Traveling from Killeen to Socorro covers 570.6 miles and typically requires about 9 hours and 46 minutes of time behind the wheel. Because of this duration, it is best to treat this as a two-day journey rather than a single-day sprint. You will primarily navigate via I-10, US Highway 190 West, and Ranch Road 864 to complete the trip. Budgeting approximately $87 for fuel is a smart move to keep your finances in check before you head out. Both your starting point and destination sit within the Great Plains, keeping the regional landscape consistent throughout the drive. Planning an overnight stop will make the transition between these Texas locations much more manageable.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
285.3 miles from Killeen, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 5h 12m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 10
365.9 mi
5h 44m
US Highway 190 West
61 mi
1h 9m
Ranch Road 864
42 mi
45m
United States Highway 190
18.7 mi
27m
West US Highway 190
16.4 mi
17m
North US Highway 183
15.1 mi
15m
US 190
12.8 mi
14m
East US Highway 190
11.2 mi
11m
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 365.9 mi, about 5h 44m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Killeen, TX and Socorro, 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·57 sec·Bridge Street
16
At end of road, turn left onto US 190; US 377
127 ft·1 sec·Main Street
17
Turn right onto US 190; US 377
356 ft·9 sec·Blackburn Street
18
Turn right onto US 190; US 377
274 ft·11 sec·East Commerce Street
19
Turn left onto US 87; US 190; US 377
1.4 mi·1 min·Bridge Street
20
Turn right onto US 190
0.9 mi·1 min·Menard Highway
21
Continue on US 190
19 mi·27 min·United States Highway 190
22
Continue on US 190
11 mi·11 min·East US Highway 190
23
At end of road, turn left onto US 83; US 190
1.1 mi·1 min·US 83; US 190
24
Turn right onto US 190
16 mi·17 min·West US Highway 190
25
Turn left onto RM 864
42 mi·45 min·Ranch Road 864
26
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward I 10 West: El Paso
27
Merge onto I 10
366 mi·5 hr 44 min·I 10
28
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward FM 1281: Horizon City, Socorro
29
Continue on Gateway Boulevard West
0.2 mi·21 sec·Gateway Boulevard West
30
Keep slight right at fork onto Gateway Boulevard West
0.2 mi·25 sec·Gateway Boulevard West
31
Turn left onto FM 1281
3.0 mi·5 min·Horizon Boulevard
Use the right lane.
32
Continue on Buford Road
1.1 mi·2 min·Buford Road
33
Turn right onto FM 258
249 ft·5 sec·Socorro Road
34
Turn right
139 ft·10 sec
35
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To keep your energy levels steady, aim to break the 570.6-mile trip into two manageable days with at least two planned stops. Since you are facing a significant 365.9-mile stretch on I-10, ensure your vehicle is fueled up and ready before hitting that section to avoid unnecessary anxiety. Departing early in the morning is your best strategy to beat traffic and maximize daylight hours for the longer leg of the journey. Given the fuel cost of $87, consider tracking your mileage periodically to stay on budget. Keep a close watch on your fuel gauge during the interstate portion, as services can be spaced out significantly compared to the highway segments closer to your origin.
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.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 285.3 miles from Killeen, TX, or about 5h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 365.9 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 126 miles or 2h 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 285.3 miles or 5h 12m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 285.3 miles or 5h 12m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 8h 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Socorro, 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.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Killeen, TX
Aim for roughly 285 miles and 4.9 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Socorro, TX
Aim for roughly 285 miles and 4.9 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 126 miles from Killeen, TX.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 10 for about 365.9 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 25
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 107.9 — 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 left onto US 190; US 377 / Main Street
Navigation decision point
5
107.9 mi into trip|~2h 4m in|US 190; US 377 / East Commerce Street
Turn right onto US 190; US 377 / East Commerce Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$86.22 one way
$172.44 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg200 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$94.37
$188.75
premium
$4.54
$101.88
$203.75
diesel
$5.61
$125.98
$251.96
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$86
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$216–$326
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 199.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $60 in charging
· 2 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
171.2
2
$59.91
$27.39
Efficient EV
142.7
1
$49.93
$22.82
EV Truck/SUV
228.2
2
$79.88
$36.52
Gas CO2
200 kg
EV CO2
67 kg (67% less)
Plan for 2 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
Night
in Killeen on Saturday
Local time
9:51 PM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Socorro, TX
Evening
in Socorro on Saturday
Local time
8:51 PM
MDT
Current temp
58°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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
Time zone
1 hour earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
2 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
9h 46m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
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.
Chamizal National Memorial
National Memorial
Chamizal is more than just an urban park to recreate or enjoy a quiet afternoon. These grounds are a reminder of the harmonious settlement of a 100-year boundary dispute between the United States and...
12 mi from route
~30 min detour
Free
near mile 570.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a long-distance experience where highways make up roughly 90% of your total travel time. The route hits its most intense phase during a 365.9-mile stretch on I-10, which serves as the primary backbone of the journey. You will transition from regional roads like US Highway 190 West and Ranch Road 864 onto this major interstate corridor. This combination means you spend the vast majority of your time maintaining consistent highway speeds rather than navigating technical local turns. Prepare yourself for a steady, high-mileage drive that demands focus during the extended interstate portions.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 365.9 mi on I 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and US Highway 190 West. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 25 significant decision points across 570.6 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 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.
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.
The longest stretch is about 365.9 miles on I 10. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 285 miles on day one.
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 Socorro, 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.
Yes — Chamizal National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 9.8 hours each way, a round trip means 19.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Socorro, TX before the return drive.
