If you are planning to travel from Austin to Midland, expect a journey covering 316.7 miles that typically takes about 6 hours and 13 minutes. Because this is a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate sprint, it is best suited as a single-day trip. You should budget approximately $47 for fuel to complete the transit between these two Great Plains hubs. While the drive is manageable in one go, the local nature of the roads means you will spend more time navigating turns than cruising on open pavement. It is a straightforward trek across Texas, ideal for those who prefer navigating through local corridors rather than sticking to major highways.
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
158.3 miles from Austin, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 15m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
United States Highway 87
71.2 mi
1h 16m
TX 158
64.1 mi
1h 13m
TX 71
48.7 mi
53m
East State Highway 71
42 mi
56m
US Highway 87 North
25.8 mi
26m
West Highway 71
22.4 mi
31m
US 87
18.6 mi
20m
North Bryant Boulevard
4.3 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
United States Highway 87
— 71.2 mi, about 1h 16m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Austin, TX and Midland, TX.
1
Start on East 5th Street
417 ft·15 sec·East 5th Street
2
Turn left onto Brazos Street
357 ft·23 sec·Brazos Street
Use the left lane.
3
Turn left onto East 6th Street
1.9 mi·4 min·East 6th Street
Use the straight lane.
4
Turn left onto Atlanta Street
233 ft·6 sec·Atlanta Street
Use the left lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward Loop 1 South
6
Merge onto Loop 1
3.9 mi·4 min·South Mopac Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward US 290 West, TX 71 West: Johnson City, LlanoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
319 ft·7 sec
Toward US 290 West, TX 71 West
9
Merge onto US 290; TX 71
2.5 mi·3 min·US 290; TX 71
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Turn slight right onto West Highway 71
22 mi·31 min·West Highway 71
11
Continue on TX 71
42 mi·56 min·East State Highway 71
Use the right lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 71
1.5 mi·2 min·TX 71
13
Turn left onto TX 29; TX 71
2.7 mi·3 min·West Young Street
14
Continue on TX 71
47 mi·50 min·TX 71
15
Turn right onto US 87; US 377
2.8 mi·3 min·US 87; US 377
16
At end of road, turn left onto US 87; US 190; US 377
0.3 mi·19 sec·Commerce Street
17
Turn straight onto US 87
71 mi·1 hr 16 min·United States Highway 87
18
Continue on US 87; Loop 306
4.1 mi·5 min·South Bryant Boulevard
19
Continue on US 87; US 277
1.4 mi·2 min·South Koenigheim Street
20
Continue on US 87; US 277; US 67 Bus
4.3 mi·6 min·North Bryant Boulevard
21
Continue on US 87
23 mi·23 min·US Highway 87 North
22
Continue on US 87
16 mi·16 min·US 87
23
Turn straight onto US 87; TX 158; TX 163
2.6 mi·2 min·US Highway 87 North
24
Take the exit onto TX 158
64 mi·1 hr 13 min·TX 158
Toward SH 158 West: Midland
25
Continue on TX 140
1.0 mi·1 min·East Florida Avenue
26
Turn right onto TX 349 Bus
0.6 mi·43 sec·South Big Spring Street
27
Turn right onto Loop 269
44 ft·1 sec·West Wall Street
28
Arrive at destination
Loop 269
Trip Plan
To tackle this 316.7-mile route effectively, aim for an early morning departure to account for the slower pace of local roads and navigation through turns. Since you have one planned stop along the way, use that time to stretch and refuel, keeping your $47 fuel budget in mind for the full 6-hour and 13-minute duration. Because the route relies entirely on local streets, stay alert at intersections and follow your navigation closely to avoid missing turns in unfamiliar city grids. Having the flexibility to adjust your pace is a major advantage on this trip, so do not feel pressured to rush through the local segments. Keep your focus on the road ahead, as the turn-heavy nature of the drive requires consistent engagement compared to typical highway travel.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 158.3 miles from Austin, TX, or about 3h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 71.2 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 70 miles or 1h 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 158.3 miles or 3h 15m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 7m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Midland, 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 316.7 miles and 6h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 70 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 United States Highway 87 for about 71.2 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 6.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Brazos Street
Turn left onto Brazos Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|East 6th Street
Turn left onto East 6th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
2 mi into trip|~5m in|Atlanta Street
Turn left onto Atlanta Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
6.2 mi into trip|~10m in
Take the exit toward US 290 West, TX 71 West: Johnson City, Llano
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 290 West, TX 71 West: Johnson City, L...
6
6.8 mi into trip|~11m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 290 West, TX 71 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 290 West, TX 71 West
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$47.85 one way
$95.71 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg111 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$52.38
$104.76
premium
$4.54
$56.54
$113.09
diesel
$5.61
$69.92
$139.85
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$48
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 110.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
95
1
$33.25
$15.20
Efficient EV
79.2
0
$27.71
$12.67
EV Truck/SUV
126.7
1
$44.34
$20.27
Gas CO2
111 kg
EV CO2
37 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Austin, TX
Night
in Austin on Saturday
Local time
11:16 PM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Midland, TX
Night
in Midland on Saturday
Local time
11:16 PM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
80°F
Mason, TX
158 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
16 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
6h 13m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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.
Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park tells the story of our 36th president beginning with his ancestors until his final resting place on his beloved LBJ Ranch. This entire "circle of life" gives...
22 mi from route
~56 min detour
Free
near mile 54.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip features a unique personality, characterized by a 0% highway share that keeps you on local streets like Brazos Street, East 6th Street, and Atlanta Street. Instead of a monotonous interstate grind, you will experience a turn-heavy route that demands your full attention behind the wheel. The road surface changes frequently as you transition between local thoroughfares, creating a driving experience that feels more grounded and technical than a standard freeway cruise. You won't find long, uninterrupted stretches here, as the path relies on city-level infrastructure to move you across the state. Prepare for a steady pace that reflects the local connectivity of the path.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 71.2 mi on United States Highway 87.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on United States Highway 87 and TX 158. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Brazos Street.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 316.7 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 0.1 miles (Brazos Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.1 miles (East 6th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 2 miles (Atlanta Street): Lane positioning matters here.
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 Midland, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Sh 158 West: Midland 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
Midland is a city in the Permian Basin region of Texas. Its warm climate, friendly people, and central location are the primary reasons for the city's popularity. It is home to about 133,000 people (census, 1 April 2020) Twenty minutes to the west is Odessa, with a population of about 100,000. Nearly a quarter of a million people reside in the Midland/Odessa metropolitan area.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 13m. Total distance: 316.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 13m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 71.2 miles on United States Highway 87. 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 Midland, 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 0.1 miles (Brazos Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.1 miles (East 6th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 2 miles (Atlanta Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.2 hours each way, a round trip means 12.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Midland, TX before the return drive.
