Rest Area US-84 US-283
0 mi from route
Trip from Austin, TX to Ralls, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 54m
Distance
366.3 mi
590 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$50
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 43m
★
6 AM
6h 54m
8 AM
7h 17m
10 AM
7h 2m
12 PM
7h 0m
3 PM
7h 4m
5 PM
7h 16m
8 PM
6h 47m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Austin, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Ralls, TX
Thomas balabaud
Trip Overview
Austin to Ralls is 366 miles and takes about 6 hours 54 minutes via US 84 and US 183, with a fuel budget near $53 and enough daylight to finish in a day. You'll be traveling between two parts of the Great Plains, staying within Texas for the entire trip. This route is primarily highway driving, making it a straightforward option if you're looking to cover ground efficiently. Expect a mostly uninterrupted drive with minimal need for an overnight stop, allowing for a flexible start time.
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
183.2 miles from Austin, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 28m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 84 | 104.9 mi | 1h 49m |
| North US Highway 183 | 72.6 mi | 1h 18m |
| State Highway 153 | 69 mi | 1h 14m |
| Ralls Road | 33.8 mi | 50m |
| East Commerce Street | 22 mi | 25m |
| 183A Toll | 14.6 mi | 14m |
| US 183 | 11.3 mi | 13m |
| State Highway 70 | 10.4 mi | 10m |
Longest stretch:
US 84
— 104.9 mi, about 1h 49m
Traffic on I-20
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 4 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,210 veh/hr typical · worst 1,594
Quietest
3 AM
~203 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 31 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 Ralls, 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
7.2 mi
·
8 min
·
Wallis Avenue
19
Turn right onto TX 153
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
East Walnut Street
20
Continue on TX 153; TX 206
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
West Walnut Street
21
Continue on TX 153
69 mi
·
1 hr 14 min
·
State Highway 153
22
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 153
19 ft
·
0 sec
·
State Highway 153
23
Turn right onto TX 70
10 mi
·
10 min
·
State Highway 70
24
Continue on TX 70
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Lamar Street
25
Turn left onto Northwest Georgia Avenue
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
Northwest Georgia Avenue
26
Take the ramp
340 ft
·
8 sec
Toward I 20 West: Midland
27
Merge onto I 20; US 84
6.0 mi
·
5 min
·
I 20; US 84
28
Take the exit onto US 84
0.3 mi
·
19 sec
·
US 84
Exit 238A
Toward US 84 West: Snyder, Lubbock
29
Keep slight left at fork onto US 84
74 mi
·
1 hr 14 min
·
US 84
30
Turn right onto Loop 46
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South Avenue F
31
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 207
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
·
North Avenue F
32
Turn straight onto TX 207
34 mi
·
50 min
·
Ralls Road
33
Turn right onto US 82; TX 114
43 ft
·
0 sec
·
4th Street
34
Arrive at destination
US 82; TX 114
Trip Plan
Given this is a single-day drive of just under 7 hours, you have flexibility with your departure time. Leaving Austin in the morning will allow you to reach Ralls with plenty of daylight to spare. The longest stretch without a major town is about 105 miles on US 84, so plan your fuel stops accordingly, keeping in mind the estimated $53 fuel cost. While there's only one recommended stop, consider breaking up the drive with a brief pause in a town along US 183 if needed for a stretch or snack.
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 183.2 miles from Austin, TX, or about 3h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 104.9 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 81 miles or 1h 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 183.2 miles or 3h 28m 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 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ralls, 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 366.3 miles and 6h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 81 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 84 for about 104.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
183 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 81 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 183.2 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 84 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 104.9 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.
Llano Estacado Picnic Area
0 mi from route
San Saba Picnic Area
0 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Eagles Landing Travel Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Picnic Area
1.9 mi from route
Rest Area
2.2 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
Barton 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 245 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 256.9 — 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.
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
6
256.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 47m in
|
US 84
Take the exit onto US 84 toward US 84 West: Snyder, Lubbock
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 238A
Toward US 84 West: Snyder, Lubbock
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$50.17 one way
$100.34 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
128 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $56.04 | $112.08 |
| premium | $4.23 | $60.93 | $121.86 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $69.16 | $138.33 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$50
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$75–$100
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 128.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 109.9 | 1 | $38.46 | $17.58 |
| Efficient EV | 91.6 | 1 | $32.05 | $14.65 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 146.5 | 1 | $51.28 | $23.44 |
Gas CO2
128 kg
EV CO2
43 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.
Origin
Austin, TX
Morning in Austin on Sunday
Local time
9:41 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Mostly Cloudy
SSE 5 mph
7% chance
Live forecast
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 17 at 1:45AM MDT until July 17 at 6:00PM MDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 2:45AM CDT until July 17 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Ralls, TX
Morning in Ralls on Sunday
Local time
9:41 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SSE 10 mph
15% chance
Live forecast
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 17 at 1:45AM MDT until July 17 at 6:00PM MDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 2:45AM CDT until July 17 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio 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 54m 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?
This drive is mostly highway, with 75% of the 366 miles on major roads like US 84 and US 183. You'll experience a long stretch of 104.9 miles on US 84, offering a good opportunity for steady cruising. The remaining 25% of the route will likely involve surface streets and state highways, such as State Highway 153, as you approach your destination. Expect a relatively rural feel with fewer exits once you're out of the Austin area.
75% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 104.9 mi on US 84.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 84 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 24 significant decision points across 366.3 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 0.3 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
Gently rolling terrain
3,110 ft
487 ft
Total Climb
2,995 ft
Total Descent
371 ft
Highest Point
3,110 ft
~366.3 mi in
Elevation Range
2,624 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Ralls, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Lubbock along the way.
Lubbock
256.9 mi in
|
~4h 47m
|
via US 84
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
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 54m. Total distance: 366.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 54m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 104.9 miles on US 84. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 9 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 Ralls, 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 9 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 1.5 miles (I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.9 hours each way, a round trip means 13.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Ralls, 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, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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