Origin
Killeen, TX
Morning in Killeen on Tuesday
Local time
7:06 AM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Killeen, TX to Sugar Land, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 55m
Distance
218.7 mi
352 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$33
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 43m
★
6 AM
3h 56m
8 AM
4h 21m
10 AM
4h 5m
12 PM
4h 2m
3 PM
4h 6m
5 PM
4h 20m
8 PM
3h 48m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Killeen, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Sugar Land, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Killeen, TX to Sugar Land, TX is 218.7 miles and takes about 3h 55m via Texas State Highway 71 and TX 130 Toll, with a fuel budget near $33 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Texas, traversing the Great Plains region for its entirety. You'll find it's mostly a highway drive, making it a straightforward trip for those looking to cover ground efficiently. With a single recommended day, this drive is well-suited for a quick move or a day trip.
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
109.4 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Texas State Highway 71 | 125.5 mi | 2h 11m |
| TX 130 Toll | 37 mi | 35m |
| South Fort Hood Street | 33.8 mi | 37m |
| West Grand Parkway South | 14.1 mi | 16m |
| East US Highway 90A | 3.3 mi | 5m |
| East Veterans Memorial Boulevard | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| East State Highway 71 | 0.8 mi | <1m |
| State Highway 130 | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Texas State Highway 71
— 125.5 mi, about 2h 11m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Killeen, TX and Sugar Land, 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
37 mi
·
35 min
·
TX 130 Toll
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Exit 449
Toward TX 71: Austin, Houston, Barbara Jordan Terminal, Austin–Bergstrom International Airport
Use the slight right lane.
10
Turn straight onto State Highway 130
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
State Highway 130
11
Turn left onto TX 71
412 ft
·
7 sec
·
East State Highway 71
Use the left / straight lanes.
12
Take the ramp onto TX 71
0.7 mi
·
48 sec
·
East State Highway 71
Toward TX 71 East: Houston
13
Continue on TX 71
126 mi
·
2 hr 11 min
·
Texas State Highway 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
44 sec
Exit 743B
Toward TX 99 Toll North, TX 99 South: Grand Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward TX 99 South: Grand Parkway
Use the slight right lane.
16
Merge onto TX 99
14 mi
·
16 min
·
West Grand Parkway South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit onto TX 99
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
TX 99
Toward US 90 Alternate, FM 1464: Sandhill Drive
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Turn left onto US 90 Alt
3.3 mi
·
5 min
·
East US Highway 90A
Use the left / straight lanes.
19
Arrive at destination
US 90 Alt
Trip Plan
Given the drive time of under 4 hours, leaving Killeen in the morning allows ample time to reach Sugar Land before dark. You'll encounter one primary fuel cost estimate of $33 for this trip. Since it's a relatively short drive, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience. Plan for your longest stretch on Texas State Highway 71, which covers 125.5 miles, so ensure you have enough fuel before embarking on that segment. The transition from highway to surface roads will require increased attention as you get closer to Sugar Land.
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 109.4 miles from Killeen, TX, or about 1h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 125.5 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 109.4 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 9m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sugar Land, 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 218.7 miles and 3h 55m.
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 Texas State Highway 71 for about 125.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
109 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 109.4 miles from Killeen, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Texas State Highway 71 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 125.5 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 135 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 214.9 — 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
8
72.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 15m in
Take the exit toward TX 71: Austin, Houston, Barbara Jordan Terminal, Austin–Bergstrom International Airport
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 449
Toward TX 71: Austin, Houston, Barbara Jordan T...
8
199.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 30m in
Take the exit toward TX 99 Toll North, TX 99 South: Grand Parkway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 743B
Toward TX 99 Toll North, TX 99 South: Grand Par...
7
200 mi into trip
|
~3h 31m in
Keep slight right at fork toward TX 99 South: Grand Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward TX 99 South: Grand Parkway
7
214.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 49m in
|
TX 99
Take the exit onto TX 99 toward US 90 Alternate, FM 1464: Sandhill Drive
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 90 Alternate, FM 1464: Sandhill Drive
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.05 one way
$66.09 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
77 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $36.17 | $72.34 |
| premium | $4.54 | $39.05 | $78.09 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $48.29 | $96.57 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 76.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 65.6 | 0 | $22.96 | $10.50 |
| Efficient EV | 54.7 | 0 | $19.14 | $8.75 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 87.5 | 1 | $30.62 | $14.00 |
Gas CO2
77 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Sugar Land, TX
Morning in Sugar Land on Tuesday
Local time
7:06 AM
CDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
84°F
Smithville, TX
109 mi in
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
2 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 55m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive features 83% highway driving, meaning you'll spend most of your time on high-speed roads. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 125.5 miles, primarily on Texas State Highway 71. After this extensive highway portion, you'll transition to surface roads, including South Fort Hood Street, for the remainder of your trip. Expect a mix of cruising and navigating through areas with more frequent exits as you approach your destination.
83% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 125.5 mi on Texas State Highway 71.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Texas State Highway 71 and TX 130 Toll. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.
Driving Effort
6/10
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 218.7 miles you will encounter 13 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 72.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 199.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. 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.
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 Sugar Land, TX, road signs point toward Houston, Barbara Jordan Terminal and Austin–Bergstrom International Airport.
Houston
72.3 mi in
|
~1h 15m
Barbara Jordan Terminal
72.3 mi in
|
~1h 15m
Austin–Bergstrom International Airport
72.3 mi in
|
~1h 15m
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 Sugar Land, TX
Full guide →Founded 1908
Sugar Land is a city in the North Barrier Coast region of Texas, 24 miles southwest of Downtown Houston. It has a population of 118,000 (2019).
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 55m. Total distance: 218.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (83%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 125.5 miles on Texas State Highway 71. 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 Sugar Land, 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. 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 72.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 199.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Sugar Land, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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