Traveling from Killeen to Pecos spans 391.3 miles across the Great Plains of Texas, a journey that typically takes about 7 hours and 8 minutes. Given the length of the trip, it is designed as a straightforward one-day drive, though you should prepare for a significant amount of time behind the wheel. Expect to budget approximately $60 for fuel to complete the trek. The route relies heavily on major thoroughfares, including I-20, U.S. Highway 87, and TX-158. Whether you are commuting for work or heading out for a cross-state excursion, this path offers a direct, highway-focused connection between these two points.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
195.6 miles from Killeen, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 42m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 20
95.6 mi
1h 33m
United States Highway 87
71.2 mi
1h 16m
TX 158
62.7 mi
1h 11m
US Highway 190 West
61 mi
1h 9m
US Highway 87 North
25.8 mi
26m
US 87
15.8 mi
16m
North US Highway 183
15.1 mi
15m
US 190
12.8 mi
14m
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 95.6 mi, about 1h 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Killeen, TX and Pecos, TX.
1
Start on this road
74 ft·10 sec·this road
2
Turn left
83 ft·8 sec
3
Turn right onto US 190 Bus
2.6 mi·4 min·East Veterans Memorial Boulevard
4
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
5
Merge onto I 14; US 190
4.3 mi·4 min·Central Texas Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto US 190
13 mi·14 min·US 190
Toward US 190 West: LampasasUse the slight left lane.
7
Turn right onto FM 1715
6.4 mi·8 min·FM 1715
8
At end of road, turn left onto FM 580
2.6 mi·2 min·East FM 580
9
Continue on FM 580
1.1 mi·2 min·East Avenue J
10
At end of road, turn right onto US 183; US 190; US 281
0.4 mi·32 sec·North Key Avenue
11
Continue on US 183; US 190; US 281
0.2 mi·14 sec·North US Highway 281
12
Keep slight left at fork onto US 183; US 190
15 mi·15 min·North US Highway 183
13
Turn left onto US 190
61 mi·1 hr 9 min·US Highway 190 West
14
Continue on US 190
0.1 mi·13 sec·Boy Street
15
Turn left onto US 190; US 377
0.7 mi·54 sec·Bridge Street
16
At end of road, turn right onto US 190; US 377
271 ft·8 sec·Main Street
17
Turn left onto US 190; US 377
281 ft·7 sec·Church Street
18
Turn right onto US 87
0.2 mi·13 sec·Commerce Street
19
Turn straight onto US 87
71 mi·1 hr 16 min·United States Highway 87
20
Continue on US 87; Loop 306
4.1 mi·5 min·South Bryant Boulevard
21
Continue on US 87; US 277
1.4 mi·2 min·South Koenigheim Street
22
Continue on US 87; US 277; US 67 Bus
4.3 mi·6 min·North Bryant Boulevard
23
Continue on US 87
23 mi·23 min·US Highway 87 North
24
Continue on US 87
16 mi·16 min·US 87
25
Turn straight onto US 87; TX 158; TX 163
2.6 mi·2 min·US Highway 87 North
26
Take the exit onto TX 158
63 mi·1 hr 11 min·TX 158
Toward SH 158 West: Midland
27
Turn left onto East Interstate 20
0.3 mi·30 sec·East Interstate 20
28
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward I 20 West: Odessa
29
Merge onto I 20; TX 158
5.9 mi·5 min·I 20; TX 158
30
Continue on I 20; TX 349
90 mi·1 hr 28 min·I 20; TX 349
31
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit Exit 42Toward US 285: Carlsbad, Fort Stockton
32
Turn right onto US 285
1.5 mi·1 min·South Cedar Street
33
Turn left onto East 6th Street
67 ft·3 sec·East 6th Street
34
Arrive at destination
East 6th Street
Trip Plan
To manage the 7-hour drive effectively, plan for at least two intentional stops to stretch your legs and reset. Departing early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid fatigue and ensure you reach Pecos before the day ends. Since the route is heavily highway-dependent, keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during that long 95.6-mile stretch on I-20 to avoid unnecessary stress. Because this is a single-day commitment, having your snacks and entertainment ready to go will help you maintain momentum. Use your two planned stops as firm milestones to break up the monotony of the open road.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 195.6 miles from Killeen, TX, or about 3h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 95.6 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 86 miles or 1h 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 195.6 miles or 3h 42m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 8m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pecos, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Killeen, TX
This is one driving day of about 391.3 miles and 7h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 86 miles from Killeen, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 20 for about 95.6 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 389.6 — 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
3.1 mi into trip|~5m 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
7.4 mi into trip|~9m in|US 190
Keep slight left at fork onto US 190 toward US 190 West: Lampasas
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward US 190 West: Lampasas
5
107.8 mi into trip|~2h 4m in|US 190; US 377 / Main Street
At end of road, turn right onto US 190; US 377 / Main Street
Navigation decision point
6
389.6 mi into trip|~7h 5m in
Take the exit toward US 285: Carlsbad, Fort Stockton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit Exit 42
Toward US 285: Carlsbad, Fort Stockton
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$59.13 one way
$118.25 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg137 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$64.72
$129.44
premium
$4.54
$69.86
$139.73
diesel
$5.61
$86.39
$172.79
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$59
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$84–$109
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 136.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $41 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
117.4
1
$41.09
$18.78
Efficient EV
97.8
1
$34.24
$15.65
EV Truck/SUV
156.5
1
$54.78
$25.04
Gas CO2
137 kg
EV CO2
46 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
11:37 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
Pecos, TX
Night
in Pecos on Saturday
Local time
11:37 PM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Mostly Cloudy
SE 5 mph5% 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
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
9 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
7h 8m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
With 96% of your trip spent on highways, this route is built for efficiency rather than winding backroads. You will experience a blend of fast-paced interstate travel and regional highway driving as you navigate toward West Texas. The longest single stretch occurs on I-20, where you can expect to cruise for 95.6 miles without needing to exit. While the landscape remains consistent within the Great Plains, the transition between different road types keeps the drive from feeling entirely uniform. Prepare for a steady, focused experience that prioritizes speed and directness over technical maneuvers.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 95.6 mi on I 20.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and United States Highway 87. You will hit about 21 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 391.3 miles you will encounter 21 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start: Navigation decision point; at 3.1 miles (I 14; US 190 / Central Texas Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 7.4 miles (US 190): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,381 ft823 ft
Total Climb
558 ft
Total Descent
0 ft
Highest Point
1,381 ft
~48.9 mi in
Elevation Range
558 ft
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 Pecos, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Sh 158 West: Midland 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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 8m. Total distance: 391.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 8m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 95.6 miles on I 20. 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 Pecos, 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 2 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 3.1 miles (I 14; US 190 / Central Texas Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 7.4 miles (US 190): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.1 hours each way, a round trip means 14.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Pecos, TX before the return drive.
