If you are planning a quick getaway from Austin to Weimar, you can expect a straightforward 87-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via Texas State Highway 71, South US Highway 77, and I-10 as you travel across the Great Plains. Budgeting roughly $13 for fuel makes this an economical option for a short road trip. Since both cities are located within the same region, you will experience a consistent landscape throughout the drive. It is a practical, efficient path for travelers who want to get from the capital area to Weimar with minimal hassle.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
43.5 miles from Austin, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 50m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Texas State Highway 71
50.7 mi
54m
South US Highway 77
15.1 mi
17m
I 10
7.2 mi
7m
East 7th Street
3 mi
4m
East State Highway 71
2.7 mi
3m
Bastrop Freeway
1.9 mi
2m
North Jefferson Street
1.8 mi
2m
South Eagle Street
0.8 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Texas State Highway 71
— 50.7 mi, about 54m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Austin, TX and Weimar, 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
0.4 mi·26 sec·Bastrop Highway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward TX 71 East: Austin-Bergstrom International AirportUse the slight left / straight lanes.
10
Continue on TX 71
2.2 mi·2 min·East State Highway 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Turn straight onto 71 Toll
1.9 mi·2 min·Bastrop Freeway
Toward 71 Toll East, TX 45 Toll North, TX 130 Toll NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on TX 71
0.5 mi·29 sec·East State Highway 71
13
Continue on TX 71
51 mi·54 min·Texas State Highway 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward US 77: Giddings, Schulenburg
15
Continue on West State Highway 71 Bypass
350 ft·13 sec·West State Highway 71 Bypass
16
Turn right onto US 77
1.8 mi·2 min·North Jefferson Street
17
Continue on US 77
15 mi·17 min·South US Highway 77
18
Turn left onto Interstate Highway 10 Frontage Road
345 ft·9 sec·Interstate Highway 10 Frontage Road
19
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·39 sec
20
Merge onto I 10
7.2 mi·7 min·I 10
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi·38 sec
Exit 682Toward FM 155: Weimar
22
Turn left onto FM 155
0.8 mi·1 min·South Eagle Street
23
Turn left onto US 90; FM 155
0.3 mi·32 sec·East Main Street
24
Turn right onto FM 155
111 ft·2 sec·North Center Street
25
Arrive at destination
FM 155
Trip Plan
Because this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to depart whenever it suits your schedule, though leaving mid-morning can help you avoid peak traffic congestion. Since there are no designated stops in the plan, you should ensure your vehicle is fueled up before you leave; with a $13 fuel estimate, a full tank in Austin will easily get you to your destination and back. Pay close attention to your speed as you transition from the state highways onto I-10, as traffic patterns change significantly once you merge onto the interstate. Take advantage of the trip's brevity by keeping your gear light and your itinerary open. If you find yourself needing a break, keep an eye on your dashboard for exit opportunities along the interstate sections where services are most concentrated.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 43.5 miles from Austin, TX, or about 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 50.7 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 19 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 43.5 miles or 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 1h 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Weimar, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Austin, TX
This is one driving day of about 87 miles and 1h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Austin, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Texas State Highway 71 for about 50.7 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 60.9 — 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.
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.
6
5.2 mi into trip|~8m in
Take the exit toward TX 71 East: Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Toward TX 71 East: Austin-Bergstrom Internation...
5
7.9 mi into trip|~11m in|71 Toll / Bastrop Freeway
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward 71 Toll East, TX 45 Toll North, TX 130 T...
5
60.9 mi into trip|~1h 9m in
Take the exit toward US 77: Giddings, Schulenburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 77: Giddings, Schulenburg
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.15 one way
$26.29 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg30 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$14.39
$28.78
premium
$4.54
$15.53
$31.07
diesel
$5.61
$19.21
$38.42
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
26.1
0
$9.13
$4.18
Efficient EV
21.8
0
$7.61
$3.48
EV Truck/SUV
34.8
0
$12.18
$5.57
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Austin, TX
Late night
in Austin on Sunday
Local time
2:28 AM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Weimar, TX
Late night
in Weimar on Sunday
Local time
2:28 AM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
75°F
Smithville, TX
44 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
1h 40m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is a highway-focused drive, with 90% of your time spent on major roads rather than local streets. You will settle into a rhythm quickly, as the longest uninterrupted stretch covers 50.7 miles on Texas State Highway 71. Expect a steady, consistent pace as you transition between state highways and the interstate system. While the drive is efficient, the lack of planned stops means you should be prepared for a focused stint behind the wheel. The transition from the state highway system onto I-10 marks the most significant change in your driving environment, shifting the intensity of the traffic as you approach your destination.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 50.7 mi on Texas State Highway 71.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Texas State Highway 71 and South US Highway 77. 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 87 miles you will encounter 16 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 5.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
Between Austin, TX and Weimar, TX, road signs point toward 71 Toll East and Schulenburg.
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 1h 40m. Total distance: 87 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 50.7 miles on Texas State Highway 71. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Weimar, TX before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
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 5.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Weimar, TX before heading back.
