Hill County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Austin, TX to Grand Saline, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 31m
Distance
252.3 mi
406 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$39
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 18m
★
6 AM
4h 31m
8 AM
4h 58m
10 AM
4h 41m
12 PM
4h 38m
3 PM
4h 42m
5 PM
4h 57m
8 PM
4h 23m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Austin, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Grand Saline, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Austin, TX to Grand Saline, TX is 252.3 miles and takes about 4h 31m via Purple Heart Trail, I 35E, and Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Great Plains region, offering a straightforward drive across Texas. With a recommended one-day duration, it's a manageable route for a quick getaway or a necessary transit. The majority of the drive is on well-maintained highways, making it a practical choice for most vehicles. Plan for a relatively simple transit with minimal complexity.
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
126.2 miles from Austin, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 13m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Purple Heart Trail | 129.2 mi | 2h 14m |
| I 35E | 47.5 mi | 49m |
| Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway | 17.9 mi | 19m |
| West Moore Avenue | 17.7 mi | 20m |
| Lyndon B Johnson Freeway | 11.9 mi | 12m |
| United States Highway 80 | 9 mi | 10m |
| South Jack Kultgen Expressway | 6.6 mi | 7m |
| Goodnight Boulevard | 6.1 mi | 6m |
Longest stretch:
Purple Heart Trail
— 129.2 mi, about 2h 14m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 68 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,670 veh/hr typical · worst 4,422
Quietest
2 AM
~639 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 104 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 Grand Saline, 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 right at fork onto I 35E
47 mi
·
49 min
·
I 35E
Toward I 35E: Dallas
Use the slight right lane.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
57 sec
Exit 418B
Toward I 20 East: Shreveport
Use the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto I 20
12 mi
·
12 min
·
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 20
18 mi
·
19 min
·
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Toward I 20 East: Shreveport
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
Exit 498
Toward FM 148
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Turn left onto FM 148
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
FM 148
Use the straight lane.
16
Turn right onto US 80
18 mi
·
20 min
·
West Moore Avenue
17
Continue on US 80
0.5 mi
·
33 sec
·
Houston Street
18
Continue on US 80
6.1 mi
·
6 min
·
Goodnight Boulevard
19
Continue on US 80
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
West Pine Street
20
Continue on US 80
9.0 mi
·
10 min
·
United States Highway 80
21
Turn straight onto US 80
0.7 mi
·
50 sec
·
West Garland Street
22
Turn right onto TX 110; FM 17
380 ft
·
12 sec
·
North Main Street
23
Turn left onto East Frank Street
69 ft
·
3 sec
·
East Frank Street
24
Arrive at destination
East Frank Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 31m estimated drive time, leaving Austin in the morning will allow you to reach Grand Saline with plenty of daylight. The single stop recommended suggests this is a direct route, so consider a brief break around the halfway point to stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially as you transition off the main highways; the $37 fuel cost is an estimate, so monitor your gauge. The 129.2-mile stretch on Purple Heart Trail means you'll be on surface roads for a considerable part of the trip, so pay attention to local speed limits and potential traffic. This route is well within a single day's driving capacity.
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 126.2 miles from Austin, TX, or about 2h 13m 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 56 miles or 1h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 126.2 miles or 2h 13m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 37m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Grand Saline, 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 252.3 miles and 4h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 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
126 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 56 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 126.2 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 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.
TA
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
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Ascent Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 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
Pilot Travel Center
0.4 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.9 mi from route
QuikTrip
2.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
2.5 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 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
Cultural Activities Center
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Temple, Texas
Hours: 8:30 am–4 pm
+12547739926
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 websiteVillage of Salado Visitors Center
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
3.3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Salado, Texas
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+12549478634
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 165 decision points cluster between mile 0.5 and 214.5 — 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 35E
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E toward I 35E: Dallas
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 35E: Dallas
7
184.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 13m in
Take the exit toward I 20 East: Shreveport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 418B
Toward I 20 East: Shreveport
7
196.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 26m in
|
I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway toward I 20 East: Shreveport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward I 20 East: Shreveport
7
214.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 45m in
Take the exit toward FM 148
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 498
Toward FM 148
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.63 one way
$77.26 round trip
$3.89/gal
25.4 MPG avg
88 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.29 | $42.63 | $85.27 |
| premium | $4.64 | $46.07 | $92.14 |
| diesel | $6.18 | $61.38 | $122.75 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 88.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 75.7 | 0 | $26.49 | $12.11 |
| Efficient EV | 63.1 | 0 | $22.08 | $10.09 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 100.9 | 1 | $35.32 | $16.15 |
Gas CO2
88 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Morning in Austin on Saturday
Local time
7:06 AM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy
N 15 to 20 mph
32% chance
Live forecast
Freeze Watch
Freeze Watch issued October 16 at 6:22AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 16 at 6:11AM CDT until October 17 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX
Destination
Grand Saline, TX
Morning in Grand Saline on Saturday
Local time
7:06 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Mostly Sunny
N 20 mph
5% chance
Live forecast
Freeze Watch
Freeze Watch issued October 16 at 6:22AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 16 at 6:11AM CDT until October 17 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX
64°F
Italy, TX
126 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
4 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
4h 31m 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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 104.4
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is a mix of highway and surface roads, with 31% of the drive on highways. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 129.2 miles on Purple Heart Trail, indicating a significant portion of non-highway driving. Expect to transition from highway cruising to surface roads, which may involve more frequent intersections and varying speed limits. The shift from I 35E to surface roads will be a noticeable change in driving pace.
31% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
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?
8/10
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 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 16 significant decision points across 252.3 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 (East 7th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 136.8 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 184.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
862 ft
400 ft
Total Climb
810 ft
Total Descent
897 ft
Highest Point
862 ft
~36 mi in
Elevation Range
462 ft
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.
On the drive from Austin, TX to Grand Saline, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Fm 148 along the way.
Fm 148
214.5 mi in
|
~3h 45m
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 Grand Saline, 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 4h 31m. Total distance: 252.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface 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 30 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 Grand Saline, 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 30 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 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 184.3 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 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Grand Saline, 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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