Origin
Austin, TX
Late night in Austin on Sunday
Local time
1:02 AM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Austin, TX to Asherton, TX
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 47m
Distance
194.3 mi
313 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$29
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 34m
★
6 AM
3h 47m
8 AM
4h 12m
10 AM
3h 56m
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.
Austin, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Asherton, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 194.3-mile drive from Austin, TX, to Asherton, TX, is comfortably manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 47 minutes. You'll primarily navigate the Purple Heart Trail and TX 85, with a portion on the North Pan Am Expressway, giving you a mixed driving experience. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $29. Since both your origin and destination are within the Great Plains region, expect a consistent landscape throughout your travel. This route is a straightforward option for a quick transit between these two Texas locations.
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
97.2 miles from Austin, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 49m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Purple Heart Trail | 118.8 mi | 2h 4m |
| TX 85 | 32.1 mi | 47m |
| North Pan Am Expressway | 18.5 mi | 22m |
| FM 190 | 11 mi | 15m |
| South Pan Am Expressway | 10.4 mi | 12m |
| Interstate Highway 35 | 1.7 mi | 1m |
| Carter Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| East 5th Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Purple Heart Trail
— 118.8 mi, about 2h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Austin, TX and Asherton, TX.
1
Start on East 5th Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
East 5th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
2
At end of road, turn right onto North Interstate 35
0.4 mi
·
39 sec
·
North Interstate 35
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Toward I 35 South
4
Merge onto I 35; US 290
46 mi
·
50 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Continue on I 35
1.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Interstate Highway 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on I 35
12 mi
·
12 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 35
10.0 mi
·
11 min
·
North Pan Am Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
6.4 mi
·
8 min
·
North Pan Am Expressway
Toward I 35 South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
North Pan Am Expressway
Toward I 35 South: Lower Level, Laredo
Use the slight left lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87
10 mi
·
12 min
·
South Pan Am Expressway
Toward I 10 East, US 87 South, Spur 536: Houston, South Alamo Street
Use the slight right lane.
11
Continue on I 35
61 mi
·
1 hr
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
Toward Texas 85: Charlotte, Carrizo Springs, Crystal City
13
Turn straight onto I 35 Access Road West
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
I 35 Access Road West
14
Turn right onto TX 85
32 mi
·
47 min
·
TX 85
15
Turn left onto FM 190
11 mi
·
14 min
·
FM 190
16
Continue on FM 190; FM 1557
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
·
FM 190; FM 1557
17
Continue on FM 190; FM 1557
0.5 mi
·
46 sec
·
Carter Street
18
Arrive at destination
FM 190
Trip Plan
For this 3-hour and 47-minute drive, leaving Austin in the morning is recommended to maximize daylight and allow for a relaxed pace. With only one primary stop indicated, you'll want to plan your fuel and rest breaks strategically. The longest stretch without a significant change in road type is over 118 miles, so ensure you're topped up on fuel before embarking on that segment. Given the manageable distance, you have flexibility to depart when convenient, but checking local traffic conditions around Austin before you head out is always a good idea.
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 97.2 miles from Austin, TX, or about 1h 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 118.8 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 43 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 97.2 miles or 1h 49m 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 56m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Asherton, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Austin, TX
This is one driving day of about 194.3 miles and 3h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 miles from Austin, 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 Purple Heart Trail for about 118.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
97 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 43 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 97.2 miles from Austin, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Purple Heart Trail if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 118.8 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 105 decision points cluster between mile 0.5 and 79.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0.5 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
North Interstate 35
At end of road, turn right onto North Interstate 35
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
5
1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail
Merge onto I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
71.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 18m in
|
I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway toward I 35 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35 South
8
77.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 26m in
|
I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway toward I 35 South: Lower Level, Laredo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 35 South: Lower Level, Laredo
8
79.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 29m in
|
I 10; US 87 / South Pan Am Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87 / South Pan Am Expressway toward I 10 East, US 87 South, Spur 536: Houston, South Alamo Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 10 East, US 87 South, Spur 536: Housto...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.36 one way
$58.72 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
68 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $32.14 | $64.27 |
| premium | $4.54 | $34.69 | $69.38 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $42.90 | $85.80 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 68 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 58.3 | 0 | $20.40 | $9.33 |
| Efficient EV | 48.6 | 0 | $17.00 | $7.77 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 77.7 | 0 | $27.20 | $12.44 |
Gas CO2
68 kg
EV CO2
23 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.
Destination
Asherton, TX
Late night in Asherton on Sunday
Local time
1:02 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°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
1 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 47m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
The drive offers a mixed profile, with 38% of the journey on highways. You'll experience a substantial uninterrupted stretch of 118.8 miles on the Purple Heart Trail, which means you can settle in for a long, steady haul. This section likely provides a consistent driving rhythm before transitioning to other road types. The character of the road will evolve as you progress, moving from potentially more open highway to other types of routes.
38% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 118.8 mi on Purple Heart Trail.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near North Interstate 35.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 194.3 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 0.5 miles (North Interstate 35): Lane positioning matters here; at 1 miles (I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 71.1 miles (I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway): 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Austin, TX and Asherton, TX, road signs point toward Laredo, Spur 536: Houston, Texas 85: Charlotte, Carrizo Springs and Crystal City.
Laredo
77.5 mi in
|
~1h 26m
|
via I 35
Spur 536: Houston
79.6 mi in
|
~1h 29m
|
via I 10; US 87
Texas 85: Charlotte
150.5 mi in
|
~2h 42m
Carrizo Springs
150.5 mi in
|
~2h 42m
Crystal City
150.5 mi in
|
~2h 42m
About the Cities
Starting 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 47m. Total distance: 194.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 47m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 118.8 miles on Purple Heart Trail. 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 Asherton, 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 0.5 miles (North Interstate 35): Lane positioning matters here; at 1 miles (I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 71.1 miles (I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Asherton, 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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