This 224.9-mile drive from Bonham, TX to Killeen, TX is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 4 hours and 3 minutes to complete. Primarily a highway-focused route, you'll spend about 74% of your time on major roads. With an estimated fuel cost of $34, this journey through the Great Plains region of Texas is a straightforward transit. You'll navigate using key arteries like South R L Thornton Freeway and Central Expressway. This route is well-suited for travelers looking for an efficient and uncomplicated drive between these two Texas cities.
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
112.4 miles from Bonham, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 3m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
South R L Thornton Freeway
89.9 mi
1h 32m
Purple Heart Trail
37.9 mi
39m
Central Expressway
35 mi
37m
South State Highway 121
16.9 mi
18m
Sam Rayburn Highway
15.2 mi
17m
Central Texas Expressway
13.1 mi
13m
North Jack Kultgen Expressway
6.6 mi
7m
West Central Texas Expressway
2.9 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
South R L Thornton Freeway
— 89.9 mi, about 1h 32m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 14 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~4,837 veh/hr typical
· worst 5,660
Quietest
2 AM
~666 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 43 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 Bonham, TX and Killeen, TX.
1
Start on this road
81 ft·7 sec·this road
2
Turn right
57 ft·6 sec
3
Turn right onto TX 78
192 ft·7 sec·North Center Street
4
Turn right onto TX 56
1.3 mi·1 min·East Sam Rayburn Drive
5
Turn slight left onto TX 121
17 mi·18 min·South State Highway 121
6
Continue on TX 121
15 mi·17 min·Sam Rayburn Highway
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward US 75 South, TX 121 SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto US 75; TX 121
35 mi·37 min·Central Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
501 ft·12 sec
Exit 284CToward Downtown, Good-Latimer ExpresswayUse the slight left lane.
10
Continue on North Central Expressway
0.7 mi·1 min·North Central Expressway
Use the left / straight lanes.
11
Turn right onto Elm Street
304 ft·10 sec·Elm Street
12
Turn left onto North Pearl Expressway
0.2 mi·28 sec·North Pearl Expressway
Use the straight lane.
13
Turn right onto Young Street
0.1 mi·19 sec·Young Street
14
Turn left onto South Harwood Street
315 ft·8 sec·South Harwood Street
Use the left lane.
15
Turn right onto Canton Street
0.4 mi·47 sec·Canton Street
16
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward I 30 West
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·14 sec
Toward I 35E South, I 35E North: Waco, Denton
18
Keep slight left at fork
221 ft·5 sec
Toward I 35E North, I 35E South: Denton, WacoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·30 sec
Toward I 35E South: WacoUse the left / right lanes.
20
Continue on I 35E
0.5 mi·44 sec·South R L Thornton Freeway
21
Continue on I 35E
89 mi·1 hr 31 min·South R L Thornton Freeway
Exit 426Toward Dallas ZooUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on I 35; US 77
6.6 mi·7 min·North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on I 35
38 mi·39 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight right at fork onto I 14; US 190
13 mi·13 min·Central Texas Expressway
Toward US 190 West: Killeen, Fort CavazosUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Exit 287Toward FM 3470: Rosewood Drive, Stan Schlueter LoopUse the slight right lane.
26
Turn straight onto West Central Texas Expressway
2.9 mi·3 min·West Central Texas Expressway
27
Turn right onto South W.S. Young Drive
1.3 mi·2 min·South W.S. Young Drive
28
Turn left onto US 190 Bus
1.0 mi·1 min·East Veterans Memorial Boulevard
29
Turn right
83 ft·8 sec
30
Turn right
74 ft·5 sec
31
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour duration, this trip is best tackled in one day. Aim for an early morning departure from Bonham, TX, to maximize daylight and allow for a relaxed pace. You'll want to plan for at least one stop, as the longest continuous driving segment is nearly 90 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during that extended stretch on South R L Thornton Freeway, to avoid any unexpected delays. The $34 fuel estimate is helpful for budgeting your trip.
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 112.4 miles from Bonham, TX, or about 2h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 89.9 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 49 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 112.4 miles or 2h 3m 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 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Killeen, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Bonham, 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 Bonham, TX
This is one driving day of about 224.9 miles and 4h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 miles from Bonham, 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 South R L Thornton Freeway for about 89.9 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 33.6 and 219.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
33.6 mi into trip|~37m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 75 South, TX 121 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 75 South, TX 121 South
8
69.4 mi into trip|~1h 17m in
Take the exit toward Downtown, Good-Latimer Expressway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 284C
Toward Downtown, Good-Latimer Expressway
9
71.5 mi into trip|~1h 21m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35E North, I 35E South: Denton, Waco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35E North, I 35E South: Denton, Waco
8
206.3 mi into trip|~3h 41m in|I 14; US 190 / Central Texas Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 14; US 190 / Central Texas Expressway toward US 190 West: Killeen, Fort Cavazos
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 190 West: Killeen, Fort Cavazos
8
219.3 mi into trip|~3h 54m in
Take the exit toward FM 3470: Rosewood Drive, Stan Schlueter Loop
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 287
Toward FM 3470: Rosewood Drive, Stan Schlueter...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.80 one way
$61.61 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg79 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$34.41
$68.82
premium
$4.23
$37.41
$74.82
diesel
$4.80
$42.47
$84.93
Estimated Tolls: $2.86
Central Expressway
(35.7 mi)$2.86
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 78.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
67.5
0
$23.61
$10.80
Efficient EV
56.2
0
$19.68
$9.00
EV Truck/SUV
90
1
$31.49
$14.39
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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Bonham, TX
Afternoon
in Bonham on Sunday
Local time
2:49 PM
CDT
Current temp
95°F
Mostly Sunny
SSW 10 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 2:11PM CDT until July 20 at 7:21AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 2:08PM CDT until July 18 at 5:15PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Destination
Killeen, TX
Afternoon
in Killeen on Sunday
Local time
2:49 PM
CDT
Current temp
94°F
Mostly Sunny
S 10 to 15 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 2:11PM CDT until July 20 at 7:21AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 2:08PM CDT until July 18 at 5:15PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
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
1 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 3m 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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 162.8
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 for the majority of this 224.9-mile trip, with 74% of the route utilizing major highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 89.9 miles on South R L Thornton Freeway, offering a period of consistent travel. While largely on high-speed roads, the route may offer some variation as you transition between different main roads like Purple Heart Trail and Central Expressway. This drive emphasizes efficient travel over particularly winding or technical sections.
74% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 89.9 mi on South R L Thornton Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on South R L Thornton Freeway and Purple Heart Trail. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 33.6 miles in.
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 224.9 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 33.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 69.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 71.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
823 ft462 ft
Total Climb
686 ft
Total Descent
469 ft
Highest Point
823 ft
~224.9 mi in
Elevation Range
361 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Bonham, TX and Killeen, TX, road signs point toward Downtown, Denton, Waco, Dallas Zoo and Fort Cavazos.
Killeen is a city in the Central Hill Country of Texas. It is home to U.S. Army installation Fort Cavasos, one of the largest military bases in the world.
Top landmarks
•Killeen High School — historic place in Killeen, Bell County, Texas
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 3m. Total distance: 224.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 3m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (74%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 89.9 miles on South R L Thornton Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.86 in tolls one way, starting with Central Expressway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
Yes — we found about 22 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 Killeen, 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 22 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 33.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 69.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 71.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Killeen, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.
