Hill County Northbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Haltom City, TX to Killeen, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 44m
Distance
152.8 mi
246 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$23
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 34m
★
6 AM
2h 44m
8 AM
3h 6m
10 AM
2h 52m
12 PM
2h 50m
3 PM
2h 53m
5 PM
3h 5m
8 PM
2h 38m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Haltom City, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Killeen, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 152.8-mile drive from Haltom City, TX to Killeen, TX is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 44 minutes. You'll primarily navigate the North South Freeway, Purple Heart Trail, and Central Texas Expressway. With a fuel cost estimated at $23, it's an economical option for a quick journey. This route stays within the Great Plains region, offering a consistent landscape. The drive is highway-focused, making it a straightforward transit experience rather than a leisurely exploration. It’s a practical choice when you need to get from point A to point B efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
76.4 miles from Haltom City, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 21m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North South Freeway | 85 mi | 1h 28m |
| Purple Heart Trail | 37.9 mi | 39m |
| Central Texas Expressway | 13.1 mi | 13m |
| North Jack Kultgen Expressway | 6.6 mi | 7m |
| West Central Texas Expressway | 2.9 mi | 3m |
| Airport Freeway | 2.6 mi | 3m |
| South W.S. Young Drive | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| East Veterans Memorial Boulevard | 1 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
North South Freeway
— 85 mi, about 1h 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Haltom City, TX and Killeen, TX.
1
Start on Jane Lane
208 ft
·
12 sec
·
Jane Lane
2
Turn left onto Markum Drive
0.2 mi
·
45 sec
·
Markum Drive
3
Turn right onto US 377; TX 183
0.4 mi
·
43 sec
·
Belknap Street
4
Turn slight left onto Haltom Road
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Haltom Road
5
Turn right onto Airport Freeway
380 ft
·
7 sec
·
Airport Freeway
Use the right lane.
6
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
Toward TX 121 South
7
Merge onto TX 121
2.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Airport Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
41 sec
Toward I 35W South, US 287 South, US 377 South: Waco
Use the slight left lane.
9
Merge onto I 35W; US 287; US 377
85 mi
·
1 hr 28 min
·
North South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 35; US 77
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 35
38 mi
·
39 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
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.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 287
Toward FM 3470: Rosewood Drive, Stan Schlueter Loop
Use the slight right lane.
14
Turn straight onto West Central Texas Expressway
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
West Central Texas Expressway
15
Turn right onto South W.S. Young Drive
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
South W.S. Young Drive
16
Turn left onto US 190 Bus
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
East Veterans Memorial Boulevard
17
Turn right
83 ft
·
8 sec
18
Turn right
74 ft
·
5 sec
19
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of just under 3 hours, this trip is ideal for a single-day excursion. You could leave in the morning and arrive by midday, or depart after lunch and reach Killeen in the late afternoon. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing. Consider departing Haltom City earlier in the day to avoid potential afternoon traffic, especially if you're traveling on a weekday. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without a change in major road is quite substantial at 85 miles.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 76.4 miles from Haltom City, TX, or about 1h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 85 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 34 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 76.4 miles or 1h 21m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 13m
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 Haltom City, 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 Haltom City, TX
This is one driving day of about 152.8 miles and 2h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Haltom City, 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 North South Freeway for about 85 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
76 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 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 76.4 miles from Haltom City, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before North South Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 85 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Hill County Southbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
Great Escape of Central Texas
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
3.1 mi from route
~8 min detour
Killeen, Texas
Hours: 3:30–9:30 pm
+12546802686
Visit websiteLions Club Park
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
3.3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Killeen, Texas
Hours: 5 am–10 pm
+12545016390
Visit websiteiFLY Indoor Skydiving - Fort Worth
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, ~10 min detour
3.9 mi from route
~10 min detour
Hurst, Texas
Hours: 10:30 am–6:30 pm
+18178184359
Visit websiteFort Worth Herd
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, ~11 min detour
4.5 mi from route
~11 min detour
Fort Worth, Texas
Hours: 11:30 am–4 pm
+18173364373
Visit websiteForest Park Miniature Railroad
4.4
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the start, ~11 min detour
First break
4.5 mi from route
~11 min detour
Fort Worth, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+18179665509
Visit websiteCultural Activities Center
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Later in the drive, ~11 min detour
Final third
4.4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Temple, Texas
Hours: 8:30 am–4 pm
+12547739926
Visit websiteDoris D Miller Park
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour
Halfway reset
4.3 mi from route
~11 min detour
Waco, Texas
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 135 decision points cluster between mile 1.4 and 147.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
1.4 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
Airport Freeway
Turn right onto Airport Freeway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
1.6 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
TX 121 / Airport Freeway
Merge onto TX 121 / Airport Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
4.2 mi into trip
|
~6m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35W South, US 287 South, US 377 South: Waco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 35W South, US 287 South, US 377 South:...
8
134.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 22m 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
147.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 36m 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
$23.09 one way
$46.18 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
54 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $25.27 | $50.54 |
| premium | $4.54 | $27.28 | $54.56 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $33.74 | $67.47 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 53.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 45.8 | 0 | $16.04 | $7.33 |
| Efficient EV | 38.2 | 0 | $13.37 | $6.11 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 61.1 | 0 | $21.39 | $9.78 |
Gas CO2
53 kg
EV CO2
18 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.
Origin
Haltom City, TX
Late night in Haltom City on Tuesday
Local time
5:51 AM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Killeen, TX
Late night in Killeen on Tuesday
Local time
5:51 AM
CDT
Current temp
84°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
23 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 44m 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.
Waco Mammoth National Monument
National Monument
Standing as tall as 14 feet and weighing 20,000 pounds, Columbian mammoths roamed across what is present-day Texas thousands of years ago. Today, the fossil specimens represent the nation's first and...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 89.6
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for 72% of this route. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 85 miles on the North South Freeway, so be prepared for extended periods of higher speeds. While largely on major roadways, the character is less about winding scenic byways and more about efficient travel. This means you'll likely experience a consistent driving rhythm for much of the journey, punctuated by transitions between the primary roads like the Purple Heart Trail and the Central Texas Expressway.
72% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 85 mi on North South Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on North South Freeway and Purple Heart Trail. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.4 miles in near Airport Freeway.
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 13 significant decision points across 152.8 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 1.4 miles (Airport Freeway): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.6 miles (TX 121 / Airport Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 4.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Haltom City, TX to Killeen, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Fort Cavazos along the way.
Fort Cavazos
134.2 mi in
|
~2h 22m
|
via I 14; US 190
About the Cities
Starting in Haltom City, TX
Full guide →Founded 1932
Arriving in Killeen, TX
Full guide →Founded 1872
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
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 44m. Total distance: 152.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 44m 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 85 miles on North South Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 14 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. There are 14 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.4 miles (Airport Freeway): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.6 miles (TX 121 / Airport Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 4.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument. 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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