Clute, TX to Killeen, TX is 256.6 miles and takes about 5h 3m via TX 6, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Great Plains region, moving from one part of Texas to another. Most of the trip is on highways, making it a straightforward drive. With just one recommended stop and a relatively short duration, it's a good option for a single-day trip. You'll likely encounter a mix of suburban and rural Texas scenery along the way.
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
128.3 miles from Clute, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 33m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
TX 6
68.7 mi
1h 14m
Northwest Freeway
35.5 mi
40m
Nolan Ryan Expressway
27.2 mi
31m
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
West Sam Houston Tollway South
12.2 mi
14m
Longest stretch:
TX 6
— 68.7 mi, about 1h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clute, TX and Killeen, TX.
1
Start on East Main Street
0.2 mi·28 sec·East Main Street
2
Turn left onto TX 288 Bus
6.0 mi·8 min·Brazosport Boulevard North
3
Continue on TX 288 Bus
1.1 mi·1 min·South Velasco Street
4
Turn left onto CR 220
1.5 mi·2 min·Coale Road
5
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
6
Merge onto TX 288
27 mi·31 min·Nolan Ryan Expressway
7
Continue on TX 288
0.1 mi·7 sec·South Freeway
8
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 288 Toll
5.1 mi·5 min·Brazoria County Expressway
9
Take the exit onto Brazoria County Expressway
0.4 mi·30 sec·Brazoria County Expressway
Toward SHT West, SHT East: Sam Houston TollwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·2 min
Toward SHT West: Sam Houston TollwayUse the slight left lane.
11
Merge onto SHT
10 mi·11 min·South Sam Houston Tollway West
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on BW 8
1.9 mi·2 min·South Sam Houston Parkway West
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on SHT
12 mi·14 min·West Sam Houston Tollway South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit onto SHT
0.4 mi·27 sec·West Sam Houston Tollway North
Use the slight right lane.
15
Merge onto SHT
0.7 mi·48 sec·West Sam Houston Tollway North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·28 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward US 290 West: AustinUse the slight left lane.
18
Merge onto US 290
35 mi·40 min·Northwest Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
19
Take the exit onto TX 6
0.3 mi·36 sec·TX 6
Toward College Station, BryanUse the slight right lane.
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·19 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Turn right
0.2 mi·12 sec
Use the straight / right lanes.
22
Continue on TX 6
11 mi·12 min·TX 6
Use the straight / right lanes.
23
Turn straight onto TX 6
58 mi·1 hr 1 min·TX 6
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 6
5.8 mi·5 min·North State Highway 6
25
Continue on TX 6
1.3 mi·2 min·South Main Street
26
Turn left onto FM 979
0.7 mi·1 min·Browning Street
27
Continue on FM 979
15 mi·19 min·Farm-to-Market Road 979
28
At end of road, turn right onto FM 485
20 mi·25 min·Farm-to-Market Road 485
29
At end of road, turn left onto TX 53
13 mi·16 min·TX 53
30
Turn left onto North General Bruce Drive
0.2 mi·20 sec·North General Bruce Drive
31
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward I 35 South
32
Merge onto I 35
7.1 mi·7 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
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.
34
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Exit 287Toward FM 3470: Rosewood Drive, Stan Schlueter LoopUse the slight right lane.
35
Turn straight onto West Central Texas Expressway
2.9 mi·3 min·West Central Texas Expressway
36
Turn right onto South W.S. Young Drive
1.3 mi·2 min·South W.S. Young Drive
37
Turn left onto US 190 Bus
1.0 mi·1 min·East Veterans Memorial Boulevard
38
Turn right
83 ft·8 sec
39
Turn right
74 ft·5 sec
40
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 3m estimated drive time, departing from Clute in the morning allows you to reach Killeen with plenty of daylight. The route is designed for a single day, so you don't need to plan for an overnight stay. While there's only one suggested stop, consider breaking up the drive with a brief pause around the halfway point for a stretch. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longer 68.7-mile stretch on TX 6, as services might be less frequent in some sections. The $37 fuel cost is an estimate, so it's wise to have a little extra budgeted.
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 128.3 miles from Clute, TX, or about 2h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 68.7 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 56 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 128.3 miles or 2h 33m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 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 Clute, 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 Clute, TX
This is one driving day of about 256.6 miles and 5h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 miles from Clute, 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 68.7 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 29
5 decision points cluster between mile 41.7 and 251 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
41.7 mi into trip|~52m in|Brazoria County Expressway
Take the exit onto Brazoria County Expressway toward SHT West, SHT East: Sam Houston Tollway
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 SHT West, SHT East: Sam Houston Tollway
7
42.1 mi into trip|~53m in
Keep slight left at fork toward SHT West: Sam Houston Tollway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward SHT West: Sam Houston Tollway
7
68.9 mi into trip|~1h 25m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 290 West: Austin
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward US 290 West: Austin
8
238 mi into trip|~4h 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
251 mi into trip|~4h 55m 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
$35.15 one way
$70.29 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg90 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$39.26
$78.52
premium
$4.23
$42.68
$85.36
diesel
$4.80
$48.45
$96.90
Estimated Tolls: $1.90
Sam Houston Tollway
(23.7 mi)$1.90
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
$35
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 89.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
77
0
$26.94
$12.32
Efficient EV
64.2
0
$22.45
$10.26
EV Truck/SUV
102.6
1
$35.92
$16.42
Gas CO2
90 kg
EV CO2
30 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
Clute, TX
Late night
in Clute on Monday
Local time
5:27 AM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 5 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 3:19AM CDT until July 22 at 7:46AM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 3:19AM CDT until July 21 at 3:48AM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX
Destination
Killeen, TX
Late night
in Killeen on Monday
Local time
5:27 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 10 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 3:19AM CDT until July 22 at 7:46AM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 3:19AM CDT until July 21 at 3:48AM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi 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
4 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
5h 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route features a 68% highway share, meaning you'll spend a good portion of your time on higher-speed roads. The longest continuous stretch on TX 6 is 68.7 miles, offering a consistent cruising experience. As you transition from highway driving, expect to encounter more frequent exits and local traffic. The profile is mostly highway, so plan for a driving experience that prioritizes efficiency.
68% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
40 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 68.7 mi on TX 6.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on TX 6 and Northwest Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 41.7 miles in near Brazoria County Expressway.
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 29 significant decision points across 256.6 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 41.7 miles (Brazoria County Expressway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 42.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 68.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
823 ft15 ft
Total Climb
847 ft
Total Descent
39 ft
Highest Point
823 ft
~256.6 mi in
Elevation Range
808 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Clute, TX and Killeen, TX, road signs point toward Sht West, Sht East: Sam Houston Tollway, Sht West: Sam Houston Tollway, College Station, Bryan and Fort Cavazos.
Clute is a city on the North Barrier Coast of Texas. If you have never seen an industrial plant, you are in for a treat, as Dow tanks and stacks and whatever else seem to overshadow everything around here.
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 5h 3m. Total distance: 256.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 3m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 68.7 miles on TX 6. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.90 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 41.7 miles (Brazoria County Expressway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 42.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 68.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Killeen, TX before the return drive.
