Trip from Killeen, TX to Sherman, TX

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 52m

Distance

216.5 mi

348 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$33

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min

4 AM

3h 40m ★

6 AM

3h 52m

8 AM

4h 18m

10 AM

4h 1m

12 PM

3h 59m

3 PM

4h 3m

5 PM

4h 17m

8 PM

3h 45m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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city in Bell County, Texas, United States

Killeen, TX

Wikimedia Commons

city in and county seat of Grayson, Texas, United States

Sherman, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 216.5-mile drive from Killeen, TX to Sherman, TX is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 52 minutes. You'll primarily be on the Purple Heart Trail and I-35E, with a significant portion on North Central Expressway. With an estimated fuel cost of $33, this highway-focused journey offers a straightforward way to travel between these two Texas locations. The drive is primarily contained within the Great Plains region, so expect consistent landscapes throughout. It's a practical option if you're looking for a direct route without needing to break it up overnight.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

108.3 miles from Killeen, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 56m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Purple Heart Trail	70.8 mi	1h 12m
I 35E	56.2 mi	58m
North Central Expressway	45 mi	48m
Central Texas Expressway	10.7 mi	11m
South Henry Hynds Expressway	10.1 mi	10m
South Jack Kultgen Expressway	6.6 mi	7m
South Sam Rayburn Freeway	6.6 mi	7m
East Veterans Memorial Boulevard	5.1 mi	8m

Longest stretch: Purple Heart Trail — 70.8 mi, about 1h 12m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Killeen, TX and Sherman, TX.

Start on this road

74 ft · 10 sec · this road

Turn left

83 ft · 11 sec

Turn left onto US 190 Bus

5.1 mi · 8 min · East Veterans Memorial Boulevard

Turn slight right onto Edwards Drive

0.5 mi · 55 sec · Edwards Drive

Take the ramp

0.6 mi · 1 min

Toward I 14 East, US 190 East

Merge onto I 14; US 190

11 mi · 11 min · Central Texas Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 35; US 190

38 mi · 38 min · Purple Heart Trail

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 35

6.6 mi · 7 min · South Jack Kultgen Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 35; US 77

33 mi · 33 min · Purple Heart Trail

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E

56 mi · 58 min · I 35E

Toward I 35E: Dallas Use the slight right lane.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 41 sec

Exit 427A Toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Riverfront Boulevard, Griffin Street Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight left at fork

422 ft · 5 sec

Toward I 35E North, I 30 West: Denton, Fort Worth, Texarkana

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 32 sec

Toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Convention Center

Keep slight left at fork

385 ft · 6 sec

Toward I 30 East: Texarkana

Continue on I 30; US 67

0.8 mi · 1 min · East R L Thornton Freeway

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 45 sec

Exit 46 Toward I 45, US 75: Houston, McKinney Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min

Toward US 75 North: McKinney Use the slight left lane.

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 26 sec

Toward US 75 North: McKinney, Bryan Street East

Merge onto US 75

0.7 mi · 49 sec · Julius Schepps Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on US 75

45 mi · 48 min · North Central Expressway

Use the straight / right lanes.

Continue on US 75

10 mi · 10 min · South Henry Hynds Expressway

Continue on US 75

6.4 mi · 6 min · South Sam Rayburn Freeway

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 24 sec

Toward TX 56: Lamar Street, Houston Street

Turn straight onto South Sam Rayburn Freeway

0.2 mi · 24 sec · South Sam Rayburn Freeway

Turn right onto TX 56

0.4 mi · 42 sec · West Lamar Street

Arrive at destination

TX 56

Trip Plan

Given the relatively short duration of under 4 hours, this trip is ideal for a single day. You can leave Killeen in the morning and arrive in Sherman by lunchtime, allowing for flexibility. While only one stop is indicated, consider planning for a brief rest break around the halfway point, especially given the 70.8-mile stretch on the Purple Heart Trail. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, with an estimated cost of $33, and ensure you have enough to reach Sherman comfortably or plan your refueling stop in advance.

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 108.3 miles from Killeen, TX, or about 1h 56m 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 48 miles or 54m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 108.3 miles or 1h 56m 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 10m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sherman, 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 216.5 miles and 3h 52m.

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 Purple Heart Trail for about 70.8 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in and county seat of Ellis County, Texas, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Waxahachie, TX

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

Hewitt, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 48 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Italy, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 108.3 miles from Killeen, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

2.3 mi from route

Pilot Travel Center

2.5 mi from route

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 61.9

Waco, Texas

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

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 website

Lions 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 website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 16

5 decision points cluster between mile 94.4 and 152.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

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

150.6 mi into trip | ~2h 40m in

Take the exit toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Riverfront Boulevard, Griffin Street

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 427A Toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Riverfront Bouleva...

151 mi into trip | ~2h 41m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 35E North, I 30 West: Denton, Fort Worth, Texarkana

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 35E North, I 30 West: Denton, Fort Wor...

152.3 mi into trip | ~2h 42m in

Take the exit toward I 45, US 75: Houston, McKinney

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 46 Toward I 45, US 75: Houston, McKinney

152.8 mi into trip | ~2h 43m in

Keep slight left at fork toward US 75 North: McKinney

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Toward US 75 North: McKinney

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$32.71 one way

$65.43 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 76 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.20	$35.81	$71.62
premium	$4.54	$38.65	$77.31
diesel	$5.61	$47.80	$95.60

Estimated Tolls: $3.60

Central Expressway (45 mi) $3.60

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

$33

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$61–$86

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, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	65	0	$22.73	$10.39
Efficient EV	54.1	0	$18.94	$8.66
EV Truck/SUV	86.6	1	$30.31	$13.86

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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Killeen, TX

Late night in Killeen on Sunday

Local time

2:32 AM

CDT

Current temp

60°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Sherman, TX

Late night in Sherman on Sunday

Local time

2:32 AM

CDT

Current temp

71°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

11 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

3h 52m 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 59.7

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a highway-focused experience for most of this 216.5-mile route, with 63% of the drive on major highways. You'll encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 70.8 miles on the Purple Heart Trail, offering a substantial period of steady driving. The transition to I-35E and North Central Expressway means you'll experience more urban and suburban driving as you approach your destination. This route is designed for efficient travel rather than scenic detours, prioritizing speed and directness.

63% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

26 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?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Purple Heart Trail and I 35E. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 94.4 miles in near I 35E.

Driving Effort 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 216.5 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: at 94.4 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 150.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 151 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

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 Sherman, TX, road signs point toward Fort Worth, Texarkana, Convention Center, Mckinney and Bryan Street East.

Fort Worth

151 mi in | ~2h 41m

Texarkana

151 mi in | ~2h 41m

Convention Center

151.1 mi in | ~2h 41m

Mckinney

152.3 mi in | ~2h 42m

Bryan Street East

153.2 mi in | ~2h 44m

About the Cities

Starting in Killeen, TX

Full guide →

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.

Arriving in Sherman, TX

Full guide →

Sherman is a city in the Blackland Prairie region of North Texas.

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 3h 52m. Total distance: 216.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.

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.

Expect about $3.60 in tolls one way, starting with Central Expressway. 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 24 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 Sherman, 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 24 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Possible but tiring. At 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Sherman, 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 NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Explore more options from Killeen, TX or browse trips ending in Sherman, TX.

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Trip from Killeen, TX to Sherman, TX

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

Hill County Northbound Rest Area

Pilot Travel Center

Hill County Southbound Rest Area

QuikTrip

Buc-ee's

Flying J Travel Center

Love's Travel Stop

Love's Travel Stop

Petro Stopping Centers

Buc-ee's

Service Plaza

QuikTrip

QuikTrip

Road Ranger

Love's Travel Stop

Love's Travel Stop

Buc-ee's

Flying J Travel Center

TA

Minuteman Press

Love's Travel Stop

SoPac Trail Rest Area

Service Plaza

Pilot Travel Center

Dark Hour Haunted House

11th Hour Escape

Heritage Farmstead Museum

City Park

NTER - The Great Escape

Doris D Miller Park

Great Escape of Central Texas

Lions Club Park

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Killeen, TX

Sherman, TX

Same local time

11 degrees warmer at arrival

3h 52m on the road

National Parks Near This Route

Waco Mammoth National Monument

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Starting in Killeen, TX

Arriving in Sherman, TX

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

How do I pay the tolls on this route?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Are there national parks near this route?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

Continue From Sherman, TX

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