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Trip from Cloverleaf, TX to Austin, TX

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 15m

Distance

173.9 mi

280 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$26

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min
4 AM
3h 4m ★
6 AM
3h 16m
8 AM
3h 39m
10 AM
3h 24m
12 PM
3h 21m
3 PM
3h 25m
5 PM
3h 38m
8 PM
3h 8m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Cloverleaf, TX, TX

Cloverleaf, TX

Thomas balabaud

Downtown Austin, TX, TX

Austin, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 173.9-mile drive from Cloverleaf, Texas, to Austin, Texas, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 15 minutes. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, including TX 71, the Katy Freeway, and the East Freeway, with 97% of the journey on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this route is around $26, making it a budget-friendly option. This highway-focused journey offers a straightforward path through the Great Plains region of Texas, connecting two points within the state. Given its manageable length and duration, it's an ideal candidate for a day trip.

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

86.9 miles from Cloverleaf, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 39m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
TX 71 77.7 mi 1h 22m
Katy Freeway 74.4 mi 1h 21m
East Freeway 10.3 mi 12m
East 7th Street 2.8 mi 4m
East State Highway 71 2.2 mi 2m
Bastrop Freeway 1.9 mi 2m
East Freeway Frontage Road 0.8 mi 1m
Bergstrom Expressway 0.7 mi <1m
Longest stretch: TX 71 — 77.7 mi, about 1h 22m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Cloverleaf, TX and Austin, TX.

1

Start on Hollywood Street

194 ft · 10 sec · Hollywood Street
2

Turn right onto Greenville Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · Greenville Street
3

Turn left onto Freeport Street

0.5 mi · 52 sec · Freeport Street
4

Turn right onto East Freeway Frontage Road

0.8 mi · 1 min · East Freeway Frontage Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
5

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 22 sec
Toward I 10 West Use the left lane.
6

Merge onto I 10

10 mi · 12 min · East Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Continue on I 10; US 90

74 mi · 1 hr 21 min · Katy Freeway
Use the straight lane.
8

Take the exit onto TX 71

0.5 mi · 33 sec · TX 71
Toward TX 71 West: La Grange, Austin
9

Keep slight left at fork onto TX 71

77 mi · 1 hr 22 min · TX 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Continue on 71 Toll

1.9 mi · 2 min · Bastrop Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Continue on TX 71

2.2 mi · 2 min · East State Highway 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward US 183 North, 183 Toll North: Lampasas Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Merge onto US 183

0.4 mi · 26 sec · Bastrop Highway
14

Continue on 183 Toll

0.7 mi · 40 sec · Bergstrom Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 54 sec
Toward Loop 111: Cesar Chavez Street, 5th Street, 6th Street, 7th Street, Airport Boulevard Use the right lane.
16

Keep slight left at fork onto East 7th Street

2.8 mi · 4 min · East 7th Street
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
17

Turn left onto Brushy Street

352 ft · 17 sec · Brushy Street
18

Turn right onto East 6th Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · East 6th Street
19

Turn left onto Congress Avenue

357 ft · 17 sec · Congress Avenue
20

Turn left onto East 5th Street

28 ft · 0 sec · East 5th Street
Use the left lane.
21

Arrive at destination

East 5th Street

Trip Plan

For this 3-hour and 15-minute drive, departing Cloverleaf, TX, in the morning is advisable to make the most of your day in Austin. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost of about $26, planning is straightforward. The 77.7-mile stretch on TX 71 is the longest continuous segment, so ensure you're comfortable with that duration before needing a break. Given the highway-focused nature, keep an eye on traffic patterns as you approach larger metropolitan areas, especially as you near Austin.

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 86.9 miles from Cloverleaf, TX, or about 1h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 77.7 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 38 miles or 45m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 86.9 miles or 1h 39m 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 38m

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 Cloverleaf, 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 Cloverleaf, TX

This is one driving day of about 173.9 miles and 3h 15m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from Cloverleaf, 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 71 for about 77.7 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in the federal state of Thuringia, Germany

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Weimar, TX

87 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

Sugar Land, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 38 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Columbus, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 86.9 miles from Cloverleaf, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before TX 71 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 77.7 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Downtown Aquarium

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Houston, Texas

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 12.4

Hours: 10 am–8:30 pm

+17132233474

Visit website

Cidercade Houston

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Houston, Texas

1.4 mi

Downtown Aquarium

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 12.4

Houston, Texas

Hours: 10 am–8:30 pm

+17132233474

Visit website

Cidercade Houston

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 12.4

Houston, Texas

Hours: 10 am–12 pm

+13462417524

Visit website

Children's Museum Houston

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 12.4

Houston, Texas

Hours: 9 am–8 pm

+17135221138

Visit website

Austin Bat Tours

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 173.9

Austin, Texas

Hours: 9 am–10 pm

Visit website

Andretti Indoor Karting & Games Katy

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 37.3

Katy, Texas

Hours: 11 am–11 pm

+18329742201

Visit website

Union Station

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 12.4

Houston, Texas

+17132598070

Visit website

Barbara Fish Daniel Nature Play Area and Picnic Pavilion

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 12.4

Houston, Texas

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+17137520314

Visit website

Midtown Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 12.4

Houston, Texas

Hours: 8 am–10 pm

+17135267577

Visit website

Waugh Drive Bat Colony

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 12.4

Houston, Texas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+17137520314

Visit website

Botanical Gates of Paradise

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 173.9

Austin, Texas

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

Katy Heritage Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 37.3

Katy, Texas

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+12813914840

Visit website

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 0.9 and 173.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
0.9 mi into trip | ~2m in | East Freeway Frontage Road

Turn right onto East Freeway Frontage Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left / straight lanes.
6
87 mi into trip | ~1h 39m in | TX 71

Keep slight left at fork onto TX 71

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
168.3 mi into trip | ~3h 5m in

Take the exit toward US 183 North, 183 Toll North: Lampasas

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward US 183 North, 183 Toll North: Lampasas
7
169.9 mi into trip | ~3h 8m in

Take the exit toward Loop 111: Cesar Chavez Street, 5th Street, 6th Street, 7th Street, Airport Boulevard

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the right lane. Toward Loop 111: Cesar Chavez Street, 5th Stree...
7
173.9 mi into trip | ~3h 15m in | East 5th Street

Turn left onto East 5th Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$26.28 one way

$52.55 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 61 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.20 $28.76 $57.52
premium $4.54 $31.05 $62.10
diesel $5.61 $38.39 $76.79

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$26

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$51–$76

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 60.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 52.2 0 $18.26 $8.35
Efficient EV 43.5 0 $15.22 $6.96
EV Truck/SUV 69.6 0 $24.35 $11.13

Gas CO2

61 kg

EV CO2

20 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Cloverleaf, TX

Afternoon in Cloverleaf on Sunday

Local time

1:58 PM

CDT

Current temp

66°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Austin, TX

Afternoon in Austin on Sunday

Local time

1:58 PM

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

3 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

3h 15m 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 for 97% of this 173.9-mile route. You'll primarily be on TX 71, the Katy Freeway, and the East Freeway, offering a consistent, high-speed experience. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 77.7 miles on TX 71, providing a solid block of driving time without significant interruptions. This profile suggests a straightforward journey where maintaining speed is generally possible, with minimal deviations onto smaller roads.

97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 77.7 mi on TX 71.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on TX 71 and Katy Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.9 miles in near East Freeway Frontage Road.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 173.9 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 0.9 miles (East Freeway Frontage Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 87 miles (TX 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 168.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

About the Cities

Arriving in Austin, TX

Full guide →

“City of the Violet Crown” · Founded 1835

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

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 15m. Total distance: 173.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 15m 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 77.7 miles on TX 71. 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 0.9 miles (East Freeway Frontage Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 87 miles (TX 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 168.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Austin, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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