Spanning 182.6 miles between Austin and Barrett, this route typically takes about 3 hours and 23 minutes to complete. Because the drive is straightforward and efficient, you can easily tackle it as a one-day trip without needing an overnight stay. Your journey will primarily utilize Texas State Highway 71, the Katy Freeway, and the Crosby Freeway, keeping you within the Great Plains region for the duration of the trip. Budget approximately $28 for fuel to cover the distance comfortably. It is a practical, highway-focused route that gets you from Central Texas toward the outskirts of the Houston area with minimal fuss.
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
91.3 miles from Austin, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 40m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Texas State Highway 71
137 mi
2h 25m
Crosby Freeway
14.2 mi
16m
Katy Freeway
10.9 mi
13m
East Freeway
5.8 mi
7m
Katy Tollway
3.2 mi
4m
East 7th Street
3 mi
4m
East State Highway 71
2.7 mi
3m
Bastrop Freeway
1.9 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Texas State Highway 71
— 137 mi, about 2h 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Austin, TX and Barrett, 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
3.0 mi·4 min·East 7th Street
Use the right lane.
4
Turn straight onto Loop 111
0.2 mi·19 sec·Airport Boulevard
5
Continue on US 183
0.1 mi·8 sec·Ed Bluestein Boulevard
6
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·17 sec
Toward 183 Toll South: Lockhart
7
Merge onto 183 Toll
0.8 mi·47 sec·Bergstrom Expressway
8
Continue on US 183
0.4 mi·26 sec·Bastrop Highway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward TX 71 East: Austin-Bergstrom International AirportUse the slight left / straight lanes.
10
Continue on TX 71
2.2 mi·2 min·East State Highway 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Turn straight onto 71 Toll
1.9 mi·2 min·Bastrop Freeway
Toward 71 Toll East, TX 45 Toll North, TX 130 Toll NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on TX 71
0.5 mi·29 sec·East State Highway 71
13
Continue on TX 71
137 mi·2 hr 25 min·Texas State Highway 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·22 sec
Toward I 10 Toll: Katy TollwayUse the slight left lane.
15
Merge onto I 10 Toll
3.2 mi·4 min·Katy Tollway
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·15 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Merge onto I 10; US 90
11 mi·13 min·Katy Freeway
Use the slight left lane.
18
Continue on I 10; US 90
5.8 mi·7 min·East Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90
4.5 mi·5 min·Crosby Freeway
Toward US 90 East: LibertyUse the straight / right lanes.
20
Turn straight onto US 90
1.7 mi·2 min·Crosby Freeway
Toward US 90 East
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward US 90
22
Continue on US 90
8.0 mi·9 min·Crosby Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward FM 2100, FM 1942: CrosbyUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Turn sharp right onto FM 2100
0.2 mi·33 sec·Crosby Lynchburg Road
25
Turn left onto FM 1942
74 ft·1 sec·Farm to Market 1942
Use the left lane.
26
Arrive at destination
FM 1942
Trip Plan
Since this is a manageable three-and-a-half-hour trek, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. Plan for at least one stop during the trip to break up the long 137-mile stretch on Highway 71, which helps maintain alertness on the road. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before leaving Austin, as the $28 estimate assumes steady highway driving conditions. Because this route relies heavily on major freeways, checking real-time traffic reports before you merge onto the Katy Freeway is a smart way to avoid unexpected congestion. Prioritizing a mid-morning or early afternoon departure can help you navigate the final freeway segments with less frustration.
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 91.3 miles from Austin, TX, or about 1h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 137 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 40 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 91.3 miles or 1h 40m 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 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Barrett, 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 182.6 miles and 3h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 40 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 Texas State Highway 71 for about 137 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 182.1 — 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.
6
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
5.2 mi into trip|~8m in
Take the exit toward TX 71 East: Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Toward TX 71 East: Austin-Bergstrom Internation...
7
167.6 mi into trip|~3h 5m in|US 90 / Crosby Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90 / Crosby Freeway toward US 90 East: Liberty
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward US 90 East: Liberty
7
182.1 mi into trip|~3h 22m in
Take the exit toward FM 2100, FM 1942: Crosby
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 FM 2100, FM 1942: Crosby
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.59 one way
$55.18 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg64 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$30.20
$60.40
premium
$4.54
$32.60
$65.20
diesel
$5.61
$40.32
$80.63
Estimated Tolls: $0.23
Katy Tollway
(3.2 mi)$0.23
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
$28
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 63.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
54.8
0
$19.17
$8.76
Efficient EV
45.7
0
$15.98
$7.30
EV Truck/SUV
73
0
$25.56
$11.69
Gas CO2
64 kg
EV CO2
21 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
Austin, TX
Late night
in Austin on Sunday
Local time
2:42 AM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Partly Cloudy
SSE 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 16 at 8:59PM CDT until April 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 16 at 8:56PM CDT until April 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Lubbock TX
Destination
Barrett, TX
Late night
in Barrett on Sunday
Local time
2:42 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
6 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 23m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highly efficient, highway-focused experience, as 95% of your travel occurs on major thoroughfares. You will spend the bulk of your time on Texas State Highway 71, which features a significant 137-mile stretch that allows for steady, consistent speeds. As you transition from the highway network onto the Katy and Crosby Freeways, the environment shifts toward more heavily trafficked corridors. Behind the wheel, you should prepare for a consistent pace rather than technical winding roads. This is a utilitarian drive designed for speed and directness rather than scenic detours.
95% 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: 137 mi on Texas State Highway 71.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Texas State Highway 71 and Crosby Freeway. 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 Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 182.6 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 5.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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 3h 23m. Total distance: 182.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 137 miles on Texas State Highway 71. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.23 in tolls one way, starting with Katy 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 Barrett, 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 0.3 miles (Red River Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.5 miles (East 7th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Barrett, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.
