Origin
Corsicana, TX
Night in Corsicana on Saturday
Local time
11:23 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Corsicana, 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 54m
Distance
156.2 mi
251 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 43m
★
6 AM
2h 54m
8 AM
3h 17m
10 AM
3h 2m
12 PM
3h 0m
3 PM
3h 3m
5 PM
3h 15m
8 PM
2h 48m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Corsicana, TX
Mark Direen
Austin, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from Corsicana to Austin covers 157.7 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 32 minutes. Because this is a manageable distance, you can easily complete the entire journey as a single-day trip without needing an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $24 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Texas locations. Since both cities are located within the Great Plains region, you will experience a consistent geographical landscape throughout your travel. This route functions best for travelers looking for a direct, local connection between the two hubs. It is a straightforward trip, though the lack of highway usage means you should be prepared for a slower, more deliberate pace.
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
78.1 miles from Corsicana, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 30m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 35 | 55.8 mi | 58m |
| Purple Heart Trail | 40.3 mi | 42m |
| West State Highway 31 | 21.6 mi | 25m |
| State Highway 31 | 17.2 mi | 17m |
| North Jack Kultgen Expressway | 6.2 mi | 7m |
| Hubbard Bypass | 5.5 mi | 5m |
| Bellmead Drive | 2.6 mi | 4m |
| East US Highway 84 | 2.5 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 55.8 mi, about 58m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Corsicana, TX and Austin, TX.
1
Start on North 13th Street
248 ft
·
8 sec
·
North 13th Street
2
Turn right onto West 3rd Avenue
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
West 3rd Avenue
3
Turn left onto TX 22
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
North 15th Street
4
Turn right onto TX 31 Bus
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
West 7th Avenue
Use the right lane.
5
Continue on TX 31 Bus
22 mi
·
25 min
·
West State Highway 31
Use the straight lane.
6
Continue on TX 31
5.5 mi
·
5 min
·
Hubbard Bypass
7
Continue on TX 31
17 mi
·
17 min
·
State Highway 31
8
Continue on US 84
2.5 mi
·
2 min
·
East US Highway 84
9
Continue on US 84
2.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Bellmead Drive
10
Turn straight onto US 84
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
East Waco Drive
11
Turn left onto North Jack Kultgen Expressway
519 ft
·
12 sec
·
North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the left / straight lanes.
12
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward I 35 South, US 77 South
13
Merge onto I 35; US 77
6.1 mi
·
6 min
·
North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 35
38 mi
·
39 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
56 mi
·
58 min
·
I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35; US 290
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Toward 32nd Street, Dean Keeton Street
Use the slight left lane.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Exit 234B
Toward 8th–3rd Streets, Huston-Tillotson University
Use the slight right lane.
18
Turn straight onto North Interstate 35
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
North Interstate 35
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Turn right onto East 6th Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
East 6th Street
Use the right lane.
20
Turn left onto Congress Avenue
357 ft
·
17 sec
·
Congress Avenue
21
Turn left onto East 5th Street
28 ft
·
0 sec
·
East 5th Street
Use the left lane.
22
Arrive at destination
East 5th Street
Trip Plan
Planning for this 157.7-mile trek is straightforward, as the moderate duration offers plenty of flexibility for your departure time. Since you have one designated stop, use that time to stretch your legs and refresh, as the turn-heavy nature of the local roads requires more focused driving than a standard highway route. Aim to monitor your fuel levels before heading out, keeping the $24 estimated cost in mind for your budget. To ensure a smoother experience, verify your navigation settings to account for the specific sequence of West 3rd Avenue, North 15th Street, and West 7th Avenue. This local-road focus makes it easy to adjust your pace, allowing you to stop whenever you see fit along the way.
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 78.1 miles from Corsicana, TX, or about 1h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 55.8 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 34 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 78.1 miles or 1h 30m 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 22m
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 Corsicana, 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 Corsicana, TX
This is one driving day of about 156.2 miles and 2h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Corsicana, 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 I 35 for about 55.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
78 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 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 78.1 miles from Corsicana, 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.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 135 decision points cluster between mile 97.1 and 156.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
97.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 50m in
|
I 35
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
152.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 48m in
|
I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail toward 32nd Street, Dean Keeton Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward 32nd Street, Dean Keeton Street
8
155.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 51m in
Take the exit toward 8th–3rd Streets, Huston-Tillotson University
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 234B
Toward 8th–3rd Streets, Huston-Tillotson Univer...
6
155.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 52m in
|
East 6th Street
Turn right onto East 6th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
156.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 54m in
|
East 5th Street
Turn left onto East 5th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.60 one way
$47.20 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
55 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $25.83 | $51.67 |
| premium | $4.54 | $27.89 | $55.78 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $34.49 | $68.97 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 54.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 46.9 | 0 | $16.40 | $7.50 |
| Efficient EV | 39.1 | 0 | $13.67 | $6.25 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 62.5 | 0 | $21.87 | $10.00 |
Gas CO2
55 kg
EV CO2
18 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.
Destination
Austin, TX
Night in Austin on Saturday
Local time
11:23 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
2 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 54m 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...
4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 53.9
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 turn-heavy local drive that prioritizes surface streets over high-speed interstate travel. With a 0% highway share, your journey relies on navigating through West 3rd Avenue, North 15th Street, and West 7th Avenue. This configuration results in a road personality that is far from a monotonous interstate grind; instead, you will be actively managing turns and local traffic transitions. Because the route avoids major expressways, your speed will be dictated by local road conditions rather than sustained highway cruising. It is a practical route for those who prefer staying off the main interstates while navigating between these two Texas points.
66% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 55.8 mi on I 35.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and Purple Heart Trail. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 97.1 miles in near I 35.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 156.2 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 97.1 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 152.9 miles (I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 155.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
About the Cities
Starting in Corsicana, TX
Full guide →Founded 1848
Corsicana is a city in the Blackland Prairie region of Texas. Many people come to the town for their famous holiday fruitcakes.
Top landmarks
- • Temple Beth-El — former synagogue in Corsicana, Navarro County, Texas
- • Navarro County Courthouse — historic place in Corsicana, Navarro County, Texas
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 54m. Total distance: 156.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (66%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 55.8 miles on I 35. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 97.1 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 152.9 miles (I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 155.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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