Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Killeen, TX to Port Lavaca, 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
4h 2m
Distance
216.3 mi
348 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$30
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 49m
★
6 AM
4h 2m
8 AM
4h 28m
10 AM
4h 11m
12 PM
4h 9m
3 PM
4h 12m
5 PM
4h 27m
8 PM
3h 54m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Killeen, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Port Lavaca, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 216.3-mile drive from Killeen, TX to Port Lavaca, TX will take you approximately 4 hours and 2 minutes to complete. Primarily utilizing East Veterans Memorial Boulevard, South Fort Hood Street, and Interstate 35, this trip is best suited as a single-day excursion. You can expect a fuel cost of around $33 for this journey. The route offers a practical, turn-heavy local driving experience through the Great Plains region of Texas. With only one recommended stop and no particularly long stretches of road, you'll have flexibility in how you manage your time and breaks.
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
108.2 miles from Killeen, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 55m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| TX 130 Toll | 58.5 mi | 54m |
| North United States Highway 183 | 43.5 mi | 47m |
| South Fort Hood Street | 33.8 mi | 37m |
| East Broadway Street | 23.8 mi | 27m |
| Port Lavaca Drive | 21.3 mi | 25m |
| US 183 | 10.1 mi | 11m |
| US 87 | 5.4 mi | 7m |
| East Pierce Street | 5 mi | 6m |
Longest stretch:
TX 130 Toll
— 58.5 mi, about 54m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Killeen, TX and Port Lavaca, 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
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
East Veterans Memorial Boulevard
4
Turn left onto TX 195
34 mi
·
37 min
·
South Fort Hood Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
6
Continue on North Interstate 35
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
North Interstate 35
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Toward TX 130 Toll South: San Antonio
8
Continue on TX 130 Toll
59 mi
·
54 min
·
TX 130 Toll
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Exit 470
Toward US 183 South: Lockhart
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on US 183
0.5 mi
·
35 sec
·
United States Highway 183
11
Continue on US 183
4.9 mi
·
8 min
·
North Colorado Street
12
Continue on US 183
10 mi
·
11 min
·
US 183
13
Continue on US 183
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
North Magnolia Avenue
14
Turn left onto US 90; US 183
5.0 mi
·
6 min
·
East Pierce Street
15
Continue on US 183
43 mi
·
47 min
·
North United States Highway 183
16
Continue on US 77 Alt; US 183
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
North Esplanade Street
17
Turn left onto US 87
24 mi
·
27 min
·
East Broadway Street
18
Continue on US 87
3.9 mi
·
6 min
·
North Main Street
19
Turn left onto US 87; US 59 Bus; US 77 Bus
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
·
East Rio Grande Street
20
Turn right onto US 87
0.5 mi
·
51 sec
·
North Navarro Street
21
Turn left onto US 87
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
·
East Goodwin Avenue
Use the left lane.
22
Continue on US 87
21 mi
·
25 min
·
Port Lavaca Drive
23
Keep slight left at fork onto US 87
5.4 mi
·
7 min
·
US 87
24
Arrive at destination
US 87
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour duration, departing from Killeen in the morning is ideal to allow ample time in Port Lavaca. The route has only one recommended stop, so you can easily manage your breaks. Since this is a turn-heavy local drive, pay close attention to your GPS and posted speed limits, especially when navigating through populated areas. For this 216.3-mile trip, budgeting around $33 for fuel should cover your needs. The flexibility of a single-day drive means you can adjust your departure time based on your schedule, but starting early ensures a relaxed pace.
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 108.2 miles from Killeen, TX, or about 1h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 58.5 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 48 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 108.2 miles or 1h 55m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Port Lavaca, 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 216.3 miles and 4h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 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 TX 130 Toll for about 58.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
108 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 48 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 108.2 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.
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Circle K
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.3 mi from route
Walburg Travel Center & Food Court
0.7 mi from route
Great 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 websiteEaster Island Heads
3.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2.6 mi from route
~7 min detour
Victoria, Texas
Hours: Open 24 hours
+13614853000
Visit websitePioneer Farms
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, ~11 min detour
Early stretch
4.5 mi from route
~11 min detour
Austin, Texas
Hours: 10 am–2 pm
+15128371215
Visit websiteJim Hogg Park
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, ~12 min detour
First break
4.7 mi from route
~12 min detour
Georgetown, Texas
+15129305253
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 125 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 189.3 — 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
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 190 Bus / East Veterans Memorial Boulevard
Turn right onto US 190 Bus / East Veterans Memorial Boulevard
Navigation decision point
5
0.9 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
TX 195 / South Fort Hood Street
Turn left onto TX 195 / South Fort Hood Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
93.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 35m in
Take the exit toward US 183 South: Lockhart
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 470
Toward US 183 South: Lockhart
6
189.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 29m in
|
US 87 / East Goodwin Avenue
Turn left onto US 87 / East Goodwin Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.63 one way
$59.25 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
76 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $33.09 | $66.18 |
| premium | $4.23 | $35.98 | $71.96 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $40.84 | $81.68 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 75.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 64.9 | 0 | $22.71 | $10.38 |
| Efficient EV | 54.1 | 0 | $18.93 | $8.65 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 86.5 | 1 | $30.28 | $13.84 |
Gas CO2
76 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (67% 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.
Origin
Killeen, TX
Morning in Killeen on Monday
Local time
6:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
94°F
Mostly Sunny
S 10 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 8:54AM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 8:54AM CDT until July 22 at 11:40AM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX
Destination
Port Lavaca, TX
Morning in Port Lavaca on Monday
Local time
6:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
91°F
Mostly Sunny
S 9 to 13 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 8:54AM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 8:54AM CDT until July 22 at 11:40AM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi 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
3 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
4h 2m 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 "turn-heavy local drive" for this 216.3-mile journey, with 0% of the route being on highways. This means you'll be navigating more local roads and intersections rather than long stretches of uninterrupted driving. While there isn't a specified longest uninterrupted stretch, the profile suggests frequent changes in direction and speed. The character of the drive will likely involve navigating through towns and varying speed limits as you make your way south from Killeen. Be prepared for a dynamic driving experience that requires consistent attention to navigation.
55% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 58.5 mi on TX 130 Toll.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.
Driving Effort
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 2m drive. You will face about 12 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start: Navigation decision point; near the start (US 190 Bus / East Veterans Memorial Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 0.9 miles (TX 195 / South Fort Hood Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
867 ft
18 ft
Total Climb
46 ft
Total Descent
850 ft
Highest Point
867 ft
~30.9 mi in
Elevation Range
849 ft
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Chaparral Coffee
Cafe
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Halfway reset
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Starbucks
Cafe
Near the start, short detour
1.2 mi from route
~3 min detour
Killeen, TX
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Visit websiteAnchored in Love
Cafe
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.9 mi from route
~2 min detour
Chau's Cafe
Cafe
Near the start, short detour
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Summer Moon
Cafe
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
1.2 mi from route
~3 min detour
Cuisine: coffee_shop
baked'nsconed
Cafe
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
1.4 mi from route
~4 min detour
Hutto, TX
Cuisine: coffee_shop;bakery;scone
Black's Barbecue
Restaurant
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Halfway reset
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Lockhart, TX
Cuisine: barbecue
Hours: Fr-Sa 10:00-20:30; Su-Th 10:00-20:00
Visit websiteSmitty's Market
Restaurant
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Halfway reset
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
DQ Grill & Chill
Fast_food
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
Port Lavaca, TX
Cuisine: ice_cream;burger
Visit websiteDomino's
Fast_food
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
Port Lavaca, TX
Cuisine: pizza
Hours: Mo-Th 10:30-24:00; Fr-Sa 10:30-01:00; Su...
Visit websiteMonterrey Cafe
Restaurant
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.6 mi from route
~1 min detour
Port Lavaca, TX
Cuisine: tex-mex;mexican
Hours: Mo,Tu,Sa 11:00-15:00; We-Fr 11:00-20:00
El Rancho
Restaurant
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
Cuisine: mexican
Fishing Pier Park
Park
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.6 mi from route
~4 min detour
Palmetto State Park
Park
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
2.5 mi from route
~6 min detour
Palmetto State Park
Park
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
2.6 mi from route
~7 min detour
Group Camping
Camp_site
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
2.8 mi from route
~7 min detour
Calhoun County Museum
Museum
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.2 mi from route
Port Lavaca, TX
Hours: Tu,We 10:30-16:30; Th,Fr 10:30-17:00; Sa...
Visit websiteSan Antonio and Mexican Gulf Railroad
Memorial
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.1 mi from route
Southwest Museum of Clocks and Watches
Museum
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Halfway reset
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Howard Gallemore Hartzog, Sr.
Memorial
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.1 mi from route
Calhoun County Participation in World War II
Memorial
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.1 mi from route
Calhoun County Hurricanes
Memorial
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.1 mi from route
Quality Inn & Suites
Hotel
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.8 mi from route
~5 min detour
Group Camping
Camp_site
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
2.8 mi from route
~7 min detour
Points of interest from OpenStreetMap contributors. Listings may not reflect current hours or availability.
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 Port Lavaca, TX
Full guide →Port Lavaca is a city on the South Barrier Coast of Texas and is the county seat of Calhoun County.
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 4h 2m. Total distance: 216.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (55%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 58.5 miles on TX 130 Toll. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 7 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: near the start: Navigation decision point; near the start (US 190 Bus / East Veterans Memorial Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 0.9 miles (TX 195 / South Fort Hood Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Port Lavaca, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.
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, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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