Freeport to Killeen is 263 miles and takes about 5 hours and 9 minutes via TX 6, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This mostly highway drive keeps you within Texas, transitioning through varied landscapes within the Great Plains region. With a single recommended stop and a longest stretch of 68.7 miles without a break, it's a straightforward trip for a single day. Plan for efficient travel as you head north towards your destination.
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
131.5 miles from Freeport, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 36m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
TX 6
68.7 mi
1h 14m
Nolan Ryan Expressway
39.1 mi
46m
Northwest Freeway
35.5 mi
40m
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
West Sam Houston Tollway South
12.2 mi
14m
Longest stretch:
TX 6
— 68.7 mi, about 1h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Freeport, TX and Killeen, TX.
1
Start on West 2nd Street
0.9 mi·1 min·West 2nd Street
2
Turn right onto TX 288
1.9 mi·2 min·North Brazosport Boulevard
3
Continue on TX 288
1.1 mi·1 min·State Highway 288
4
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 288
39 mi·46 min·Nolan Ryan Expressway
5
Continue on TX 288
0.1 mi·7 sec·South Freeway
6
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 288 Toll
5.1 mi·5 min·Brazoria County Expressway
7
Take the exit onto Brazoria County Expressway
0.4 mi·30 sec·Brazoria County Expressway
Toward SHT West, SHT East: Sam Houston TollwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·2 min
Toward SHT West: Sam Houston TollwayUse the slight left lane.
9
Merge onto SHT
10 mi·11 min·South Sam Houston Tollway West
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on BW 8
1.9 mi·2 min·South Sam Houston Parkway West
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on SHT
12 mi·14 min·West Sam Houston Tollway South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit onto SHT
0.4 mi·27 sec·West Sam Houston Tollway North
Use the slight right lane.
13
Merge onto SHT
0.7 mi·48 sec·West Sam Houston Tollway North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·28 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward US 290 West: AustinUse the slight left lane.
16
Merge onto US 290
35 mi·40 min·Northwest Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
17
Take the exit onto TX 6
0.3 mi·36 sec·TX 6
Toward College Station, BryanUse the slight right lane.
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·19 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Turn right
0.2 mi·12 sec
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Continue on TX 6
11 mi·12 min·TX 6
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Turn straight onto TX 6
58 mi·1 hr 1 min·TX 6
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 6
5.8 mi·5 min·North State Highway 6
23
Continue on TX 6
1.3 mi·2 min·South Main Street
24
Turn left onto FM 979
0.7 mi·1 min·Browning Street
25
Continue on FM 979
15 mi·19 min·Farm-to-Market Road 979
26
At end of road, turn right onto FM 485
20 mi·25 min·Farm-to-Market Road 485
27
At end of road, turn left onto TX 53
13 mi·16 min·TX 53
28
Turn left onto North General Bruce Drive
0.2 mi·20 sec·North General Bruce Drive
29
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward I 35 South
30
Merge onto I 35
7.1 mi·7 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Keep slight right at fork onto I 14; US 190
13 mi·13 min·Central Texas Expressway
Toward US 190 West: Killeen, Fort CavazosUse the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Exit 287Toward FM 3470: Rosewood Drive, Stan Schlueter LoopUse the slight right lane.
33
Turn straight onto West Central Texas Expressway
2.9 mi·3 min·West Central Texas Expressway
34
Turn right onto South W.S. Young Drive
1.3 mi·2 min·South W.S. Young Drive
35
Turn left onto US 190 Bus
1.0 mi·1 min·East Veterans Memorial Boulevard
36
Turn right
83 ft·8 sec
37
Turn right
74 ft·5 sec
38
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Starting your drive from Freeport in the morning will give you ample daylight to reach Killeen, as the total travel time is just over 5 hours. With only one recommended stop and a longest stretch of 68.7 miles, you have flexibility in when and where you choose to take a break. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially before embarking on the longest stretches, and consider filling up before leaving Freeport to ensure you have enough for the initial part of your journey. The $38 fuel cost is an estimate, so adjust based on current prices and your vehicle's efficiency.
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 131.5 miles from Freeport, TX, or about 2h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 68.7 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 58 miles or 1h 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 131.5 miles or 2h 36m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 12m
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 Freeport, 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 Freeport, TX
This is one driving day of about 263.1 miles and 5h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Freeport, 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 68.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 28
5 decision points cluster between mile 48.2 and 257.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
48.2 mi into trip|~58m in|Brazoria County Expressway
Take the exit onto Brazoria County Expressway toward SHT West, SHT East: Sam Houston Tollway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward SHT West, SHT East: Sam Houston Tollway
7
48.6 mi into trip|~59m in
Keep slight left at fork toward SHT West: Sam Houston Tollway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward SHT West: Sam Houston Tollway
7
75.4 mi into trip|~1h 31m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 290 West: Austin
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward US 290 West: Austin
8
244.5 mi into trip|~4h 47m 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
257.5 mi into trip|~5h 1m 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
$40.28 one way
$80.57 round trip
$3.89/gal25.4 MPG avg92 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.29
$44.46
$88.92
premium
$4.64
$48.04
$96.08
diesel
$6.18
$64.00
$128.01
Estimated Tolls: $1.90
Sam Houston Tollway
(23.7 mi)$1.90
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
$40
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
78.9
0
$27.63
$12.63
Efficient EV
65.8
0
$23.02
$10.52
EV Truck/SUV
105.2
1
$36.83
$16.84
Gas CO2
92 kg
EV CO2
31 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 Oct 15, 2026
Origin
Freeport, TX
Morning
in Freeport on Friday
Local time
6:51 AM
CDT
Current temp
88°F
Chance Rain Showers
SE 10 to 15 mph30% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued October 15 at 6:07AM CDT until October 15 at 8:00AM CDT by NWS Lubbock TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued October 15 at 5:07AM CDT until October 15 at 8:00AM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Destination
Killeen, TX
Morning
in Killeen on Friday
Local time
6:51 AM
CDT
Current temp
89°F
Sunny
SSE 5 to 10 mph5% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued October 15 at 6:07AM CDT until October 15 at 8:00AM CDT by NWS Lubbock TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued October 15 at 5:07AM CDT until October 15 at 8:00AM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa 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
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
5h 9m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is primarily highway, with 71% of the 263 miles on major roads like TX 6, Nolan Ryan Expressway, and Northwest Freeway. You'll experience a longest stretch of 68.7 miles on TX 6 before encountering surface roads. Expect a consistent driving experience with fewer transitions between highway and local streets for extended periods.
71% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
38 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 68.7 mi on TX 6.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on TX 6 and Nolan Ryan Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 48.2 miles in near Brazoria County Expressway.
Driving Effort10/10
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 28 significant decision points across 263.1 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 48.2 miles (Brazoria County Expressway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 48.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 75.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
823 ft3 ft
Total Climb
820 ft
Total Descent
0 ft
Highest Point
823 ft
~263.1 mi in
Elevation Range
820 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Freeport, TX and Killeen, TX, road signs point toward Sht West, Sht East: Sam Houston Tollway, Sht West: Sam Houston Tollway, College Station, Bryan and Fort Cavazos.
Killeen is a city in the Central Hill Country of Texas. It is home to U.S. Army installation Fort Hood, one of the largest military bases in the world.
Top landmarks
•Killeen High School — historic place in Killeen, Bell County, Texas
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 9m. Total distance: 263.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (71%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 68.7 miles on TX 6. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.90 in tolls one way, starting with Sam Houston 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 48.2 miles (Brazoria County Expressway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 48.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 75.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Killeen, TX before the return drive.
