Origin
Denton, TX
Late night in Denton on Sunday
Local time
2:46 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Denton, TX to Killeen, 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 18m
Distance
184.7 mi
297 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$28
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 6m
★
6 AM
3h 18m
8 AM
3h 42m
10 AM
3h 26m
12 PM
3h 24m
3 PM
3h 28m
5 PM
3h 41m
8 PM
3h 11m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Denton, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Killeen, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 184.7-mile drive from Denton, TX to Killeen, TX is a straightforward journey that can easily be completed in about 3 hours and 18 minutes. Designed as a single-day trip, you can expect a fuel cost of approximately $28 for this route. The drive is primarily highway-focused, offering a direct path through the Great Plains region of Texas. With only one recommended stop, it's a convenient option if you're looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B without much fuss.
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
92.3 miles from Denton, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 39m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North South Freeway | 84.6 mi | 1h 27m |
| Purple Heart Trail | 37.9 mi | 39m |
| I 35W TEXpress | 16.7 mi | 16m |
| I 35W | 16.6 mi | 17m |
| Central Texas Expressway | 13.1 mi | 13m |
| North Jack Kultgen Expressway | 6.6 mi | 7m |
| West Central Texas Expressway | 2.9 mi | 3m |
| South W.S. Young Drive | 1.3 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
North South Freeway
— 84.6 mi, about 1h 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Denton, TX and Killeen, TX.
1
Start on West Hickory Street
379 ft
·
20 sec
·
West Hickory Street
2
Turn right onto South Austin Street
203 ft
·
10 sec
·
South Austin Street
3
Turn right onto East Walnut Street
0.1 mi
·
30 sec
·
East Walnut Street
4
Turn left onto South Elm Street
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
·
South Elm Street
5
Continue on Spur 377
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
Fort Worth Drive
6
Turn left onto Spur 377
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Fort Worth Drive
7
Turn right onto North Interstate 35E
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
North Interstate 35E
Use the right lane.
8
Take the ramp
480 ft
·
11 sec
Toward I 35E North
9
Merge onto I 35E; US 77
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
I 35E; US 77
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 35W South: Fort Worth
11
Merge onto I 35W
17 mi
·
17 min
·
I 35W
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W Express
17 mi
·
16 min
·
I 35W TEXpress
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
13
Merge onto I 35W
85 mi
·
1 hr 27 min
·
North South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 35; US 77
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I 35
38 mi
·
39 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
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.
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 287
Toward FM 3470: Rosewood Drive, Stan Schlueter Loop
Use the slight right lane.
18
Turn straight onto West Central Texas Expressway
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
West Central Texas Expressway
19
Turn right onto South W.S. Young Drive
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
South W.S. Young Drive
20
Turn left onto US 190 Bus
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
East Veterans Memorial Boulevard
21
Turn right
83 ft
·
8 sec
22
Turn right
74 ft
·
5 sec
23
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour and 18-minute duration, this trip is best tackled in a single day. Aim to depart Denton in the morning to allow for a full day at your destination in Killeen. With a fuel cost estimated at $28, plan your refueling stops accordingly, though the single recommended stop suggests you won't need to interrupt your journey too frequently. The longest stretch is over 80 miles, so ensure you have entertainment or conversation ready for that segment.
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 92.3 miles from Denton, TX, or about 1h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 84.6 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 41 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 92.3 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 41m
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 Denton, 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 Denton, TX
This is one driving day of about 184.7 miles and 3h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 41 miles from Denton, 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 North South Freeway for about 84.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
92 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 41 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 92.3 miles from Denton, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before North South Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 84.6 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 0.1 and 179.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
South Austin Street
Turn right onto South Austin Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
East Walnut Street
Turn right onto East Walnut Street
Navigation decision point
6
20.3 mi into trip
|
~24m in
|
I 35W Express / I 35W TEXpress
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W Express / I 35W TEXpress
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
8
166.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 56m 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
179.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 9m 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
$27.91 one way
$55.82 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
65 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $30.55 | $61.10 |
| premium | $4.54 | $32.98 | $65.95 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $40.78 | $81.56 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 64.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 55.4 | 0 | $19.39 | $8.87 |
| Efficient EV | 46.2 | 0 | $16.16 | $7.39 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 73.9 | 0 | $25.86 | $11.82 |
Gas CO2
65 kg
EV CO2
22 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 Sunday
Local time
2:46 AM
CDT
Current temp
60°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
13 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 18m 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
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 121
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 highway-focused experience for 77% of this 184.7-mile trip. You'll be covering considerable ground on roads like the North South Freeway, Purple Heart Trail, and I-35W TEXpress. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 84.6 miles on the North South Freeway, meaning you can settle in for a good portion of the drive. This route is designed for steady progress rather than winding scenic exploration.
77% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 84.6 mi on North South Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on North South Freeway and Purple Heart Trail. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near South Austin Street.
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 184.7 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 0.1 miles (South Austin Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (East Walnut Street): Navigation decision point; at 20.3 miles (I 35W Express / I 35W TEXpress): 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.
On the drive from Denton, TX to Killeen, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Fort Cavazos along the way.
Fort Cavazos
166.1 mi in
|
~2h 56m
|
via I 14; US 190
About the Cities
Starting in Denton, TX
Full guide →Founded 1866
Denton is a city in Texas. It is a college town which forms the northern tip of what is known as the Golden Triangle, the other two points being Dallas and Fort Worth, approximately equidistant to the southeast and southwest.
Top landmarks
- • Denton County Courthouse-on-the-Square — historic place in Denton, Denton County, Texas
- • Pioneer Woman — monument in Denton, Denton County, Texas
Arriving in Killeen, TX
Full guide →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.
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 18m. Total distance: 184.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 84.6 miles on North South Freeway. 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 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 0.1 miles (South Austin Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (East Walnut Street): Navigation decision point; at 20.3 miles (I 35W Express / I 35W TEXpress): 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 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.6 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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