Trip from Austin, TX to Pecos, TX

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

6h 49m

Distance

389.8 mi

627 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$58

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min

4 AM

6h 38m ★

6 AM

6h 50m

8 AM

7h 13m

10 AM

6h 58m

12 PM

6h 56m

3 PM

6h 59m

5 PM

7h 12m

8 PM

6h 43m

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

Best Time

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Austin, TX

Wikimedia Commons

city in and county seat of Reeves County, Texas, United States

Pecos, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Austin, TX to Pecos, TX is 389.8 miles and takes about 6h 49m via I 10 and US 290/285, with a fuel budget near $57 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily stays within the Great Plains region, offering a consistent, mostly flat landscape. Most of the route is on major highways, making it a straightforward trip. Consider this an efficient way to cover ground across Texas if you're looking for a direct path.

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

194.9 miles from Austin, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 36m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 10	219.9 mi	3h 26m
West US Highway 290	96.7 mi	1h 50m
North US Highway 285	50.7 mi	57m
South US Highway 281	5.4 mi	6m
East Main Street	4.6 mi	9m
South Mopac Expressway	3.9 mi	4m
US 290	3.7 mi	4m
East 6th Street	1.9 mi	4m

Longest stretch: I 10 — 219.9 mi, about 3h 26m

Traffic on I-10

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 16 FHWA count stations on your route.

Peak

2 PM

~482 veh/hr typical · worst 894

Quietest

3 AM

~89 veh/hr

Peak-to-quiet ratio

5.4×

busier at peak than in the quiet hours

12a 6a noon 6p 11p

Averaged across 96 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 Pecos, TX.

Start on East 5th Street

417 ft · 15 sec · East 5th Street

Turn left onto Brazos Street

357 ft · 23 sec · Brazos Street

Use the left lane.

Turn left onto East 6th Street

1.9 mi · 4 min · East 6th Street

Use the straight lane.

Turn left onto Atlanta Street

233 ft · 6 sec · Atlanta Street

Use the left lane.

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 26 sec

Toward Loop 1 South

Merge onto Loop 1

3.9 mi · 4 min · South Mopac Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min

Toward US 290 West, TX 71 West: Johnson City, Llano Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

319 ft · 7 sec

Toward US 290 West, TX 71 West

Merge onto US 290; TX 71

3.7 mi · 4 min · US 290; TX 71

Use the straight / right lanes.

Continue on West US Highway 290 Frontage Rd

447 ft · 6 sec · West US Highway 290 Frontage Rd

Continue on West US 290 Frontage Rd

0.3 mi · 23 sec · West US 290 Frontage Rd

Turn straight onto West US 290 Bypass Lanes

0.5 mi · 33 sec · West US 290 Bypass Lanes

Continue on US 290

378 ft · 4 sec · West US Highway 290

Continue on US 290

30 mi · 37 min · West US Highway 290

Use the left lane.

Merge onto US 281; US 290

5.4 mi · 6 min · South US Highway 281

Turn left onto US 290

1.1 mi · 1 min · East Main Street

Toward Fredericksburg

Continue on US 290

27 mi · 30 min · West US Highway 290

Continue on US 290

3.5 mi · 7 min · East Main Street

Continue on US 290

39 mi · 42 min · West US Highway 290

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min

Toward I 10 West: Fort Stockton

Merge onto I 10

220 mi · 3 hr 26 min · I 10

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 30 sec

Exit 257 Toward US 285: Pecos, Sanderson

Continue on Interstate 10 West

0.2 mi · 24 sec · Interstate 10 West

Take the ramp

224 ft · 6 sec

Merge onto US 285

51 mi · 57 min · North US Highway 285

Turn left onto East 6th Street

67 ft · 3 sec · East 6th Street

Arrive at destination

East 6th Street

Trip Plan

Given the 6h 49m estimated drive time, departing Austin in the morning allows you to reach Pecos well before evening. There's only one recommended stop, suggesting you can easily complete this in a single day. The fuel cost is estimated at $57, so budget accordingly. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 219.9-mile stretch on I 10, as services can be spread out in West Texas. Since this is a direct, mostly highway drive, you have flexibility to adjust your departure or stop times as needed.

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 194.9 miles from Austin, TX, or about 3h 36m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 219.9 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 86 miles or 1h 48m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 194.9 miles or 3h 36m 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 42m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pecos, 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 389.8 miles and 6h 49m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 86 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 I 10 for about 219.9 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Kerrville, TX

195 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

Kerrville, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 86 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Junction, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 194.9 miles from Austin, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

2.1 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 website

West of the Pecos Museum

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

Pecos, Texas

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+14324455076

Visit website

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour

Pecos, Texas

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+14324452421

Garrison Brothers Distillery

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour

Hye, Texas

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+15123813155

Visit website

Paisano Pete

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour

Fort Stockton, Texas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18003362166

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 16

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 338.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | Brazos Street

Turn left onto Brazos Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | East 6th Street

Turn left onto East 6th Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.

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...

6.8 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

338.6 mi into trip | ~5h 51m in

Take the exit toward US 285: Pecos, Sanderson

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

Exit 257 Toward US 285: Pecos, Sanderson

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$58.29 one way

$116.57 round trip

$3.80/gal 25.4 MPG avg 136 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.31	$66.11	$132.23
premium	$4.68	$71.84	$143.67
diesel	$5.79	$88.84	$177.68

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$58

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$83–$108

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 136.4 kg one way.

Driving Electric?

About $41 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	116.9	1	$40.93	$18.71
Efficient EV	97.5	1	$34.11	$15.59
EV Truck/SUV	155.9	1	$54.57	$24.95

Gas CO2

136 kg

EV CO2

46 kg (66% 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 Oct 18, 2026

Origin

Austin, TX

Afternoon in Austin on Sunday

Local time

1:42 PM

CDT

Current temp

51°F

Partly Cloudy

0 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued October 18 at 2:18AM CDT until October 20 at 7:32PM CDT by NWS Norman OK

Rip Current Statement

Rip Current Statement issued October 18 at 2:12AM CDT until October 18 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX

Destination

Pecos, TX

Afternoon in Pecos on Sunday

Local time

1:42 PM

CDT

Current temp

40°F

Mostly Clear

NE 0 to 5 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued October 18 at 2:18AM CDT until October 20 at 7:32PM CDT by NWS Norman OK

Rip Current Statement

Rip Current Statement issued October 18 at 2:12AM CDT until October 18 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX

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

11 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 49m 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...

6 mi from route ~15 min detour Free near mile 53.8

Park Closure: Texas White House Complex Closure

View on nps.gov

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

What kind of drive is this?

This route is 98% highway, meaning you'll spend nearly all your time on interstates and major US highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 219.9 miles on I 10. You'll experience mostly rural cruising with occasional exit activity as you transition from West US Highway 290 to North US Highway 285. The profile is mostly highway, so expect consistent speeds for the majority of the drive.

98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 219.9 mi on I 10.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and West US Highway 290. 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 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 389.8 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 6.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Elevation Profile

Gently rolling terrain

2,964 ft 487 ft

Total Climb

2,948 ft

Total Descent

852 ft

Highest Point

2,964 ft

~334.1 mi in

Elevation Range

2,478 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 Pecos, TX, road signs point toward Fredericksburg and Sanderson.

Fredericksburg

47.3 mi in | ~1h | via US 290

Sanderson

338.6 mi in | ~5h 51m

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 Pecos, TX

Full guide →

Pecos is a town in the Trans-Pecos region of Texas. The town claims to have been the site of the first rodeo, on July 4, 1883.

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 49m. Total distance: 389.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 49m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 219.9 miles on I 10. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — we found about 26 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 Pecos, 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 26 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

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 6.8 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 Pecos, 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, 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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Trip from Austin, TX to Pecos, TX

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Traffic on I-10

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

Picnic Area

Picnic Area

Picnic Area

Service Plaza

Gillespie County US 290 Rest Area

East Pecos County Sheffield Eastbound Rest Area

East Pecos County Sheffield Westbound Rest Area

Love's Travel Stop

Sutton County Westbound Rest Area

Sutton County Eastbound Rest Area

Picnic Area

Parking Area

Parking Area

Love's Travel Stop

Love's Travel Stop

Flying J Travel Center

Flying J Travel Center

Gillespie County Ranch Road 1 Rest Area

Picnic Area

Parking Area

Parking Area

Pilot Travel Center

Road Ranger

Picnic Area

Picnic Area

Pilot Travel Center

Austin Bat Tours

West of the Pecos Museum

Schreiner Park

Sonora Ice House Ranch Museum

James Rooney Memorial Park

Maxey Park

Garrison Brothers Distillery

Paisano Pete

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Austin, TX

Pecos, TX

Same local time

11 degrees cooler at arrival

6h 49m on the road

National Parks Near This Route

Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Elevation Profile

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Starting in Austin, TX

Arriving in Pecos, TX

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Are there national parks near this route?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

Continue From Pecos, TX

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