Hill County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Austin, TX to Southlake, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 49m
Distance
207.6 mi
334 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$32
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 37m
★
6 AM
3h 49m
8 AM
4h 15m
10 AM
3h 58m
12 PM
3h 56m
3 PM
3h 59m
5 PM
4h 13m
8 PM
3h 42m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Austin, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Southlake, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Austin, TX to Southlake, TX is 207.6 miles and takes about 3h 49m via Purple Heart Trail and I 35W, with a fuel budget near $30 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within the Great Plains region, offering a straightforward drive between two Texas cities. With a recommended single day of travel, you'll spend most of your time on the highway, making it a convenient option if you need to get from point A to point B efficiently. Consider this drive if you're looking for a quick, no-fuss trip with predictable travel times.
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
103.8 miles from Austin, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 50m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Purple Heart Trail | 129.2 mi | 2h 14m |
| I 35W | 52.1 mi | 55m |
| Airport Freeway | 9.1 mi | 10m |
| South Jack Kultgen Expressway | 6.6 mi | 7m |
| Colleyville Boulevard | 4.2 mi | 7m |
| South Carroll Avenue | 1.2 mi | 3m |
| Precinct Line Road | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Grapevine Highway | 1.1 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Purple Heart Trail
— 129.2 mi, about 2h 14m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 88 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~3,389 veh/hr typical · worst 4,160
Quietest
2 AM
~577 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 104 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 Southlake, 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
96 mi
·
1 hr 40 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 35
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 35; US 77
33 mi
·
33 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W
52 mi
·
55 min
·
I 35W
Toward I 35W: Fort Worth
Use the slight left lane.
11
Take the exit onto US 377
0.3 mi
·
25 sec
·
US 377
Exit 52B
Toward TX 121 North, US 377 North: DFW Airport, Belknap Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto TX 121
8.2 mi
·
9 min
·
Airport Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 121; TX 183
0.8 mi
·
59 sec
·
Airport Freeway
Exit 22A
Toward TX 121 North, TX 183 East: DFW Airport, Dallas
Use the slight right lane.
14
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward FM 3029 North: Precinct Line Road, Hurstview Drive
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Turn straight onto Airport Freeway
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
Airport Freeway
Use the straight / left lanes.
16
Turn left onto FM 3029
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Precinct Line Road
Use the slight left lane.
17
Turn slight right onto TX 26
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Grapevine Highway
18
Continue on TX 26
4.2 mi
·
7 min
·
Colleyville Boulevard
Use the left lane.
19
Continue on TX 26
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
Ira E Woods Avenue
20
Turn left onto Brumlow Avenue
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Brumlow Avenue
Use the left lane.
21
Enter roundabout onto South Carroll Avenue
101 ft
·
2 sec
·
South Carroll Avenue
22
Continue on South Carroll Avenue
1.2 mi
·
3 min
·
South Carroll Avenue
Use the straight lane.
23
Turn left onto FM 1709
231 ft
·
10 sec
·
East Southlake Boulevard
Use the left lane.
24
Arrive at destination
FM 1709
Trip Plan
Given this is a single-day trip covering 207.6 miles, leaving Austin in the morning will allow ample time to reach Southlake comfortably. The longest stretch without a major change in road type is 129.2 miles, so plan your stops accordingly, perhaps midway through that segment. With a fuel cost estimated around $30, filling up before you leave Austin or in a larger town along the way should be sufficient. Keep an eye on the traffic reports, especially as you approach the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, as congestion can impact your 3h 49m estimated duration.
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 103.8 miles from Austin, TX, or about 1h 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 129.2 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 46 miles or 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 103.8 miles or 1h 50m 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 59m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Southlake, 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 207.6 miles and 3h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 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 Purple Heart Trail for about 129.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
104 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 46 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 103.8 miles from Austin, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Purple Heart Trail if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 129.2 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.
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Hill County Southbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Ascent Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Bell County Northbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Bell County Southbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Walburg Travel Center & Food Court
0.2 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 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 websiteBicentennial Park
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2.1 mi from route
~5 min detour
Crowley, Texas
Hours: 6 am–9 pm
+18172972201
Visit websiteDoris D Miller Park
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Waco, Texas
Hours: Open 24 hours
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
Grapevine Vintage Railroad
4.3
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
3.3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Grapevine, Texas
Hours: Closed
+18174103185
Visit websiteHouse of Shine
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
3.2 mi from route
~8 min detour
Grapevine, Texas
Hours: 12–5 pm
+18176018850
Visit websiteiFLY Indoor Skydiving - Fort Worth
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, ~10 min detour
Home stretch
3.9 mi from route
~10 min detour
Hurst, Texas
Hours: 10:30 am–6:30 pm
+18178184359
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 185 decision points cluster between mile 0.5 and 198.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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.
7
136.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 24m in
|
I 35W
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W toward I 35W: Fort Worth
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 35W: Fort Worth
8
188.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 19m in
|
US 377
Take the exit onto US 377 toward TX 121 North, US 377 North: DFW Airport, Belknap Street
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.
Exit 52B
Toward TX 121 North, US 377 North: DFW Airport,...
9
197.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 29m in
|
TX 121; TX 183 / Airport Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 121; TX 183 / Airport Freeway toward TX 121 North, TX 183 East: DFW Airport, Dallas
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 22A
Toward TX 121 North, TX 183 East: DFW Airport,...
7
198.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 30m in
Take the exit toward FM 3029 North: Precinct Line Road, Hurstview Drive
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 FM 3029 North: Precinct Line Road, Hurst...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.79 one way
$63.57 round trip
$3.89/gal
25.4 MPG avg
73 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.29 | $35.08 | $70.16 |
| premium | $4.64 | $37.91 | $75.81 |
| diesel | $6.18 | $50.50 | $101.00 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 72.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 62.3 | 0 | $21.80 | $9.96 |
| Efficient EV | 51.9 | 0 | $18.17 | $8.30 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 83 | 1 | $29.06 | $13.29 |
Gas CO2
73 kg
EV CO2
24 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.
Origin
Austin, TX
Morning in Austin on Tuesday
Local time
7:35 AM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Mostly Sunny
ENE 0 to 5 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Southlake, TX
Morning in Southlake on Tuesday
Local time
7:35 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Mostly Sunny
SE 5 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
85°F
Italy, TX
104 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
5 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 49m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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.
Waco Mammoth National Monument
National Monument
Standing as tall as 14 feet and weighing 20,000 pounds, Columbian mammoths roamed across what is present-day Texas thousands of years ago. Today, the fossil specimens represent the nation's first and...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 107.4
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
About a third of this 207.6-mile drive, specifically 129.2 miles on Purple Heart Trail, is on surface roads. You'll transition to highway driving for the remainder of the trip. Expect a mixed driving experience, with stretches of rural cruising giving way to the denser traffic and more frequent exits typical of major freeways like I 35W. Pay attention as you merge onto and off of these faster roadways.
33% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 129.2 mi on Purple Heart Trail.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near East 7th 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 18 significant decision points across 207.6 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 0.5 miles (East 7th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 136.8 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 188.9 miles (US 377): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
847 ft
414 ft
Total Climb
1,040 ft
Total Descent
887 ft
Highest Point
847 ft
~14.8 mi in
Elevation Range
433 ft
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 Southlake, TX
Full guide →Founded 1956
Southlake is a city in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex region of Texas. It was once chosen as the best place to live within the Dallas/Fort Worth area.
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 49m. Total distance: 207.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 129.2 miles on Purple Heart Trail. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 20 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 Southlake, 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 20 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (East 7th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 136.8 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 188.9 miles (US 377): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Southlake, 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, EIA for fuel prices, 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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