Origin
Ingleside, TX
Late night in Ingleside on Tuesday
Local time
4:16 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Ingleside, 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
4h 45m
Distance
255.7 mi
412 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 32m
★
6 AM
4h 45m
8 AM
5h 12m
10 AM
4h 54m
12 PM
4h 52m
3 PM
4h 56m
5 PM
5h 11m
8 PM
4h 37m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ingleside, TX
Thomas balabaud
Killeen, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 255.7-mile drive from Ingleside, TX to Killeen, TX will take approximately 4 hours and 45 minutes, making it a feasible day trip. You'll primarily be on Pickle Parkway and US Highway 183 for most of this journey across the Great Plains region of Texas. With an estimated fuel cost of $39 and a highway share of 89%, expect a straightforward, highway-focused experience. This route is designed for efficient travel, so you can likely complete it in a single day without needing an overnight stop. The focus here is on getting from point A to point B effectively.
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
127.9 miles from Ingleside, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 26m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pickle Parkway | 58.5 mi | 54m |
| North US Highway 183 | 51.4 mi | 56m |
| US 183 | 35.9 mi | 41m |
| State Highway 195 | 34 mi | 38m |
| US Highway 183 | 22.6 mi | 24m |
| Farm to Market Road 136 | 10 mi | 11m |
| FM 2678 | 9.6 mi | 9m |
| State Highway 188 | 7.2 mi | 7m |
Longest stretch:
Pickle Parkway
— 58.5 mi, about 54m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ingleside, TX and Killeen, TX.
1
Start on FM 1069
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
South Main Street
2
Continue on FM 1069
6.8 mi
·
9 min
·
FM 1069
3
Turn left onto TX 188
7.2 mi
·
7 min
·
State Highway 188
4
Turn right onto FM 136
10.0 mi
·
11 min
·
Farm to Market Road 136
5
Continue on FM 2678
9.6 mi
·
9 min
·
FM 2678
6
At end of road, turn left onto FM 774
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
FM 774
7
Turn right onto US 77
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
South Alamo Street
8
Continue on US 77 Alt; US 183
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
North Alamo Street
9
Continue on US 77 Alt; US 183
23 mi
·
24 min
·
US Highway 183
10
Continue on US 77 Alt; US 183; TX 239
3.7 mi
·
5 min
·
South Jefferson Street
11
Continue on US 77 Alt; US 183
29 mi
·
31 min
·
North US Highway 183
12
Continue on US 77 Alt; US 87; US 183
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
South Esplanade Street
13
Continue on US 77 Alt; US 183
23 mi
·
24 min
·
North US Highway 183
14
Continue on US 183; TX 111
6.0 mi
·
6 min
·
US 183; TX 111
15
Continue on US 183; TX 97
20 mi
·
23 min
·
US 183; TX 97
16
Turn right onto US 183; TX 80
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
South Magnolia Avenue
17
Continue on US 183
10 mi
·
11 min
·
US 183
18
Continue on US 183
4.9 mi
·
8 min
·
South Colorado Street
19
Continue on US 183
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
United States Highway 183
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
35 sec
Toward TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco
21
Merge onto TX 130 Toll
59 mi
·
54 min
·
Pickle Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Toward TX 195 North: Florence, Killeen
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on North Interstate 35
0.3 mi
·
25 sec
·
North Interstate 35
24
Turn left onto TX 195
34 mi
·
38 min
·
State Highway 195
Use the left / straight lanes.
25
Turn slight right
263 ft
·
9 sec
Use the right lane.
26
Turn slight right onto US 190 Bus
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
West Veterans Memorial Boulevard
Use the right lane.
27
Turn left
83 ft
·
8 sec
28
Turn right
74 ft
·
5 sec
29
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour and 45-minute duration, departing Ingleside in the morning will allow you to reach Killeen with ample daylight. With only one recommended stop, plan your breaks strategically, perhaps around the halfway point of this 255.7-mile trip. The $39 fuel cost is a reasonable budget for this drive. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 58.5-mile stretch on Pickle Parkway, to ensure you have enough to reach your destination or a convenient refueling point. This route is efficient, so flexibility with your timing is a key advantage.
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 127.9 miles from Ingleside, TX, or about 2h 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 58.5 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 56 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 127.9 miles or 2h 26m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 54m
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 Ingleside, 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 Ingleside, TX
This is one driving day of about 255.7 miles and 4h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 miles from Ingleside, 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 Pickle Parkway for about 58.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
128 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 56 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 127.9 miles from Ingleside, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 135 decision points cluster between mile 35 and 255.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
35 mi into trip
|
~40m in
|
FM 774
At end of road, turn left onto FM 774
Navigation decision point
6
161.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 8m 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
5
161.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 9m in
|
TX 130 Toll / Pickle Parkway
Merge onto TX 130 Toll / Pickle Parkway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
220.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 4m 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
5
255.7 mi into trip
|
~4h 44m in
Turn right
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.64 one way
$77.27 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
90 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $42.29 | $84.58 |
| premium | $4.54 | $45.65 | $91.31 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $56.46 | $112.91 |
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: 89.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 76.7 | 0 | $26.85 | $12.27 |
| Efficient EV | 63.9 | 0 | $22.37 | $10.23 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 102.3 | 1 | $35.80 | $16.36 |
Gas CO2
89 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 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.
Destination
Killeen, TX
Late night in Killeen on Tuesday
Local time
4:16 AM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
69°F
Luling, TX
128 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
10 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
4h 45m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 89% of the route utilizing major roadways like Pickle Parkway and US Highway 183. You'll encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 58.5 miles on Pickle Parkway, offering a consistent pace. The personality of this route is one of steady progress, rather than winding backroads or challenging terrain. Expect a familiar driving experience as you navigate through the Great Plains, with the landscape remaining largely consistent throughout your 255.7-mile journey.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 58.5 mi on Pickle Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pickle Parkway and North US Highway 183. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 35 miles in near FM 774.
Driving Effort
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 255.7 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 35 miles (FM 774): Navigation decision point; at 161.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 161.8 miles (TX 130 Toll / Pickle Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
972 ft
5 ft
Total Climb
1,194 ft
Total Descent
386 ft
Highest Point
972 ft
~237.4 mi in
Elevation Range
966 ft
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 Ingleside, TX to Killeen, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Waco along the way.
Waco
161.3 mi in
|
~3h 8m
About the Cities
Starting in Ingleside, TX
Full guide →Ingleside is a city in San Patricio County in the state of 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 4h 45m. Total distance: 255.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 58.5 miles on Pickle Parkway. 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 35 miles (FM 774): Navigation decision point; at 161.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 161.8 miles (TX 130 Toll / Pickle Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Killeen, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.
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 USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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