Austin to Anton is 398.4 miles and takes about 7h 15m via US 84 and US 183, with a fuel budget near $58 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive takes you across the heart of Texas, moving from the southern edge of the Great Plains into its interior. Expect a straightforward trip, largely on highways, making it a solid option for a single-day transit. The route is efficient and direct, ideal if your main goal is to cover ground between these two points in Texas. You'll be on the road for just over seven hours, so plan for a relatively quick travel day.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
199.2 miles from Austin, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 45m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 84
104.9 mi
1h 49m
North US Highway 183
72.6 mi
1h 18m
State Highway 153
69 mi
1h 14m
Highway 84
31.4 mi
31m
East Commerce Street
22 mi
25m
183A Toll
14.6 mi
14m
US 183
11.3 mi
13m
State Highway 70
10.4 mi
10m
Longest stretch:
US 84
— 104.9 mi, about 1h 49m
Traffic on I-20
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,210 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,594
Quietest
3 AM
~203 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 31 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 Austin, TX and Anton, TX.
1
Start on East 5th Street
0.3 mi·52 sec·East 5th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
2
Turn left onto Red River Street
0.1 mi·20 sec·Red River Street
Use the left lane.
3
Turn right onto East 7th Street
0.1 mi·17 sec·East 7th Street
Use the right lane.
4
Turn left onto North Interstate 35
0.2 mi·26 sec·North Interstate 35
Use the left lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward I 35 North, US 290 East
6
Merge onto I 35; US 290
0.6 mi·42 sec·Purple Heart Trail
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35; US 290
4.0 mi·4 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 240BToward US 183 North: LampasasUse the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto US 183
11 mi·13 min·US 183
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on 183A Toll
15 mi·14 min·183A Toll
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on US 183
36 mi·38 min·North US Highway 183
12
Continue on US 183
2.3 mi·4 min·South Key Avenue
13
Continue on US 183; US 190; US 281
0.2 mi·14 sec·North US Highway 281
14
Keep slight left at fork onto US 183; US 190
37 mi·40 min·North US Highway 183
15
At end of road, turn left onto US 84; US 183; TX 16
30 mi·34 min·US 84; US 183; TX 16
16
Turn left onto US 67; US 84; US 183; US 377
1.7 mi·2 min·Early Boulevard
17
Continue on US 67; US 84; US 377
22 mi·25 min·East Commerce Street
18
Keep slight right at fork onto US 84; US 283
7.2 mi·8 min·Wallis Avenue
19
Turn right onto TX 153
0.9 mi·1 min·East Walnut Street
20
Continue on TX 153; TX 206
1.0 mi·1 min·West Walnut Street
21
Continue on TX 153
69 mi·1 hr 14 min·State Highway 153
22
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 153
19 ft·0 sec·State Highway 153
23
Turn right onto TX 70
10 mi·10 min·State Highway 70
24
Continue on TX 70
0.8 mi·1 min·Lamar Street
25
Turn left onto Northwest Georgia Avenue
0.1 mi·16 sec·Northwest Georgia Avenue
26
Take the ramp
340 ft·8 sec
Toward I 20 West: Midland
27
Merge onto I 20; US 84
6.0 mi·5 min·I 20; US 84
28
Take the exit onto US 84
0.3 mi·19 sec·US 84
Exit 238AToward US 84 West: Snyder, Lubbock
29
Keep slight left at fork onto US 84
74 mi·1 hr 14 min·US 84
30
Turn right onto Loop 46
1.0 mi·1 min·South Avenue F
31
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 207
0.1 mi·10 sec·North Avenue F
32
Turn straight onto TX 207
0.4 mi·38 sec·Ralls Road
33
Turn left onto Spur 575
0.1 mi·17 sec·East 15th Street
34
Turn right onto US 84
1.0 mi·1 min·North US Highway 84
35
Continue on US 84
20 mi·19 min·Highway 84
36
Continue on US 84
4.6 mi·4 min·Trooper Jerry Don Davis Memorial Highway
37
Continue on US 84
6.8 mi·6 min·East Highway 84
38
Continue on US 84
4.9 mi·6 min·Slaton Road
39
Continue on US 84
4.0 mi·5 min·Avenue Q South Drive
Use the left lane.
40
Turn left onto US 84
6.0 mi·7 min·Clovis Road
41
Continue on US 84
11 mi·11 min·Highway 84
42
Continue on US 84
6.0 mi·6 min·US Highway 84
43
Turn sharp right onto FM 597
0.2 mi·26 sec·FM 597
44
Turn left onto Lawrence Avenue
0.2 mi·37 sec·Lawrence Avenue
45
Turn right onto West 4th Street
227 ft·8 sec·West 4th Street
46
Enter roundabout onto Main Street
0.2 mi·26 sec·Main Street
47
Arrive at destination
Main Street
Trip Plan
Given the 7h 15m duration, leaving Austin in the morning is recommended to ensure you arrive in Anton with daylight to spare. With two recommended stops, you can break up the drive comfortably; consider stopping around the halfway point to stretch and refuel. The longest stretch on US 84 is over 100 miles, so be sure to top off your gas tank before you begin that segment. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you move into the more rural sections of the Great Plains region in Texas. This is a manageable one-day trip, so you have flexibility if you encounter unexpected delays.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 199.2 miles from Austin, TX, or about 3h 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 104.9 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 88 miles or 1h 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 199.2 miles or 3h 45m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 10m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Anton, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Austin, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Austin, TX
This is one driving day of about 398.4 miles and 7h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 88 miles from Austin, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US 84 for about 104.9 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 30
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 256.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.3 mi into trip|~0m in|Red River Street
Turn left onto Red River Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
0.5 mi into trip|~1m in|East 7th Street
Turn right onto East 7th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
1.5 mi into trip|~3m in|I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
5.5 mi into trip|~7m in
Take the exit toward US 183 North: Lampasas
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 240B
Toward US 183 North: Lampasas
6
256.9 mi into trip|~4h 47m in|US 84
Take the exit onto US 84 toward US 84 West: Snyder, Lubbock
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 238A
Toward US 84 West: Snyder, Lubbock
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$57.80 one way
$115.60 round trip
$3.69/gal25.4 MPG avg139 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.08
$64.04
$128.08
premium
$4.43
$69.52
$139.03
diesel
$5.60
$87.82
$175.64
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$58
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$83–$108
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 139.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $42 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
119.5
1
$41.83
$19.12
Efficient EV
99.6
1
$34.86
$15.94
EV Truck/SUV
159.4
1
$55.78
$25.50
Gas CO2
139 kg
EV CO2
47 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 Aug 30, 2026
Origin
Austin, TX
Afternoon
in Austin on Friday
Local time
2:48 PM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Mostly Clear
SSE 5 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Anton, TX
Afternoon
in Anton on Friday
Local time
2:48 PM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Mostly Clear
S 10 mph0% chanceLive 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
8 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
7h 15m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 80% of the 398.4 miles on major roads. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on US 84. The longest continuous stretch without needing to change roads is 104.9 miles on US 84. Expect the transition from highway cruising to surface roads to occur around the 398-mile mark as you approach Anton. The landscape is consistent with the Great Plains, offering open views for much of the drive.
80% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
47 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 104.9 mi on US 84.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 84 and North US Highway 183. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near Red River Street.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 30 significant decision points across 398.4 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 0.3 miles (Red River Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.5 miles (East 7th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.5 miles (I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
3,389 ft487 ft
Total Climb
3,047 ft
Total Descent
144 ft
Highest Point
3,389 ft
~398.4 mi in
Elevation Range
2,902 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 Austin, TX to Anton, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Lubbock along the way.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 15m. Total distance: 398.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 15m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 104.9 miles on US 84. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Anton, 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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (Red River Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.5 miles (East 7th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.5 miles (I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.3 hours each way, a round trip means 14.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Anton, TX before the return drive.
