Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Killeen, TX to Nederland, 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 27m
Distance
278.7 mi
448 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$38
one way
EV Charging
Excellent
26 DC fast
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 14m
★
6 AM
5h 28m
8 AM
5h 54m
10 AM
5h 37m
12 PM
5h 34m
3 PM
5h 38m
5 PM
5h 53m
8 PM
5h 20m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Killeen, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Nederland, TX
Job1505 De waal
Trip Overview
Spanning 278.7 miles across Texas, your journey from Killeen to Nederland is a straightforward drive that typically takes about 5 hours and 27 minutes. Because this is a highway-focused route, it is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, meaning you likely won't need to book an overnight stay. You can expect to spend roughly $43 on fuel for the trek, so factor that into your travel budget before heading out. Both your starting point and your destination sit within the Great Plains region, keeping the geography consistent throughout your travel. It is a practical, efficient path that gets you from the heart of Central Texas to the Gulf Coast area without unnecessary detours.
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
139.3 miles from Killeen, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 44m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Parkway | 43.9 mi | 46m |
| US Highway 90 | 38.1 mi | 45m |
| 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 Nederland, 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 301
Toward TX 53, FM 2305: Central Avenue, Adams Avenue
Use 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 Road
Use 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
38 mi
·
45 min
·
US Highway 90
Use the left lane.
39
Turn right onto Spur 380
4.2 mi
·
5 min
·
South Martin Luther King Junior Parkway
40
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 347
5.4 mi
·
8 min
·
TX 347
Use the straight / left lanes.
41
Turn right onto Boston Avenue
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
Boston Avenue
42
Arrive at destination
Boston Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this is a 5-hour-plus commitment, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh. Aim to leave Killeen early in the morning to avoid potential traffic congestion as you transition toward the busier sections of the Grand Parkway. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge throughout the trip, as current estimates suggest a $43 spend, but fluctuations in local gas prices could shift that total. Given that this is a manageable single-day drive, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time based on your personal preference for morning or afternoon travel. A helpful tip for this specific route is to monitor real-time traffic updates for the Grand Parkway, as this high-traffic section can experience unexpected delays that might extend your total travel time.
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 139.3 miles from Killeen, TX, or about 2h 44m 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 61 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 139.3 miles or 2h 44m 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 25m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Nederland, 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 278.7 miles and 5h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
139 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 61 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 139.3 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.
Petro Stopping Centers
2.2 mi from route
Geronimo Adventure Park
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Final third
2.9 mi from route
~7 min detour
Spring, Texas
Hours: 12–6 pm
+18303655867
Visit websitePort Neches Riverfront Park
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2.8 mi from route
~7 min detour
Port Neches, Texas
Hours: 8 am–8 pm
+14097194280
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 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 websiteDennis Johnston Park
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour
Final third
4.6 mi from route
~11 min detour
Spring, Texas
Hours: 7 am–10 pm
+17132740930
Visit websiteThe Woodlands Waterway
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour
Final third
4.8 mi from route
~12 min detour
The Woodlands, Texas
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 245 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 273 — 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.
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...
6
273 mi into trip
|
~5h 18m in
|
TX 347
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 347
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.17 one way
$76.35 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
98 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $42.64 | $85.28 |
| premium | $4.23 | $46.36 | $92.72 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $52.62 | $105.25 |
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
$38
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 97.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
EV Charging Along Route
26 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent
Temple, TX - Tesla Supercharger
Temple, TX
Tesla
68 DCFC
Bryan, TX - Tesla Supercharger
Bryan, TX
Tesla
16 DCFC
Houston, TX - Louetta Road - Tesla Supercharger
Houston, TX
Tesla
14 DCFC
Harker Heights, TX - Tesla Supercharger
Harker Heights, TX
Tesla
12 DCFC
College Station, TX - Tesla Supercharger
College Station, TX
Tesla
12 DCFC
Navasota, TX - Tesla Supercharger
Navasota, TX
Tesla
12 DCFC
Texas A&M Lot 47
College Station, TX
Non-Networked
8 DCFC
College Station, TX - Texas Avenue South - Tesla Supercharger
College Station, TX
Tesla
8 DCFC
ChargePoint Network: 12
Tesla: 7
Electrify America: 2
SHELL_RECHARGE: 2
Non-Networked: 1
EV Connect: 1
Blink Network: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 83.6 | 1 | $29.26 | $13.38 |
| Efficient EV | 69.7 | 0 | $24.39 | $11.15 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 111.5 | 1 | $39.02 | $17.84 |
Gas CO2
98 kg
EV CO2
33 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
Late night in Killeen on Monday
Local time
4:38 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Clear
S 5 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 19 at 11:05PM CDT until July 20 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Fort Worth TX
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 19 at 10:55PM CDT until July 20 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA
Destination
Nederland, TX
Late night in Nederland on Monday
Local time
4:38 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Mostly Clear
W 5 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 19 at 11:05PM CDT until July 20 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Fort Worth TX
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 19 at 10:55PM CDT until July 20 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA
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 27m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a trip dominated by high-speed transit, as roughly 80% of your travel time will be spent on highways. You will navigate via the North Earl Rudder Freeway, US Highway 90, and the Grand Parkway, which serves as the longest uninterrupted segment of your journey at 43.9 miles. The road’s personality is defined by these fast, efficient stretches, offering a consistent driving experience rather than a winding, scenic tour. As you progress, the transition between these major arteries keeps the pace steady and predictable. It is a functional, highway-heavy route designed for making time rather than taking the slow, local approach.
80% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
42 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 Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 24 significant decision points across 278.7 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 23.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
825 ft
16 ft
Total Climb
170 ft
Total Descent
974 ft
Highest Point
825 ft
~11.6 mi in
Elevation Range
809 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 Nederland, TX, road signs point toward Fm 2305, Spur 515: Conroe, Toll 99, Fm 1960: Dayton and Humble.
Fm 2305
24 mi in
|
~30m
|
via South General Bruce Drive
Spur 515: Conroe
130.5 mi in
|
~2h 34m
Toll 99
170.6 mi in
|
~3h 20m
Fm 1960: Dayton
215 mi in
|
~4h 8m
Humble
215 mi in
|
~4h 8m
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 Nederland, TX
Full guide →Founded 1897
Nederland is a small city in Southeast Texas, USA. It is a part of an area called "The Golden Triangle".
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 27m. Total distance: 278.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (80%). 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.
Yes — we found about 2 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.
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 Nederland, 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. There are 2 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 23.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 10.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Nederland, 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, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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