Origin
Austin, TX
Late night in Austin on Tuesday
Local time
5:48 AM
CDT
Current temp
89°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Austin, TX to Seadrift, 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
3h 16m
Distance
154.3 mi
248 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$23
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 5m
★
6 AM
3h 17m
8 AM
3h 41m
10 AM
3h 25m
12 PM
3h 23m
3 PM
3h 26m
5 PM
3h 40m
8 PM
3h 10m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Austin, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Seadrift, TX
Action Construction Equipment Ltd. - ACE
Trip Overview
This 154.3-mile journey from Austin, TX to Seadrift, TX will take approximately 3 hours and 16 minutes, making it a perfect day trip. You'll navigate through the heart of Texas on local roads, with a 0% highway share. The estimated fuel cost for this drive is around $24. Expect a turn-heavy local drive experience as you transition from the Great Plains region of Austin to the Great Plains region of Seadrift. This route is best suited for a single day of travel, allowing ample time to reach your destination without feeling rushed.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
77.1 miles from Austin, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 33m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North United States Highway 183 | 43.5 mi | 47m |
| East Broadway Street | 23.8 mi | 27m |
| Shepley Street | 16 mi | 23m |
| Bastrop Highway | 11.7 mi | 15m |
| US 183 | 10.1 mi | 11m |
| Pickle Parkway | 9.8 mi | 8m |
| State Highway 185 North | 8.5 mi | 14m |
| North Laurent Street | 6.4 mi | 9m |
Longest stretch:
North United States Highway 183
— 43.5 mi, about 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Austin, TX and Seadrift, 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
3.0 mi
·
4 min
·
East 7th Street
Use the right lane.
4
Turn straight onto Loop 111
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
Airport Boulevard
5
Continue on US 183
0.1 mi
·
8 sec
·
Ed Bluestein Boulevard
6
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
Toward 183 Toll South: Lockhart
7
Merge onto 183 Toll
0.8 mi
·
47 sec
·
Bergstrom Expressway
8
Continue on US 183
12 mi
·
15 min
·
Bastrop Highway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
9
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Toward TX 130 Toll South: Lockhart, San Antonio
10
Merge onto TX 130 Toll
9.8 mi
·
8 min
·
Pickle Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Exit 470
Toward US 183 South: Lockhart
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on US 183
0.5 mi
·
35 sec
·
United States Highway 183
13
Continue on US 183
4.9 mi
·
8 min
·
North Colorado Street
14
Continue on US 183
10 mi
·
11 min
·
US 183
15
Continue on US 183
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
North Magnolia Avenue
16
Turn left onto US 90; US 183
5.0 mi
·
6 min
·
East Pierce Street
17
Continue on US 183
43 mi
·
47 min
·
North United States Highway 183
18
Continue on US 77 Alt; US 183
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
North Esplanade Street
19
Turn left onto US 87
24 mi
·
27 min
·
East Broadway Street
20
Continue on US 87
3.9 mi
·
6 min
·
North Main Street
21
Turn left onto US 87; US 59 Bus; US 77 Bus
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
·
East Rio Grande Street
22
Turn right onto US 87
0.5 mi
·
51 sec
·
North Navarro Street
23
Turn left onto US 87
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
·
East Goodwin Avenue
Use the left lane.
24
Continue on US 87
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
Port Lavaca Drive
25
Turn right onto TX 185
6.4 mi
·
9 min
·
North Laurent Street
26
Continue on TX 185
16 mi
·
23 min
·
Shepley Street
27
At end of road, turn right onto TX 35; TX 185
395 ft
·
11 sec
·
State Highway 35 South
28
Turn left onto TX 185
8.5 mi
·
14 min
·
State Highway 185 North
29
Continue on TX 185
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North 9th Street
30
Turn right onto South 4th Street
71 ft
·
3 sec
·
South 4th Street
31
Arrive at destination
South 4th Street
Trip Plan
Consider an early morning departure from Austin to maximize your daylight hours and enjoy the 154.3-mile drive at a relaxed pace. Since this route is designed for a single day and has a 0% highway share, you'll have flexibility with your timing. The estimated fuel cost is $24, so ensure your tank is full before you leave Austin. Given the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, pay close attention to your navigation and be ready for frequent adjustments in direction rather than sustained cruising.
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 77.1 miles from Austin, TX, or about 1h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 43.5 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 34 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 77.1 miles or 1h 33m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 32m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Seadrift, 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 154.3 miles and 3h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 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 North United States Highway 183 for about 43.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
77 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 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 77.1 miles from Austin, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 175 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 122.1 — 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.
6
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
16.8 mi into trip
|
~23m in
|
TX 130 Toll / Pickle Parkway
Merge onto TX 130 Toll / Pickle Parkway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
26.6 mi into trip
|
~32m in
Take the exit toward US 183 South: Lockhart
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 470
Toward US 183 South: Lockhart
6
122.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 26m in
|
US 87 / East Goodwin Avenue
Turn left onto US 87 / East Goodwin Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.32 one way
$46.63 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
54 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $25.52 | $51.04 |
| premium | $4.54 | $27.55 | $55.10 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $34.07 | $68.13 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 54 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 46.3 | 0 | $16.20 | $7.41 |
| Efficient EV | 38.6 | 0 | $13.50 | $6.17 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 61.7 | 0 | $21.60 | $9.88 |
Gas CO2
54 kg
EV CO2
18 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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.
Destination
Seadrift, TX
Late night in Seadrift on Tuesday
Local time
5:48 AM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
89°F
Gonzales, TX
77 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
19 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
3h 16m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
Prepare for a dynamic driving experience on this route, characterized by frequent turns rather than long stretches of highway. With a 0% highway share, you'll be on local roads for the entirety of the 154.3 miles. This means you'll be engaging with the landscape more directly, with the road's personality shifting as you move through different local areas. There isn't a 'longest stretch' mentioned, suggesting a continuous series of turns and changes in direction throughout the 3-hour and 16-minute journey.
47% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 43.5 mi on North United States Highway 183.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 17 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near Red River Street.
Driving Effort
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 154.3 miles you will encounter 17 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
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 16.8 miles (TX 130 Toll / Pickle Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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.
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 Seadrift, TX, road signs begin pointing toward San Antonio along the way.
San Antonio
16.5 mi in
|
~22m
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 3h 16m. Total distance: 154.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 16m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (47%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 43.5 miles on North United States Highway 183. 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
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 16.8 miles (TX 130 Toll / Pickle Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Seadrift, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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