Spanning 224.3 miles, this journey from Brownwood to Killeen takes approximately 4 hours and 34 minutes of driving time. Because the route is categorized as a turn-heavy local drive, it is best approached as a one-day trip rather than a multi-day excursion. You should budget roughly $34 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Great Plains locations. While the drive is manageable in a single stretch, the winding nature of the roads means you will want to stay alert. Expect a practical, no-frills transit that keeps you off the major interstates and focused on local navigation.
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
112.2 miles from Brownwood, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 21m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
TX 6
49.8 mi
53m
Aggie Expressway
24.8 mi
27m
Farm-to-Market Road 485
20.4 mi
25m
Farm-to-Market Road 979
15.3 mi
19m
TX 53
13.1 mi
16m
Central Texas Expressway
13.1 mi
13m
East Sam Houston Tollway North
13 mi
15m
North Sam Houston Parkway East
8.7 mi
10m
Longest stretch:
TX 6
— 49.8 mi, about 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Brownwood, TX and Killeen, TX.
1
Start on Mapleton Avenue
0.2 mi·1 min·Mapleton Avenue
2
Turn right onto Bayshore Drive
0.8 mi·5 min·Bayshore Drive
3
Keep slight right at fork onto Bayshore Drive
0.5 mi·3 min·Bayshore Drive
4
Turn left onto West Schreck Street
0.7 mi·3 min·West Schreck Street
5
Turn left onto Bayway Drive
1.5 mi·2 min·Bayway Drive
6
Turn left onto Decker Drive
0.9 mi·1 min·Decker Drive
7
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·14 sec
Toward I 10 West
8
Merge onto Spur 330
0.7 mi·46 sec·Decker Drive
Use the straight lane.
9
Merge onto I 10
5.6 mi·6 min·East Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 781AToward BW 8 South, BW 8 North: Sam Houston Tollway, Pasadena, Sam Houston ParkwayUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward BW 8 North: Sam Houston ParkwayUse the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto BW 8
3.0 mi·3 min·East Sam Houston Parkway North
13
Continue on SHT
13 mi·15 min·East Sam Houston Tollway North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on BW 8
8.7 mi·10 min·North Sam Houston Parkway East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on SHT
2.3 mi·2 min·North Sam Houston Tollway West
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto SHT
2.1 mi·2 min·North Sam Houston Tollway West
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward TX 249 SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Turn straight onto BW 8
0.7 mi·1 min·North Sam Houston Parkway West
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Turn right onto Tomball Parkway Frontage Road
0.3 mi·26 sec·Tomball Parkway Frontage Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Take the ramp onto Tomball Parkway Frontage Road
0.2 mi·23 sec·Tomball Parkway Frontage Road
Toward TX 249 NorthUse the slight left lane.
21
Merge onto TX 249
7.4 mi·8 min·Tomball Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on TBT
7.3 mi·8 min·Tomball Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on TX 249 Toll
3.6 mi·4 min·MCTRA 249 Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Continue on TX 249 Toll
25 mi·27 min·Aggie Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Continue on TX 105
5.8 mi·6 min·State Highway 105
26
Turn right onto TX 105
0.2 mi·16 sec·State Highway 6
27
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·18 sec
28
Merge onto TX 6
50 mi·53 min·TX 6
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 6
5.8 mi·5 min·North State Highway 6
30
Continue on TX 6
1.3 mi·2 min·South Main Street
31
Turn left onto FM 979
0.7 mi·1 min·Browning Street
32
Continue on FM 979
15 mi·19 min·Farm-to-Market Road 979
33
At end of road, turn right onto FM 485
20 mi·25 min·Farm-to-Market Road 485
34
At end of road, turn left onto TX 53
13 mi·16 min·TX 53
35
Turn left onto North General Bruce Drive
0.2 mi·20 sec·North General Bruce Drive
36
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward I 35 South
37
Merge onto I 35
7.1 mi·7 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
38
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.
39
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Exit 287Toward FM 3470: Rosewood Drive, Stan Schlueter LoopUse the slight right lane.
40
Turn straight onto West Central Texas Expressway
2.9 mi·3 min·West Central Texas Expressway
41
Turn right onto South W.S. Young Drive
1.3 mi·2 min·South W.S. Young Drive
42
Turn left onto US 190 Bus
1.0 mi·1 min·East Veterans Memorial Boulevard
43
Turn right
83 ft·8 sec
44
Turn right
74 ft·5 sec
45
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a turn-heavy, four-and-a-half-hour commitment, plan your departure for the early morning to avoid navigating complex local junctions in low-light conditions. You only have one planned stop along the way, so be sure to time your breaks strategically to keep your energy up throughout the 224.3-mile transit. Given the lack of highway segments, maintain a steady pace and keep a close eye on your GPS, as the transition between local roads can be frequent and easy to miss. Factor the $34 fuel cost into your budget before heading out to ensure you have enough for the full trip. Because the route relies entirely on local streets, flexibility is your greatest asset if you encounter unexpected traffic.
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 112.2 miles from Brownwood, TX, or about 2h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 49.8 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 1h 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 112.2 miles or 2h 21m 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 45m
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 Brownwood, 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 Brownwood, TX
This is one driving day of about 224.3 miles and 4h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 miles from Brownwood, 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 TX 6 for about 49.8 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 33
5 decision points cluster between mile 11 and 218.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
11 mi into trip|~25m in
Take the exit toward BW 8 South, BW 8 North: Sam Houston Tollway, Pasadena, Sam Houston Parkway
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 781A
Toward BW 8 South, BW 8 North: Sam Houston Toll...
7
11.3 mi into trip|~26m in
Keep slight right at fork toward BW 8 North: Sam Houston Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward BW 8 North: Sam Houston Parkway
6
41.3 mi into trip|~1h 1m in
Take the exit toward TX 249 South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward TX 249 South
8
205.7 mi into trip|~4h 12m 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
218.8 mi into trip|~4h 25m 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
$33.89 one way
$67.78 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg79 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$37.10
$74.20
premium
$4.54
$40.05
$80.09
diesel
$5.61
$49.52
$99.05
Estimated Tolls: $2.15
Sam Houston Tollway
(17.4 mi)$1.39
Tomball Tollway
(7.3 mi)$0.51
MCTRA 249 Tollway
(3.6 mi)$0.25
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
$34
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 78.5 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
67.3
0
$23.55
$10.77
Efficient EV
56.1
0
$19.63
$8.97
EV Truck/SUV
89.7
1
$31.40
$14.36
Gas CO2
78 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
Brownwood, TX
Morning
in Brownwood on Sunday
Local time
8:28 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Killeen, TX
Morning
in Killeen on Sunday
Local time
8:28 AM
CDT
Current temp
60°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 34m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a very different experience than your typical interstate cruise, as this route features zero highway miles. Instead, you will navigate a series of turn-heavy local roads, including Bayshore Drive, West Schreck Street, and Bayway Drive. The personality of this trip is defined by frequent adjustments behind the wheel rather than long, uninterrupted stretches of high-speed travel. Because the road conditions prioritize local connectivity over efficiency, you will find yourself constantly engaged with the turns. It is a drive that demands your full attention, moving away from the monotony of highway driving in favor of a more technical, winding path.
63% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
45 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 49.8 mi on TX 6.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on TX 6 and Aggie Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 11 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 33 significant decision points across 224.3 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 11 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 41.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Brownwood, TX to Killeen, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Fort Cavazos along the way.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 34m. Total distance: 224.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 49.8 miles on TX 6. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.15 in tolls one way, starting with Sam Houston Tollway. 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.
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 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 11 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 41.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Killeen, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.
