Rest Area US-84 US-283
0 mi from route
Trip from Killeen, TX to Sweetwater, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 1m
Distance
212.6 mi
342 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$29
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 48m
★
6 AM
4h 1m
8 AM
4h 27m
10 AM
4h 10m
12 PM
4h 7m
3 PM
4h 11m
5 PM
4h 26m
8 PM
3h 53m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Killeen, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Sweetwater, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Spanning 212.6 miles across the Texas Great Plains, your journey from Killeen to Sweetwater is a straightforward 4-hour and 1-minute trek. This trip works perfectly as a single-day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $32 on fuel, making it a budget-friendly option for those traversing the region. By utilizing a combination of State Highway 153, North US Highway 183, and US 84, you will stay consistently on track. It is a practical route for travelers who prefer a focused, efficient drive between these two Texas hubs.
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
106.3 miles from Killeen, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 2m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| State Highway 153 | 69 mi | 1h 14m |
| North US Highway 183 | 36.9 mi | 40m |
| US 84 | 30.4 mi | 34m |
| East Commerce Street | 22 mi | 25m |
| US 190 | 12.8 mi | 14m |
| State Highway 70 | 10.4 mi | 10m |
| Wallis Avenue | 7.2 mi | 8m |
| FM 1715 | 6.4 mi | 8m |
Longest stretch:
State Highway 153
— 69 mi, about 1h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Killeen, TX and Sweetwater, 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: Lampasas
Use 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
37 mi
·
40 min
·
North US Highway 183
13
At end of road, turn left onto US 84; US 183; TX 16
30 mi
·
34 min
·
US 84; US 183; TX 16
14
Turn left onto US 67; US 84; US 183; US 377
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Early Boulevard
15
Continue on US 67; US 84; US 377
22 mi
·
25 min
·
East Commerce Street
16
Keep slight right at fork onto US 84; US 283
7.2 mi
·
8 min
·
Wallis Avenue
17
Turn right onto TX 153
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
East Walnut Street
18
Continue on TX 153; TX 206
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
West Walnut Street
19
Continue on TX 153
69 mi
·
1 hr 14 min
·
State Highway 153
20
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 153
19 ft
·
0 sec
·
State Highway 153
21
Turn right onto TX 70
10 mi
·
10 min
·
State Highway 70
22
Continue on TX 70
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Lamar Street
23
Arrive at destination
TX 70 Bus
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 212.6-mile drive, aim to depart early in the morning to avoid any midday traffic fluctuations. Since the trip only requires one planned stop, you have plenty of flexibility to stretch your legs whenever it feels right. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, especially when transitioning between State Highway 153 and US 84, to ensure you stay within your $32 budget. Because this is a relatively short trip, there is no need to rush, so pace your single stop to coincide with your halfway point to keep fatigue at bay. Remember that the majority of your time is spent on highways, so stay alert during those long 69-mile stretches on State Highway 153.
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 106.3 miles from Killeen, TX, or about 2h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 69 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 47 miles or 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 106.3 miles or 2h 2m 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 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sweetwater, 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 212.6 miles and 4h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 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 State Highway 153 for about 69 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
106 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 47 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 106.3 miles from Killeen, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before State Highway 153 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 69 miles.
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.
San Saba Picnic Area
0 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.4 mi from route
Rest Area
2.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
2.4 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 websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 155 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 7.4 — 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
4
2.6 mi into trip
|
~4m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.12 one way
$58.24 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
74 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $32.53 | $65.05 |
| premium | $4.23 | $35.36 | $70.73 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $40.14 | $80.29 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 74.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 63.8 | 0 | $22.32 | $10.20 |
| Efficient EV | 53.2 | 0 | $18.60 | $8.50 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 85 | 1 | $29.76 | $13.61 |
Gas CO2
74 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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
Late night in Killeen on Sunday
Local time
5:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Partly Cloudy
SSE 5 to 10 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 6:14PM CDT until July 18 at 8:15PM CDT by NWS Lubbock TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 6:05PM CDT until July 18 at 6:45PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Destination
Sweetwater, TX
Late night in Sweetwater on Sunday
Local time
5:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy
S 5 to 15 mph
17% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 6:14PM CDT until July 18 at 8:15PM CDT by NWS Lubbock TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 6:05PM CDT until July 18 at 6:45PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa 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 1m 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 highway-focused experience, as 81% of this route consists of high-speed travel. The road maintains a steady rhythm, with your longest uninterrupted stint reaching 69 miles along State Highway 153. You will find that the character of the drive remains consistent as you navigate through the flat, open landscapes of the Great Plains. Because the route relies on a mix of state and US highways, you will experience a more direct, functional flow rather than a winding or technical path. Keeping your eyes on the road is easy, as the route is designed to prioritize efficient transit over complex navigation.
81% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 69 mi on State Highway 153.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on State Highway 153 and North US Highway 183. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.
Driving Effort
5/10
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 212.6 miles you will encounter 15 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; near the start (US 190 Bus / East Veterans Memorial Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 2.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,526 ft
823 ft
Total Climb
2,130 ft
Total Descent
782 ft
Highest Point
2,526 ft
~203.8 mi in
Elevation Range
1,704 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 Cavasos, one of the largest military bases in the world.
Top landmarks
- • Killeen High School — historic place in Killeen, Bell County, Texas
Arriving in Sweetwater, TX
Full guide →Sweetwater is a city on the Northern Edwards Plateau of 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 4h 1m. Total distance: 212.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (81%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 69 miles on State Highway 153. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 5 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 2.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Possible but tiring. At 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Sweetwater, 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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