Gillespie County US 290 Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Killeen, TX to Del Rio, 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 32m
Distance
289.8 mi
466 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$40
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 19m
★
6 AM
5h 32m
8 AM
5h 59m
10 AM
5h 42m
12 PM
5h 39m
3 PM
5h 43m
5 PM
5h 58m
8 PM
5h 24m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Killeen, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Del Rio, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 289.8-mile journey from Killeen, Texas, to Del Rio, Texas, is estimated to take about 5 hours and 32 minutes of driving time. It's a solid day trip, easily manageable within a single day, with a projected fuel cost of around $44. You'll be navigating primarily via East Veterans Memorial Boulevard, Central Texas Expressway, and US 190 West, with no highway driving involved. The route offers a turn-heavy local road experience, making it feel more like navigating through communities than a high-speed transit. Both Killeen and Del Rio are situated within the Great Plains region, so expect a consistent landscape throughout your drive.
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
144.9 miles from Killeen, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 51m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South US Highway 281 | 53.2 mi | 1h |
| State Highway 41 | 50.5 mi | 55m |
| Del Rio Road | 49.1 mi | 49m |
| West US Highway 290 | 27.2 mi | 30m |
| US 277 | 22 mi | 25m |
| US 190 | 21.6 mi | 25m |
| I 10 | 17 mi | 16m |
| South State Highway 16 | 14.2 mi | 15m |
Longest stretch:
South US Highway 281
— 53.2 mi, about 1h
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Killeen, TX and Del Rio, TX.
1
Start on this road
74 ft
·
10 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left
83 ft
·
8 sec
3
Turn right onto US 190 Bus
2.6 mi
·
4 min
·
East Veterans Memorial Boulevard
4
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
5
Merge onto I 14; US 190
4.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Central Texas Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto US 190
22 mi
·
25 min
·
US 190
Toward US 190 West: Lampasas
Use the slight left lane.
7
Continue on US 281
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
E E Ohnmeiss Drive
8
Turn left onto US 281
20 mi
·
20 min
·
South US Highway 281
9
Continue on US 281
3.6 mi
·
5 min
·
North Water Street
10
Continue on US 281
34 mi
·
40 min
·
South US Highway 281
11
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
Toward Fredericksburg
12
Merge onto US 290
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
East Main Street
Toward Fredericksburg
13
Continue on US 290
27 mi
·
30 min
·
West US Highway 290
14
Continue on US 290
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
East Main Street
15
Turn left onto Friendship Lane
2.9 mi
·
5 min
·
Friendship Lane
16
Turn left onto TX 16
14 mi
·
15 min
·
South State Highway 16
17
Continue on TX 16
5.5 mi
·
6 min
·
Fredericksburg Road
18
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
19
Merge onto I 10
17 mi
·
16 min
·
I 10
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 490
Toward TX 41: Mountain Home, Rocksprings
21
Turn left onto TX 41
51 mi
·
55 min
·
State Highway 41
22
At end of road, turn left onto US 377
8.0 mi
·
11 min
·
North US Highway 377
23
Turn right onto US 377; TX 55
0.5 mi
·
33 sec
·
East Main Street
24
Turn slight left onto US 377
49 mi
·
49 min
·
Del Rio Road
25
At end of road, turn left onto US 277; US 377
22 mi
·
25 min
·
US 277; US 377
26
Turn left onto US 90; US 277; US 377
4.5 mi
·
7 min
·
Veterans Boulevard
27
Continue on Spur 297
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
Spur 297
28
Turn left onto US 277 Spur
377 ft
·
30 sec
·
East Garfield Street
29
Turn left onto Spur 297
107 ft
·
2 sec
·
Spur 297
30
Arrive at destination
Spur 297
Trip Plan
With a total driving time of 5 hours and 32 minutes, this 289.8-mile trip is well-suited for a single day. Consider an early morning departure from Killeen to maximize your daylight hours and allow for a relaxed pace. Since it's a 'turn-heavy local drive' with no significant highway stretches, factor in extra time for navigating through towns and potential traffic. The estimated fuel cost is $44, so ensure your tank is full before you leave Killeen, as dedicated rest stops might be less frequent than on an interstate route. A single planned stop should be sufficient for this moderate distance.
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 144.9 miles from Killeen, TX, or about 2h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 53.2 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 64 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 144.9 miles or 2h 51m 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 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Del Rio, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Killeen, 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 Killeen, TX
This is one driving day of about 289.8 miles and 5h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 miles from Killeen, 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 South US Highway 281 for about 53.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
145 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 64 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 144.9 miles from Killeen, 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.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Picnic Area
0.1 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.1 mi from route
Scenic View
0.1 mi from route
Gillespie County Ranch Road 1 Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.3 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.6 mi from route
TXB Market
2.5 mi from route
Marble Falls Walkway of Lights
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Marble Falls, Texas
Hours: 6–10 pm
+18446354448
Visit websiteGreat Escape of Central Texas
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
3.1 mi from route
~8 min detour
Killeen, Texas
Hours: 3:30–9:30 pm
+12546802686
Visit websiteLyndon B. Johnson State Park & Historic Site
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Early stretch
3.2 mi from route
~8 min detour
Stonewall, Texas
Hours: 8:30 am–4 pm
+18306442252
Visit websiteLions Club Park
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
3.3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Killeen, Texas
Hours: 5 am–10 pm
+12545016390
Visit websiteDead Man's Hole Historical Landmark
4.4
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Early in the drive, ~12 min detour
Early stretch
4.7 mi from route
~12 min detour
Marble Falls, Texas
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18306932815
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 195 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 263 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
Turn left
Navigation decision point
5
3.1 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
I 14; US 190 / Central Texas Expressway
Merge onto I 14; US 190 / Central Texas Expressway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
7.4 mi into trip
|
~9m in
|
US 190
Keep slight left at fork onto US 190 toward US 190 West: Lampasas
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward US 190 West: Lampasas
6
154.5 mi into trip
|
~3h in
Take the exit toward TX 41: Mountain Home, Rocksprings
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 490
Toward TX 41: Mountain Home, Rocksprings
5
263 mi into trip
|
~4h 58m in
|
US 277; US 377
At end of road, turn left onto US 277; US 377
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.69 one way
$79.39 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
101 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $44.34 | $88.67 |
| premium | $4.23 | $48.20 | $96.41 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $54.72 | $109.44 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 101.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 86.9 | 1 | $30.43 | $13.91 |
| Efficient EV | 72.5 | 0 | $25.36 | $11.59 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 115.9 | 1 | $40.57 | $18.55 |
Gas CO2
101 kg
EV CO2
34 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.
Origin
Killeen, TX
Night in Killeen on Sunday
Local time
11:00 PM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Partly Cloudy
SSE 10 mph
4% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 6:44PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 17 at 6:41PM CDT until July 17 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Destination
Del Rio, TX
Night in Del Rio on Sunday
Local time
11:00 PM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Mostly Cloudy
ESE 5 to 10 mph
3% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 6:44PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 17 at 6:41PM CDT until July 17 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
5h 32m 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.
Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park tells the story of our 36th president beginning with his ancestors until his final resting place on his beloved LBJ Ranch. This entire "circle of life" gives...
2 mi from route
~4 min detour
Free
near mile 99.9
Park Closure: Texas White House Complex Closure
Amistad National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
An oasis in the desert, Amistad National Recreation Area consists of the US portion of the International Amistad Reservoir. Amistad, a Spanish word meaning "friendship," is known for excellent water-b...
10 mi from route
~25 min detour
Free
near mile 279.8
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 'turn-heavy local drive' for the entirety of this 289.8-mile route, as it features a 0% highway share. This means you'll be navigating through towns and local roads for the full 5 hours and 32 minutes of travel time. Without any long highway stretches, the longest uninterrupted drive will be dictated by the local road network. The character of the drive will likely involve frequent adjustments to speed and direction as you pass through various communities on your way from Killeen to Del Rio.
75% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 53.2 mi on South US Highway 281.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on South US Highway 281 and State Highway 41. You will hit about 19 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.
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 289.8 miles you will encounter 19 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: near the start: Navigation decision point; at 3.1 miles (I 14; US 190 / Central Texas Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 7.4 miles (US 190): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,353 ft
823 ft
Total Climb
2,192 ft
Total Descent
2,051 ft
Highest Point
2,353 ft
~207 mi in
Elevation Range
1,530 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.
Between Killeen, TX and Del Rio, TX, road signs point toward Fredericksburg and Rocksprings.
Fredericksburg
86 mi in
|
~1h 42m
Rocksprings
154.5 mi in
|
~3h
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Belóved Café
Cafe
Early in the drive, right off the route
Early stretch
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Hours: Mo-Fr 08:00-17:00
Visit websiteHTeaO
Cafe
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Cuisine: coffee_shop;tea
The Ragtime Oriole
Cafe
Early in the drive, right off the route
Early stretch
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Choccolatte's
Cafe
Early in the drive, right off the route
Early stretch
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Brother's Bakery
Cafe
Early in the drive, right off the route
Early stretch
0.7 mi from route
~2 min detour
Starbucks
Cafe
Near the start, short detour
1.2 mi from route
~3 min detour
Killeen, TX
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Visit websiteSimply Pho House
Restaurant
Early in the drive, right off the route
Early stretch
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Marble Falls, TX
Cuisine: vietnamese
Hours: Mo-Th 11:00-20:45; Fr-Sa 11:00-21:45; Su...
Visit websiteGinger & Spice
Restaurant
Early in the drive, right off the route
Early stretch
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Marble Falls
Cuisine: thai
Visit websiteFragola's Catering & the Kitchen
Restaurant
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Cuisine: american
Hours: Mo-Fr 11:00-18:00
Visit websiteSubway
Fast_food
Early in the drive, right off the route
Early stretch
0.6 mi from route
~1 min detour
Marble Falls, TX
Cuisine: sandwich
Hours: Mo-Fr 08:00-22:00; Sa 09:00-22:00; Su 09...
Visit websiteSubway
Fast_food
Near the start, short detour
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Killeen, TX
Cuisine: sandwich
Hours: Mo-Fr 06:30-21:30; Sa-Su 09:00-21:30
Visit websiteOli's Kitchen
Restaurant
Early in the drive, right off the route
Early stretch
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Dead Man's Hole
Attraction
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
2.5 mi from route
~6 min detour
LBJ Volunteer Campground
Camp_site
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
3.3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Glenn-Dowe House
Memorial
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0 mi from route
Hye Post Office
Memorial
Early in the drive, right off the route
Early stretch
0.1 mi from route
First United Methodist Church of Del Rio
Memorial
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.1 mi from route
San Felipe Exes Student Memorial Center
Museum
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.7 mi from route
~2 min detour
Del Rio, TX
Hours: Sa[1],Sa[3] 13:00-15:00 || "by appointme...
Visit websiteWhitehead Memorial Museum
Museum
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.7 mi from route
~2 min detour
TX
Visit websiteElks Lodge Hall
Memorial
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.2 mi from route
~1 min detour
McKenzie Guest House
Guest_house
Early in the drive, right off the route
Early stretch
0.6 mi from route
~1 min detour
WorldMark Marble Falls
Hotel
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
1.1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Econo Lodge
Motel
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.6 mi from route
~4 min detour
Hotel San Jorge
Hotel
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
3.3 mi from route
~8 min detour
LBJ Volunteer Campground
Camp_site
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
3.3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Hotel White River
Hotel
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
3.3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Points of interest from OpenStreetMap contributors. Listings may not reflect current hours or availability.
About the Cities
Starting 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
Arriving in Del Rio, TX
Full guide →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 32m. Total distance: 289.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (75%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 53.2 miles on South US Highway 281. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 10 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.
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 10 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start: Navigation decision point; at 3.1 miles (I 14; US 190 / Central Texas Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 7.4 miles (US 190): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park and Amistad National Recreation Area. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 11.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Del Rio, 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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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