This 225.8-mile journey from Longview, TX to Killeen, TX will take you approximately 4 hours and 16 minutes of driving time. Primarily utilizing State Highway 31 East and Purple Heart Trail, the drive is a mixed-use route, with 59% of it being highway driving. With a projected fuel cost of $34 and only one recommended stop, this trip is easily manageable as a single-day adventure. The route begins in the Great Plains region of Texas and ends in the same region, offering a consistent landscape. This drive is perfect for those looking for an efficient trip without extensive overnight planning.
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
112.9 miles from Longview, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 12m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
State Highway 31 East
59.9 mi
1h 9m
Purple Heart Trail
37.9 mi
39m
West State Highway 31
18.8 mi
21m
State Highway 31
17.2 mi
17m
Central Texas Expressway
13.1 mi
13m
Corsicana Bypass
11.8 mi
13m
State Highway 31 West
9.7 mi
11m
Northwest 2nd Street
9.3 mi
10m
Longest stretch:
State Highway 31 East
— 59.9 mi, about 1h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Longview, TX and Killeen, TX.
1
Start on US 80
0.6 mi·1 min·West Marshall Avenue
2
Turn left onto TX 31; Spur 63
6.8 mi·8 min·North Spur 63
Use the left lane.
3
Continue on US 259; TX 31
0.6 mi·41 sec·US Highway 259 North
4
Keep slight right at fork onto US 259 Business; TX 31
1.3 mi·1 min·US Highway 259 Business North
5
Turn right onto TX 31
29 mi·34 min·State Highway 31 East
6
Continue on TX 31
1.9 mi·2 min·Chandler Highway
7
Continue on TX 31
5.6 mi·6 min·State Highway 31 West
8
Continue on TX 31
2.0 mi·2 min·East Highway 31
9
Continue on TX 31
21 mi·23 min·State Highway 31 East
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·45 sec
11
Merge onto US 175; TX 19; TX 31; Loop 7
6.2 mi·7 min·Jed Robinson Loop
12
Take the exit
0.1 mi·21 sec
13
Keep slight left at fork
445 ft·14 sec
14
Turn right onto TX 31
4.0 mi·4 min·State Highway 31 West
15
Continue on TX 31
5.4 mi·6 min·East Royall Boulevard
16
Continue on TX 31
9.9 mi·11 min·State Highway 31 East
17
Continue on TX 31
9.3 mi·10 min·Northwest 2nd Street
18
Turn left onto TX 31
12 mi·13 min·Corsicana Bypass
Use the straight lane.
19
At end of road, turn left onto TX 31
19 mi·21 min·West State Highway 31
20
Continue on TX 31
5.5 mi·5 min·Hubbard Bypass
21
Continue on TX 31
17 mi·17 min·State Highway 31
22
Continue on US 84
2.5 mi·2 min·East US Highway 84
23
Continue on US 84
2.6 mi·4 min·Bellmead Drive
24
Turn straight onto US 84
0.4 mi·1 min·East Waco Drive
25
Turn left onto North Jack Kultgen Expressway
519 ft·12 sec·North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the left / straight lanes.
26
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward I 35 South, US 77 South
27
Merge onto I 35; US 77
6.1 mi·6 min·North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Continue on I 35
38 mi·39 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Keep slight right at fork onto I 14; US 190
13 mi·13 min·Central Texas Expressway
Toward US 190 West: Killeen, Fort CavazosUse the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Exit 287Toward FM 3470: Rosewood Drive, Stan Schlueter LoopUse the slight right lane.
31
Turn straight onto West Central Texas Expressway
2.9 mi·3 min·West Central Texas Expressway
32
Turn right onto South W.S. Young Drive
1.3 mi·2 min·South W.S. Young Drive
33
Turn left onto US 190 Bus
1.0 mi·1 min·East Veterans Memorial Boulevard
34
Turn right
83 ft·8 sec
35
Turn right
74 ft·5 sec
36
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour and 16-minute duration, departing Longview, TX in the morning will allow you to reach Killeen, TX with plenty of daylight. With only one stop recommended and a fuel cost of around $34, you can plan your breaks strategically. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 59.9-mile stretch on State Highway 31 East, to ensure you have enough to reach your next refueling point. This is a straightforward drive, so the main advice is to be aware of the changing road types as you transition between highway and other state routes.
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 112.9 miles from Longview, TX, or about 2h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 59.9 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 50 miles or 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 112.9 miles or 2h 12m 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 32m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Killeen, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Longview, 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 Longview, TX
This is one driving day of about 225.8 miles and 4h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 miles from Longview, 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 31 East for about 59.9 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 220.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.6 mi into trip|~1m in|TX 31; Spur 63 / North Spur 63
Turn left onto TX 31; Spur 63 / North Spur 63
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
75.5 mi into trip|~1h 29m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
6
104.2 mi into trip|~2h 2m in|TX 31 / Corsicana Bypass
Turn left onto TX 31 / Corsicana Bypass
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
207.2 mi into trip|~3h 55m in|I 14; US 190 / Central Texas Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 14; US 190 / Central Texas Expressway toward US 190 West: Killeen, Fort Cavazos
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 190 West: Killeen, Fort Cavazos
8
220.3 mi into trip|~4h 8m in
Take the exit toward FM 3470: Rosewood Drive, Stan Schlueter Loop
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 287
Toward FM 3470: Rosewood Drive, Stan Schlueter...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.12 one way
$68.24 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg79 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$37.35
$74.69
premium
$4.54
$40.32
$80.63
diesel
$5.61
$49.85
$99.71
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 79 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
67.7
0
$23.71
$10.84
Efficient EV
56.5
0
$19.76
$9.03
EV Truck/SUV
90.3
1
$31.61
$14.45
Gas CO2
79 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (67% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 13, 2026
Origin
Longview, TX
Late night
in Longview on Tuesday
Local time
4:12 AM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Killeen, TX
Late night
in Killeen on Tuesday
Local time
4:12 AM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 10 to 15 mph12% chanceLive forecast
High Wind Watch
High Wind Watch issued April 12 at 11:58PM MDT until April 14 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 13 at 12:38AM CDT until April 13 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Amarillo 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
4 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
4h 16m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Waco Mammoth National Monument
National Monument
Standing as tall as 14 feet and weighing 20,000 pounds, Columbian mammoths roamed across what is present-day Texas thousands of years ago. Today, the fossil specimens represent the nation's first and...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 163.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a varied driving experience on this 225.8-mile route. While 59% of the drive is on highways, you'll also encounter stretches on State Highway 31 East and Purple Heart Trail that offer a different feel. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll navigate is 59.9 miles on State Highway 31 East, providing a good opportunity to settle into a rhythm. This mixed drive profile means you'll likely experience both faster-paced highway sections and potentially more local road segments, keeping the drive engaging for the full 4 hours and 16 minutes.
59% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
36 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 59.9 mi on State Highway 31 East.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 around 0.6 miles in near TX 31; Spur 63 / North Spur 63.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 225.8 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: at 0.6 miles (TX 31; Spur 63 / North Spur 63): Lane positioning matters here; at 75.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 104.2 miles (TX 31 / Corsicana Bypass): Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
823 ft353 ft
Total Climb
996 ft
Total Descent
543 ft
Highest Point
823 ft
~225.8 mi in
Elevation Range
470 ft
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 Longview, TX to Killeen, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Fort Cavazos along the way.
Longview is a city in the Piney Woods region of Texas. At one time a major headquarters of the vast East Texas Oil Field, petroleum remains a large part of the city's economy. Founded in 1871, the city earned its name when surveyors for the Southern Pacific Railroad noted what a "long view" they could see from a hill near the center of the new town. Longview is now home to more than 75,000 residents and has grown to be an important center of commerce and industry for the Piney Woods region of Texas.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 16m. Total distance: 225.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 16m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 59.9 miles on State Highway 31 East. 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 Killeen, 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: at 0.6 miles (TX 31; Spur 63 / North Spur 63): Lane positioning matters here; at 75.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 104.2 miles (TX 31 / Corsicana Bypass): Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Killeen, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.
