Traveling from Austin to Gunter covers 267.4 miles and typically takes about 4 hours and 55 minutes of drive time. Because this journey stays within the Great Plains region of Texas, you can easily complete it in a single day, making it a straightforward trip for those looking to reach their destination without an overnight stop. You should budget approximately $41 for fuel to cover the distance. Navigating via the Purple Heart Trail, I-35E, and the Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway provides a reliable path through the state. While it is a manageable haul, the nearly five-hour duration means you should plan for at least one solid break to stretch your legs and reset before finishing your trek.
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
133.7 miles from Austin, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 20m into the drive
.
Step-by-step road directions between Austin, TX and Gunter, 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: DallasUse the slight right lane.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi·57 sec
Exit 418BToward I 20 East: ShreveportUse 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: ShreveportUse the straight / right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·45 sec
Exit 498Toward FM 148Use 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
2.1 mi·2 min·United States Highway 80
21
Turn left onto TX 19
14 mi·20 min·TX 19
22
Take the ramp
169 ft·4 sec
23
Turn right onto US 69
0.9 mi·1 min·East Lennon Drive
24
Turn left onto FM 2795
0.9 mi·1 min·Lake Fork Drive
25
Continue on FM 515
6.0 mi·8 min·FM 515
26
Continue on FM 17
1.0 mi·1 min·FM 17
27
Arrive at destination
FM 17
Trip Plan
To make the most of this five-hour drive, try to depart early in the morning to avoid the worst of the congestion often found along major Texas corridors. Since you only have one planned stop, time it carefully to coincide with your fuel refill so you can maximize your productivity behind the wheel. Given the length of the longest stretch on the Purple Heart Trail, ensure you are well-rested before tackling that portion of the journey. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $41 estimate is a baseline that can fluctuate depending on your vehicle's efficiency and local pricing. Being flexible with your departure time is a major advantage for this trip, allowing you to bypass peak traffic hours and reach Gunter with minimal stress.
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 133.7 miles from Austin, TX, or about 2h 20m 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 59 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 133.7 miles or 2h 20m 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 52m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gunter, 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 267.4 miles and 4h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 17
5 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
$40.40 one way
$80.81 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg94 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$44.23
$88.45
premium
$4.54
$47.74
$95.48
diesel
$5.61
$59.04
$118.08
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 93.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
80.2
0
$28.08
$12.84
Efficient EV
66.9
0
$23.40
$10.70
EV Truck/SUV
107
1
$37.44
$17.11
Gas CO2
94 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 12, 2026
Origin
Austin, TX
Morning
in Austin on Tuesday
Local time
7:09 AM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SSE 5 mph51% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued April 12 at 3:11AM CDT until April 12 at 8:00AM CDT by NWS Fort Worth TX
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued April 12 at 2:53AM CDT until April 12 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Houston/Galveston TX
Destination
Gunter, TX
Morning
in Gunter on Tuesday
Local time
7:09 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
64°F
Italy, TX
134 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
5 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 55m 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
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 101.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a mixed drive that balances high-speed transit with varying road conditions. With 34% of the trip spent on highways, you will encounter stretches of heavy traffic and open lanes alike. The longest uninterrupted portion occurs on the Purple Heart Trail, where you will face 129.2 miles of continuous driving. As you transition between the main arteries of I-35E and the Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway, the road’s personality shifts from urban congestion to more consistent highway cruising. It is a practical route that prioritizes efficiency over scenery, requiring you to stay alert during the longer interstate segments.
34% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
27 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 Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 267.4 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
776 ft412 ft
Total Climb
284 ft
Total Descent
364 ft
Highest Point
776 ft
~22.3 mi in
Elevation Range
364 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 Gunter, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Fm 148 along the way.
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 4h 55m. Total distance: 267.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 55m 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.
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 Gunter, 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 0.5 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 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Gunter, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.
