Hill County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Austin, TX to Azle, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 45m
Distance
205.7 mi
331 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$28
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 33m
★
6 AM
3h 45m
8 AM
4h 11m
10 AM
3h 54m
12 PM
3h 52m
3 PM
3h 55m
5 PM
4h 9m
8 PM
3h 38m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Austin, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Azle, TX
Sheng-lu Wu
Trip Overview
Austin to Azle is 205.7 miles and takes about 3h 45m via Purple Heart Trail and I 35W, with a fuel budget near $32 and enough daylight to finish in a day. You'll start in the Great Plains region of Texas and end in the same region, covering a total of just under 206 miles. This route primarily utilizes surface roads, with a significant portion on the Purple Heart Trail. Plan for a straightforward drive that's well within the scope of a single day.
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
102.9 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 | 129.2 mi | 2h 14m |
| I 35W | 50.4 mi | 52m |
| Jacksboro Highway | 12.1 mi | 15m |
| South Jack Kultgen Expressway | 6.6 mi | 7m |
| Lake Worth Boulevard | 2 mi | 3m |
| Henderson Street | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| Main Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| North Henderson Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Purple Heart Trail
— 129.2 mi, about 2h 14m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 88 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~3,438 veh/hr typical · worst 4,158
Quietest
2 AM
~581 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 52 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 Azle, 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
96 mi
·
1 hr 40 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 35
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 35; US 77
33 mi
·
33 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W
50 mi
·
52 min
·
I 35W
Toward I 35W: Fort Worth
Use the slight left lane.
11
Take the exit
1.1 mi
·
2 min
Exit 51A
Toward I 30 West: Abilene
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Exit 13B
Toward TX 199: Henderson Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork
231 ft
·
5 sec
Toward Henderson Street
14
Keep slight right at fork
325 ft
·
8 sec
Use the right lane.
15
Turn slight right onto TX 199
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Henderson Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Enter roundabout onto North Henderson Street
158 ft
·
2 sec
·
North Henderson Street
17
Continue on North Henderson Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
North Henderson Street
18
Continue on TX 199
4.5 mi
·
7 min
·
Jacksboro Highway
Use the left lane.
19
Continue on TX 199
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Lake Worth Boulevard
Use the straight / left lanes.
20
Take the exit onto TX 199
7.6 mi
·
8 min
·
Jacksboro Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
43 sec
Toward Loop 344: Main Street, Stewart Street
Use the slight right lane.
22
Turn straight onto Southeast Parkway Street
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
·
Southeast Parkway Street
23
Turn left onto Loop 344
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
24
Turn right onto Locust Street
141 ft
·
6 sec
·
Locust Street
25
Arrive at destination
Locust Street
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 45m estimated drive time, leaving Austin in the morning allows ample time to reach Azle with daylight to spare. While there's only one recommended stop, the route's surface road nature means you'll pass through many towns, offering flexibility for unscheduled breaks or fuel. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 129.2-mile stretch on Purple Heart Trail, as services might be more spread out. The $32 fuel cost is an estimate, so check current prices before you depart.
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 102.9 miles from Austin, TX, or about 1h 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 129.2 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 45 miles or 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 102.9 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 57m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Azle, 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 205.7 miles and 3h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 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 129.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
103 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 45 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 102.9 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 129.2 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.
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Hill County Southbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Ascent Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Bell County Northbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Bell County Southbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Walburg Travel Center & Food Court
0.2 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Rest Area
1.7 mi from route
Waterfall Overlook
1.8 mi from route
Rest Area
1.8 mi from route
Hill Arbor
1.8 mi from route
Rest Area
1.8 mi from route
Austin Bat Tours
4.4
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the start, right off the route
0.2 mi from route
~1 min detour
Austin, Texas
Hours: 9 am–10 pm
Visit websiteBicentennial Park
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.4 mi from route
~4 min detour
Crowley, Texas
Hours: 6 am–9 pm
+18172972201
Visit websiteDoris D Miller Park
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
1.2 mi from route
~3 min detour
Waco, Texas
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteFort Worth Herd
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.6 mi from route
~4 min detour
Fort Worth, Texas
Hours: 11:30 am–4 pm
+18173364373
Visit websiteBotanical Gates of Paradise
4.1
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the start, short detour
1.7 mi from route
~4 min detour
Austin, Texas
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
Forest Park Miniature Railroad
4.4
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Fort Worth, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+18179665509
Visit websiteBarton Creek Greenbelt
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, ~11 min detour
4.4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Austin, Texas
Hours: 5 am–10 pm
+15129746700
Visit websiteCultural Activities Center
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour
Early stretch
4.5 mi from route
~11 min detour
Temple, Texas
Hours: 8:30 am–4 pm
+12547739926
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 185 decision points cluster between mile 0.5 and 188.7 — 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
|
East 7th Street
Turn right onto East 7th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
136.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 24m in
|
I 35W
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W toward I 35W: Fort Worth
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 35W: Fort Worth
7
187.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 16m in
Take the exit toward I 30 West: Abilene
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 51A
Toward I 30 West: Abilene
7
188.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 19m in
Take the exit toward TX 199: Henderson Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 13B
Toward TX 199: Henderson Street
7
188.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 19m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.17 one way
$56.35 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
72 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $31.47 | $62.94 |
| premium | $4.23 | $34.22 | $68.43 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $38.84 | $77.68 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 72 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 61.7 | 0 | $21.60 | $9.87 |
| Efficient EV | 51.4 | 0 | $18.00 | $8.23 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 82.3 | 1 | $28.80 | $13.16 |
Gas CO2
72 kg
EV CO2
24 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.
Origin
Austin, TX
Evening in Austin on Monday
Local time
7:55 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 5 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 8:28PM CDT until July 18 at 11:15PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 7:24PM MDT until July 18 at 8:15PM MDT by NWS El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa NM
Destination
Azle, TX
Evening in Azle on Monday
Local time
7:55 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Partly Cloudy
S 5 to 15 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 8:28PM CDT until July 18 at 11:15PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 7:24PM MDT until July 18 at 8:15PM MDT by NWS El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa NM
100°F
Italy, TX
103 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
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 45m 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.
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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 106.4
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly surface roads, meaning you'll spend most of your time navigating local routes rather than high-speed interstates. You'll encounter 28% highway driving, with the longest stretch on Purple Heart Trail covering 129.2 miles. Expect more frequent intersections and varying speed limits as you move away from the highway segments. The transition from highway to surface roads will be noticeable as you approach Azle.
Only 28% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 129.2 mi on Purple Heart Trail.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. 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 East 7th Street.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 205.7 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 (East 7th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 136.8 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 187.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
859 ft
420 ft
Total Climb
1,016 ft
Total Descent
796 ft
Highest Point
859 ft
~14.7 mi in
Elevation Range
439 ft
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Starbucks
Cafe
Near the start, right off the route
0.1 mi from route
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Hours: Mo-Fr 05:30-21:00, Sa,Su 06:30-19:00
Bennu Coffee Shop
Cafe
Near the start, right off the route
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
Austin
Hours: Mo-Su 06:00-01:00
Visit websiteStarbucks
Cafe
Near the start, right off the route
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Starbucks
Cafe
Near the start, short detour
1.6 mi from route
~4 min detour
Austin, TX
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Visit websiteStarbucks
Cafe
Near the start, short detour
1.4 mi from route
~3 min detour
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Counter Cafe
Cafe
Near the start, short detour
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Austin, TX
Cuisine: brunch
Hours: Mo-Su 07:00-15:00
Visit websiteIII Forks
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Cuisine: steak_house
Visit website24 Diner
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
0.7 mi from route
~2 min detour
Austin, TX
Cuisine: diner
Hours: 07:00-23:00
Visit websiteSonic
Fast_food
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
Azle, TX
Cuisine: burger
Hours: Mo-Th 06:00-23:00; Fr-Sa 06:00-24:00; Su...
Visit websiteJaimes Spanish Village
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
IHOP
Restaurant
Later in the drive, right off the route
Final third
0.6 mi from route
~2 min detour
Cuisine: breakfast;pancake
Wendy's
Fast_food
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
1.2 mi from route
~3 min detour
Temple, TX
Cuisine: burger
Hours: Mo-Th 06:00-01:00, Fr-Sa 06:00-02:00, Su...
Visit websiteSouth Congress Bat Colony
Attraction
Near the start, right off the route
0.6 mi from route
~1 min detour
Doug Sahm Hill
Viewpoint
Near the start, right off the route
0.7 mi from route
~2 min detour
Santa Rita No. 1 Oil Well
Attraction
Near the start, short detour
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Santa Fe Kids Stop
Park
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Temple, TX
McBrayer Park
Park
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Rogers-O'Daniel House
Attraction
Near the end, ~9 min detour
Home stretch
3.4 mi from route
~9 min detour
TX
Azle Historical Museum
Museum
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
TX
Visit websiteTwinkle Twinkle Lone Star Guitar
Monument
Near the start, right off the route
0.1 mi from route
Tau Ceti
Artwork
Near the start, right off the route
0.2 mi from route
~1 min detour
Stevie Ray Vaughan Statue
Artwork
Near the start, right off the route
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
The Crash at Crush
Memorial
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Halfway reset
0.7 mi from route
~2 min detour
Hillcrest Cemetery
Memorial
Early in the drive, right off the route
Early stretch
0.9 mi from route
~2 min detour
Kyle Hotel
Hotel
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
1.8 mi from route
~5 min detour
TX
Lucky's RV Park
Caravan_site
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
2.3 mi from route
~6 min detour
Temple, TX
Vibe Taco
Guest_house
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
3.1 mi from route
~8 min detour
Points of interest from OpenStreetMap contributors. Listings may not reflect current hours or availability.
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
Arriving in Azle, TX
Full guide →Founded 1846
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 45m. Total distance: 205.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 129.2 miles on Purple Heart Trail. 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 Azle, 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (East 7th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 136.8 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 187.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 3.8 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 Azle, 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, 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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