This 134.6-mile drive from Killeen, TX to Midlothian, TX is easily manageable as a one-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 26 minutes. You'll primarily navigate via Purple Heart Trail and I-35E, with a portion on Central Texas Expressway, making for a mixed driving experience. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $20. Traveling within the Great Plains region of Texas, this route offers a straightforward connection between these two cities. Its manageable length and duration mean you can depart at your convenience and arrive without feeling rushed.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
67.3 miles from Killeen, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 14m into the drive
.
Step-by-step road directions between Killeen, TX and Midlothian, 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
31 mi·31 min·I 35E
Toward I 35E: DallasUse the slight right lane.
11
Take the exit
0.1 mi·18 sec
Exit 401BToward US 287 BUS, FM 664: WaxahachieUse the slight right lane.
12
Turn straight onto North Interstate 35E
0.1 mi·12 sec·North Interstate 35E
13
Turn right onto US 287 Bus
1.0 mi·1 min·West US 287 Business
14
Continue on US 287 Bus
1.1 mi·1 min·West US Highway 287 Business
15
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward US 287 Business North
16
Merge onto US 287
4.9 mi·6 min·US 287
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.4 mi·41 sec
Toward US 287 Business: Main StreetUse the slight right lane.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto US 287 Bus
1.3 mi·2 min·East Main Street
19
Turn right onto North 8th Street
56 ft·1 sec·North 8th Street
20
Arrive at destination
North 8th Street
Trip Plan
For this relatively short 134.6-mile trip, flexibility is key. You can depart Killeen, TX in the morning or afternoon and still reach Midlothian, TX with plenty of daylight. With a duration of about 2 hours and 26 minutes, there's no need to split this drive. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $20, and plan for a single stop if needed. A specific tip for this route: be aware of potential traffic on I-35E as you approach the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex area, especially during peak commuting hours.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 67.3 miles from Killeen, TX, or about 1h 14m 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 30 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 67.3 miles or 1h 14m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 58m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Midlothian, 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 134.6 miles and 2h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 miles from Killeen, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 132.9 — 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
8
125.3 mi into trip|~2h 13m in
Take the exit toward US 287 BUS, FM 664: Waxahachie
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 401B
Toward US 287 BUS, FM 664: Waxahachie
6
132.9 mi into trip|~2h 23m in
Take the exit toward US 287 Business: Main Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 287 Business: Main Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.34 one way
$40.68 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg47 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$22.26
$44.52
premium
$4.54
$24.03
$48.06
diesel
$5.61
$29.72
$59.44
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 47.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
40.4
0
$14.13
$6.46
Efficient EV
33.7
0
$11.78
$5.38
EV Truck/SUV
53.8
0
$18.84
$8.61
Gas CO2
47 kg
EV CO2
16 kg (66% 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 20, 2026
Origin
Killeen, TX
Late night
in Killeen on Tuesday
Local time
4:21 AM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Midlothian, TX
Late night
in Midlothian on Tuesday
Local time
4:21 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°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
20 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
2h 26m 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
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 60.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
The road character on this 134.6-mile journey is a blend, with 41% being highway driving. You'll encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 70.8 miles on the Purple Heart Trail, offering a sustained period of travel. This suggests a mix of potentially faster-paced highway sections and perhaps more local road cruising. The 'mixed drive' profile indicates that you can expect shifts in road type and speed limits throughout the 2 hour and 26 minute trip, keeping the driving experience varied.
41% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
20 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 12 significant decision points across 134.6 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.
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 Killeen, TX to Midlothian, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Fm 664: Waxahachie along the way.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 26m. Total distance: 134.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (41%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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.
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 Midlothian, 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. 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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Midlothian, TX before heading back.
