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Trip from Dickinson, 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

4h 31m

Distance

229.8 mi

370 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$35

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 18m ★
6 AM
4h 32m
8 AM
4h 58m
10 AM
4h 41m
12 PM
4h 38m
3 PM
4h 42m
5 PM
4h 57m
8 PM
4h 24m

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 Texas

Dickinson, TX

Wikimedia Commons

city in Bell County, Texas, United States

Killeen, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 229.8-mile journey from Dickinson, TX to Killeen, TX is designed for a single day, taking approximately 4 hours and 31 minutes. You'll navigate primarily local roads, with a significant portion on Pine Street and Pine Drive, before transitioning to the Gulf Freeway Frontage Road. With a projected fuel cost of around $35, this route offers a straightforward, turn-heavy local drive. Given its manageable length, it's perfectly suited as a day trip, allowing for flexibility in your departure and stop times. Both Dickinson and Killeen are situated within the Great Plains region, so expect a consistent landscape throughout your drive.

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

114.9 miles from Dickinson, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 16m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
TX 6 49.8 mi 53m
South Gulf Freeway 28.6 mi 33m
Aggie Expressway 24.8 mi 27m
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
Tomball Parkway 12.3 mi 15m
Longest stretch: TX 6 — 49.8 mi, about 53m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Dickinson, TX and Killeen, TX.

1

Start on FM 517

159 ft · 4 sec · Main Street
2

Continue on FM 517

0.3 mi · 31 sec · Pine Street
3

Continue on FM 517

1.4 mi · 2 min · Pine Drive
4

Turn right onto Gulf Freeway Frontage Road

1.0 mi · 1 min · Gulf Freeway Frontage Road
5

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 25 sec
Toward I 45 North Use the slight left lane.
6

Merge onto I 45

29 mi · 33 min · South Gulf Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Continue on I 45

8.6 mi · 10 min · North Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 20 sec
Exit 57B Toward TX 249 Use the slight right lane.
9

Turn straight onto North Freeway Frontage Road

0.4 mi · 39 sec · North Freeway Frontage Road
10

Turn left onto TX 249

2.9 mi · 4 min · West Mount Houston Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
11

Continue on TX 249

3.8 mi · 6 min · Tomball Parkway
12

Continue on TX 249

8.4 mi · 9 min · Tomball Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Continue on TBT

7.3 mi · 8 min · Tomball Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Continue on TX 249 Toll

3.6 mi · 4 min · MCTRA 249 Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Continue on TX 249 Toll

25 mi · 27 min · Aggie Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Continue on TX 105

5.8 mi · 6 min · State Highway 105
17

Turn right onto TX 105

0.2 mi · 16 sec · State Highway 6
18

Take the ramp

0.1 mi · 18 sec
19

Merge onto TX 6

50 mi · 53 min · TX 6
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20

Keep slight right at fork onto TX 6

5.8 mi · 5 min · North State Highway 6
21

Continue on TX 6

1.3 mi · 2 min · South Main Street
22

Turn left onto FM 979

0.7 mi · 1 min · Browning Street
23

Continue on FM 979

15 mi · 19 min · Farm-to-Market Road 979
24

At end of road, turn right onto FM 485

20 mi · 25 min · Farm-to-Market Road 485
25

At end of road, turn left onto TX 53

13 mi · 16 min · TX 53
26

Turn left onto North General Bruce Drive

0.2 mi · 20 sec · North General Bruce Drive
27

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 26 sec
Toward I 35 South
28

Merge onto I 35

7.1 mi · 7 min · Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29

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.
30

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 32 sec
Exit 287 Toward FM 3470: Rosewood Drive, Stan Schlueter Loop Use the slight right lane.
31

Turn straight onto West Central Texas Expressway

2.9 mi · 3 min · West Central Texas Expressway
32

Turn right onto South W.S. Young Drive

1.3 mi · 2 min · South W.S. Young Drive
33

Turn left onto US 190 Bus

1.0 mi · 1 min · East Veterans Memorial Boulevard
34

Turn right

83 ft · 8 sec
35

Turn right

74 ft · 5 sec
36

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

For this 229.8-mile drive, departing in the morning is advisable to maximize daylight for navigation, especially given the 'turn-heavy' nature of the route. With a duration of about 4.5 hours and a fuel cost estimated at $35, you can easily complete this trip in one day without needing to split it. Plan for one primary stop to break up the driving time and refuel if necessary. A key tip for this route is to ensure your GPS or navigation app is up-to-date, as the frequent turns on local roads can be disorienting. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as services might be less frequent on some of the local road stretches.

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 114.9 miles from Dickinson, TX, or about 2h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 49.8 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 51 miles or 1h 4m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 114.9 miles or 2h 16m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 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 Dickinson, 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 Dickinson, TX

This is one driving day of about 229.8 miles and 4h 31m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 miles from Dickinson, 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 49.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in Brazos County, Texas, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

College Station, TX

115 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

Houston, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 51 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

College Station, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 114.9 miles from Dickinson, 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.

Top Restaurant

Downtown Aquarium

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Houston, Texas

Near the start, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 32.8

Hours: 10 am–8:30 pm

+17132233474

Visit website

Cidercade Houston

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Houston, Texas

2.9 mi

Downtown Aquarium

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 32.8

Houston, Texas

Hours: 10 am–8:30 pm

+17132233474

Visit website

Cidercade Houston

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 32.8

Houston, Texas

Hours: 10 am–12 pm

+13462417524

Visit website

Children's Museum Houston

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

5 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 32.8

Houston, Texas

Hours: 9 am–8 pm

+17135221138

Visit website

Waugh Drive Bat Colony

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 32.8

Houston, Texas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+17137520314

Visit website

Lone Star Flight Museum

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 16.4

Houston, Texas

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+13467082517

Visit website

Great Escape of Central Texas

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 229.8

Killeen, Texas

Hours: 3:30–9:30 pm

+12546802686

Visit website

Barbara Fish Daniel Nature Play Area and Picnic Pavilion

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 32.8

Houston, Texas

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+17137520314

Visit website

Union Station

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 32.8

Houston, Texas

+17132598070

Visit website

Lions Club Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 229.8

Killeen, Texas

Hours: 5 am–10 pm

+12545016390

Visit website

Midtown Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 32.8

Houston, Texas

Hours: 8 am–10 pm

+17135267577

Visit website

Lakewood Crossing Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 49.2

Houston, Texas

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 20

5 decision points cluster between mile 2.7 and 224.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
2.7 mi into trip | ~4m in

Take the ramp toward I 45 North

Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Toward I 45 North
5
2.9 mi into trip | ~4m in | I 45 / South Gulf Freeway

Merge onto I 45 / South Gulf Freeway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
40 mi into trip | ~48m in

Take the exit toward TX 249

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 57B Toward TX 249
8
211.2 mi into trip | ~4h 9m 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
224.3 mi into trip | ~4h 23m 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

$34.72 one way

$69.45 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 80 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.20 $38.01 $76.01
premium $4.54 $41.03 $82.06
diesel $5.61 $50.74 $101.47

Estimated Tolls: $0.76

Tomball Tollway (7.3 mi) $0.51
MCTRA 249 Tollway (3.6 mi) $0.25

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

$1

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$60–$85

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 80.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 68.9 0 $24.13 $11.03
Efficient EV 57.5 0 $20.11 $9.19
EV Truck/SUV 91.9 1 $32.17 $14.71

Gas CO2

80 kg

EV CO2

27 kg (66% 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 Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Dickinson, TX

Late night in Dickinson on Sunday

Local time

2:30 AM

CDT

Current temp

66°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Killeen, TX

Late night in Killeen on Sunday

Local time

2:30 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

6 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

4h 31m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' for this 4.5-hour trip, as indicated by its 0% highway share. This means you'll be navigating a series of local streets and frontage roads rather than high-speed interstates. The longest uninterrupted stretch isn't specified, but the 'turn-heavy' profile suggests frequent adjustments in direction. You'll likely experience a more intimate connection with the local environment, with more opportunities to observe everyday Texas life as you make your way through various towns and communities. This style of driving requires consistent attention to navigation and speed limits.

72% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
36 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 49.8 mi on TX 6.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on TX 6 and South Gulf Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.7 miles in.

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 20 significant decision points across 229.8 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 2.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 2.9 miles (I 45 / South Gulf Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 40 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 Dickinson, TX to Killeen, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Fort Cavazos along the way.

Fort Cavazos

211.2 mi in | ~4h 9m | via I 14; US 190

About the Cities

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 4h 31m. Total distance: 229.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (72%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 49.8 miles on TX 6. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $0.76 in tolls one way, starting with Tomball 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 2.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 2.9 miles (I 45 / South Gulf Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 40 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Possible but tiring. At 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.1 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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