Trip from Austin, TX to Electra, TX

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 20, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 49m

Distance

328.8 mi

529 km

Drive Score

10/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$45

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

5h 36m ★

6 AM

5h 49m

8 AM

6h 16m

10 AM

5h 59m

12 PM

5h 56m

3 PM

6h 0m

5 PM

6h 14m

8 PM

5h 42m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time

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Austin, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Electra, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Driving from Austin to Electra covers 328.8 miles and typically takes about 5 hours and 49 minutes of travel time. Because this journey stays entirely within the Great Plains region of Texas, you can easily complete it in a single day, though it requires a steady pace. You will primarily navigate via the Purple Heart Trail, US 81, and I-35W. Budget approximately $50 for fuel to cover the distance comfortably. Since it is a mixed drive, you should expect a blend of transit types that makes for a practical, straightforward trek across the state. It is a manageable haul for a solo driver or a small group looking to get from Central to North Texas in one go.

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

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

164.4 miles from Austin, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 53m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Purple Heart Trail	129.2 mi	2h 14m
US 81	103.4 mi	1h 49m
I 35W	51.5 mi	54m
US Highway 287 East	12.7 mi	12m
I 35W TEXpress	8.9 mi	8m
South Jack Kultgen Expressway	6.6 mi	7m
US 287 Business	6.1 mi	8m
Northwest Freeway	5.3 mi	5m

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 Electra, TX.

Start on East 5th Street

0.3 mi · 52 sec · East 5th Street

Use the straight / right lanes.

Turn left onto Red River Street

0.1 mi · 20 sec · Red River Street

Use the left lane.

Turn right onto East 7th Street

0.1 mi · 17 sec · East 7th Street

Use the right lane.

Turn left onto North Interstate 35

0.2 mi · 26 sec · North Interstate 35

Use the left lane.

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 22 sec

Toward I 35 North, US 290 East

Merge onto I 35; US 290

0.6 mi · 42 sec · Purple Heart Trail

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.

Continue on I 35

6.6 mi · 7 min · South Jack Kultgen Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 35; US 77

33 mi · 33 min · Purple Heart Trail

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W

52 mi · 54 min · I 35W

Toward I 35W: Fort Worth Use the slight left lane.

Take the exit onto I 35W TEXpress

8.9 mi · 8 min · I 35W TEXpress

Toward I 35W Express North: I 35W TEXpress North Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min

Toward US 81 North, US 287 North: Decatur Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto US 81; US 287

1.7 mi · 1 min · US 81; US 287

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on US 81; US 287

102 mi · 1 hr 47 min · US 81; US 287

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on US 281; US 287

0.8 mi · 58 sec · Lloyd Ruby Overpass

Continue on US 277; US 281; US 287

2.4 mi · 3 min · Central Freeway

Use the straight lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto US 287

5.3 mi · 5 min · Northwest Freeway

Exit 3A Toward US 287 North: Vernon, Amarillo Use the slight left / straight lanes.

Continue on US 287

13 mi · 12 min · US Highway 287 East

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 15 sec

Toward US 287 Business: Electra

Continue on US Highway 287 West

0.1 mi · 15 sec · US Highway 287 West

Turn left onto US 287 Business

393 ft · 9 sec · US 287 Business

Continue on US 287 Business

6.1 mi · 8 min · US 287 Business

Turn right onto North Main Street

9 ft · 0 sec · North Main Street

Arrive at destination

North Main Street

Trip Plan

To keep your drive smooth, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refuel. Since the trip takes nearly six hours, leaving early in the morning helps you avoid the heaviest traffic patterns along the I-35W corridor. Keep your $50 fuel budget in mind, and try to top off your tank before hitting the most remote sections of the route to ensure peace of mind. Flexibility is your best asset on this drive, so use your single planned stop to break up the long 129.2-mile stretch on the Purple Heart Trail. Check your tire pressure before departing Austin, as consistent speeds on long highway sections can be demanding on your vehicle.

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 164.4 miles from Austin, TX, or about 2h 53m 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 72 miles or 1h 16m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 164.4 miles or 2h 53m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 44m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Electra, 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 328.8 miles and 5h 49m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 72 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

Burleson, TX

164 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

Troy, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 72 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Burleson, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 164.4 miles from Austin, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

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 website

Cultural Activities Center

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour

Temple, Texas

Hours: 8:30 am–4 pm

+12547739926

Visit website

Forest Park Miniature Railroad

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour

Fort Worth, Texas

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+18179665509

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 website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 15

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 304.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

0.3 mi into trip | ~0m in | Red River Street

Turn left onto Red River Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

0.5 mi into trip | ~1m in | East 7th Street

Turn right onto East 7th Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

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

197.2 mi into trip | ~3h 27m in

Take the exit toward US 81 North, US 287 North: Decatur

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 US 81 North, US 287 North: Decatur

304.5 mi into trip | ~5h 22m in | US 287 / Northwest Freeway

Keep slight left at fork onto US 287 / Northwest Freeway toward US 287 North: Vernon, Amarillo

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / straight lanes. Exit 3A Toward US 287 North: Vernon, Amarillo

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$45.04 one way

$90.07 round trip

$3.48/gal 25.4 MPG avg 115 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$3.89	$50.30	$100.61
premium	$4.23	$54.69	$109.38
diesel	$4.80	$62.08	$124.17

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$45

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$70–$95

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 115 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.

Driving Electric?

About $35 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	98.6	1	$34.52	$15.78
Efficient EV	82.2	0	$28.77	$13.15
EV Truck/SUV	131.5	1	$46.03	$21.04

Gas CO2

115 kg

EV CO2

38 kg (67% 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 Jul 17, 2026

Origin

Austin, TX

Late night in Austin on Monday

Local time

12:57 AM

CDT

Current temp

92°F

Partly Sunny

S 5 to 10 mph 6% chance Live forecast

Flash Flood Warning

Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:44AM CDT until July 17 at 12:45PM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:39AM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX

Destination

Electra, TX

Late night in Electra on Monday

Local time

12:57 AM

CDT

Current temp

89°F

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

S 10 to 15 mph 60% chance Live forecast

Flash Flood Warning

Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:44AM CDT until July 17 at 12:45PM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:39AM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX

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

3 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

5h 49m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

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 ~11 min detour Free near mile 102

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

This trip features a mixed drive profile, with 60% of your time spent on highways. You will experience a variety of road conditions, transitioning between interstate stretches and regional thoroughfares. The longest uninterrupted segment occurs on the Purple Heart Trail, where you will cover 129.2 miles without needing to turn. Expect the character of the road to shift as you move from the urban corridors near Austin toward the more open, flatter stretches of the Great Plains. Staying alert is key, as the changing road types require you to adjust your driving style throughout the 328.8-mile journey.

60% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

24 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?

9/10

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 0.3 miles in near Red River Street.

Driving Effort 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 328.8 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 136.8 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

1,226 ft 487 ft

Total Climb

907 ft

Total Descent

168 ft

Highest Point

1,226 ft

~328.8 mi in

Elevation Range

739 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 Electra, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Amarillo along the way.

Amarillo

304.5 mi in | ~5h 22m | via US 287

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 Electra, TX

Full guide →

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 5h 49m. Total distance: 328.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.

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 32 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 Electra, 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 32 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Not recommended in a single day. At 5.8 hours each way, a round trip means 11.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Electra, TX before the return drive.

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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Explore more options from Austin, TX or browse trips ending in Electra, TX.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TX road trips.

Trip from Austin, TX to Electra, TX

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Traffic on I-35

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

Hill County Northbound Rest Area

Texas Travel Information Center at Wichita Falls

Rest Area

Love's Travel Stop

Flying J Travel Plaza

Pilot Travel Center

Wise County Northbound

Hill County Southbound Rest Area

Rest Area

Wichita County Northbound Rest Area

Wichita County Southbound Rest Area

Rest Area

Flying J Travel Center

Service Plaza

QuikTrip

Flying J Travel Center

Pilot Travel Center

Love's Travel Stop

Love's Travel Stop

Buc-ee's

QuikTrip

QuikTrip

Bell County Northbound Rest Area

Bell County Southbound Rest Area

QuikTrip

Walburg Travel Center & Food Court

Road Ranger

Love's Travel Stop

Buc-ee's

Love's Travel Stop

TA

Service Plaza

Austin Bat Tours

Cultural Activities Center

Forest Park Miniature Railroad

Botanical Gates of Paradise

Maniac’s Mansion (TAG’s)

Fort Worth Herd

Museum of North Texas History

Barton Creek Greenbelt

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Austin, TX

Electra, TX

Same local time

3 degrees cooler at arrival

5h 49m on the road

National Parks Near This Route

Waco Mammoth National Monument

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Elevation Profile

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Starting in Austin, TX

Arriving in Electra, TX

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Are there national parks near this route?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

Continue From Electra, TX