Galveston, TX to Killeen, TX is 249.8 miles and takes about 4h 55m via TX 6, with a fuel budget near $36 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Great Plains region, offering a straightforward drive. With just one recommended stop and a mostly highway profile, this route is designed for efficiency. You'll find it's a practical choice if you need to get from the Gulf Coast inland without extensive planning, suitable for a single day's travel.
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
124.9 miles from Galveston, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 29m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
TX 6
49.8 mi
53m
Gulf Freeway
48.8 mi
57m
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
Traffic on I-45
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 6 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~3,016 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,885
Quietest
2 AM
~129 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
23.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 50 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Galveston, TX and Killeen, TX.
1
Start on 27th Street
259 ft·15 sec·27th Street
2
Turn right onto Ball Street - Avenue H
0.1 mi·28 sec·Ball Street - Avenue H
3
Turn left onto Martin Luther King Boulevard - 29th Street
0.1 mi·17 sec·Martin Luther King Boulevard - 29th Street
4
Turn right onto TX 87
2.3 mi·3 min·Broadway - Avenue J
5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 45
49 mi·57 min·Gulf Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on I 45
8.6 mi·10 min·North Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Exit 57BToward TX 249Use the slight right lane.
8
Turn straight onto North Freeway Frontage Road
0.4 mi·39 sec·North Freeway Frontage Road
9
Turn left onto TX 249
2.9 mi·4 min·West Mount Houston Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
10
Continue on TX 249
3.8 mi·6 min·Tomball Parkway
11
Continue on TX 249
8.4 mi·9 min·Tomball Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on TBT
7.3 mi·8 min·Tomball Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on TX 249 Toll
3.6 mi·4 min·MCTRA 249 Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on TX 249 Toll
25 mi·27 min·Aggie Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on TX 105
5.8 mi·6 min·State Highway 105
16
Turn right onto TX 105
0.2 mi·16 sec·State Highway 6
17
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·18 sec
18
Merge onto TX 6
50 mi·53 min·TX 6
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 6
5.8 mi·5 min·North State Highway 6
20
Continue on TX 6
1.3 mi·2 min·South Main Street
21
Turn left onto FM 979
0.7 mi·1 min·Browning Street
22
Continue on FM 979
15 mi·19 min·Farm-to-Market Road 979
23
At end of road, turn right onto FM 485
20 mi·25 min·Farm-to-Market Road 485
24
At end of road, turn left onto TX 53
13 mi·16 min·TX 53
25
Turn left onto North General Bruce Drive
0.2 mi·20 sec·North General Bruce Drive
26
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward I 35 South
27
Merge onto I 35
7.1 mi·7 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
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.
29
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Exit 287Toward FM 3470: Rosewood Drive, Stan Schlueter LoopUse the slight right lane.
30
Turn straight onto West Central Texas Expressway
2.9 mi·3 min·West Central Texas Expressway
31
Turn right onto South W.S. Young Drive
1.3 mi·2 min·South W.S. Young Drive
32
Turn left onto US 190 Bus
1.0 mi·1 min·East Veterans Memorial Boulevard
33
Turn right
83 ft·8 sec
34
Turn right
74 ft·5 sec
35
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 4h 55m drive, consider leaving Galveston in the morning to arrive in Killeen with plenty of daylight. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in timing your breaks. Watch your fuel gauge, especially before the longest stretch on TX 6, as services can be spaced out. The $36 fuel estimate should cover your trip, but it's always wise to have a buffer. Given it's a single-day drive, you can easily adjust your departure time based on your morning's activities in Galveston.
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 124.9 miles from Galveston, TX, or about 2h 29m 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 55 miles or 1h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 124.9 miles or 2h 29m 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 1m
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 Galveston, 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 Galveston, TX
This is one driving day of about 249.8 miles and 4h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 miles from Galveston, 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 244.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|Ball Street - Avenue H
Turn right onto Ball Street - Avenue H
Navigation decision point
6
2.6 mi into trip|~4m in|I 45 / Gulf Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 45 / Gulf Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
60 mi into trip|~1h 12m 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
231.2 mi into trip|~4h 33m 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
244.2 mi into trip|~4h 47m 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
$34.21 one way
$68.43 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg87 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$38.22
$76.43
premium
$4.23
$41.55
$83.10
diesel
$4.80
$47.17
$94.33
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
$34
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: 87.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
74.9
0
$26.23
$11.99
Efficient EV
62.5
0
$21.86
$9.99
EV Truck/SUV
99.9
1
$34.97
$15.99
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (67% 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Galveston, TX
Late night
in Galveston on Sunday
Local time
1:36 AM
CDT
Current temp
83°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 10 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 5:39AM CDT until July 19 at 6:12AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 5:38AM CDT until July 19 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Killeen, TX
Late night
in Killeen on Sunday
Local time
1:36 AM
CDT
Current temp
94°F
Mostly Sunny
S 5 to 10 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 5:39AM CDT until July 19 at 6:12AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 5:38AM CDT until July 19 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio 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
11 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
4h 55m 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 mostly highway, with 74% of the drive on freeways. You'll experience a long stretch of 49.8 miles on TX 6 without needing to exit. The initial part of your drive will likely involve merging and navigating denser traffic near Galveston before transitioning to more open highway cruising. Expect a consistent pace for the majority of the 249.8-mile trip.
74% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
35 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?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on TX 6 and Gulf Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Ball Street - Avenue H.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 249.8 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: near the start (Ball Street - Avenue H): Navigation decision point; at 2.6 miles (I 45 / Gulf Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 60 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
823 ft5 ft
Total Climb
1,025 ft
Total Descent
207 ft
Highest Point
823 ft
~249.8 mi in
Elevation Range
818 ft
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 Galveston, TX to Killeen, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Fort Cavazos along the way.
Galveston is a city on Galveston Island, off the Texas Gulf Coast, approximately 45 minutes southeast of Houston. Galveston is a port of entry and a destination for almost all the cruise ships with ports of call in Texas. Many Houstonians have beach houses in Galveston or elsewhere in Galveston County where they sometimes relocate during the summer, or simply drive to Galveston to enjoy the local beach. This article also covers Port Bolivar, which is just to the northeast, an 18-minute ferry ride away.
Top landmarks
•USS Cavalla — 1943 Gato-class submarine
•Hotel Galvez — historic place in Galveston, Galveston County, Texas
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.
Top landmarks
•Killeen High School — historic place in Killeen, Bell County, Texas
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 55m. Total distance: 249.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (74%). 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: near the start (Ball Street - Avenue H): Navigation decision point; at 2.6 miles (I 45 / Gulf Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 60 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Killeen, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.
