Trip from Killeen, TX to Robstown, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 22, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 48m
Distance
255.9 mi
412 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$38
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Killeen, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Robstown, TX
Thomas balabaud
Trip Overview
Killeen to Robstown is 255.9 miles and takes about 4h 48m via TX 130 Toll, TX 80, and South US Highway 181, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Texas, moving from the Great Plains region to another part of the Great Plains. You'll spend most of your time on highways, making it a straightforward drive. With a recommended one-day duration, this route is a solid option if you're looking for an efficient way to travel between these two points without needing to plan an overnight stop.
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
127.9 miles from Killeen, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 18m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| TX 130 Toll | 58.5 mi | 54m |
| TX 80 | 51.2 mi | 56m |
| South US Highway 181 | 40.2 mi | 45m |
| South Fort Hood Street | 33.8 mi | 37m |
| US Highway 181 South | 16.1 mi | 18m |
| US 77 | 12 mi | 13m |
| US 183 | 10.1 mi | 11m |
| Farm-to-Market Road 792 | 8.4 mi | 10m |
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Killeen, TX and Robstown, TX.
Start on this road
Turn left
Turn right onto US 190 Bus
Turn left onto TX 195
Take the exit
Continue on North Interstate 35
Take the ramp
Continue on TX 130 Toll
Take the exit
Continue on US 183
Continue on US 183
Continue on US 183
Continue on US 183
Continue on TX 80
Turn slight left onto FM 792
Continue on TX 72; TX 239
Turn left onto US 181
Continue on US 181
Continue on US 181
Continue on US 181
Take the exit onto US 181
Keep slight right at fork onto US 181
Turn straight onto US 181
Take the ramp
Merge onto US 77
Take the exit onto US 77
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 37; US 77; I 69E
Take the exit onto I 69E; US 77
Take the exit
Turn straight onto North US Highway 77
Turn right onto TX 44 Business
Turn right onto South 1st Street
Turn right onto East Main Avenue
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the drive time of under five hours, this route is perfectly suited for a single day. Aim to leave Killeen in the morning to maximize daylight and reach Robstown comfortably. You'll encounter one significant stretch of highway driving, so plan your fuel stops accordingly, keeping the $37 fuel cost in mind. The route uses TX 130 Toll, TX 80, and South US Highway 181, so be aware of potential toll charges in addition to fuel. Since it's a relatively short drive, you have the flexibility to take your time and make a brief stop if needed.
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.
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 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 127.9 miles or 2h 18m 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 52m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Robstown, 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 255.9 miles and 4h 48m.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
128 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
A short stop after about 56 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 127.9 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.
Pilot Travel Center
Love's Travel Stop
QuikTrip
Circle K
QuikTrip
Walburg Travel Center & Food Court
San Patricio County Northbound Rest Area
Great Escape of Central Texas
Near the start, short detour
Killeen, Texas
Hours: 3:30–9:30 pm
+12546802686
Visit websiteLions Club Park
Near the start, short detour
Killeen, Texas
Hours: 5 am–10 pm
+12545016390
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 195 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 248.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn left
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto TX 195 / South Fort Hood Street
Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward US 183 South: Lockhart
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit onto US 77 toward I 37, US 77, I 69E
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit onto I 69E; US 77 toward I 69E, US 77: Kingsville, Brownsville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.42 one way
$76.83 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.22 | $42.51 | $85.01 |
| premium | $4.57 | $45.99 | $91.98 |
| diesel | $6.28 | $63.23 | $126.46 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 89.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 76.8 | 0 | $26.87 | $12.28 |
| Efficient EV | 64 | 0 | $22.39 | $10.24 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 102.4 | 1 | $35.83 | $16.38 |
Gas CO2
90 kg
EV CO2
30 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 Thursday
Local time
6:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Mostly Cloudy
Destination
Robstown, TX
Morning in Robstown on Thursday
Local time
6:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Mostly Sunny
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
5 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 48m 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?
You'll be on highways for about 77% of this 255.9-mile drive. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 58.5 miles, primarily on TX 130 Toll. As you transition from TX 130 Toll to TX 80 and then South US Highway 181, expect the road to become less of a limited-access highway and more of a standard highway with more varied intersections and potential for rural cruising.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on TX 130 Toll and TX 80. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 255.9 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 0.9 miles (TX 195 / South Fort Hood Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 93.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
439 ft
Total Descent
1,189 ft
Highest Point
973 ft
~18.3 mi in
Elevation Range
916 ft
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 Hood, one of the largest military bases in the world.
Top landmarks
- • Killeen High School — historic place in Killeen, Bell County, Texas
Arriving in Robstown, TX
Full guide →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 48m. Total distance: 255.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
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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