Bishop, TX to Austin, TX is 225.4 miles and takes about 4h 15m via I 37, Purple Heart Trail, and U.S. Highway 77, with a fuel budget near $34 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily stays within the Great Plains region, offering a straightforward, highway-focused experience. You'll spend a good portion of your time on major interstates, making it a relatively quick trip. Consider this route if you need to get from point A to point B efficiently without extensive detours. It’s a practical choice for a single-day journey.
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
112.7 miles from Bishop, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 12m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 37
117.3 mi
1h 57m
Purple Heart Trail
58.6 mi
1h 3m
U.S. Highway 77
13.2 mi
14m
Connally Loop
10.6 mi
12m
North Pan Am Expressway
10.2 mi
11m
County Road 79
4 mi
15m
Driscoll Bypass
2.3 mi
2m
Interstate Highway 35
1.9 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 37
— 117.3 mi, about 1h 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bishop, TX and Austin, TX.
1
Start on US 77 Business
1.9 mi·2 min·US 77 Business
2
Continue on County Road 10
1.0 mi·4 min·County Road 10
3
Turn left onto County Road 79
4.0 mi·15 min·County Road 79
4
Turn left onto County Road 18
0.2 mi·43 sec·County Road 18
5
Turn sharp right
1.1 mi·2 min
6
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·57 sec
7
Merge onto US 77
2.3 mi·2 min·Driscoll Bypass
8
Continue on US 77
13 mi·14 min·U.S. Highway 77
9
Merge onto I 37; US 77; I 69E
1.4 mi·1 min·I 37; US 77; I 69E
10
Keep slight left at fork
1.3 mi·1 min
11
Continue on I 37
116 mi·1 hr 56 min·I 37
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Exit 133Toward I 410, TX 130, US 281 SouthUse the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·58 sec
Toward I 410 North, TX 130 NorthUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto I 410; TX 130
11 mi·12 min·Connally Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto I 35; I 410
2.8 mi·3 min·North Pan Am Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto North Pan Am Expressway
7.4 mi·8 min·North Pan Am Expressway
Toward I 35: AustinUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on I 35
12 mi·12 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on I 35
1.9 mi·2 min·Interstate Highway 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on I 35
47 mi·50 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.1 mi·24 sec
Exit 234CToward 6th - 12th StreetsUse the slight right lane.
21
Turn left onto East 6th Street
0.5 mi·1 min·East 6th Street
22
Turn left onto Congress Avenue
357 ft·17 sec·Congress Avenue
23
Turn left onto East 5th Street
28 ft·0 sec·East 5th Street
Use the left lane.
24
Arrive at destination
East 5th Street
Trip Plan
Since this 225.4-mile drive is easily completed in under 5 hours, you have plenty of flexibility with your departure time. Leaving Bishop, TX in the morning will put you in Austin, TX with ample time to spare. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 117.3-mile stretch on I 37, as services can be spaced out on major highways. Plan for one stop to break up the drive and refuel if needed. The total fuel cost is estimated at $34, so budget accordingly.
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 112.7 miles from Bishop, TX, or about 2h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 117.3 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 50 miles or 1h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 112.7 miles or 2h 12m 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 30m
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 Bishop, 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 Bishop, TX
This is one driving day of about 225.4 miles and 4h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 miles from Bishop, 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 37 for about 117.3 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 142.7 and 225.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
142.7 mi into trip|~2h 42m in
Take the exit toward I 410, TX 130, US 281 South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 133
Toward I 410, TX 130, US 281 South
8
142.9 mi into trip|~2h 42m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 410 North, TX 130 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 410 North, TX 130 North
7
156.7 mi into trip|~2h 59m in|North Pan Am Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto North Pan Am Expressway toward I 35: Austin
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35: Austin
7
224.6 mi into trip|~4h 13m in
Take the exit toward 6th - 12th Streets
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 234C
Toward 6th - 12th Streets
7
225.4 mi into trip|~4h 15m in|East 5th Street
Turn left onto East 5th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.06 one way
$68.12 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg79 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$37.28
$74.56
premium
$4.54
$40.24
$80.49
diesel
$5.61
$49.77
$99.53
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 78.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
67.6
0
$23.67
$10.82
Efficient EV
56.4
0
$19.72
$9.02
EV Truck/SUV
90.2
1
$31.56
$14.43
Gas CO2
79 kg
EV CO2
26 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
Bishop, TX
Late night
in Bishop on Sunday
Local time
2:28 AM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Austin, TX
Late night
in Austin on Sunday
Local time
2:28 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
4 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 15m 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.
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Welcome to San Antonio Missions, a National Park Service site and the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Texas. Each mission in the park is a center of community and has been since the early 1700s. Th...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 139.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive on this route, with 64% of your journey on major roads like I 37. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 117.3 miles on I 37, so be prepared for extended periods on the interstate. While the primary roads are fast, the inclusion of Purple Heart Trail and U.S. Highway 77 might offer slight variations in scenery and speed. Overall, the character is one of steady progress on well-maintained highways, designed for efficient travel.
64% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 117.3 mi on I 37.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 37 and Purple Heart Trail. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 142.7 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 225.4 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 142.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 142.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 156.7 miles (North Pan Am Expressway): 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 4h 15m. Total distance: 225.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 15m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 117.3 miles on I 37. 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 142.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 142.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 156.7 miles (North Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Austin, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.
