Austin, TX to Hideaway, TX is 235.9 miles and takes about 4h 28m via Purple Heart Trail and State Highway 31, with a fuel budget near $34 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 trip, you'll find it's a practical route for getting from point A to point B without extensive detours. Plan for a mixed driving experience, transitioning from highway stretches to more local roads as you approach your destination.
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
118 miles from Austin, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 8m into the drive
.
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 60 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~3,856 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,540
Quietest
2 AM
~668 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
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 Hideaway, 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
6.0 mi·6 min·South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·28 sec
Exit 338Toward US 84: Waco Drive, Bellmead DriveUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Turn straight onto North Jack Kultgen Expressway
0.3 mi·30 sec·North Jack Kultgen Expressway
11
Turn right onto US 84
0.3 mi·52 sec·East Waco Drive
12
Continue on US 84
2.6 mi·4 min·Bellmead Drive
13
Continue on US 84
2.7 mi·3 min·East US Highway 84
14
Continue on TX 31
17 mi·17 min·State Highway 31
15
Continue on TX 31
5.3 mi·5 min·Hubbard Bypass
16
Continue on TX 31
19 mi·21 min·State Highway 31
17
Turn right onto TX 31
12 mi·13 min·Corsicana Bypass
Use the straight lane.
18
Turn right onto TX 31
9.3 mi·10 min·East State Highway 31
19
Continue on TX 31
9.9 mi·11 min·Northeast 2nd Street
20
Continue on TX 31
5.3 mi·6 min·West Royall Boulevard
21
Continue on TX 31
4.1 mi·4 min·State Highway 31 West
22
Turn left onto TX 31
0.2 mi·34 sec·TX 31
23
Merge onto TX 31; Loop 7
6.2 mi·7 min·Jed Robinson Loop
24
Take the exit onto TX 31
0.3 mi·46 sec·TX 31
25
Turn left onto TX 31
21 mi·24 min·State Highway 31 East
26
Continue on TX 31
2.0 mi·2 min·West Highway 31
27
Continue on TX 31
2.5 mi·3 min·State Highway 31 West
28
Turn left
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward Loop 49 Toll North
29
Merge onto Toll 49
8.7 mi·9 min·Toll 49
30
Take the exit
0.6 mi·53 sec
Toward I 20: Dallas, Shreveport
31
Continue on Loop 49
411 ft·14 sec·Loop 49
32
Turn left onto Interstate 20 West
293 ft·10 sec·Interstate 20 West
33
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·48 sec
Toward I 20 West
34
Merge onto I 20
0.2 mi·11 sec·I 20
35
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward FM 849Use the right lane.
36
Continue on Interstate 20 West
0.3 mi·59 sec·Interstate 20 West
37
Turn right onto Hide-A-Way Lane Central
1.1 mi·4 min·Hide-A-Way Lane Central
38
Keep slight right at fork onto Hide-A-Way Lane Central
0.6 mi·2 min·Hide-A-Way Lane Central
39
Arrive at destination
Hide-A-Way Lane Central
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 28m estimated drive time, starting in the morning from Austin allows ample time to reach Hideaway, TX within daylight hours. The single recommended stop suggests you can comfortably complete this drive in one day. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially during the 96.1-mile stretch on Purple Heart Trail, as services might be less frequent. For this manageable distance, you have the flexibility to depart when it suits you best, perhaps after morning traffic has cleared. Ensure you're prepared for the shift from highway to surface roads as you near your destination.
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 118 miles from Austin, TX, or about 2h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 96.1 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 52 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 118 miles or 2h 8m 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 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hideaway, 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 235.9 miles and 4h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 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 96.1 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 24
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 233.7 — 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.
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.
6
1.5 mi into trip|~3m in|I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
103.1 mi into trip|~1h 50m in
Take the exit toward US 84: Waco Drive, Bellmead Drive
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 338
Toward US 84: Waco Drive, Bellmead Drive
7
233.7 mi into trip|~4h 20m in
Take the exit toward FM 849
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward FM 849
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.12 one way
$72.24 round trip
$3.89/gal25.4 MPG avg83 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.29
$39.86
$79.72
premium
$4.64
$43.07
$86.15
diesel
$6.18
$57.39
$114.77
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 82.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
70.8
0
$24.77
$11.32
Efficient EV
59
0
$20.64
$9.44
EV Truck/SUV
94.4
1
$33.03
$15.10
Gas CO2
83 kg
EV CO2
28 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.
Forecast as of Oct 17, 2026
Origin
Austin, TX
Morning
in Austin on Sunday
Local time
7:35 AM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Sunny
NNE 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued October 17 at 6:53AM CDT until October 17 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 17 at 3:25AM CDT until October 18 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX
Destination
Hideaway, TX
Morning
in Hideaway on Sunday
Local time
7:35 AM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Sunny
N 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued October 17 at 6:53AM CDT until October 17 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 17 at 3:25AM CDT until October 18 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX
65°F
Italy, TX
118 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
2 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 28m 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
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 105.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
About 36% of this 235.9-mile drive is on highways. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 96.1 miles on Purple Heart Trail, likely offering more continuous cruising. The route transitions to State Highway 31, indicating a shift from higher-speed highway travel to surface roads with more local traffic and potential for exits. Expect a mixed profile, moving from easier highway driving to more varied road conditions.
36% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
39 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 96.1 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 Effort9/10
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 24 significant decision points across 235.9 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 1.5 miles (I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
818 ft344 ft
Total Climb
792 ft
Total Descent
821 ft
Highest Point
818 ft
~16.9 mi in
Elevation Range
474 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 Hideaway, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Loop 49 Toll North 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 28m. Total distance: 235.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 28m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 96.1 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 Hideaway, 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 1.5 miles (I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Hideaway, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.
