Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Austin, TX to Paducah, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 52m
Distance
344.6 mi
555 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$52
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 40m
★
6 AM
6h 52m
8 AM
7h 15m
10 AM
7h 0m
12 PM
6h 58m
3 PM
7h 1m
5 PM
7h 14m
8 PM
6h 45m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Austin, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Paducah, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 344.6-mile journey from Austin, TX to Paducah, TX is a solid day trip, estimated to take about 6 hours and 52 minutes. You'll navigate through the Great Plains region, staying within Texas for the entire drive. The route primarily utilizes local roads, with no significant highway mileage, and is characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive.' With a projected fuel cost of around $53, it's an economical option for a single day's adventure. This trip is best suited for travelers who prefer a more involved driving experience over straightforward highway cruising.
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
172.3 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 |
|---|---|---|
| US 83 | 137.7 mi | 2h 56m |
| North US Highway 183 | 72.6 mi | 1h 18m |
| North Neches Street | 34.9 mi | 39m |
| US 84 | 30.4 mi | 34m |
| East Commerce Street | 22 mi | 25m |
| 183A Toll | 14.6 mi | 14m |
| US 183 | 11.3 mi | 13m |
| Wallis Avenue | 9.2 mi | 10m |
Longest stretch:
US 83
— 137.7 mi, about 2h 56m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Austin, TX and Paducah, 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
4.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Exit 240B
Toward US 183 North: Lampasas
Use the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto US 183
11 mi
·
13 min
·
US 183
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on 183A Toll
15 mi
·
14 min
·
183A Toll
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on US 183
36 mi
·
38 min
·
North US Highway 183
12
Continue on US 183
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
South Key Avenue
13
Continue on US 183; US 190; US 281
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
·
North US Highway 281
14
Keep slight left at fork onto US 183; US 190
37 mi
·
40 min
·
North US Highway 183
15
At end of road, turn left onto US 84; US 183; TX 16
30 mi
·
34 min
·
US 84; US 183; TX 16
16
Turn left onto US 67; US 84; US 183; US 377
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Early Boulevard
17
Continue on US 67; US 84; US 377
22 mi
·
25 min
·
East Commerce Street
18
Keep slight right at fork onto US 84; US 283
9.2 mi
·
10 min
·
Wallis Avenue
19
Turn right onto US 84; US 283; TX 206
35 mi
·
39 min
·
North Neches Street
20
Continue on US 83; US 84
24 mi
·
26 min
·
US 83; US 84
21
Continue on US 83; US 277
16 mi
·
17 min
·
US 83; US 277
22
Turn slight right onto US 83; US 277
0.1 mi
·
7 sec
·
East Court Plaza
23
Continue on US 83; US 277
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Commercial Avenue
24
Take the exit onto US 83
38 mi
·
56 min
·
US 83
25
Keep slight right at fork onto US 83
60 mi
·
1 hr 16 min
·
US 83
26
Arrive at destination
US 83
Trip Plan
Given the 6-hour and 52-minute duration, leaving Austin early in the morning is advisable to make the most of daylight. With only one recommended stop and a 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, plan your breaks strategically to avoid fatigue, perhaps around the halfway point. The $53 fuel estimate is manageable, but ensure your tank is full before departing Austin, as dedicated fuel stops might be less frequent on local roads. Keep an eye on your GPS for the many turns, as this route is designed for attentive drivers rather than passive cruising.
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 172.3 miles from Austin, TX, or about 3h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 137.7 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 76 miles or 1h 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 172.3 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 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Paducah, 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 344.6 miles and 6h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 76 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 US 83 for about 137.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
172 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 76 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 172.3 miles from Austin, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 83 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 137.7 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.
Rest Area US-84 US-283
0 mi from route
San Saba Picnic Area
0 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.9 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
Paramount Theatre
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Final third
3.1 mi from route
~8 min detour
Abilene, Texas
+13256769620
Visit website12th Armored Division Memorial
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Final third
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Abilene, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+13256776515
Visit websiteAdamson-Spalding Storybook Garden
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Final third
3.2 mi from route
~8 min detour
Abilene, Texas
Visit websiteThe Discovery Center & Truth Bookstore
4.4
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Around the midpoint, short detour
Final third
2.8 mi from route
~7 min detour
Abilene, Texas
Hours: 1–5 pm
+13256735050
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 websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 165 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 5.5 — 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.
5
0.6 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
North Interstate 35
Turn left onto North Interstate 35
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left 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.
7
5.5 mi into trip
|
~7m in
Take the exit toward US 183 North: Lampasas
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 240B
Toward US 183 North: Lampasas
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$52.07 one way
$104.14 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
121 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $56.99 | $113.99 |
| premium | $4.54 | $61.53 | $123.05 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $76.08 | $152.17 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$52
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$77–$102
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 120.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 103.4 | 1 | $36.18 | $16.54 |
| Efficient EV | 86.2 | 0 | $30.15 | $13.78 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 137.8 | 1 | $48.24 | $22.05 |
Gas CO2
121 kg
EV CO2
40 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.
Origin
Austin, TX
Morning in Austin on Tuesday
Local time
7:41 AM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
E 0 to 5 mph
82% chance
Live forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued April 20 at 10:56PM CDT until April 22 at 1:00AM CDT by NWS Houston/Galveston TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 20 at 8:24PM CDT until April 22 at 10:26AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Paducah, TX
Morning in Paducah on Tuesday
Local time
7:41 AM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
S 10 mph
18% chance
Live forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued April 20 at 10:56PM CDT until April 22 at 1:00AM CDT by NWS Houston/Galveston TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 20 at 8:24PM CDT until April 22 at 10:26AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
83°F
Brownwood, TX
172 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
6 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
6h 52m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' for the entirety of this 344.6-mile route, as indicated by the 0% highway share. This means you'll be actively steering and navigating through numerous intersections and changes in direction rather than settling into long stretches of high-speed travel. While there isn't a 'longest stretch' noted, the profile suggests a continuous engagement with the road, making it a dynamic experience. You'll primarily be on Red River Street and East 7th Street before merging onto Interstate 35, offering a mix of urban and potentially more rural road segments as you progress.
73% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 137.7 mi on US 83.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 83 and North US Highway 183. 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 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 344.6 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 0.6 miles (North Interstate 35): Lane positioning matters here.
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Starbucks
Cafe
Near the start, right off the route
0.1 mi from route
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Hours: Mo-Fr 05:30-21:00, Sa,Su 06:30-19:00
Bennu Coffee Shop
Cafe
Near the start, right off the route
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
Austin
Hours: Mo-Su 06:00-01:00
Visit websiteStarbucks
Cafe
Near the start, right off the route
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Starbucks
Cafe
Near the start, short detour
1.6 mi from route
~4 min detour
Austin, TX
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Visit websiteStarbucks
Cafe
Near the start, short detour
1.4 mi from route
~3 min detour
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Counter Cafe
Cafe
Near the start, short detour
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Austin, TX
Cuisine: brunch
Hours: Mo-Su 07:00-15:00
Visit websiteKrispy Krunchy Chicken
Fast_food
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0 mi from route
Cuisine: chicken
III Forks
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Cuisine: steak_house
Visit website24 Diner
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
0.7 mi from route
~2 min detour
Austin, TX
Cuisine: diner
Hours: 07:00-23:00
Visit websiteJaimes Spanish Village
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
June's All Day
Restaurant
Near the start, short detour
1.5 mi from route
~4 min detour
Austin, TX
Cuisine: american
Hours: Mo-Fr 11:00-22:00; Sa-Su 09:00-15:00,16:...
Visit websiteSoup Peddler
Restaurant
Near the start, short detour
1.6 mi from route
~4 min detour
Hours: Mo-Fr 08:00-21:00; Sa-Su 09:00-20:00
Visit websiteSouth Congress Bat Colony
Attraction
Near the start, right off the route
0.6 mi from route
~1 min detour
Doug Sahm Hill
Viewpoint
Near the start, right off the route
0.7 mi from route
~2 min detour
Santa Rita No. 1 Oil Well
Attraction
Near the start, short detour
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Bee Caves Preserve
Park
Near the start, short detour
3.3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Gus Fruh Park
Park
Near the start, short detour
3.4 mi from route
~8 min detour
Lake Austin
Attraction
Near the start, short detour
3.4 mi from route
~8 min detour
Cottle County
Memorial
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0 mi from route
Twinkle Twinkle Lone Star Guitar
Monument
Near the start, right off the route
0.1 mi from route
Cottle County Courthouse
Memorial
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.1 mi from route
The Gray and The Blue
Memorial
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.1 mi from route
Gober-Barron-Williford House
Memorial
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Stevie Ray Vaughan Statue
Artwork
Near the start, right off the route
0.5 mi from route
~1 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 Paducah, TX
Full guide →Paducah is a small town in the North Central Plains of Texas.
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 6h 52m. Total distance: 344.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 52m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 137.7 miles on US 83. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 4 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 Paducah, 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 4 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 0.6 miles (North Interstate 35): Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.9 hours each way, a round trip means 13.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Paducah, TX before the return drive.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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