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Trip from Comanche, 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

2h 44m

Distance

138.7 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

Save up to 33 min
4 AM
2h 33m ★
6 AM
2h 44m
8 AM
3h 6m
10 AM
2h 52m
12 PM
2h 49m
3 PM
2h 53m
5 PM
3h 4m
8 PM
2h 38m

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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city in and county sear of Comanche County, Texas, United States

Comanche, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Austin, TX, TX

Austin, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 138.7-mile drive from Comanche, Texas, to Austin, Texas, is a straightforward, single-day excursion that will take you about 2 hours and 44 minutes to complete. Primarily utilizing US 183 and State Highway 16, the route is heavily focused on highway driving, with 82% of the journey on these main roads. With an estimated fuel cost of $21, this trip is an economical choice for a quick getaway. You'll be traveling within the Great Plains region for the entire journey, so expect consistent scenery. This route is ideal for a day trip, allowing you plenty of time to reach your destination and enjoy your evening in Austin.

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

69.4 miles from Comanche, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 23m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 183 44.5 mi 49m
South US Highway 183 35.3 mi 38m
State Highway 16 30.4 mi 40m
183A Toll Road 14.3 mi 14m
Express 1 Toll 3.9 mi 4m
North Mopac Expressway 2.4 mi 2m
North Key Avenue 2.3 mi 4m
West 5th Street 1.5 mi 3m
Longest stretch: US 183 — 44.5 mi, about 49m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on US 67; US 377; TX 36

66 ft · 8 sec · East Central Avenue
2

Turn left onto TX 16

0.7 mi · 1 min · South Austin Street
3

Continue on TX 16

30 mi · 40 min · State Highway 16
4

At end of road, turn left onto US 84; US 183; TX 16

1.3 mi · 1 min · US 84; US 183; TX 16
5

Turn right onto US 183; TX 16

22 mi · 25 min · US 183; TX 16
6

Continue on US 183; US 190

15 mi · 15 min · US 183; US 190
7

Merge onto US 183; US 190; US 281

260 ft · 4 sec · North US Highway 281
8

Continue on US 183; US 190; US 281

2.3 mi · 4 min · North Key Avenue
9

Continue on US 183

35 mi · 38 min · South US Highway 183
10

Continue on this road

0.4 mi · 29 sec · this road
11

Keep slight left at fork onto 183A Toll

14 mi · 14 min · 183A Toll Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Continue on US 183

7.5 mi · 8 min · US 183
13

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 52 sec
Toward Loop 1: Mopac Boulevard Use the slight right lane.
14

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 51 sec
Toward Loop 1 South: Mopac Boulevard South Use the slight right lane.
15

Merge onto Loop 1

2.4 mi · 2 min · North Mopac Expressway
16

Take the exit

423 ft · 10 sec
Toward Express 1 Toll Use the slight left lane.
17

Merge onto Express 1 Toll

3.9 mi · 4 min · Express 1 Toll
18

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 39 sec
Toward West 5th Street Use the slight left / straight lanes.
20

Turn straight onto West 5th Street

1.5 mi · 3 min · West 5th Street
Use the straight lane.
21

Arrive at destination

East 5th Street

Trip Plan

Given the manageable 2-hour and 44-minute duration for this 138.7-mile trip, you have the flexibility to leave whenever suits your schedule. Aiming for a mid-morning departure could help you avoid any early rush hour traffic and still arrive in Austin with ample daylight. With only one recommended stop and a $21 fuel cost, planning your fuel and rest breaks is simple. Be mindful of the 44.5-mile stretch on US 183; consider topping off your tank before this segment if you prefer not to wait too long between fuel opportunities. This direct drive doesn't require an overnight split, so focus on enjoying the journey itself.

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 69.4 miles from Comanche, TX, or about 1h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 44.5 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 31 miles or 41m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 69.4 miles or 1h 23m 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 13m

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 Comanche, 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 Comanche, TX

This is one driving day of about 138.7 miles and 2h 44m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 miles from Comanche, 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 183 for about 44.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Kempner, TX, TX

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Kempner, TX

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

Goldthwaite, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 31 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Kempner, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 69.4 miles from Comanche, 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.

Nearby Places

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

Austin Bat Tours

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 138.7

Austin, Texas

Hours: 9 am–10 pm

Visit website

Lakeline Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 118.9

Cedar Park, Texas

+15124015500

Visit website

Botanical Gates of Paradise

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 138.7

Austin, Texas

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

Toybrary Austin

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 128.8

Austin, Texas

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+15124343927

Visit website

Barton Creek Greenbelt

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 138.7

Austin, Texas

Hours: 5 am–10 pm

+15129746700

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 13

5 decision points cluster between mile 107.3 and 136.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
107.3 mi into trip | ~2h 7m in | 183A Toll / 183A Toll Road

Keep slight left at fork onto 183A Toll / 183A Toll Road

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
129.1 mi into trip | ~2h 30m in

Take the exit toward Loop 1: Mopac Boulevard

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward Loop 1: Mopac Boulevard
7
129.5 mi into trip | ~2h 31m in

Keep slight right at fork toward Loop 1 South: Mopac Boulevard South

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward Loop 1 South: Mopac Boulevard South
6
132.3 mi into trip | ~2h 34m in

Take the exit toward Express 1 Toll

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Toward Express 1 Toll
7
136.9 mi into trip | ~2h 40m in

Keep slight left at fork toward West 5th Street

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / straight lanes. Toward West 5th Street

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$20.96 one way

$41.92 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 49 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.20 $22.94 $45.88
premium $4.54 $24.76 $49.53
diesel $5.61 $30.62 $61.25

Estimated Tolls: $1.00

183A Toll Road (14.3 mi) $1.00

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

$21

Tolls

$1

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$47–$72

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 $14.56 $6.66
Efficient EV 34.7 0 $12.14 $5.55
EV Truck/SUV 55.5 0 $19.42 $8.88

Gas CO2

49 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.

Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026

Origin

Comanche, TX

Afternoon in Comanche on Sunday

Local time

3:40 PM

CDT

Current temp

58°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Austin, TX

Afternoon in Austin on Sunday

Local time

3:40 PM

CDT

Current temp

66°F

Mostly Cloudy

S 5 to 10 mph 6% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 18 at 4:01AM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA

Wind Advisory

Wind Advisory issued April 18 at 2:47AM CDT until April 18 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS San Angelo 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

8 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

2h 44m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of your 138.7 miles. With 82% of the route on main roads like US 183 and State Highway 16, the pace is generally steady. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 44.5 miles on US 183, offering a good opportunity to settle into a rhythm. While primarily highway, the road character may shift slightly as you transition between US and State highways, offering a varied but consistent driving experience. This is not a winding, technical route, but rather a direct path connecting two points in Texas.

82% 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: 44.5 mi on US 183.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 183 and South US Highway 183. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 107.3 miles in near 183A Toll / 183A Toll Road.

Driving Effort 9/10

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 13 significant decision points across 138.7 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 107.3 miles (183A Toll / 183A Toll Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 129.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 129.5 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.

On the drive from Comanche, TX to Austin, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Loop 1 South: Mopac Boulevard South along the way.

Loop 1 South: Mopac Boulevard South

129.5 mi in | ~2h 31m

About the Cities

Starting in Comanche, TX

Full guide →

Founded 1858

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 2h 44m. Total distance: 138.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 44.5 miles on US 183. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $1.00 in tolls one way, starting with 183A Toll Road. 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.

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 107.3 miles (183A Toll / 183A Toll Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 129.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 129.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Austin, 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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