Spanning 570 miles across the Great Plains, your journey from Horizon City to Killeen requires approximately 9 hours and 45 minutes of driving time. Because of the length, we strongly recommend splitting this trip into two days to avoid fatigue. You should budget roughly $87 for fuel to cover the distance. The route primarily utilizes I-10, U.S. Highway 190, and Ranch Road 864. While the drive is straightforward, the significant mileage makes it a serious commitment that demands careful planning rather than a quick day trip.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
285 miles from Horizon City, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 33m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 10
365.6 mi
5h 44m
United States Highway 190
79.8 mi
1h 37m
Ranch Road 864
42 mi
45m
Central Texas Expressway
16.9 mi
18m
West US Highway 190
16.4 mi
17m
US 183
15.2 mi
15m
East US Highway 190
11.2 mi
11m
FM 1715
6.4 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 365.6 mi, about 5h 44m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Horizon City, TX and Killeen, TX.
1
Start on Jasper Drive
66 ft·8 sec·Jasper Drive
2
Turn left onto Darrington Road
0.1 mi·17 sec·Darrington Road
3
Turn right onto Alderwood Manor Drive
0.7 mi·1 min·Alderwood Manor Drive
4
At end of road, turn left onto Ashford Street
0.1 mi·18 sec·Ashford Street
5
Turn right onto FM 1281
2.5 mi·4 min·Horizon Boulevard
6
Turn left onto Gateway Boulevard East
0.6 mi·1 min·Gateway Boulevard East
7
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·18 sec
Toward I 10 East
8
Merge onto I 10
148 mi·2 hr 20 min·I 10
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
217 mi·3 hr 23 min·I 10
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Exit 404Toward Loop 467, RM 864: Fort McKavett
11
Turn left onto Loop 467
263 ft·6 sec·Loop 467
12
Continue on Loop 467
0.2 mi·11 sec·Loop 467
13
Continue on RM 864
42 mi·45 min·Ranch Road 864
14
At end of road, turn right onto US 190
16 mi·17 min·West US Highway 190
15
At end of road, turn left onto US 83; US 190
1.2 mi·1 min·Frisco Avenue
16
Turn right onto US 190
11 mi·11 min·East US Highway 190
17
Continue on US 190
19 mi·27 min·United States Highway 190
18
Continue on US 190
0.9 mi·1 min·Menard Highway
19
At end of road, turn left onto US 87; US 190; US 377
1.4 mi·1 min·Bridge Street
20
At end of road, turn left onto US 87; US 190; US 377
131 ft·1 sec·Commerce Street
21
Turn right onto US 190; US 377
218 ft·5 sec·Church Street
22
Turn right onto US 190; US 377
327 ft·14 sec·Main Street
23
Turn left onto US 190; US 377
0.7 mi·52 sec·Bridge Street
24
Turn right onto US 190
0.1 mi·8 sec·Boy Street
25
Continue on US 190
61 mi·1 hr 9 min·United States Highway 190
26
At end of road, turn right onto US 183; US 190
15 mi·15 min·US 183; US 190
27
Merge onto US 183; US 190; US 281
260 ft·4 sec·North US Highway 281
28
Continue on US 183; US 190; US 281
0.4 mi·38 sec·North Key Avenue
29
Turn left onto FM 580
1.1 mi·1 min·East Avenue J
30
Continue on FM 580
2.6 mi·2 min·East FM 580
31
Turn right onto FM 1715
6.4 mi·8 min·FM 1715
32
At end of road, turn left onto US 190
17 mi·18 min·Central Texas Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward T.J. Mills BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
34
Continue on US 190 Bus
3.0 mi·5 min·West Veterans Memorial Boulevard
35
Turn left
83 ft·8 sec
36
Turn right
74 ft·5 sec
37
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To manage the 570-mile trek effectively, plan for at least two intentional stops to break up the drive. Since the longest stretch on I-10 covers over 365 miles, you should prioritize refueling before departing that major corridor to avoid running low on remote sections of the later highways. Leaving early in the morning is your best strategy to ensure you reach your destination comfortably within your two-day window. Keep a close watch on your fuel gauge throughout the transition from the interstate to the smaller state roads, as service availability may fluctuate compared to the main highway segments.
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.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 285 miles from Horizon City, TX, or about 4h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 365.6 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 125 miles or 2h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 285 miles or 4h 33m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 285 miles or 4h 33m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 8h 35m
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 Horizon 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Horizon City, TX
Aim for roughly 285 miles and 4.9 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Killeen, TX
Aim for roughly 285 miles and 4.9 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 125 miles from Horizon City, TX.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 10 for about 365.6 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 27
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.9 and 566.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.9 mi into trip|~2m in|Ashford Street
At end of road, turn left onto Ashford Street
Navigation decision point
6
369.8 mi into trip|~5h 52m in
Take the exit toward Loop 467, RM 864: Fort McKavett
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 404
Toward Loop 467, RM 864: Fort McKavett
5
412.4 mi into trip|~6h 39m in|US 190 / West US Highway 190
At end of road, turn right onto US 190 / West US Highway 190
Navigation decision point
6
549.9 mi into trip|~9h 21m in|US 190 / Central Texas Expressway
At end of road, turn left onto US 190 / Central Texas Expressway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
566.8 mi into trip|~9h 39m in
Take the exit toward T.J. Mills Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward T.J. Mills Boulevard
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$86.13 one way
$172.26 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg199 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$94.27
$188.55
premium
$4.54
$101.77
$203.54
diesel
$5.61
$125.85
$251.70
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$86
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$216–$326
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 199.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $60 in charging
· 2 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
171
2
$59.85
$27.36
Efficient EV
142.5
1
$49.88
$22.80
EV Truck/SUV
228
2
$79.80
$36.48
Gas CO2
199 kg
EV CO2
67 kg (66% less)
Plan for 2 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Horizon City, TX
Late night
in Horizon City on Sunday
Local time
2:10 AM
MDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Killeen, TX
Late night
in Killeen on Sunday
Local time
3:10 AM
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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
Time zone
1 hour later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
24 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
9h 45m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
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.
Chamizal National Memorial
National Memorial
Chamizal is more than just an urban park to recreate or enjoy a quiet afternoon. These grounds are a reminder of the harmonious settlement of a 100-year boundary dispute between the United States and...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a long-distance haul characterized by high-speed transit, as 90% of your route takes place on major highways. You will spend a significant portion of your time on I-10, which features a demanding 365.6-mile stretch that serves as the backbone of your journey. Transitioning from the interstate onto U.S. Highway 190 and Ranch Road 864 shifts the pace, moving you from wide-open highway cruising to secondary roads. The experience is largely a study in endurance, requiring you to maintain focus through long, steady miles across the Texas landscape.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
37 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 365.6 mi on I 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and United States Highway 190. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.9 miles in near Ashford Street.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The route itself is not hard, but at 9h 45m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 27 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.9 miles (Ashford Street): Navigation decision point; at 369.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 412.4 miles (US 190 / West US Highway 190): Navigation decision point.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Horizon City, TX and Killeen, TX, road signs point toward Loop 467 and Rm 864: Fort Mckavett.
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.
The longest stretch is about 365.6 miles on I 10. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 285 miles on day one.
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 is a long drive, so arriving tired and in the dark compounds. 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 0.9 miles (Ashford Street): Navigation decision point; at 369.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 412.4 miles (US 190 / West US Highway 190): Navigation decision point.
Yes — Chamizal National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 9.8 hours each way, a round trip means 19.5 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.
