Traveling from Big Spring to Austin covers approximately 292.6 miles, a journey that typically takes about 4 hours and 59 minutes of drive time. Because this route is a turn-heavy local drive rather than a straight interstate shot, you should plan on a full day of travel to account for the pace. Budgeting around $45 for fuel is a solid baseline for your trip expenses. Since the entire drive stays within the Great Plains region of Texas, you will experience a consistent landscape rather than a drastic geographic shift. While it is certainly possible to complete this trip in a single day, the winding nature of the roads means you should prepare for a focused, hands-on driving experience.
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
144.7 miles from Big Spring, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 37m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 87
104.4 mi
1h 55m
TX 71
58 mi
1h 18m
State Highway 71
47.2 mi
50m
William B Crooker Memorial Highway
38 mi
38m
US Highway 87 South
14.6 mi
14m
Bee Caves Road
10.3 mi
15m
TX 29
2.8 mi
3m
Bridge Street
2.8 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
US 87
— 104.4 mi, about 1h 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Big Spring, TX and Austin, TX.
1
Start on I 20 Bus
81 ft·5 sec·West 4th Street
2
Turn right onto US 87 Bus
1.8 mi·3 min·South Gregg Street
3
Continue on US 87 Bus
2.7 mi·3 min·South US Highway 87
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·19 sec
Toward US 87 South: San Angelo
5
Merge onto US 87
38 mi·38 min·William B Crooker Memorial Highway
6
Continue on US 87; TX 158; TX 163
1.2 mi·2 min·4th Street
7
Continue on US 87
15 mi·14 min·US Highway 87 South
8
Continue on US 87
104 mi·1 hr 55 min·US 87
9
Turn right onto US 87; US 190; US 377
2.8 mi·3 min·Bridge Street
10
Turn left onto TX 71
47 mi·50 min·State Highway 71
11
Turn left onto TX 29; TX 71
2.8 mi·3 min·TX 29; TX 71
12
Turn right onto TX 16; TX 71
0.4 mi·31 sec·Bessemer Avenue
13
Continue on TX 16; TX 71
1.1 mi·1 min·Ford Street
14
Turn left onto TX 71
58 mi·1 hr 18 min·TX 71
15
Turn left onto RM 2244
8.0 mi·11 min·Bee Caves Road
Use the left lane.
16
Continue on RM 2244
1.0 mi·1 min·Bee Cave Road
17
Continue on RM 2244
2.3 mi·4 min·Bee Caves Road
18
Turn left onto South Mopac Service Road
0.2 mi·16 sec·South Mopac Service Road
Use the left lane.
19
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·17 sec
Toward Loop 1 North
20
Merge onto Loop 1
0.6 mi·42 sec·South Mopac Expressway
21
Take the exit
0.1 mi·12 sec
Toward 5th Street, Lake Austin Boulevard, Cesar Chavez StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·14 sec
Toward West 5th Street, Lake Austin BoulevardUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight right at fork
120 ft·2 sec
Toward 5th StreetUse the slight right lane.
24
Turn straight onto West 5th Street
1.6 mi·3 min·West 5th Street
Use the straight lane.
25
Arrive at destination
East 5th Street
Trip Plan
Given the nearly five-hour duration and the technical nature of the local roads, departing early in the morning is the smartest way to ensure you reach Austin before nightfall. You should factor in at least one significant stop to stretch your legs and refuel, as the constant turning can be more fatiguing than driving on straight highways. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge throughout the journey, as local routes can sometimes have fewer service stations than major interstates. Since you only have one planned stop, use that break to reset your focus for the second half of the drive. Most importantly, stay patient with the route’s turns, as the local roads demand a slower, more deliberate pace than typical highway travel.
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 144.7 miles from Big Spring, TX, or about 2h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 104.4 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 64 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 144.7 miles or 2h 37m 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 25m
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 Big Spring, 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 Big Spring, TX
This is one driving day of about 289.4 miles and 5h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 miles from Big Spring, 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 US 87 for about 104.4 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 275.3 and 287.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
275.3 mi into trip|~5h 17m in|RM 2244 / Bee Caves Road
Turn left onto RM 2244 / Bee Caves Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
286.6 mi into trip|~5h 34m in|South Mopac Service Road
Turn left onto South Mopac Service Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
287.5 mi into trip|~5h 35m in
Take the exit toward 5th Street, Lake Austin Boulevard, Cesar Chavez 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.
Toward 5th Street, Lake Austin Boulevard, Cesar...
9
287.6 mi into trip|~5h 36m in
Keep slight left at fork toward West 5th Street, Lake Austin Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward West 5th Street, Lake Austin Boulevard
8
287.7 mi into trip|~5h 36m in
Keep slight right at fork toward 5th Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward 5th Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$43.73 one way
$87.46 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg101 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$47.86
$95.73
premium
$4.54
$51.67
$103.34
diesel
$5.61
$63.90
$127.79
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 101.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
86.8
1
$30.39
$13.89
Efficient EV
72.4
0
$25.32
$11.58
EV Truck/SUV
115.8
1
$40.52
$18.52
Gas CO2
101 kg
EV CO2
34 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 Apr 14, 2026
Origin
Big Spring, TX
Late night
in Big Spring on Sunday
Local time
12:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Austin, TX
Late night
in Austin on Sunday
Local time
12:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Patchy Drizzle
SSE 10 mph20% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 14 at 2:58PM CDT until April 14 at 3:45PM CDT by NWS Norman OK
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 14 at 1:54PM CDT until April 14 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX
80°F
Mason, TX
145 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
27 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 39m 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.
Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park tells the story of our 36th president beginning with his ancestors until his final resting place on his beloved LBJ Ranch. This entire "circle of life" gives...
22 mi from route
~55 min detour
Free
near mile 239.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a departure from high-speed interstate monotony as you navigate away from Big Spring. This route relies on local infrastructure, primarily utilizing South Gregg Street, Highway 87, and US 87 South to connect you to Austin. With a highway share of 0%, you won't be cruising on major interstates, which keeps the drive feeling more intimate and technical. You will encounter a series of turns that require your constant attention, making this a much more active drive than a standard highway trek. Be ready to stay alert, as the lack of long, uninterrupted stretches means you will be adjusting your speed and navigating local road conditions for the duration of your trip.
80% 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: 104.4 mi on US 87.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 87 and TX 71. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 275.3 miles in near RM 2244 / Bee Caves Road.
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 16 significant decision points across 289.4 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 275.3 miles (RM 2244 / Bee Caves Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 286.6 miles (South Mopac Service Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 287.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 39m. Total distance: 289.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (80%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 104.4 miles on US 87. 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: at 275.3 miles (RM 2244 / Bee Caves Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 286.6 miles (South Mopac Service Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 287.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park. 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 11.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Austin, TX before the return drive.
