Trip from Angleton, TX to Austin, TX

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 46m

Distance

200.1 mi

322 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$30

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min

4 AM

3h 34m ★

6 AM

3h 46m

8 AM

4h 12m

10 AM

3h 55m

12 PM

3h 53m

3 PM

3h 57m

5 PM

4h 11m

8 PM

3h 39m

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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city in and county seat of Brazoria County, Texas, United States

Angleton, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Austin, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 200.1-mile drive from Angleton, TX to Austin, TX is a manageable one-day trip, typically taking around 3 hours and 46 minutes. The route is heavily focused on highways, with 86% of the journey on these faster roads, making it an efficient way to travel between these two points within the Great Plains region of Texas. You can expect a fuel cost of approximately $30 for this stretch. The primary roads guiding you will be TX 71, the Katy Freeway, and Nolan Ryan Expressway. Given the relatively short duration and highway-centric profile, this drive is well-suited for a single-day excursion, allowing for flexibility in your departure and arrival times.

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

100 miles from Angleton, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 56m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
TX 71	77.7 mi	1h 22m
Katy Freeway	60.9 mi	1h 4m
Nolan Ryan Expressway	17.8 mi	20m
South Sam Houston Tollway West	10.3 mi	11m
West Sam Houston Tollway South	7 mi	7m
Brazoria County Expressway	5.5 mi	6m
North Velasco Street	3.6 mi	5m
East 7th Street	2.8 mi	4m

Longest stretch: TX 71 — 77.7 mi, about 1h 22m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on TX 288 Bus

0.5 mi · 54 sec · North Velasco Street

At end of road, turn left onto TX 288 Bus

3.1 mi · 4 min · North Velasco Street

Continue on TX 288 Bus

2.8 mi · 4 min · North Business State Highway 288

Take the ramp

0.5 mi · 1 min

Toward TX 288 North: Houston

Merge onto TX 288

18 mi · 20 min · Nolan Ryan Expressway

Continue on TX 288

0.1 mi · 7 sec · South Freeway

Keep slight left at fork onto TX 288 Toll

5.1 mi · 5 min · Brazoria County Expressway

Take the exit onto Brazoria County Expressway

0.4 mi · 30 sec · Brazoria County Expressway

Toward SHT West, SHT East: Sam Houston Tollway Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

1.0 mi · 2 min

Toward SHT West: Sam Houston Tollway Use the slight left lane.

Merge onto SHT

10 mi · 11 min · South Sam Houston Tollway West

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on BW 8

1.9 mi · 2 min · South Sam Houston Parkway West

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on SHT

7.0 mi · 7 min · West Sam Houston Tollway South

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 40 sec

Toward I 10 West, I 10 East: San Antonio, Downtown Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight left at fork

1.0 mi · 2 min

Toward I 10 West: San Antonio Use the slight left lane.

Merge onto I 10; US 90

61 mi · 1 hr 4 min · Katy Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit onto TX 71

0.5 mi · 33 sec · TX 71

Toward TX 71 West: La Grange, Austin

Keep slight left at fork onto TX 71

77 mi · 1 hr 22 min · TX 71

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on 71 Toll

1.9 mi · 2 min · Bastrop Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on TX 71

2.2 mi · 2 min · East State Highway 71

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min

Toward US 183 North, 183 Toll North: Lampasas Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto US 183

0.4 mi · 26 sec · Bastrop Highway

Continue on 183 Toll

0.7 mi · 40 sec · Bergstrom Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 54 sec

Toward Loop 111: Cesar Chavez Street, 5th Street, 6th Street, 7th Street, Airport Boulevard Use the right lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto East 7th Street

2.8 mi · 4 min · East 7th Street

Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Turn left onto Brushy Street

352 ft · 17 sec · Brushy Street

Turn right onto East 6th Street

0.6 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

With a total duration of about 3 hours and 46 minutes for this 200.1-mile journey, you have the flexibility to leave Angleton, TX, at your convenience. Consider an early start to maximize your time in Austin, TX, or a mid-morning departure to ease into the drive. The route has only one recommended stop, but with a longest stretch of 77.7 miles on TX 71, plan your fuel and rest breaks accordingly, especially given the $30 estimated fuel cost. Keep an eye on traffic conditions as you approach the Austin metropolitan area, as congestion can impact travel time.

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 100 miles from Angleton, TX, or about 1h 56m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 77.7 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 44 miles or 54m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 100 miles or 1h 56m 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 4m

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 Angleton, 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 Angleton, TX

This is one driving day of about 200.1 miles and 3h 46m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 miles from Angleton, 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 TX 71 for about 77.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in Colorado County, Texas, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Columbus, TX

100 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

Missouri City, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 44 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Sugar Land, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 100 miles from Angleton, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before TX 71 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 77.7 miles.

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.

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

Brazoria County Historical Museum

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0 mi from route

Angleton, Texas

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+19798641208

Visit website

Freedom Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour

Angleton, Texas

Hours: 5 am–2 pm

+19792484317

Visit website

Botanical 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

Barton Creek Greenbelt

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

Home stretch 4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour

Austin, Texas

Hours: 5 am–10 pm

+15129746700

Visit website

Katy Heritage Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

Early stretch 4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour

Katy, Texas

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+12813914840

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 20

5 decision points cluster between mile 29.9 and 194.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

29.9 mi into trip | ~37m in | Brazoria County Expressway

Take the exit onto Brazoria County Expressway toward SHT West, SHT East: Sam Houston Tollway

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward SHT West, SHT East: Sam Houston Tollway

30.3 mi into trip | ~37m in

Keep slight left at fork toward SHT West: Sam Houston Tollway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Toward SHT West: Sam Houston Tollway

50.5 mi into trip | ~1h 2m in

Take the exit toward I 10 West, I 10 East: San Antonio, Downtown

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 10 West, I 10 East: San Antonio, Downt...

50.8 mi into trip | ~1h 2m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 10 West: San Antonio

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Toward I 10 West: San Antonio

194.5 mi into trip | ~3h 36m in

Take the exit toward US 183 North, 183 Toll North: Lampasas

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward US 183 North, 183 Toll North: Lampasas

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$30.24 one way

$60.47 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 70 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.20	$33.10	$66.19
premium	$4.54	$35.73	$71.45
diesel	$5.61	$44.18	$88.36

Estimated Tolls: $1.39

Sam Houston Tollway (17.3 mi) $1.39

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

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$57–$82

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 70 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	60	0	$21.01	$9.60
Efficient EV	50	0	$17.51	$8.00
EV Truck/SUV	80	1	$28.01	$12.81

Gas CO2

70 kg

EV CO2

23 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 Apr 17, 2026

Origin

Angleton, TX

Late night in Angleton on Tuesday

Local time

3:06 AM

CDT

Current temp

84°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Austin, TX

Late night in Austin on Tuesday

Local time

3:06 AM

CDT

Current temp

70°F

Partly Cloudy

SSE 5 to 10 mph 0% chance Live forecast

86°F

Columbus, TX

100 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

14 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 46m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a highway-focused experience for most of this 200.1-mile trip, with 86% of the mileage on faster roads like TX 71, Katy Freeway, and Nolan Ryan Expressway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 77.7 miles on TX 71, offering a consistent pace. This profile suggests a drive characterized by efficient travel rather than winding backroads. While the specific scenery isn't detailed, the highway-centric nature implies you'll be covering ground quickly, with the road primarily designed for smooth, high-speed transit.

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: 77.7 mi on TX 71.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on TX 71 and Katy Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 29.9 miles in near Brazoria County Expressway.

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 20 significant decision points across 200.1 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 29.9 miles (Brazoria County Expressway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 30.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 50.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Angleton, TX and Austin, TX, road signs point toward Sht West, Sht East: Sam Houston Tollway, Sht West: Sam Houston Tollway and Downtown.

Sht West

29.9 mi in | ~37m | via Brazoria County Expressway

Sht East: Sam Houston Tollway

29.9 mi in | ~37m | via Brazoria County Expressway

Sht West: Sam Houston Tollway

30.3 mi in | ~37m

Downtown

50.5 mi in | ~1h 2m

About the Cities

Starting in Angleton, TX

Full guide →

Top landmarks

• Old Brazoria County Courthouse — historic place in Angleton, Brazoria County, 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 3h 46m. Total distance: 200.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 46m 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 77.7 miles on TX 71. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $1.39 in tolls one way, starting with Sam Houston 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 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

Possible but tiring. At 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.5 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Trip from Angleton, TX to Austin, TX

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

Austin Bat Tours

Brazoria County Historical Museum

Freedom Park

Botanical Gates of Paradise

Barton Creek Greenbelt

Katy Heritage Park

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Angleton, TX

Austin, TX

Same local time

14 degrees cooler at arrival

3h 46m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Starting in Angleton, 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?

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

How this page is built

Explore More

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