Origin
Brenham, TX
Late night in Brenham on Sunday
Local time
2:51 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Brenham, TX to Killeen, TX
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 35m
Distance
138.6 mi
223 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 26m
★
6 AM
2h 36m
8 AM
2h 57m
10 AM
2h 43m
12 PM
2h 41m
3 PM
2h 44m
5 PM
2h 56m
8 PM
2h 30m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Brenham, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Killeen, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 138.6-mile journey from Brenham, TX, to Killeen, TX, is designed for a single day of travel, taking approximately 2 hours and 35 minutes. You'll primarily navigate via US Highway 290 West and State Highway 195, with a brief section on Pickle Parkway, making it a 97% highway-focused experience. With a projected fuel cost of around $21, this drive offers a straightforward path through the Great Plains region of Texas. It's an efficient route that allows for a single stop, making it ideal for a quick trip or connecting two points without extensive detours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
69.3 miles from Brenham, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 19m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US Highway 290 West | 53.2 mi | 59m |
| State Highway 195 | 34 mi | 38m |
| Pickle Parkway | 25.3 mi | 24m |
| US 290 | 21.4 mi | 25m |
| East Main Street | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| West Veterans Memorial Boulevard | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| East Parmer Lane | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| North Interstate 35 | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US Highway 290 West
— 53.2 mi, about 59m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Brenham, TX and Killeen, TX.
1
Start on US 290 Bus
162 ft
·
8 sec
·
East Alamo Street
2
Turn left onto South Baylor Street
231 ft
·
15 sec
·
South Baylor Street
3
Turn left onto US 290 Bus
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
East Main Street
4
Continue on US 290
53 mi
·
59 min
·
US Highway 290 West
Use the straight lane.
5
Continue on US 290
21 mi
·
25 min
·
US 290
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
22 sec
Toward US 290, FM 734: Parmer Lane
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Continue on US 290
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
East US Highway 290
8
Turn right onto FM 734
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
East Parmer Lane
9
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
Toward TX 45 Toll North, TX 130 Toll North
10
Continue on this road
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
this road
Toward TX 45 Toll North, TX 130 Toll North
11
Merge onto TX 45 Toll; TX 130 Toll
25 mi
·
24 min
·
Pickle Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Toward TX 195 North: Florence, Killeen
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on North Interstate 35
0.3 mi
·
25 sec
·
North Interstate 35
14
Turn left onto TX 195
34 mi
·
38 min
·
State Highway 195
Use the left / straight lanes.
15
Turn slight right
263 ft
·
9 sec
Use the right lane.
16
Turn slight right onto US 190 Bus
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
West Veterans Memorial Boulevard
Use the right lane.
17
Turn left
83 ft
·
8 sec
18
Turn right
74 ft
·
5 sec
19
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the manageable 2 hour and 35 minute duration, this 138.6-mile trip is easily accomplished in one day. You can depart Brenham at your leisure, as the relatively short drive allows for flexibility. Plan for one stop to refuel or stretch your legs, perhaps around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on the 53.2-mile stretch on US Highway 290 West, as services can sometimes be spaced out on this section. The estimated fuel cost of $21 is a helpful budgeting tool for this Texas drive.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 69.3 miles from Brenham, TX, or about 1h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 53.2 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 30 miles or 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 69.3 miles or 1h 19m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 7m
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 Brenham, 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 Brenham, TX
This is one driving day of about 138.6 miles and 2h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 miles from Brenham, 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 Highway 290 West for about 53.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
69 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 30 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 69.3 miles from Brenham, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 135 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 103.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
South Baylor Street
Turn left onto South Baylor Street
Navigation decision point
7
76.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 27m in
Take the exit toward US 290, FM 734: Parmer Lane
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward US 290, FM 734: Parmer Lane
6
77.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 29m in
Take the ramp toward TX 45 Toll North, TX 130 Toll North
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward TX 45 Toll North, TX 130 Toll North
5
78 mi into trip
|
~1h 30m in
|
TX 45 Toll; TX 130 Toll / Pickle Parkway
Merge onto TX 45 Toll; TX 130 Toll / Pickle Parkway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
103.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 55m in
Keep slight right at fork toward TX 195 North: Florence, Killeen
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward TX 195 North: Florence, Killeen
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.94 one way
$41.89 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
49 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $22.92 | $45.85 |
| premium | $4.54 | $24.75 | $49.49 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $30.60 | $61.20 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 48.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 41.6 | 0 | $14.55 | $6.65 |
| Efficient EV | 34.7 | 0 | $12.13 | $5.54 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 55.4 | 0 | $19.40 | $8.87 |
Gas CO2
48 kg
EV CO2
16 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.
Destination
Killeen, TX
Late night in Killeen on Sunday
Local time
2:51 AM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
61°F
Elgin, TX
69 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
14 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
2h 35m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive with 97% of the route utilizing major roadways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 53.2 miles on US Highway 290 West, offering a chance to settle into a steady pace. This route generally maintains a consistent character, transitioning smoothly between US Highway 290 West and State Highway 195. You'll experience the efficiency of multi-lane highways for the majority of your travel time.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 53.2 mi on US Highway 290 West.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US Highway 290 West and State Highway 195. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near South Baylor Street.
Driving Effort
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 138.6 miles you will encounter 13 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: near the start (South Baylor Street): Navigation decision point; at 76.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 77.6 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
About the Cities
Starting in Brenham, TX
Full guide →Founded 1844
Brenham is a city in the Post Oak Savannah region of Texas. It is the county seat of Washington, County and is about halfway between Houston and Austin on U.S. Highway 290. Brenham is largely known throughout Texas for its proximity to the Birthplace of Texas (Washington, Texas) and its largest employer, Blue Bell Creameries. Brenham has a humid subtropical climate so expect very hot, humid summers. Conversely, the winters are very mild, and the coldest temperatures of the year rarely get below freezing.
Top landmarks
- • F. W. Schuerenberg House — historic place in Brenham, Washington County, Texas
- • Washington County Courthouse — historic courthouse in Brenham, Washington County, Texas
- • Brenham Downtown Historic District — historic district in Brenham, Washington County, Texas
Arriving in Killeen, TX
Full guide →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.
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 2h 35m. Total distance: 138.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 53.2 miles on US Highway 290 West. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (South Baylor Street): Navigation decision point; at 76.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 77.6 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Killeen, TX before heading back.
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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