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Trip from Harlingen, TX to Killeen, TX

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

7h 14m

Distance

375.3 mi

604 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$57

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 32 min
4 AM
7h 4m ★
6 AM
7h 15m
8 AM
7h 36m
10 AM
7h 22m
12 PM
7h 20m
3 PM
7h 23m
5 PM
7h 35m
8 PM
7h 8m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in Cameron County, Texas, United States

Harlingen, TX

Wikimedia Commons

city in Bell County, Texas, United States

Killeen, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 375.3-mile drive from Harlingen, TX to Killeen, TX will take approximately 7 hours and 14 minutes of pure driving time, making it a feasible, though long, day trip. You'll primarily be on West Harrison Avenue and North Expressway 77, transitioning to I-69E North. With a projected fuel cost of around $57, this route stays within the Great Plains region for its entirety. It's a practical journey with two recommended stops, offering a straightforward path through Texas.

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

2 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

187.7 miles from Harlingen, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 47m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
U.S. Highway 77 112.8 mi 2h 4m
Pickle Parkway 58.5 mi 54m
US Highway 181 South 40.2 mi 45m
State Highway 195 34 mi 38m
State Highway 80 North 30.8 mi 35m
State Highway 80 23.6 mi 25m
I 37 19.7 mi 19m
State Highway 359 12.4 mi 16m
Longest stretch: U.S. Highway 77 — 112.8 mi, about 2h 4m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Harlingen, TX and Killeen, TX.

1

Start on South Commerce Street

14 ft · 3 sec · South Commerce Street
2

Turn left onto West Harrison Avenue

1.3 mi · 2 min · West Harrison Avenue
3

Turn right onto North Expressway 77

428 ft · 12 sec · North Expressway 77
4

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 21 sec
Toward I 69E North, US 77 North
5

Merge onto I 69E; US 77

88 mi · 1 hr 37 min · U.S. Highway 77
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 14 sec
7

Merge onto I 69E; US 77

1.2 mi · 1 min · I 69E; US 77
8

Continue on U.S. Highway 77

12 mi · 12 min · U.S. Highway 77
9

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 34 sec
10

Turn straight onto US Highway 77 Frontage Road

485 ft · 17 sec · US Highway 77 Frontage Road
11

Turn right onto County Road 10

1.0 mi · 4 min · County Road 10
12

Turn left onto County Road 79

4.0 mi · 15 min · County Road 79
13

Turn left onto County Road 18

0.2 mi · 43 sec · County Road 18
14

Turn sharp right

1.1 mi · 2 min
15

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 57 sec
16

Merge onto US 77

2.3 mi · 2 min · Driscoll Bypass
17

Continue on US 77

13 mi · 14 min · U.S. Highway 77
18

Merge onto I 37; US 77; I 69E

1.4 mi · 1 min · I 37; US 77; I 69E
19

Keep slight left at fork

1.3 mi · 1 min
20

Continue on I 37

18 mi · 18 min · I 37
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 32 sec
Toward TX 359: Mathis, Skidmore
22

Turn right onto TX 359

12 mi · 16 min · State Highway 359
23

At end of road, turn left onto US 181

0.8 mi · 55 sec · South 8th Street
24

Continue on US 181

40 mi · 45 min · US Highway 181 South
25

Continue on US 181

1.2 mi · 1 min · South Sunset Strip Drive
26

Turn right onto TX 72; TX 239

0.8 mi · 1 min · West Main Street
27

Keep slight left at fork onto TX 72; TX 239

233 ft · 3 sec · East Main Street
28

Continue on FM 792

8.4 mi · 10 min · Helena Road
29

Turn straight onto TX 80

24 mi · 25 min · State Highway 80
30

Continue on TX 80

1.0 mi · 2 min · South Nixon Avenue
31

Continue on TX 80; TX 97

31 mi · 35 min · State Highway 80 North
32

Continue on US 183

10 mi · 11 min · US 183
33

Continue on US 183

4.9 mi · 8 min · South Colorado Street
34

Continue on US 183

0.2 mi · 16 sec · United States Highway 183
35

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 35 sec
Toward TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco
36

Merge onto TX 130 Toll

59 mi · 54 min · Pickle Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
37

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 21 sec
Toward TX 195 North: Florence, Killeen Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
38

Continue on North Interstate 35

0.3 mi · 25 sec · North Interstate 35
39

Turn left onto TX 195

34 mi · 38 min · State Highway 195
Use the left / straight lanes.
40

Turn slight right

263 ft · 9 sec
Use the right lane.
41

Turn slight right onto US 190 Bus

0.9 mi · 1 min · West Veterans Memorial Boulevard
Use the right lane.
42

Turn left

83 ft · 8 sec
43

Turn right

74 ft · 5 sec
44

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Given the 7-hour-plus drive time, consider an early morning departure from Harlingen to arrive in Killeen by late afternoon. Plan for your two stops strategically to break up the drive and manage fuel. Since this route involves numerous turns, stay alert and double-check your navigation frequently, especially when transitioning between local roads and I-69E. The $57 fuel cost should be factored into your budget, and ensuring you have sufficient gas before entering any less populated stretches is advisable.

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 187.7 miles from Harlingen, TX, or about 3h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 112.8 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 83 miles or 1h 33m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 187.7 miles or 3h 47m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 6h 10m

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 Harlingen, 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.

+

Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Harlingen, TX

This is one driving day of about 375.3 miles and 7h 14m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 83 miles from Harlingen, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on U.S. Highway 77 for about 112.8 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Caldwell and Guadalupe counties in Texas, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Luling, TX

188 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

San Diego, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 83 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

George West, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 187.7 miles from Harlingen, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before U.S. Highway 77 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 112.8 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.

Hugh Ramsey Nature Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour

Harlingen, Texas

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+19562165951

Visit website

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 website

Lions 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 website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 27

5 decision points cluster between mile 1.4 and 339.9 — 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 | ~2m in

Take the ramp toward I 69E North, US 77 North

Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 69E North, US 77 North
5
1.6 mi into trip | ~3m in | I 69E; US 77 / U.S. Highway 77

Merge onto I 69E; US 77 / U.S. Highway 77

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
108.1 mi into trip | ~2h 15m in

Turn sharp right

Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach

6
281 mi into trip | ~5h 38m in

Keep slight left at fork toward TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco
8
339.9 mi into trip | ~6h 33m in

Keep slight right at fork toward TX 195 North: Florence, Killeen

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward TX 195 North: Florence, Killeen

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$56.71 one way

$113.42 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 131 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.20 $62.07 $124.14
premium $4.54 $67.01 $134.01
diesel $5.61 $82.86 $165.72

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$57

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$82–$107

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 131.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $39 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 112.6 1 $39.41 $18.01
Efficient EV 93.8 1 $32.84 $15.01
EV Truck/SUV 150.1 1 $52.54 $24.02

Gas CO2

131 kg

EV CO2

44 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 20, 2026

Origin

Harlingen, TX

Late night in Harlingen on Tuesday

Local time

4:01 AM

CDT

Current temp

93°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Killeen, TX

Late night in Killeen on Tuesday

Local time

4:01 AM

CDT

Current temp

84°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

69°F

Luling, TX

188 mi in

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

9 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

7h 14m on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a turn-heavy local drive for a significant portion of this route, with a 0% highway share. The journey begins with local roads before merging onto I-69E North. While there isn't a specified longest uninterrupted stretch, the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile suggests frequent changes in direction and potentially navigating through various town centers. This means you'll be actively engaged with the road, managing more turns than a typical highway cruise.

92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
44 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 112.8 mi on U.S. Highway 77.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on U.S. Highway 77 and Pickle Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.4 miles in.

Driving Effort 9/10

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 27 significant decision points across 375.3 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: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.6 miles (I 69E; US 77 / U.S. Highway 77): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 108.1 miles: Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Harlingen, TX and Killeen, TX, road signs point toward Skidmore and Waco.

Skidmore

146.1 mi in | ~2h 57m

Waco

281 mi in | ~5h 38m

About the Cities

Starting in Harlingen, TX

Full guide →

Harlingen is a city in Texas.

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 7h 14m. Total distance: 375.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

7h 14m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 112.8 miles on U.S. Highway 77. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 1.4 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.6 miles (I 69E; US 77 / U.S. Highway 77): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 108.1 miles: Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach.

Not recommended in a single day. At 7.2 hours each way, a round trip means 14.5 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.

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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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