Austin, TX to Waskom, TX is 305.2 miles and takes about 5h 40m via Purple Heart Trail, US 259, and State Highway 31, with a fuel budget near $44 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Great Plains region, offering a straightforward drive across Texas. With a recommended one-day duration, it's a solid option for getting from point A to point B efficiently. You'll encounter a mix of highway and surface roads, so be prepared for varied driving conditions. Consider this route if you need a direct path with minimal fuss.
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
152.6 miles from Austin, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 46m into the drive
.
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 60 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~3,856 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,540
Quietest
2 AM
~668 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
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 Waskom, 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
6.0 mi·6 min·South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·28 sec
Exit 338Toward US 84: Waco Drive, Bellmead DriveUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Turn straight onto North Jack Kultgen Expressway
0.3 mi·30 sec·North Jack Kultgen Expressway
11
Turn right onto US 84
0.3 mi·52 sec·East Waco Drive
12
Continue on US 84
2.6 mi·4 min·Bellmead Drive
13
Continue on US 84
2.7 mi·3 min·East US Highway 84
14
Continue on TX 31
17 mi·17 min·State Highway 31
15
Continue on TX 31
5.3 mi·5 min·Hubbard Bypass
16
Continue on TX 31
19 mi·21 min·State Highway 31
17
Turn right onto TX 31
12 mi·13 min·Corsicana Bypass
Use the straight lane.
18
Turn right onto TX 31
9.3 mi·10 min·East State Highway 31
19
Continue on TX 31
9.9 mi·11 min·Northeast 2nd Street
20
Continue on TX 31
5.3 mi·6 min·West Royall Boulevard
21
Continue on TX 31
4.1 mi·4 min·State Highway 31 West
22
Turn left onto TX 31
0.2 mi·34 sec·TX 31
23
Merge onto TX 31; Loop 7
6.2 mi·7 min·Jed Robinson Loop
24
Take the exit onto TX 31
0.3 mi·46 sec·TX 31
25
Turn left onto TX 31
21 mi·24 min·State Highway 31 East
26
Continue on TX 31
2.0 mi·2 min·West Highway 31
27
Continue on TX 31
5.6 mi·6 min·State Highway 31 West
28
Continue on TX 31
1.9 mi·2 min·Chandler Highway
29
Continue on TX 31
29 mi·34 min·West Front Street
30
Turn left onto US 259 Business; TX 31
1.4 mi·1 min·US Highway 259 Business North
31
Continue on US 259; TX 31
0.7 mi·44 sec·US Highway 259 North
32
Take the exit onto US 259
44 mi·46 min·US 259
Toward I 20 East: ShreveportUse the straight lane.
33
Take the exit onto US 80
0.2 mi·31 sec·US 80
Toward US 80, FM 9, FM 134: Waskom
34
Continue on US 80
377 ft·12 sec·South Interstate 20 West
35
Turn left onto US 80
0.1 mi·16 sec·US 80
36
Turn right onto US 80
1.6 mi·2 min·West Texas Avenue
37
Turn right onto South Lake Street
105 ft·4 sec·South Lake Street
38
Arrive at destination
South Lake Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5h 40m drive, plan to depart Austin in the morning to take advantage of daylight. With only one recommended stop and a manageable distance, you have flexibility in pacing yourself. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $44 estimate is based on average prices, and fill up when you see stations, especially before heading into longer stretches of surface roads. The longest continuous stretch is over 96 miles, so ensure you're comfortable with that distance between potential refueling points. This route is well-suited for a single-day trip, allowing for a relaxed pace.
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 152.6 miles from Austin, TX, or about 2h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 96.1 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 67 miles or 1h 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 152.6 miles or 2h 46m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Waskom, 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 305.2 miles and 5h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 67 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 96.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 259.3 — 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.
8
103.1 mi into trip|~1h 50m in
Take the exit toward US 84: Waco Drive, Bellmead 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.
Exit 338
Toward US 84: Waco Drive, Bellmead Drive
6
259.3 mi into trip|~4h 50m in|US 259
Take the exit onto US 259 toward I 20 East: Shreveport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 20 East: Shreveport
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$46.73 one way
$93.46 round trip
$3.89/gal25.4 MPG avg107 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.29
$51.57
$103.14
premium
$4.64
$55.73
$111.46
diesel
$6.18
$74.25
$148.49
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$47
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$72–$97
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 106.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
91.6
1
$32.05
$14.65
Efficient EV
76.3
0
$26.71
$12.21
EV Truck/SUV
122.1
1
$42.73
$19.53
Gas CO2
107 kg
EV CO2
36 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 17, 2026
Origin
Austin, TX
Afternoon
in Austin on Saturday
Local time
3:54 PM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Partly Cloudy
N 10 to 15 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 17 at 3:25AM CDT until October 18 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued October 17 at 2:37AM CDT until October 20 at 4:00AM CDT by NWS Norman OK
Destination
Waskom, TX
Afternoon
in Waskom on Saturday
Local time
3:54 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Clear
N 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 17 at 3:25AM CDT until October 18 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued October 17 at 2:37AM CDT until October 20 at 4:00AM CDT by NWS Norman OK
65°F
Italy, TX
153 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
5h 40m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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 105.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route features 44% highway driving, meaning you'll spend a good portion of your time on faster roads. The longest continuous stretch without a significant change in road type is 96.1 miles on Purple Heart Trail. Expect a mix of highway cruising and surface road driving, with the transition likely occurring around where US 259 begins. The increase in surface roads means you should anticipate more varied speed limits and potentially more local traffic.
44% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
38 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 96.1 mi on Purple Heart Trail.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 0.3 miles in near Red River Street.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 305.2 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.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 40m. Total distance: 305.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 96.1 miles on Purple Heart Trail. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 15 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 Waskom, 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 15 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.
Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.7 hours each way, a round trip means 11.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Waskom, TX before the return drive.
