If you are planning a quick excursion from Austin to Cameron, you can expect a manageable 77.3-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 34 minutes. This drive is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. Budgeting approximately $12 for fuel should cover your transit across these Great Plains regions. Because the route is relatively short, it offers great flexibility for your schedule, whether you are heading out for business or a change of scenery. You will primarily utilize Pickle Parkway and US 190 to make your way north, keeping the trip straightforward and efficient.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
38.7 miles from Austin, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 47m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
FM 486
14.9 mi
18m
Pickle Parkway
12.8 mi
11m
US 190
6.3 mi
7m
US 79
6.2 mi
7m
FM 1063
5.8 mi
6m
FM 1331
5.1 mi
6m
Palm Valley Boulevard
5 mi
6m
Carlos G Parker Boulevard Southwest
4.3 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
FM 486
— 14.9 mi, about 18m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Austin, TX and Cameron, 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
2.9 mi·3 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit onto US 290
2.5 mi·3 min·US 290
Exit 238BToward US 290 East: HoustonUse the slight right lane.
9
Continue on 290 Toll
4.2 mi·4 min·Manor Expressway
10
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward TX 130 Toll North, TX 130 Toll South: Georgetown, San AntonioUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward TX 130 Toll North: GeorgetownUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto TX 45 Toll; TX 130 Toll
13 mi·11 min·Pickle Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 423Toward US 79: Taylor, Round Rock, Palm Valley BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on this road
0.3 mi·34 sec·this road
Exit 423Toward US 79: Palm Valley Boulevard
15
Continue on TX 130 Frontage Road
0.2 mi·35 sec·TX 130 Frontage Road
16
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·33 sec
17
Merge onto US 79
5.0 mi·6 min·Palm Valley Boulevard
18
Continue on US 79
3.1 mi·3 min·West 2nd Street
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Toward US 79 North: Rockdale
20
Continue on US 79
4.3 mi·4 min·Carlos G Parker Boulevard Southwest
21
Keep slight right at fork onto US 79
6.2 mi·7 min·US 79
22
Turn left onto FM 1063
5.8 mi·6 min·FM 1063
Use the left lane.
23
Turn right onto FM 1331
5.1 mi·6 min·FM 1331
24
Turn left onto FM 486
0.8 mi·1 min·FM 486
25
Turn right onto FM 486
14 mi·17 min·FM 486
26
Turn right onto US 190; TX 36
6.3 mi·7 min·US 190; TX 36
27
Arrive at destination
US 77; US 190; TX 36
Trip Plan
Given the modest duration of 1 hour and 34 minutes, you have the advantage of being able to leave at almost any time of day to suit your personal preference. Since there are no mandatory stops scheduled for this 77.3-mile trip, you can easily complete the drive in one go without worrying about long-distance fatigue. However, it is wise to ensure your tank is topped off before departing, keeping your estimated $12 fuel cost in mind. Because FM 486 makes up a portion of your travel, pay close attention to changing speed limits as you transition between the highway and smaller roads. This flexibility allows you to focus on a stress-free arrival in Cameron rather than managing a complex itinerary.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 38.7 miles from Austin, TX, or about 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 14.9 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 17 miles or 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 38.7 miles or 47m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cameron, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Austin, TX
This is one driving day of about 77.3 miles and 1h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Austin, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on FM 486 for about 14.9 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.5 and 25.3 — 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
4.4 mi into trip|~6m in|US 290
Take the exit onto US 290 toward US 290 East: Houston
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 238B
Toward US 290 East: Houston
7
11.1 mi into trip|~14m in
Take the exit toward TX 130 Toll North, TX 130 Toll South: Georgetown, San Antonio
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 TX 130 Toll North, TX 130 Toll South: Ge...
7
11.6 mi into trip|~15m in
Keep slight left at fork toward TX 130 Toll North: Georgetown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward TX 130 Toll North: Georgetown
8
25.3 mi into trip|~29m in
Take the exit toward US 79: Taylor, Round Rock, Palm Valley Boulevard
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.
Exit 423
Toward US 79: Taylor, Round Rock, Palm Valley B...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.68 one way
$23.36 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg27 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$12.78
$25.57
premium
$4.54
$13.80
$27.60
diesel
$5.61
$17.07
$34.13
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
23.2
0
$8.12
$3.71
Efficient EV
19.3
0
$6.76
$3.09
EV Truck/SUV
30.9
0
$10.82
$4.95
Gas CO2
27 kg
EV CO2
9 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 20, 2026
Origin
Austin, TX
Late night
in Austin on Tuesday
Local time
4:27 AM
CDT
Current temp
89°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Cameron, TX
Late night
in Cameron on Tuesday
Local time
4:27 AM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
82°F
Taylor, TX
39 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
9 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
1h 34m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 75% of your travel time will be spent on major routes. The transition from Austin’s urban surroundings into the open landscape of the Great Plains is steady and consistent. You will navigate a mix of road types, including FM 486, which features the route's longest uninterrupted stretch at 14.9 miles. While the drive is efficient, the shift between highway speeds and local road segments requires you to stay alert behind the wheel. The personality of this trip is functional and direct, prioritizing speed and navigation over technical turns or winding backroads.
75% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 14.9 mi on FM 486.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on FM 486 and Pickle Parkway. 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 Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 77.3 miles you will encounter 22 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (East 7th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.4 miles (US 290): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 11.1 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 Austin, TX and Cameron, TX, road signs point toward San Antonio and Round Rock.
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 1h 34m. Total distance: 77.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (75%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 14.9 miles on FM 486. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Cameron, TX before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (East 7th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.4 miles (US 290): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 11.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Cameron, TX before heading back.
