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Trip from Beaumont, TX to Austin, TX

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 38m

Distance

248.6 mi

400 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$38

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 25m ★
6 AM
4h 38m
8 AM
5h 5m
10 AM
4h 47m
12 PM
4h 45m
3 PM
4h 49m
5 PM
5h 4m
8 PM
4h 30m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city and county seat of Jefferson County, State of Texas, United States

Beaumont, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Austin, TX, TX

Austin, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 248.6-mile drive from Beaumont, TX to Austin, TX is a straightforward journey that can easily be accomplished in a single day, taking approximately 4 hours and 38 minutes. Primarily utilizing I-10 and TX 71, with a segment on the Katy Freeway, this route is 98% highway, making it a focused driving experience. With an estimated fuel cost of $38, it's an economical option for a Texas road trip. Both Beaumont and Austin are located within the Great Plains region, so you won't be crossing major geographical divides. This trip is ideal for those looking for an efficient way to get from one Texas city to another without much 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

124.3 miles from Beaumont, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 20m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 10 85.9 mi 1h 38m
TX 71 77.7 mi 1h 22m
Katy Freeway 74.4 mi 1h 21m
East 7th Street 2.8 mi 4m
East State Highway 71 2.2 mi 2m
Bastrop Freeway 1.9 mi 2m
Bergstrom Expressway 0.7 mi <1m
East 6th Street 0.6 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 10 — 85.9 mi, about 1h 38m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Beaumont, TX and Austin, TX.

1

Start on Calder Avenue

206 ft · 12 sec · Calder Avenue
Use the left lane.
2

Turn left onto North Pearl Street

0.2 mi · 17 sec · North Pearl Street
Use the left lane.
3

Turn straight

0.3 mi · 17 sec
4

Turn straight onto Pine Street

0.2 mi · 20 sec · Pine Street
5

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 26 sec
Toward I 10 West: Houston
6

Merge onto I 10; US 90

2.9 mi · 3 min · I 10; US 90
7

Continue on I 10; US 69; US 96; US 287

83 mi · 1 hr 34 min · I 10; US 69; US 96; US 287
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Continue on I 10; US 90

74 mi · 1 hr 21 min · Katy Freeway
Use the straight lane.
9

Take the exit onto TX 71

0.5 mi · 33 sec · TX 71
Toward TX 71 West: La Grange, Austin
10

Keep slight left at fork onto TX 71

77 mi · 1 hr 22 min · TX 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Continue on 71 Toll

1.9 mi · 2 min · Bastrop Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Continue on TX 71

2.2 mi · 2 min · East State Highway 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward US 183 North, 183 Toll North: Lampasas Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Merge onto US 183

0.4 mi · 26 sec · Bastrop Highway
15

Continue on 183 Toll

0.7 mi · 40 sec · Bergstrom Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 54 sec
Toward Loop 111: Cesar Chavez Street, 5th Street, 6th Street, 7th Street, Airport Boulevard Use the right lane.
17

Keep slight left at fork onto East 7th Street

2.8 mi · 4 min · East 7th Street
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
18

Turn left onto Brushy Street

352 ft · 17 sec · Brushy Street
19

Turn right onto East 6th Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · East 6th Street
20

Turn left onto Congress Avenue

357 ft · 17 sec · Congress Avenue
21

Turn left onto East 5th Street

28 ft · 0 sec · East 5th Street
Use the left lane.
22

Arrive at destination

East 5th Street

Trip Plan

Given the 4-hour and 38-minute duration, starting your journey from Beaumont in the morning is advisable to arrive in Austin with plenty of daylight. The 248.6-mile trip has only one recommended stop, so plan your breaks accordingly, perhaps around the halfway point or just before the longest stretch on I-10. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the longest stretch without a major exit is 85.9 miles on I-10. The estimated fuel cost is $38, so factor that into your budget. Since this is a relatively short, highway-driven route, you have flexibility in your timing and can adjust your departure based on traffic conditions.

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 124.3 miles from Beaumont, TX, or about 2h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 85.9 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 55 miles or 1h 3m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 124.3 miles or 2h 20m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 46m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Austin, TX than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Beaumont, 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 Beaumont, TX

This is one driving day of about 248.6 miles and 4h 38m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 miles from Beaumont, 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 I 10 for about 85.9 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Fort Bend County, Texas, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Sugar Land, TX

124 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

Baytown, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 55 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Sugar Land, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 124.3 miles from Beaumont, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 10 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 85.9 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Downtown Aquarium

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Houston, Texas

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 88.8

Hours: 10 am–8:30 pm

+17132233474

Visit website

Cidercade Houston

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Houston, Texas

2.8 mi

Downtown Aquarium

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 88.8

Houston, Texas

Hours: 10 am–8:30 pm

+17132233474

Visit website

Cidercade Houston

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 88.8

Houston, Texas

Hours: 10 am–12 pm

+13462417524

Visit website

Tilt Studio Beaumont

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour

Beaumont, Texas

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+14092424301

Visit website

Children's Museum Houston

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 88.8

Houston, Texas

Hours: 9 am–8 pm

+17135221138

Visit website

Gator Country

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 17.8

Beaumont, Texas

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+14097949453

Visit website

Austin Bat Tours

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 248.6

Austin, Texas

Hours: 9 am–10 pm

Visit website

World’s Largest Working Fire Hydrant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route

Beaumont, Texas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+14098803927

Visit website

Beaumont Children's Museum

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

Beaumont, Texas

Hours: 9 am–4 pm

+14093477919

Visit website

Beaumont Escape Room

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

Beaumont, Texas

Hours: 12–7 pm

+14097293300

Visit website

Waugh Drive Bat Colony

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 88.8

Houston, Texas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+17137520314

Visit website

Imagination Station

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour

Beaumont, Texas

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+14098611929

Visit website

Barbara Fish Daniel Nature Play Area and Picnic Pavilion

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 88.8

Houston, Texas

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+17137520314

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 14

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 248.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | North Pearl Street

Turn left onto North Pearl Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
6
161.7 mi into trip | ~3h 1m in | TX 71

Keep slight left at fork onto TX 71

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
242.9 mi into trip | ~4h 28m in

Take the exit toward US 183 North, 183 Toll North: Lampasas

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 US 183 North, 183 Toll North: Lampasas
7
244.5 mi into trip | ~4h 30m in

Take the exit toward Loop 111: Cesar Chavez Street, 5th Street, 6th Street, 7th Street, Airport Boulevard

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the right lane. Toward Loop 111: Cesar Chavez Street, 5th Stree...
7
248.6 mi into trip | ~4h 38m in | East 5th Street

Turn left onto East 5th Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$37.56 one way

$75.13 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 87 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.20 $41.12 $82.23
premium $4.54 $44.39 $88.77
diesel $5.61 $54.89 $109.78

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$38

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$63–$88

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 87 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 74.6 0 $26.10 $11.93
Efficient EV 62.2 0 $21.75 $9.94
EV Truck/SUV 99.4 1 $34.80 $15.91

Gas CO2

87 kg

EV CO2

29 kg (67% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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

Beaumont, TX

Late night in Beaumont on Sunday

Local time

1:00 AM

CDT

Current temp

78°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Austin, TX

Late night in Austin on Sunday

Local time

1:00 AM

CDT

Current temp

63°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

15 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

4h 38m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a highway-focused drive for the vast majority of this 248.6-mile trip. With 98% of the route on major roadways like I-10 and TX 71, your pace will generally be consistent. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 85.9 miles on I-10, allowing for significant forward momentum. While primarily interstate, the transition to TX 71 as you near Austin will offer a slight shift in scenery and road conditions. This route prioritizes speed and efficiency over winding backroads.

98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 85.9 mi on I 10.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and TX 71. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near North Pearl 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 14 significant decision points across 248.6 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: near the start (North Pearl Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 161.7 miles (TX 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 242.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

About the Cities

Starting in Beaumont, TX

Full guide →

Beaumont is a city in Texas, USA on the northern Gulf Coast, close to the Louisiana state line. It is famous for its early 20th-century oil industry history.

Arriving 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 4h 38m. Total distance: 248.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 85.9 miles on I 10. 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.

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 Austin, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: near the start (North Pearl Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 161.7 miles (TX 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 242.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Austin, 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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