Killeen, TX to Highland Village, TX is 180.8 miles and takes about 3h 19m via Purple Heart Trail and I-35E, with a fuel budget near $27 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Texas, traveling from the Great Plains region to another part of the Great Plains. You'll encounter a mixed drive profile, making it a straightforward, single-day journey. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short duration, this route is ideal for those looking for an efficient way to cover the distance without feeling rushed.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
90.4 miles from Killeen, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 37m into the drive
.
Step-by-step road directions between Killeen, TX and Highland Village, 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
38 mi·38 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 35
6.6 mi·7 min·South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 35; US 77
33 mi·33 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E
63 mi·1 hr 6 min·I 35E
Toward I 35E: DallasUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E
20 mi·22 min·North Stemmons Freeway
Toward I 35E North: DentonUse the straight / slight left lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.1 mi·15 sec
Exit 454AToward FM 407: Lake Park Road, Justin RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Turn straight onto North Stemmons Freeway
0.6 mi·53 sec·North Stemmons Freeway
14
Turn left onto Justin Road
1.0 mi·1 min·Justin Road
Use the left lane.
15
Turn right onto Garden Ridge Boulevard
0.4 mi·54 sec·Garden Ridge Boulevard
16
Turn left onto Brazos Boulevard
0.7 mi·1 min·Brazos Boulevard
Use the left lane.
17
Turn right onto Sellmeyer Lane
0.7 mi·1 min·Sellmeyer Lane
18
Turn left onto Highland Village Road
0.2 mi·25 sec·Highland Village Road
19
Turn left onto Lakevista West
0.1 mi·33 sec·Lakevista West
20
Turn left onto Greenbriar Lane
115 ft·5 sec·Greenbriar Lane
21
Arrive at destination
Greenbriar Lane
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour drive time, you can comfortably complete this trip in one day, allowing for flexibility in your departure. Consider leaving in the morning to take advantage of daylight and avoid potential afternoon traffic. With only one stop suggested, plan your breaks strategically, perhaps around the halfway point or before transitioning to the busier highway sections. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $27, and be aware of the longest stretch on Purple Heart Trail which is over 70 miles.
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 90.4 miles from Killeen, TX, or about 1h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 70.8 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 40 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 90.4 miles or 1h 37m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Highland Village, 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 180.8 miles and 3h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 40 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 Purple Heart Trail for about 70.8 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 177 — 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.
7
94.4 mi into trip|~1h 41m in|I 35E
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E toward I 35E: Dallas
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 35E: Dallas
7
156.9 mi into trip|~2h 48m in|I 35E / North Stemmons Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E / North Stemmons Freeway toward I 35E North: Denton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward I 35E North: Denton
8
177 mi into trip|~3h 11m in
Take the exit toward FM 407: Lake Park Road, Justin Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 454A
Toward FM 407: Lake Park Road, Justin Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.32 one way
$54.64 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg63 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$29.90
$59.81
premium
$4.54
$32.28
$64.56
diesel
$5.61
$39.92
$79.84
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 63.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
54.2
0
$18.98
$8.68
Efficient EV
45.2
0
$15.82
$7.23
EV Truck/SUV
72.3
0
$25.31
$11.57
Gas CO2
63 kg
EV CO2
21 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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
Killeen, TX
Late night
in Killeen on Sunday
Local time
2:36 AM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Highland Village, TX
Late night
in Highland Village on Sunday
Local time
2:36 AM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
59°F
Italy, TX
90 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
3h 19m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 62.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive offers a mixed experience, with 56% of the journey on highways. You'll navigate stretches on Purple Heart Trail, including the longest uninterrupted segment of 70.8 miles, before merging onto I-35E and North Stemmons Freeway. Expect periods of faster highway travel interspersed with other road types. The transition between these different road surfaces is a key characteristic of this route, so be prepared to adjust your driving style accordingly.
56% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 70.8 mi on Purple Heart Trail.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 180.8 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 94.4 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 3h 19m. Total distance: 180.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 70.8 miles on Purple Heart Trail. 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.
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 Highland Village, 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 94.4 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Highland Village, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.
