Origin
Killeen, TX
Morning in Killeen on Sunday
Local time
6:55 AM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Killeen, TX to Waxahachie, TX
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 13m
Distance
123.9 mi
199 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 4m
★
6 AM
2h 14m
8 AM
2h 32m
10 AM
2h 20m
12 PM
2h 18m
3 PM
2h 21m
5 PM
2h 31m
8 PM
2h 8m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Killeen, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Waxahachie, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Planning a trip from Killeen, Texas, to Waxahachie, Texas? This 123.9-mile journey takes about 2 hours and 13 minutes and is easily manageable as a single-day drive. You'll navigate primarily via the Purple Heart Trail and I-35E, with a portion on the Central Texas Expressway. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $19, making it an economical option. Given that both Killeen and Waxahachie are within the Great Plains region, you won't experience a significant shift in landscape, but rather a consistent drive through the Texas heartland. This route offers a straightforward and efficient way to travel between these two Texas cities.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
62 miles from Killeen, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 9m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Purple Heart Trail | 70.8 mi | 1h 12m |
| I 35E | 27.8 mi | 27m |
| Central Texas Expressway | 10.7 mi | 11m |
| South Jack Kultgen Expressway | 6.6 mi | 7m |
| East Veterans Memorial Boulevard | 5.1 mi | 8m |
| Edwards Drive | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Five Points Road | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| South Rogers Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
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 Waxahachie, TX.
1
Start on this road
74 ft
·
10 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left
83 ft
·
11 sec
3
Turn left onto US 190 Bus
5.1 mi
·
8 min
·
East Veterans Memorial Boulevard
4
Turn slight right onto Edwards Drive
0.5 mi
·
55 sec
·
Edwards Drive
5
Take the ramp
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 14 East, US 190 East
6
Merge onto I 14; US 190
11 mi
·
11 min
·
Central Texas Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 35; US 190
38 mi
·
38 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 35
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 35; US 77
33 mi
·
33 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E
28 mi
·
27 min
·
I 35E
Toward I 35E: Dallas
Use the slight right lane.
11
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
Exit 399
Toward FM 66, FM 1446
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Turn straight onto South Interstate 35E
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
South Interstate 35E
13
Turn right onto Five Points Road
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Five Points Road
14
Turn right onto FM 66
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
·
South Rogers Street
15
Turn left onto US 77
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
South Highway 77
16
Continue on US 77
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
South Elm Street
17
Turn right
97 ft
·
7 sec
18
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 2-hour, 13-minute drive, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience. Since the total distance is just over 120 miles and the fuel cost is estimated at $19, you can easily complete this trip without needing to split it overnight. Consider leaving mid-morning to avoid the peak rush hour in Killeen or as you approach Waxahachie. While there are no designated stops mentioned, keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 70.8-mile stretch on the Purple Heart Trail, to ensure you have plenty before embarking on longer segments. This straightforward route allows for a relaxed pace and minimal planning.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 62 miles from Killeen, TX, or about 1h 9m 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 27 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 62 miles or 1h 9m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 49m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Waxahachie, 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 123.9 miles and 2h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Killeen, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
62 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 27 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 62 miles from Killeen, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Purple Heart Trail if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 70.8 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 105 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 122.2 — 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
6.2 mi into trip
|
~11m 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.
5
17 mi into trip
|
~22m in
|
I 35; US 190 / Purple Heart Trail
Merge onto I 35; US 190 / Purple Heart Trail
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
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
8
122.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 9m in
Take the exit toward FM 66, FM 1446
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 399
Toward FM 66, FM 1446
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.72 one way
$37.44 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
43 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $20.49 | $40.98 |
| premium | $4.54 | $22.12 | $44.24 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $27.36 | $54.71 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 43.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 37.2 | 0 | $13.01 | $5.95 |
| Efficient EV | 31 | 0 | $10.84 | $4.96 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 49.6 | 0 | $17.35 | $7.93 |
Gas CO2
43 kg
EV CO2
14 kg (67% 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.
Destination
Waxahachie, TX
Morning in Waxahachie on Sunday
Local time
6:55 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°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
14 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
2h 13m 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 presents a mixed bag of road types, with 37% of the journey on highways. You'll experience stretches on the Purple Heart Trail, including one uninterrupted segment of 70.8 miles, offering a more continuous driving experience. The route also incorporates parts of I-35E and the Central Texas Expressway, which will feel more like traditional interstate travel. Expect a drive that transitions between open-road cruising and potentially busier highway sections as you approach your destination. The overall feel is that of a practical, functional route designed for efficient travel across Texas.
37% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
18 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?
6/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 10 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 123.9 miles you will encounter 10 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 6.2 miles (I 14; US 190 / Central Texas Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 17 miles (I 35; US 190 / Purple Heart Trail): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Waxahachie, TX
Full guide →Founded 1850
Waxahachie is a city in Blackland Prairie region of Texas.
Top landmarks
- • Joshua Chapel A.M.E. Church — historic place in Waxahachie, Ellis County, Texas
- • Saint Paul's Episcopal Church — building in Waxahachie, Ellis County, Texas
- • Chautauqua Auditorium — historic place in Waxahachie, Ellis County, 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 2h 13m. Total distance: 123.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (37%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile.
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.
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 Waxahachie, 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. 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 6.2 miles (I 14; US 190 / Central Texas Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 17 miles (I 35; US 190 / Purple Heart Trail): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Waxahachie, TX before heading back.
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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