Traveling from Groves to Killeen covers 288.4 miles and typically takes about 5 hours and 33 minutes. Given the duration, this trip is highly manageable as a single-day journey, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via US 90, TX 6, and East Grand Parkway North. Budgeting approximately $44 for fuel will cover your transit across these Texas plains. Since both your start and end points are located within the Great Plains region, you can expect a consistent environmental feel throughout the drive. This route is designed for those who prefer highway-focused travel and want a straightforward path between these two Texas hubs.
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
144.2 miles from Groves, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 45m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
TX 6
49.8 mi
53m
East Grand Parkway North
44 mi
46m
US 90
39.6 mi
45m
Aggie Expressway
24.8 mi
27m
Farm-to-Market Road 485
20.4 mi
25m
Farm-to-Market Road 979
15.3 mi
19m
Memorial Freeway
15.2 mi
16m
TX 53
13.1 mi
16m
Longest stretch:
TX 6
— 49.8 mi, about 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Groves, TX and Killeen, TX.
1
Start on 39th Street
0.6 mi·1 min·39th Street
2
Turn slight right onto East Parkway Street
0.4 mi·44 sec·East Parkway Street
3
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·15 sec
Toward TX 73 West
4
Merge onto TX 73
1.7 mi·2 min·TX 73
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward US 69 South, US 96 South, US 287 South: Beaumont
6
Merge onto US 69; US 96; US 287
15 mi·16 min·Memorial Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto US 69; US 96; US 287
0.2 mi·22 sec·US 69; US 96; US 287
Toward I 10 East, US 69 North, US 96 North, US 287 North: Lake Charles, Lufkin
8
Keep slight left at fork onto US 69; US 96; US 287
1.0 mi·1 min·US 69; US 96; US 287
Toward I 10 East, US 69 North, US 96 North, US 287 North: Lake Charles, Lufkin
9
Take the exit
0.1 mi·17 sec
Exit 851Toward US 90: Liberty
10
Turn straight onto Interstate 10 South Frontage Road
0.2 mi·25 sec·Interstate 10 South Frontage Road
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
11
Turn left onto College Street
6.4 mi·8 min·College Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
12
Continue on US 90
40 mi·45 min·US 90
13
Turn right onto TX 321
0.2 mi·23 sec·North Cleveland Street
14
Turn left onto FM 1960
5.1 mi·6 min·West Clayton Street
15
Turn right onto East Grand Parkway North
0.1 mi·14 sec·East Grand Parkway North
16
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·35 sec
17
Merge onto TX 99 Toll
44 mi·46 min·East Grand Parkway North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.5 mi·58 sec
Toward TX 249: Boudreaux Road, Rocky RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on North Grand Parkway West
0.4 mi·40 sec·North Grand Parkway West
20
Turn right onto TX 249
447 ft·7 sec·Tomball Parkway
21
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·25 sec
Toward TBT Toll North
22
Merge onto TBT
4.9 mi·5 min·Tomball Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on TX 249 Toll
3.6 mi·4 min·MCTRA 249 Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Continue on TX 249 Toll
25 mi·27 min·Aggie Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Continue on TX 105
5.8 mi·6 min·State Highway 105
26
Turn right onto TX 105
0.2 mi·16 sec·State Highway 6
27
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·18 sec
28
Merge onto TX 6
50 mi·53 min·TX 6
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 6
5.8 mi·5 min·North State Highway 6
30
Continue on TX 6
1.3 mi·2 min·South Main Street
31
Turn left onto FM 979
0.7 mi·1 min·Browning Street
32
Continue on FM 979
15 mi·19 min·Farm-to-Market Road 979
33
At end of road, turn right onto FM 485
20 mi·25 min·Farm-to-Market Road 485
34
At end of road, turn left onto TX 53
13 mi·16 min·TX 53
35
Turn left onto North General Bruce Drive
0.2 mi·20 sec·North General Bruce Drive
36
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward I 35 South
37
Merge onto I 35
7.1 mi·7 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
38
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.
39
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Exit 287Toward FM 3470: Rosewood Drive, Stan Schlueter LoopUse the slight right lane.
40
Turn straight onto West Central Texas Expressway
2.9 mi·3 min·West Central Texas Expressway
41
Turn right onto South W.S. Young Drive
1.3 mi·2 min·South W.S. Young Drive
42
Turn left onto US 190 Bus
1.0 mi·1 min·East Veterans Memorial Boulevard
43
Turn right
83 ft·8 sec
44
Turn right
74 ft·5 sec
45
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 5-hour and 33-minute journey, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh. Leaving early in the day is your best strategy to avoid potential congestion on the highway portions of your route. Since the drive is under six hours, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace based on traffic conditions or personal energy levels. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the longer stretches, particularly when traveling the 49.8-mile segment on TX 6, to ensure you don't run low between service stations. Staying hydrated and planning your single stop in advance will help you arrive in Killeen feeling far less fatigued.
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 144.2 miles from Groves, TX, or about 2h 45m 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 63 miles or 1h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 144.2 miles or 2h 45m 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 30m
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 Groves, 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 Groves, TX
This is one driving day of about 288.4 miles and 5h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 miles from Groves, 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 34
5 decision points cluster between mile 18.5 and 282.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
18.5 mi into trip|~21m in|US 69; US 96; US 287
Keep slight right at fork onto US 69; US 96; US 287 toward I 10 East, US 69 North, US 96 North, US 287 North: Lake Charles, Lufkin
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 10 East, US 69 North, US 96 North, US...
6
18.7 mi into trip|~21m in|US 69; US 96; US 287
Keep slight left at fork onto US 69; US 96; US 287 toward I 10 East, US 69 North, US 96 North, US 287 North: Lake Charles, Lufkin
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 10 East, US 69 North, US 96 North, US...
7
115.6 mi into trip|~2h 12m in
Take the exit toward TX 249: Boudreaux Road, Rocky Road
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 TX 249: Boudreaux Road, Rocky Road
8
269.9 mi into trip|~5h 11m 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
282.9 mi into trip|~5h 25m 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
$43.58 one way
$87.16 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg101 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$47.70
$95.40
premium
$4.54
$51.49
$102.98
diesel
$5.61
$63.68
$127.35
Estimated Tolls: $0.59
Tomball Tollway
(4.9 mi)$0.34
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
$44
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 100.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
86.5
1
$30.28
$13.84
Efficient EV
72.1
0
$25.23
$11.54
EV Truck/SUV
115.4
1
$40.38
$18.46
Gas CO2
101 kg
EV CO2
34 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Groves, TX
Night
in Groves on Saturday
Local time
9:47 PM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Killeen, TX
Night
in Killeen on Saturday
Local time
9:47 PM
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
5 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
5h 33m 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 trip is defined by its reliance on major transit corridors, with 76% of your time spent on highways. You will experience a mix of fast-paced multi-lane roads and sections of TX 6, which features your longest uninterrupted stretch of 49.8 miles. Behind the wheel, you should expect a steady, efficiency-oriented experience that prioritizes forward progress over winding backroads. As you transition between the various highways, the road character shifts from regional arteries to more expansive highway segments. It is a practical, no-nonsense drive that keeps you moving consistently toward your destination in Killeen.
76% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
45 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?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on TX 6 and East Grand Parkway North. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 18.5 miles in near US 69; US 96; US 287.
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 34 significant decision points across 288.4 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 18.5 miles (US 69; US 96; US 287): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 18.7 miles (US 69; US 96; US 287): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 115.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
649 ft10 ft
Total Climb
799 ft
Total Descent
160 ft
Highest Point
649 ft
~276.4 mi in
Elevation Range
639 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Groves, TX and Killeen, TX, road signs point toward Lufkin, Tbt Toll North and Fort Cavazos.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 33m. Total distance: 288.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (76%). 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 $0.59 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 18.5 miles (US 69; US 96; US 287): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 18.7 miles (US 69; US 96; US 287): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 115.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.6 hours each way, a round trip means 11.1 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.
