Origin
Celina, TX
Late night in Celina on Tuesday
Local time
4:12 AM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Celina, TX to Killeen, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 33m
Distance
195 mi
314 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$29
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 21m
★
6 AM
3h 33m
8 AM
3h 58m
10 AM
3h 42m
12 PM
3h 39m
3 PM
3h 43m
5 PM
3h 57m
8 PM
3h 26m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Celina, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Killeen, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 195-mile drive from Celina, TX, to Killeen, TX, is a straightforward, single-day trip that should take about 3 hours and 33 minutes. It's primarily a highway-focused journey, with 63% of the route utilizing major roadways like South R L Thornton Freeway and Dallas North Tollway. With an estimated fuel cost of $29, this route is budget-friendly for a quick excursion. You'll be traveling within the Great Plains region for the entire trip, so expect a consistent landscape. This drive is perfectly manageable as a day trip, allowing for flexibility in your schedule.
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
97.5 miles from Celina, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 49m 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 |
| Dallas North Tollway | 30.3 mi | 33m |
| Central Texas Expressway | 13.1 mi | 13m |
| North Jack Kultgen Expressway | 6.6 mi | 7m |
| South Dallas Parkway | 5.7 mi | 8m |
| West Central Texas Expressway | 2.9 mi | 3m |
| FM 428 | 1.9 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
South R L Thornton Freeway
— 89.9 mi, about 1h 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Celina, TX and Killeen, TX.
1
Start on TX 289 Business; FM 455
179 ft
·
9 sec
·
West Pecan Street
2
Turn left onto FM 455
355 ft
·
11 sec
·
North Louisiana Drive
3
Turn right onto FM 455
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
West Walnut Street
4
Continue on FM 455
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
·
West FM 455
5
Turn left onto FM 428
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
FM 428
6
Keep slight right at fork onto FM 428
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
FM 428
7
Turn left onto South Dallas Parkway
5.2 mi
·
7 min
·
South Dallas Parkway
Use the left lane.
8
Continue on South Dallas Parkway
0.5 mi
·
46 sec
·
South Dallas Parkway
Use the left / straight lanes.
9
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
59 sec
10
Continue on DNT
30 mi
·
33 min
·
Dallas North Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
Toward I 35E South
Use the right lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork
329 ft
·
8 sec
Toward I 35E South
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
13
Turn straight onto North Stemmons Freeway
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
·
North Stemmons Freeway
14
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
Toward I 35E South
15
Merge onto I 35E
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
North Stemmons Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on I 35E
0.5 mi
·
44 sec
·
South R L Thornton Freeway
17
Continue on I 35E
89 mi
·
1 hr 31 min
·
South R L Thornton Freeway
Exit 426
Toward Dallas Zoo
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on I 35; US 77
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on I 35
38 mi
·
39 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight right at fork onto I 14; US 190
13 mi
·
13 min
·
Central Texas Expressway
Toward US 190 West: Killeen, Fort Cavazos
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 287
Toward FM 3470: Rosewood Drive, Stan Schlueter Loop
Use the slight right lane.
22
Turn straight onto West Central Texas Expressway
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
West Central Texas Expressway
23
Turn right onto South W.S. Young Drive
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
South W.S. Young Drive
24
Turn left onto US 190 Bus
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
East Veterans Memorial Boulevard
25
Turn right
83 ft
·
8 sec
26
Turn right
74 ft
·
5 sec
27
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the manageable 3-hour and 33-minute duration for this 195-mile route, you can easily complete it in one day. Consider departing early to avoid potential traffic, especially as you navigate through the Dallas area. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost of around $29, you have flexibility in pacing your journey. Pay attention to signage for the Purple Heart Trail to acknowledge its significance as you travel. This straightforward drive allows you to focus on reaching Killeen efficiently.
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 97.5 miles from Celina, TX, or about 1h 49m 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 43 miles or 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 97.5 miles or 1h 49m 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 54m
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 Celina, 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 Celina, TX
This is one driving day of about 195 miles and 3h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 miles from Celina, 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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
98 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 43 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 97.5 miles from Celina, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before South R L Thornton Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 89.9 miles.
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 165 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 189.4 — 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
|
FM 455 / North Louisiana Drive
Turn left onto FM 455 / North Louisiana Drive
Navigation decision point
7
39.4 mi into trip
|
~48m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 35E South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 35E South
7
39.8 mi into trip
|
~49m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 35E South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35E South
8
176.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 11m 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
189.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 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
$29.46 one way
$58.93 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
68 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $32.25 | $64.50 |
| premium | $4.54 | $34.82 | $69.63 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $43.05 | $86.11 |
Estimated Tolls: $2.42
Dallas North Tollway
(30.3 mi)
$2.42
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
$29
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 68.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 58.5 | 0 | $20.47 | $9.36 |
| Efficient EV | 48.8 | 0 | $17.06 | $7.80 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 78 | 0 | $27.30 | $12.48 |
Gas CO2
68 kg
EV CO2
23 kg (66% 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 Tuesday
Local time
4:12 AM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
64°F
Italy, TX
98 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
3 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
3h 33m 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.
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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 134.5
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this 195-mile trip, with 63% of your journey on major roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 89.9 miles on South R L Thornton Freeway, offering a period of consistent driving. While much of the route involves efficient travel on these main arteries, the presence of the Dallas North Tollway suggests some sections may involve tolls. The overall feel is one of steady progress, typical of a highway-centric drive through Texas.
63% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 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 early in the drive near FM 455 / North Louisiana Drive.
Driving Effort
7/10
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 195 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: near the start (FM 455 / North Louisiana Drive): Navigation decision point; at 39.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 39.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Celina, TX and Killeen, TX, road signs point toward Dallas Zoo and Fort Cavazos.
Dallas Zoo
42.5 mi in
|
~52m
|
via I 35E
Fort Cavazos
176.4 mi in
|
~3h 11m
|
via I 14; US 190
About the Cities
Starting in Celina, TX
Full guide →Arriving in Killeen, TX
Full guide →Founded 1872
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
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 3h 33m. Total distance: 195 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.
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 $2.42 in tolls one way, starting with Dallas North 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: near the start (FM 455 / North Louisiana Drive): Navigation decision point; at 39.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 39.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Killeen, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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