Spanning 288.7 miles across the Texas Great Plains, this drive from Killeen to Vernon takes approximately 5 hours and 30 minutes to complete. You will primarily utilize East Veterans Memorial Boulevard, the Central Texas Expressway, and US 190 to navigate between these two points. Given the duration, this route is perfectly manageable as a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. Expect to budget roughly $43 for fuel, making this a relatively affordable excursion. Because both locations sit firmly within the Great Plains region, you can anticipate consistent terrain throughout your journey.
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
144.4 miles from Killeen, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 45m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
South Benson Street
67.3 mi
1h 17m
North US Highway 281
51.9 mi
57m
Morgan Mill Road
39.9 mi
44m
US Highway 287 East
39.6 mi
41m
FM 116
22.4 mi
28m
FM 1241
19.9 mi
21m
West Main Street
11.6 mi
11m
Northwest Freeway
5.3 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
South Benson Street
— 67.3 mi, about 1h 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Killeen, TX and Vernon, 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 right at fork onto US 190 Bus
0.5 mi·35 sec·US 190 Bus
Toward US 190 Business: Copperas Cove
7
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 9
3.0 mi·3 min·Highway 9
Toward TX 9: GatesvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Turn right onto FM 116
0.5 mi·52 sec·Farm-to-Market Road 116
9
Continue on FM 116
22 mi·28 min·FM 116
10
At end of road, turn left onto US 84
12 mi·11 min·West Main Street
11
Turn right onto FM 932
1.7 mi·1 min·Farm-to-Market Road 932
12
Turn left onto FM 1241
20 mi·21 min·FM 1241
13
Continue on FM 932
0.6 mi·1 min·Farm-to-Market Road 932
14
Continue on FM 932
0.5 mi·1 min·East Baker Street
15
At end of road, turn right onto US 281
1.8 mi·2 min·South Rice Street
16
Continue on US 281
19 mi·20 min·North US Highway 281
17
Continue on US 281
0.6 mi·42 sec·South Walnut Street
18
At end of road, turn left onto US 281; TX 6
0.4 mi·26 sec·North 2nd Street
19
Continue on US 281; TX 6
18 mi·20 min·North US Highway 281
20
Continue on US 281
1.1 mi·1 min·East Road
21
Continue on US 281
40 mi·44 min·Morgan Mill Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
22
Continue on US 281
2.9 mi·3 min·South Oak Avenue
23
Continue on US 281; FM 3027
15 mi·17 min·North US Highway 281
24
Continue on US 281
67 mi·1 hr 17 min·South Benson Street
25
Continue on US 281
3.6 mi·4 min·Henry S Grace Freeway
26
Merge onto US 82; US 281; US 287
0.9 mi·1 min·Central East Freeway
27
Continue on US 281; US 287
0.8 mi·58 sec·Lloyd Ruby Overpass
28
Continue on US 277; US 281; US 287
2.4 mi·3 min·Central Freeway
Use the straight lane.
29
Keep slight left at fork onto US 287
5.3 mi·5 min·Northwest Freeway
Exit 3AToward US 287 North: Vernon, AmarilloUse the slight left / straight lanes.
30
Continue on US 287
40 mi·41 min·US Highway 287 East
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
31
Take the exit onto US 287 Business
1.7 mi·3 min·US 287 Business
Toward US 287 Business: VernonUse the slight left / straight lanes.
32
Turn right onto Commerce Street
0.2 mi·46 sec·Commerce Street
33
Turn left
0.1 mi·55 sec
34
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since you have a 5-hour and 30-minute drive ahead, try to depart early in the morning to beat local traffic patterns. You should plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh, as the turn-heavy nature of the roads can be more taxing than standard highway driving. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, keeping that $43 estimate in mind as you plan your refueling strategy along the way. Because this is a shorter trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace to suit your comfort level. A key tip for this specific route is to stay vigilant on navigation, as the reliance on local roads rather than major interstates means you will encounter more turns and intersections than a typical cross-country haul.
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 144.4 miles from Killeen, TX, or about 2h 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 67.3 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 64 miles or 1h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 144.4 miles or 2h 45m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Vernon, 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 288.7 miles and 5h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 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 South Benson Street for about 67.3 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 286.7 — 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
7.9 mi into trip|~10m in|TX 9 / Highway 9
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 9 / Highway 9 toward TX 9: Gatesville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward TX 9: Gatesville
9
241.8 mi into trip|~4h 38m in|US 287 / Northwest Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto US 287 / Northwest Freeway toward US 287 North: Vernon, Amarillo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 3A
Toward US 287 North: Vernon, Amarillo
6
286.7 mi into trip|~5h 25m in|US 287 Business
Take the exit onto US 287 Business toward US 287 Business: Vernon
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Toward US 287 Business: Vernon
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$43.62 one way
$87.25 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg101 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$47.75
$95.50
premium
$4.54
$51.55
$103.09
diesel
$5.61
$63.74
$127.48
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 101 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
86.6
1
$30.31
$13.86
Efficient EV
72.2
0
$25.26
$11.55
EV Truck/SUV
115.5
1
$40.42
$18.48
Gas CO2
101 kg
EV CO2
34 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 20, 2026
Origin
Killeen, TX
Late night
in Killeen on Tuesday
Local time
3:50 AM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Vernon, TX
Late night
in Vernon on Tuesday
Local time
3:50 AM
CDT
Current temp
81°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
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
5h 30m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous interstate slog, this route keeps you engaged with its winding nature and lack of long, uninterrupted highway stretches. In fact, there are 0 miles of straight-line cruising on East Veterans Memorial Boulevard, emphasizing the technical, local feel of the transit. With a 0% highway share, you will be navigating surface roads for the entirety of the 288.7-mile trip. Expect the pace to feel steady and deliberate rather than fast-moving.
54% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 67.3 mi on South Benson Street.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 288.7 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 7.9 miles (TX 9 / Highway 9): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Killeen, TX to Vernon, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Amarillo along the way.
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
Vernon is a city in the North Central Plains region of Texas. Years ago, the Great Western Cattle Trail passed through here, a corollary of the more popular Chisholm Trail to the east. On a more contemporary note, it was the birthplace and childhood home of Roy Orbison. It is the closest town to the Waggoner Ranch, the biggest cattle ranch in the USA under one fence.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 30m. Total distance: 288.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 67.3 miles on South Benson Street. 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 Vernon, 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 3.1 miles (I 14; US 190 / Central Texas Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 7.9 miles (TX 9 / Highway 9): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 11.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Vernon, TX before the return drive.
