Spanning 287.8 miles, your journey from Killeen to Groves takes approximately 5 hours and 37 minutes. This trek is best tackled as a straightforward single-day drive, as it stays entirely within the Great Plains region of Texas. Expect to budget about $44 for fuel to cover the distance. You will primarily utilize a combination of the North Earl Rudder Freeway, US Highway 90, and the Grand Parkway to reach the coast. Because the duration is manageable for a dedicated driver, you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you prefer a leisurely pace.
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
143.9 miles from Killeen, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 49m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Grand Parkway
43.9 mi
46m
US Highway 90
36 mi
41m
North Earl Rudder Freeway
30.1 mi
31m
Aggie Expressway
24.7 mi
27m
FM 485
20.4 mi
25m
Farm-to-Market Road 979
15.3 mi
19m
South State Highway 6
13.7 mi
14m
West Adams Avenue
12 mi
14m
Longest stretch:
Grand Parkway
— 43.9 mi, about 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Killeen, TX and Groves, TX.
1
Start on this road
74 ft·10 sec·this road
2
Turn left
83 ft·11 sec
3
Turn left onto US 190 Bus
5.1 mi·8 min·East Veterans Memorial Boulevard
4
Turn slight right onto Edwards Drive
0.5 mi·55 sec·Edwards Drive
5
Take the ramp
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 14 East, US 190 East
6
Merge onto I 14; US 190
11 mi·11 min·Central Texas Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 35; US 190
6.8 mi·7 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 301Toward TX 53, FM 2305: Central Avenue, Adams AvenueUse the slight right lane.
9
Turn straight onto South General Bruce Drive
0.2 mi·17 sec·South General Bruce Drive
Toward TX 53, FM 2305
10
Turn slight right
222 ft·8 sec
11
Turn slight right onto TX 53
1.0 mi·1 min·West Central Avenue
12
Turn left onto TX 53; Spur 290
216 ft·3 sec·North 3rd Street
13
Turn right onto TX 53
12 mi·14 min·West Adams Avenue
14
Turn right onto FM 485
20 mi·25 min·FM 485
15
Turn left onto FM 979
15 mi·19 min·Farm-to-Market Road 979
16
Continue on FM 979
0.7 mi·1 min·Browning Street
17
Turn right onto TX 6
1.3 mi·2 min·South Main Street
18
Continue on TX 6
6.2 mi·6 min·North State Highway 6
19
Continue on US 79; TX 6
2.1 mi·2 min·North Market Street
20
Continue on US 190; TX 6
14 mi·14 min·South State Highway 6
21
Continue on US 190; TX 6
30 mi·31 min·North Earl Rudder Freeway
22
Continue on TX 6
3.4 mi·3 min·State Highway 6
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward East TX 105, Spur 515: Conroe
24
Turn straight onto TX 105
0.2 mi·24 sec·State Highway 6
25
Turn left onto TX 105
5.9 mi·6 min·State Highway 105
26
Turn straight onto TX 249
25 mi·27 min·Aggie Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Continue on TX 249 Toll
3.6 mi·4 min·MCTRA 249 Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Continue on TBT
4.7 mi·5 min·Tomball Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward TX 99 Toll: Grand Parkway, Boudreaux RoadUse the slight right lane.
30
Turn straight onto TX 249
0.3 mi·33 sec·Tomball Parkway
31
Turn left onto North Grand Parkway West
0.4 mi·43 sec·North Grand Parkway West
32
Continue on this road
0.5 mi·1 min·this road
Toward Toll 99
33
Merge onto TX 99 Toll
44 mi·46 min·Grand Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward FM 1960: Dayton, Humble
35
Turn left onto FM 1960
5.1 mi·6 min·FM 1960
36
Turn right onto TX 321
0.2 mi·25 sec·North Cleveland Street
37
Turn left onto US 90; TX 146
10 mi·11 min·United States Highway 90 West
38
Continue on US 90
36 mi·41 min·US Highway 90
Use the left lane.
39
Turn right onto Interstate 10 South Frontage Road
1.2 mi·2 min·Interstate 10 South Frontage Road
Use the right lane.
40
Take the ramp
16 mi·17 min
Toward US 69 South, US 96 South, US 287 South
41
Continue on US 69; US 96; US 287
0.2 mi·22 sec·Memorial Boulevard
42
Turn left onto 39th Street
0.8 mi·1 min·39th Street
43
Turn left onto 9th Avenue
0.3 mi·47 sec·9th Avenue
44
Turn right onto Highway 73
0.2 mi·20 sec·Highway 73
45
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·15 sec
Toward TX 73 East
46
Merge onto TX 73
1.0 mi·1 min·TX 73
47
Take the exit
0.1 mi·18 sec
Toward Groves
48
Turn straight onto West Parkway Street
0.1 mi·17 sec·West Parkway Street
49
Turn slight left onto 39th Street
0.7 mi·1 min·39th Street
50
Arrive at destination
39th Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 287.8-mile transit, plan for at least one strategic stop to break up the drive and refresh your focus. Leaving early in the morning is your best bet to avoid potential congestion, especially when navigating the highway-heavy sections of the route. Since your fuel budget is approximately $44, keep an eye on your gauge as you transition between the freeway and smaller highway stretches to ensure you aren't caught off guard in less populated areas. Remember that the route's highway-focused nature means you can maintain a consistent speed, but stay alert during the transitions between major roads. Flexibility is a major advantage here; if you find yourself ahead of schedule, you have plenty of time to adjust your arrival in Groves without feeling rushed.
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 143.9 miles from Killeen, TX, or about 2h 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 43.9 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 63 miles or 1h 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 143.9 miles or 2h 49m 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 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Groves, 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 287.8 miles and 5h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 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 Grand Parkway for about 43.9 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 28
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 169.7 — 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
6.2 mi into trip|~11m 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.
5
17 mi into trip|~22m in|I 35; US 190 / Purple Heart Trail
Merge onto I 35; US 190 / Purple Heart Trail
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
23.8 mi into trip|~29m in
Take the exit toward TX 53, FM 2305: Central Avenue, Adams Avenue
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 301
Toward TX 53, FM 2305: Central Avenue, Adams Av...
7
169.7 mi into trip|~3h 18m in
Take the exit toward TX 99 Toll: Grand Parkway, Boudreaux Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward TX 99 Toll: Grand Parkway, Boudreaux Roa...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$43.49 one way
$86.97 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg101 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$47.60
$95.20
premium
$4.54
$51.38
$102.77
diesel
$5.61
$63.54
$127.09
Estimated Tolls: $0.58
Tomball Tollway
(4.7 mi)$0.33
MCTRA 249 Tollway
(3.6 mi)$0.25
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$43
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 100.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
86.3
1
$30.22
$13.81
Efficient EV
72
0
$25.18
$11.51
EV Truck/SUV
115.1
1
$40.29
$18.42
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.
Forecast as of Apr 12, 2026
Origin
Killeen, TX
Night
in Killeen on Saturday
Local time
9:47 PM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
SSE 10 mph62% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued April 12 at 4:31AM CDT until April 12 at 6:45AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued April 12 at 2:53AM CDT until April 12 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Houston/Galveston TX
Destination
Groves, TX
Night
in Groves on Saturday
Local time
9:47 PM
CDT
Current temp
65°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.
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
2 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
5h 37m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is a highway-focused drive, with 74% of your time spent cruising on major thoroughfares. You will navigate a mix of fast-paced freeway stretches and regional highway connectors that keep the pace steady. The longest uninterrupted segment occurs on the Grand Parkway, where you can settle in for a 43.9-mile stretch of consistent driving. Throughout the journey, the road transitions from the inland landscape near Killeen toward the lower-lying terrain of Groves. It is a functional route designed for efficiency rather than technical complexity, allowing you to focus on the road ahead.
74% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
50 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 43.9 mi on Grand Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Grand Parkway and US Highway 90. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 28 significant decision points across 287.8 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: near the start: Navigation decision point; at 6.2 miles (I 14; US 190 / Central Texas Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 17 miles (I 35; US 190 / Purple Heart Trail): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
823 ft10 ft
Total Climb
232 ft
Total Descent
1,045 ft
Highest Point
823 ft
Elevation Range
813 ft
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 Groves, TX, road signs point toward Fm 2305, Spur 515: Conroe, Toll 99, Fm 1960: Dayton and Humble.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 37m. Total distance: 287.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 37m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (74%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 43.9 miles on Grand Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.58 in tolls one way, starting with Tomball Tollway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
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 Groves, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: near the start: Navigation decision point; at 6.2 miles (I 14; US 190 / Central Texas Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 17 miles (I 35; US 190 / Purple Heart Trail): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.6 hours each way, a round trip means 11.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Groves, TX before the return drive.
