Killeen to Lake Jackson is 253.5 miles and takes about 4h 59m via US 290, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily stays within the Great Plains region, offering a straightforward journey across Texas. Expect a highway-focused experience for the majority of your trip, making it a solid option if you're looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B. With only one recommended stop and a duration under five hours, this route is well-suited for a single-day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination with plenty of time to spare.
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
126.7 miles from Killeen, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 30m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 290
35.4 mi
40m
Nolan Ryan Expressway
33.8 mi
39m
North Earl Rudder Freeway
30.1 mi
31m
State Highway 6
22.4 mi
25m
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:
US 290
— 35.4 mi, about 40m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Killeen, TX and Lake Jackson, 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
22 mi·25 min·State Highway 6
Use the straight / right lanes.
23
Continue on US 290 Business
423 ft·10 sec·US 290 Business
Toward US 290 East, TX 6 South
24
Turn left
0.4 mi·48 sec
Toward US 290 East, TX 6 SouthUse the left lane.
25
Merge onto US 290
35 mi·40 min·US 290
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Take the exit
0.2 mi·14 sec
Toward SHT North, SHT South: Sam Houston TollwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·56 sec
Toward SHT SouthUse the slight right lane.
28
Merge onto SHT
7.8 mi·9 min·West Sam Houston Tollway North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Keep slight left at fork onto SHT
5.6 mi·6 min·West Sam Houston Tollway South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Continue on BW 8
1.9 mi·2 min·West Sam Houston Parkway South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Continue on SHT
10 mi·12 min·South Sam Houston Tollway West
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Take the exit
0.4 mi·57 sec
Toward TX 288 Toll North, TX 288 South: Downtown, Lake Jackson, FreeportUse the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·46 sec
Toward TX 288 Toll South, TX 288 South: Lake Jackson, FreeportUse the slight right lane.
34
Continue on South Freeway
0.2 mi·15 sec·South Freeway
35
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·12 sec
Toward TX 288 Toll SouthUse the slight left lane.
36
Merge onto TX 288 Toll
5.0 mi·5 min·TX 288 Toll
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
37
Merge onto TX 288
0.2 mi·17 sec·South Freeway
38
Continue on TX 288
34 mi·39 min·Nolan Ryan Expressway
39
Take the exit
0.1 mi·15 sec
40
Turn straight onto State Highway 332 East
0.1 mi·15 sec·State Highway 332 East
41
Turn left onto Oak Drive
0.2 mi·29 sec·Oak Drive
Use the left lane.
42
Turn slight right
141 ft·6 sec
43
Turn slight right onto Circle Way
0.2 mi·34 sec·Circle Way
44
Turn right onto Center Way
0.8 mi·1 min·Center Way
45
Turn right onto Magnolia Street
53 ft·2 sec·Magnolia Street
46
Arrive at destination
Magnolia Street
Trip Plan
Given the under-five-hour drive time, you have the flexibility to depart Killeen at your convenience. Aiming for a morning departure will ensure you arrive in Lake Jackson with ample daylight. With only one suggested stop and a relatively short distance, you can easily complete this trip in a single day without feeling rushed. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially before embarking on longer stretches like the 35.4 miles on US 290. A concrete tip: plan your fuel stops strategically, as services can be spaced out on some sections of US 290.
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 126.7 miles from Killeen, TX, or about 2h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 35.4 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 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 126.7 miles or 2h 30m 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 3m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lake Jackson, 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 253.5 miles and 4h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 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 US 290 for about 35.4 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 26
5 decision points cluster between mile 23.8 and 212.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
149.6 mi into trip|~2h 56m in
Turn left toward US 290 East, TX 6 South
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward US 290 East, TX 6 South
7
185.4 mi into trip|~3h 37m in
Take the exit toward SHT North, SHT South: Sam Houston Tollway
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.
Toward SHT North, SHT South: Sam Houston Tollwa...
8
212.2 mi into trip|~4h 9m in
Keep slight right at fork toward TX 288 Toll South, TX 288 South: Lake Jackson, Freeport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward TX 288 Toll South, TX 288 South: Lake Ja...
8
212.7 mi into trip|~4h 10m in
Keep slight left at fork toward TX 288 Toll South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward TX 288 Toll South
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.30 one way
$76.61 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg89 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$41.93
$83.85
premium
$4.54
$45.26
$90.52
diesel
$5.61
$55.97
$111.94
Estimated Tolls: $1.91
Sam Houston Tollway
(23.9 mi)$1.91
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
$38
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 88.7 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
76.1
0
$26.62
$12.17
Efficient EV
63.4
0
$22.18
$10.14
EV Truck/SUV
101.4
1
$35.49
$16.22
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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Killeen, TX
Afternoon
in Killeen on Sunday
Local time
3:22 PM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Lake Jackson, TX
Afternoon
in Lake Jackson on Sunday
Local time
3:22 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°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
17 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 59m 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 route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 71% of the journey utilizing main roads like US 290, Nolan Ryan Expressway, and North Earl Rudder Freeway. You'll experience some longer stretches of consistent driving, including a 35.4-mile segment on US 290. While the profile is largely highway, it's not an entirely monotonous experience; you'll still encounter the ebb and flow of Texas roadways. The character of the drive is geared towards efficiency, with a focus on covering ground steadily.
71% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
46 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 35.4 mi on US 290.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 290 and Nolan Ryan Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 23.8 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 26 significant decision points across 253.5 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: at 23.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 149.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 185.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Lake Jackson, TX, road signs point toward Fm 2305, Sht North, Sht South: Sam Houston Tollway, Sht South and Freeport.
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 4h 59m. Total distance: 253.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (71%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 35.4 miles on US 290. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.91 in tolls one way, starting with Sam Houston 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 Lake Jackson, 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: at 23.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 149.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 185.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 5.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 10.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Lake Jackson, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.
