Bell County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Henrietta, TX to Austin, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 2m
Distance
283.4 mi
456 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$39
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 49m
★
6 AM
5h 3m
8 AM
5h 30m
10 AM
5h 12m
12 PM
5h 9m
3 PM
5h 13m
5 PM
5h 28m
8 PM
4h 55m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Henrietta, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Austin, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Henrietta, TX to Austin, TX is 283.4 miles and takes about 5h 2m via North South Freeway and I 35, with a fuel budget near $41 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Texas, moving from the Great Plains region to another part of the Great Plains. The route is predominantly highway, making it a straightforward trip. With a drive time under six hours, it's an ideal candidate for a single-day excursion. Plan for a relatively quick and efficient transit between these two Texas locations.
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
141.7 miles from Henrietta, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 32m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North South Freeway | 84.6 mi | 1h 27m |
| US 287 | 84.4 mi | 1h 31m |
| I 35 | 55.8 mi | 58m |
| Purple Heart Trail | 40.3 mi | 42m |
| North Jack Kultgen Expressway | 6.6 mi | 7m |
| North Freeway | 4.5 mi | 4m |
| I 35W TEXpress | 4 mi | 3m |
| South Graham Street | 0.9 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
North South Freeway
— 84.6 mi, about 1h 27m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 88 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~3,438 veh/hr typical · worst 4,158
Quietest
2 AM
~581 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 52 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 Henrietta, TX and Austin, TX.
1
Start on East Wichita Street
5 ft
·
5 sec
·
East Wichita Street
2
Turn left onto FM 1197
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
North Bridge Street
3
Turn right onto US 82
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
West Omega Street
4
Turn left onto TX 148
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
South Graham Street
5
Continue on TX 148
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
State Highway 148 South
6
Turn left onto US Highway 287 South
472 ft
·
12 sec
·
US Highway 287 South
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
8
Merge onto US 287
84 mi
·
1 hr 31 min
·
US 287
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 35W; US 287
4.5 mi
·
4 min
·
North Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
33 sec
Toward I 35W Express Toll South
Use the slight left lane.
11
Merge onto I 35W TEXpress
4.0 mi
·
3 min
·
I 35W TEXpress
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 35W
85 mi
·
1 hr 27 min
·
North South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 35; US 77
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 35
38 mi
·
39 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
56 mi
·
58 min
·
I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35; US 290
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Toward 32nd Street, Dean Keeton Street
Use the slight left lane.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Exit 234B
Toward 8th–3rd Streets, Huston-Tillotson University
Use the slight right lane.
18
Turn straight onto North Interstate 35
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
North Interstate 35
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Turn right onto East 6th Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
East 6th Street
Use the right lane.
20
Turn left onto Congress Avenue
357 ft
·
17 sec
·
Congress Avenue
21
Turn left onto East 5th Street
28 ft
·
0 sec
·
East 5th Street
Use the left lane.
22
Arrive at destination
East 5th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour duration, leaving Henrietta early in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight and arrive in Austin with time to spare. The route is mostly highway, so you can cover ground quickly. The single recommended stop is likely for fuel or a brief stretch, as the longest stretch without a significant break is manageable. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you near Austin, and remember that the $41 fuel cost is an estimate that can fluctuate. This is a drive you can comfortably complete in one day.
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 141.7 miles from Henrietta, TX, or about 2h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 84.6 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 62 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 141.7 miles or 2h 32m 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 7m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Austin, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Henrietta, 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 Henrietta, TX
This is one driving day of about 283.4 miles and 5h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 miles from Henrietta, 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 84.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
142 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 62 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 141.7 miles from Henrietta, 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 84.6 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.
Wise County Northbound
0 mi from route
Hill County Northbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Walburg Travel Center & Food Court
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Pilot 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
Ascent Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Plaza
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
Love's Travel Stop
0.3 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Bell County Southbound Rest Area
0.4 mi from route
Austin Bat Tours
4.4
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.2 mi from route
~1 min detour
Austin, Texas
Hours: 9 am–10 pm
Visit websiteDoris D Miller Park
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Final third
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
Waco, Texas
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteBotanical Gates of Paradise
4.1
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.7 mi from route
~4 min detour
Austin, Texas
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
Barton Creek Greenbelt
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, ~11 min detour
Home stretch
4.4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Austin, Texas
Hours: 5 am–10 pm
+15129746700
Visit websiteForest Park Miniature Railroad
4.4
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour
Early stretch
4.8 mi from route
~12 min detour
Fort Worth, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+18179665509
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 175 decision points cluster between mile 90.5 and 283.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
90.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 39m in
Take the exit toward I 35W Express Toll South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 35W Express Toll South
6
224.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 58m in
|
I 35
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
280 mi into trip
|
~4h 57m in
|
I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail toward 32nd Street, Dean Keeton Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward 32nd Street, Dean Keeton Street
8
282.4 mi into trip
|
~5h in
Take the exit toward 8th–3rd Streets, Huston-Tillotson University
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 234B
Toward 8th–3rd Streets, Huston-Tillotson Univer...
7
283.4 mi into trip
|
~5h 2m in
|
East 5th Street
Turn left onto East 5th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.82 one way
$77.63 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
99 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $43.36 | $86.72 |
| premium | $4.23 | $47.14 | $94.28 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $53.51 | $107.02 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 99.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 85 | 1 | $29.76 | $13.60 |
| Efficient EV | 70.9 | 0 | $24.80 | $11.34 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 113.4 | 1 | $39.68 | $18.14 |
Gas CO2
99 kg
EV CO2
33 kg (67% 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.
Origin
Henrietta, TX
Late night in Henrietta on Monday
Local time
3:08 AM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Clear
S 5 to 8 mph
27% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 8:32PM CDT until July 19 at 9:45AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 8:22PM CDT until July 19 at 6:00AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Destination
Austin, TX
Late night in Austin on Monday
Local time
3:08 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Mostly Cloudy
SSE 5 to 10 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 8:32PM CDT until July 19 at 9:45AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 8:22PM CDT until July 19 at 6:00AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
100°F
Italy, TX
142 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
6 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 2m 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.
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...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 175.9
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 85% of the 283.4 miles on highways. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 84.6 miles on North South Freeway. This means you'll experience a significant amount of high-speed cruising. Expect a lot of exits and entrances as you transition between North South Freeway and US 287, eventually merging onto I 35 for the final push towards Austin.
85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 84.6 mi on North South Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on North South Freeway and US 287. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 90.5 miles in.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 283.4 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 90.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 224.2 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 280 miles (I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
940 ft
405 ft
Total Climb
800 ft
Total Descent
1,226 ft
Highest Point
940 ft
~20.2 mi in
Elevation Range
535 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Henrietta, TX
Full guide →Founded 1857
Arriving in Austin, TX
Full guide →“City of the Violet Crown” · Founded 1835
Austin is a city of about 1,054,000 (2026) surpassing Fort Worth to become the 4th most populous city in Texas. It is on the southeast edge of the Hill Country region of Texas, making it the fourth-largest city in the state and the 11th-largest in the country. It is the capital of Texas and a college town, and also a center of an alternative culture away from the major cities on the US coasts, though the city is rapidly gentrifying with its rising popularity. Austin's attitude is commonly emblazoned about town on T-shirts and bumper stickers that read: "Keep Austin Weird." Austin is also marketed as the Live Music Capital of the World due to the large number of venues.
Top landmarks
- • Texas State Capitol — capitol and seat of government of the U.S. state of Texas
- • Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum — presidential library and museum for U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson in Austin,...
- • Texas State Cemetery — historic cemetery in Austin, Texas, USA
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 5h 2m. Total distance: 283.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 84.6 miles on North South Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 27 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 Austin, 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 27 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 90.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 224.2 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 280 miles (I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail): 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.0 hours each way, a round trip means 10.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Austin, 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, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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