m
US 281	61 mi	1h 2m
Purple Heart Trail	58.6 mi	1h 3m
Nueces Street	14.7 mi	18m
TX 107	11.1 mi	16m
Connally Loop	10.6 mi	12m
North Pan Am Expressway	10.2 mi	11m
North Closner Boulevard	3.3 mi	5m

Longest stretch: I 69C — 138.2 mi, about 2h 31m

Traffic on I-35

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 14 FHWA count stations on your route.

Peak

3 PM

~4,203 veh/hr typical

Quietest

3 AM

~766 veh/hr

Peak-to-quiet ratio

5.5×

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 Alton, TX and Austin, TX.

Start on FM 676

102 ft · 6 sec · Main Avenue

Turn right onto TX 107

2.0 mi · 2 min · TX 107

Continue on TX 107

9.1 mi · 13 min · TX 107

At end of road, turn left onto US 281 Business; TX 107

400 ft · 12 sec · North 10th Avenue

Use the left lane.

Turn right onto US 281 Business; TX 107

377 ft · 13 sec · West McIntyre Street

Turn left onto US 281 Business

3.3 mi · 5 min · North Closner Boulevard

Turn straight onto North Expressway 281

0.7 mi · 1 min · North Expressway 281

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 36 sec

Toward I 69C North, US 281 North

Merge onto I 69C; US 281

68 mi · 1 hr 12 min · I 69C; US 281

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 69C; US 281

70 mi · 1 hr 19 min · I 69C; US 281

Keep slight left at fork onto US 281

15 mi · 18 min · Nueces Street

Continue on US 281

0.2 mi · 15 sec · US 281

Take the exit onto US 281

61 mi · 1 hr 2 min · US 281

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 23 sec

Exit 133 Toward I 410, TX 130, US 281 South Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight right at fork

0.5 mi · 58 sec

Toward I 410 North, TX 130 North Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 410; TX 130

11 mi · 12 min · Connally Loop

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 35; I 410

2.8 mi · 3 min · North Pan Am Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto North Pan Am Expressway

7.4 mi · 8 min · North Pan Am Expressway

Toward I 35: Austin Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 35

12 mi · 12 min · Purple Heart Trail

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 35

1.9 mi · 2 min · Interstate Highway 35

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 35

47 mi · 50 min · Purple Heart Trail

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 24 sec

Exit 234C Toward 6th - 12th Streets Use the slight right lane.

Turn left onto East 6th Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · East 6th Street

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

Given the 5h 50m estimated drive time, leaving Alton, TX, in the morning should allow you to reach Austin with plenty of daylight remaining. With only one recommended stop, you can decide on the fly where to take a break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $45, and gas stations may be more spread out on the non-highway portions. The 138.2-mile stretch on I 69C means you can cover a significant distance before needing to plan your first break.

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 156 miles from Alton, TX, or about 2h 58m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 138.2 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 69 miles or 1h 20m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 156 miles or 2h 58m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 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 Alton, 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 Alton, TX

This is one driving day of about 312.1 miles and 5h 50m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 69 miles from Alton, 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 I 69C for about 138.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in and county seat of Live Oak County, Texas, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

George West, TX

156 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

San Diego, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 69 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

George West, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 156 miles from Alton, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

1.7 mi from route

Flying J Travel Center

1.8 mi from route

QuikTrip

2 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

Morgan's Wonderland

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

Final third 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour

San Antonio, Texas

Hours: 10 am–3 pm

+12104955888

Visit website

Tube Chute

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour

New Braunfels, Texas

+18302214000

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~11 min detour

Mission, Texas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+19565808650

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 18

5 decision points cluster between mile 11.1 and 311.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

11.1 mi into trip | ~16m in | US 281 Business; TX 107 / North 10th Avenue

At end of road, turn left onto US 281 Business; TX 107 / North 10th Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

229.4 mi into trip | ~4h 17m in

Take the exit toward I 410, TX 130, US 281 South

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 133 Toward I 410, TX 130, US 281 South

229.6 mi into trip | ~4h 17m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 410 North, TX 130 North

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward I 410 North, TX 130 North

243.4 mi into trip | ~4h 34m in | North Pan Am Expressway

Keep slight left at fork onto North Pan Am Expressway toward I 35: Austin

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 35: Austin

311.3 mi into trip | ~5h 48m in

Take the exit toward 6th - 12th Streets

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 234C Toward 6th - 12th Streets

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$42.75 one way

$85.50 round trip

$3.48/gal 25.4 MPG avg 109 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$3.89	$47.75	$95.50
premium	$4.23	$51.91	$103.83
diesel	$4.80	$58.93	$117.86

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$43

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$68–$93

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 109.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.

Driving Electric?

About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	93.6	1	$32.77	$14.98
Efficient EV	78	0	$27.31	$12.48
EV Truck/SUV	124.8	1	$43.69	$19.97

Gas CO2

109 kg

EV CO2

37 kg (66% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

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 17, 2026

Origin

Alton, TX

Afternoon in Alton on Sunday

Local time

12:30 PM

CDT

Current temp

99°F

Mostly Sunny

SE 18 mph 1% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued July 17 at 1:26PM CDT until July 17 at 3:45PM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 17 at 12:20PM MDT until July 17 at 1:00PM MDT by NWS El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa NM

Destination

Austin, TX

Afternoon in Austin on Sunday

Local time

12:30 PM

CDT

Current temp

92°F

Partly Sunny

S 5 to 10 mph 6% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued July 17 at 1:26PM CDT until July 17 at 3:45PM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 17 at 12:20PM MDT until July 17 at 1:00PM MDT by NWS El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa NM

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

7 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

5h 50m 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Welcome to San Antonio Missions, a National Park Service site and the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Texas. Each mission in the park is a center of community and has been since the early 1700s. Th...

3 mi from route ~8 min detour Free near mile 226

View on nps.gov

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

What kind of drive is this?

This route is mostly highway, with 71% of the driving on major roads. You'll experience a stretch of 138.2 miles on I 69C, which is the longest continuous section of highway. After that, the route transitions to US 281 and Purple Heart Trail, likely offering a change in scenery and potentially more local traffic as you approach your destination. Expect a mix of highway cruising and surface road driving.

71% 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: 138.2 mi on I 69C.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 69C and US 281. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 11.1 miles in near US 281 Business; TX 107 / North 10th Avenue.

Driving Effort 9/10

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 312.1 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 11.1 miles (US 281 Business; TX 107 / North 10th Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 229.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 229.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

819 ft 65 ft

Total Climb

870 ft

Total Descent

547 ft

Highest Point

819 ft

~245.2 mi in

Elevation Range

754 ft

About the Cities

Starting in Alton, TX

Full guide →

Founded 1978

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 5h 50m. Total distance: 312.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (71%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 138.2 miles on I 69C. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — we found about 25 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 25 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

Yes — San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Not recommended in a single day. At 5.8 hours each way, a round trip means 11.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Austin, TX before the return drive.

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.

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

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Trip from Alton, 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

Rest Area

Brooks County Rest Area

Picnic Area

Service Plaza

TA

Love's Travel Stop

Love's Travel Stop

Buc-ee's

Rest Area

Live Oak County Southbound Rest Area

Picnic Area

Pilot Travel Center

QuikTrip

QuikTrip

TA

Pilot Travel Center

Pilot Travel Center

Live Oak County Northbound Rest Area

Marlstone Retail Center

Flying J Travel Center

Pilot Travel Center

Petro Stopping Centers

TA

Flying J Travel Center

QuikTrip

Austin Bat Tours

Morgan's Wonderland

Tube Chute

Botanical Gates of Paradise

The Sophienburg Museum & Archives

Barton Creek Greenbelt

Zinnia Park

Lions Park

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Alton, TX

Austin, TX

Same local time

7 degrees cooler at arrival

5h 50m on the road

National Parks Near This Route

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Elevation Profile

About the Cities

Starting in Alton, TX

Arriving in Austin, TX

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

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

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