Trip from Austin, TX to Lavon, TX

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 25, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 7m

Distance

226.3 mi

364 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$34

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

3h 54m ★

6 AM

4h 7m

8 AM

4h 34m

10 AM

4h 17m

12 PM

4h 14m

3 PM

4h 18m

5 PM

4h 32m

8 PM

4h 0m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Austin, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Lavon, TX

Jeff Stapleton

Trip Overview

Traveling from Austin to Lavon covers 226.3 miles and typically takes about 4 hours and 7 minutes behind the wheel. Because this journey stays entirely within the Great Plains region of Texas, you can easily complete it in a single day. You will navigate through city streets like Red River Street and East 7th Street before transitioning onto Interstate 35. Budgeting approximately $35 for fuel is a safe bet for this trek. Since the trip is manageable in one go, you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you prefer a slower pace. It is a straightforward, practical route that serves as a direct connection between these two Texas locales.

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

113.1 miles from Austin, TX

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

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Purple Heart Trail	129.2 mi	2h 14m
I 35E	56.2 mi	58m
East R L Thornton Freeway	21.3 mi	25m
South Jack Kultgen Expressway	6.6 mi	7m
South Goliad Street	4.3 mi	7m
State Highway 205	2.9 mi	3m
Ridge Road	1.8 mi	3m
South Main Street	0.9 mi	1m

Longest stretch: Purple Heart Trail — 129.2 mi, about 2h 14m

Traffic on I-35

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 76 FHWA count stations on your route.

Peak

4 PM

~4,101 veh/hr typical · worst 4,859

Quietest

2 AM

~667 veh/hr

Peak-to-quiet ratio

6.1×

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 Lavon, 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 right at fork onto I 35E

56 mi · 58 min · I 35E

Toward I 35E: Dallas Use the slight right lane.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 41 sec

Exit 427A Toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Riverfront Boulevard, Griffin Street Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight left at fork

422 ft · 5 sec

Toward I 35E North, I 30 West: Denton, Fort Worth, Texarkana

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 32 sec

Toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Convention Center

Keep slight left at fork

385 ft · 6 sec

Toward I 30 East: Texarkana

Continue on I 30; US 67

7.5 mi · 9 min · East R L Thornton Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 30; US 67

14 mi · 16 min · East R L Thornton Freeway

Toward I 30 East: Texarkana Use the straight / right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 39 sec

Exit 67B Toward FM 740: Ridge Road Use the slight right lane.

Turn straight onto East Interstate 30

0.1 mi · 14 sec · East Interstate 30

Turn left onto FM 740

1.8 mi · 3 min · Ridge Road

Use the left lane.

Turn left onto TX 205

4.3 mi · 7 min · South Goliad Street

Use the left / straight lanes.

Continue on TX 205

2.9 mi · 3 min · State Highway 205

Turn right onto TX 78

0.7 mi · 1 min · South State Highway 78

Turn right onto TX 78 Bus

158 ft · 7 sec · Burnett Drive

Turn left onto TX 78 Bus

0.4 mi · 37 sec · South Main Street

Continue on TX 78 Bus

0.5 mi · 49 sec · South Main Street

Turn right onto Forder Court

139 ft · 6 sec · Forder Court

Arrive at destination

Forder Court

Trip Plan

For the smoothest experience, plan your departure to avoid peak local traffic hours, as the reliance on city streets can increase your travel time. With only one recommended stop, you have plenty of flexibility to stretch your legs whenever it fits your schedule. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, keeping that $35 budget in mind as you navigate the turns. Since this is a turn-heavy route, utilizing a reliable GPS is essential to stay on track through the various street transitions. By prioritizing a mid-morning or mid-afternoon start, you can maximize your comfort and ensure a steady, manageable pace throughout the 226.3-mile trip.

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 113.1 miles from Austin, TX, or about 2h 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 50 miles or 53m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 113.1 miles or 2h 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 14m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lavon, 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 226.3 miles and 4h 7m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 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.

town in Ellis County, Texas, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Italy, TX

113 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

Jarrell, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 50 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Troy, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 113.1 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

City Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour

Dallas, Texas

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+19724823055

5 of 19

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.5 and 215.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

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 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

193 mi into trip | ~3h 22m in

Take the exit toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Riverfront Boulevard, Griffin Street

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 427A Toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Riverfront Bouleva...

201.4 mi into trip | ~3h 33m in | I 30; US 67 / East R L Thornton Freeway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 30; US 67 / East R L Thornton Freeway toward I 30 East: Texarkana

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes. Toward I 30 East: Texarkana

215.3 mi into trip | ~3h 49m in

Take the exit toward FM 740: Ridge Road

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 67B Toward FM 740: Ridge Road

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$33.97 one way

$67.94 round trip

$3.81/gal 25.4 MPG avg 79 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.22	$37.59	$75.18
premium	$4.57	$40.67	$81.34
diesel	$6.28	$55.92	$111.83

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$34

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$59–$84

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 79.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.

Driving Electric?

About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	67.9	0	$23.76	$10.86
Efficient EV	56.6	0	$19.80	$9.05
EV Truck/SUV	90.5	1	$31.68	$14.48

Gas CO2

79 kg

EV CO2

26 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 Oct 19, 2026

Origin

Austin, TX

Morning in Austin on Sunday

Local time

6:58 AM

CDT

Current temp

81°F

Mostly Sunny

ENE 0 to 5 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Destination

Lavon, TX

Morning in Lavon on Sunday

Local time

6:58 AM

CDT

Current temp

76°F

Mostly Sunny

SE 5 mph 0% chance Live forecast

60°F

Italy, TX

113 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 7m 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

View on nps.gov

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

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention rather than a mindless highway cruise. With a 0% highway share, this route relies on local infrastructure, shifting the experience away from high-speed interstate travel. You will navigate a mix of urban street segments and local roads, which keeps the drive feeling active and engaging. Be prepared for frequent turns and potential traffic fluctuations as you move away from Austin toward Lavon. This is not a route defined by long, uninterrupted stretches, so keep your focus on the road as you navigate the transition from city streets to local transit.

39% 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?

7/10

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 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 226.3 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 193 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

821 ft 396 ft

Total Climb

731 ft

Total Descent

695 ft

Highest Point

821 ft

~16.2 mi in

Elevation Range

425 ft

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 Lavon, TX, road signs point toward Fort Worth, Texarkana and Convention Center.

Fort Worth

193.4 mi in | ~3h 23m

Texarkana

193.4 mi in | ~3h 23m

Convention Center

193.4 mi in | ~3h 23m

Detours Along the Way

Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.

Cafe

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

Cuisine: coffee_shop

Starbucks

Cafe

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour

Waco, TX

Restaurant

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

Cuisine: steak_house

Visit website

Chipotle

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour

Waco, TX

Visit website

WoodSpring Suites

Hotel

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour

Points of interest from OpenStreetMap contributors. Listings may not reflect current hours or availability.

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 Lavon, 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 7m. Total distance: 226.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 7m 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 27 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 Lavon, 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 27 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.

Possible but tiring. At 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Lavon, 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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