Origin
Fredericksburg, TX
Late night in Fredericksburg on Sunday
Local time
5:12 AM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fredericksburg, 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
2h 20m
Distance
116.4 mi
187 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$18
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 10m
★
6 AM
2h 20m
8 AM
2h 39m
10 AM
2h 27m
12 PM
2h 25m
3 PM
2h 28m
5 PM
2h 38m
8 PM
2h 14m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fredericksburg, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Killeen, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 116.4-mile journey from Fredericksburg, TX to Killeen, TX is a straightforward, one-day drive that can be completed in about 2 hours and 20 minutes. Primarily utilizing local roads like East Main Street and Highway 290, with a brief section of West Main Street, this route offers a turn-heavy local feel rather than a high-speed highway experience. With a projected fuel cost of around $18, it's an economical option for a quick trip. Since there are no designated stops, you can easily tailor your schedule, making it a flexible option for exploring. Both your origin and destination are situated within the Great Plains region, so expect consistent landscapes throughout your drive.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
58.2 miles from Fredericksburg, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 10m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North US Highway 281 | 35.4 mi | 37m |
| East US Highway 290 | 27.2 mi | 30m |
| Central Texas Expressway | 25.7 mi | 29m |
| South US Highway 281 | 17.1 mi | 22m |
| South Water Street | 3.6 mi | 5m |
| West Veterans Memorial Boulevard | 3 mi | 5m |
| East Main Street | 2.4 mi | 4m |
| North Nugent Avenue | 0.9 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
North US Highway 281
— 35.4 mi, about 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fredericksburg, TX and Killeen, TX.
1
Start on North Adams Street
94 ft
·
10 sec
·
North Adams Street
2
Turn left onto US 87; US 290; TX 16
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
East Main Street
3
Continue on US 290
27 mi
·
30 min
·
East US Highway 290
4
Continue on US 290
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
West Main Street
5
Turn left onto Spur 356
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
North Nugent Avenue
6
At end of road, turn left onto US 281
16 mi
·
17 min
·
North US Highway 281
7
Continue on US 281
17 mi
·
22 min
·
South US Highway 281
8
Continue on US 281
3.6 mi
·
5 min
·
South Water Street
9
Continue on US 281
20 mi
·
20 min
·
North US Highway 281
10
Turn right onto US 281
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
E E Ohnmeiss Drive
11
Continue on US 190
26 mi
·
29 min
·
Central Texas Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Toward T.J. Mills Boulevard
Use the slight right lane.
13
Continue on US 190 Bus
3.0 mi
·
5 min
·
West Veterans Memorial Boulevard
14
Turn left
83 ft
·
8 sec
15
Turn right
74 ft
·
5 sec
16
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given its 2 hour and 20 minute duration, this trip is perfectly suited for a single day, allowing for maximum flexibility. Consider departing Fredericksburg in the morning to make the most of your time in Killeen. Since there are no official stops recommended, you control your pacing entirely. Keep an eye on your fuel; the estimated cost is $18, but it's always wise to check your gauge before you leave. A practical tip for this route: pay close attention to road signs as you transition between East Main Street, Highway 290, and West Main Street, as the turn-heavy nature requires constant awareness.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 58.2 miles from Fredericksburg, TX, or about 1h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 35.4 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 26 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 58.2 miles or 1h 10m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 54m
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 Fredericksburg, 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 Fredericksburg, TX
This is one driving day of about 116.4 miles and 2h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Fredericksburg, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on North US Highway 281 for about 35.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
58 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 26 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 58.2 miles from Fredericksburg, 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 75 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 116.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 87; US 290; TX 16 / East Main Street
Turn left onto US 87; US 290; TX 16 / East Main Street
Navigation decision point
4
30.2 mi into trip
|
~37m in
|
Spur 356 / North Nugent Avenue
Turn left onto Spur 356 / North Nugent Avenue
Navigation decision point
4
31.1 mi into trip
|
~38m in
|
US 281 / North US Highway 281
At end of road, turn left onto US 281 / North US Highway 281
Navigation decision point
6
113.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 14m in
Take the exit toward T.J. Mills Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward T.J. Mills Boulevard
5
116.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 20m in
Turn right
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.59 one way
$35.18 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
41 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $19.25 | $38.50 |
| premium | $4.54 | $20.78 | $41.56 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $25.70 | $51.40 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 40.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 34.9 | 0 | $12.22 | $5.59 |
| Efficient EV | 29.1 | 0 | $10.19 | $4.66 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 46.6 | 0 | $16.30 | $7.45 |
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 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
5:12 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
1 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 20m 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.
Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park tells the story of our 36th president beginning with his ancestors until his final resting place on his beloved LBJ Ranch. This entire "circle of life" gives...
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Free
near mile 16.1
Park Closure: Texas White House Complex Closure
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Prepare for a driving experience characterized by frequent turns, reflecting its 'turn-heavy local drive' profile. With a 0% highway share, you won't encounter long stretches of fast-paced interstate travel. Instead, this route emphasizes navigating through local roadways, suggesting a more intimate connection with the Texas landscape as you pass through. There's no 'longest stretch' data available, which further reinforces the idea that this drive is a series of shorter segments connected by navigation rather than extended highway cruising. The nature of the roads means you'll likely be adjusting speed and direction more often.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 35.4 mi on North US Highway 281.
How Hard Is This Drive?
1/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on North US Highway 281 and East US Highway 290. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 87; US 290; TX 16 / East Main Street.
Driving Effort
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Fredericksburg, TX to Killeen, TX is easy. At 2h 20m with 91% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 87; US 290; TX 16 / East Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 30.2 miles (Spur 356 / North Nugent Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 31.1 miles (US 281 / North US Highway 281): Navigation decision point.
About the Cities
Starting in Fredericksburg, TX
Full guide →Fredericksburg is a city of 10,500 people (2010) in Texas, west of Austin and north of San Antonio.
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 2h 20m. Total distance: 116.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 20m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 35.4 miles on North US Highway 281. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 87; US 290; TX 16 / East Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 30.2 miles (Spur 356 / North Nugent Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 31.1 miles (US 281 / North US Highway 281): Navigation decision point.
Yes — Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park. 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 Killeen, 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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