Rest Area US-84 US-283
0 mi from route
Trip from Lorenzo, TX to Austin, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
7h 3m
Distance
374.2 mi
602 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$51
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 52m
★
6 AM
7h 3m
8 AM
7h 26m
10 AM
7h 11m
12 PM
7h 9m
3 PM
7h 12m
5 PM
7h 24m
8 PM
6h 56m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lorenzo, TX
Jack Paschalidis
Austin, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Lorenzo, TX to Austin, TX is 374.2 miles and takes about 7h 3m via US Highway 84 and US 183, with a fuel budget near $54 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip takes you from the Great Plains region of Texas to its southern edge, offering a straightforward drive. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, making it a practical choice if you need to cover ground efficiently. With only 2 recommended stops and a fairly direct path, this route is well-suited for a single-day transit.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
187.1 miles from Lorenzo, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 30m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US Highway 84 | 73.9 mi | 1h 14m |
| State Highway 153 | 69 mi | 1h 14m |
| US 183 | 44.5 mi | 49m |
| South US Highway 183 | 35.3 mi | 38m |
| Avenue E | 33.8 mi | 50m |
| US Highway 84 East | 29.2 mi | 33m |
| US 67 | 21.5 mi | 24m |
| US 84 | 15.9 mi | 17m |
Longest stretch:
US Highway 84
— 73.9 mi, about 1h 14m
Traffic on I-20
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,210 veh/hr typical · worst 1,594
Quietest
3 AM
~203 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 31 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lorenzo, TX and Austin, TX.
1
Start on 4th Street
70 ft
·
8 sec
·
4th Street
2
Turn left onto FM 378
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
·
Harrison Avenue
3
Turn left onto US 62; US 82; TX 114; FM 378
8.3 mi
·
8 min
·
US Highway 82
4
Continue on US 82; TX 114
0.3 mi
·
19 sec
·
4th Street
5
Turn right onto TX 207
34 mi
·
50 min
·
Avenue E
6
Turn straight onto TX 207
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
North Avenue F
7
At end of road, turn left onto US 84
74 mi
·
1 hr 14 min
·
US Highway 84
8
Keep slight left at fork onto US 84
6.5 mi
·
6 min
·
US 84
Toward I 20 East, US 84 East: Abilene
9
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
Exit 244
Toward SH 70 South, SH 70 Business: Sweetwater, San Angelo
10
Turn slight left onto Southwest Georgia Avenue
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
Southwest Georgia Avenue
11
Turn right onto TX 70
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Lamar Street
12
Continue on TX 70
10 mi
·
10 min
·
State Highway 70
13
Turn left onto TX 153
69 mi
·
1 hr 14 min
·
State Highway 153
14
Continue on TX 153
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
West Walnut Street
15
Continue on TX 153
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
East Walnut Street
16
At end of road, turn left onto US 84; US 283
9.4 mi
·
10 min
·
US 84; US 283
17
Continue on US 67; US 84
21 mi
·
24 min
·
US 67; US 84
18
Turn right onto US 84; US 183
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Garmon Drive
19
Continue on US 84; US 183
29 mi
·
33 min
·
US Highway 84 East
20
Turn right onto US 183; TX 16
22 mi
·
25 min
·
US 183; TX 16
21
Continue on US 183; US 190
15 mi
·
15 min
·
US 183; US 190
22
Merge onto US 183; US 190; US 281
260 ft
·
4 sec
·
North US Highway 281
23
Continue on US 183; US 190; US 281
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
North Key Avenue
24
Continue on US 183
35 mi
·
38 min
·
South US Highway 183
25
Continue on this road
0.4 mi
·
29 sec
·
this road
26
Keep slight left at fork onto 183A Toll
14 mi
·
14 min
·
183A Toll Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Continue on US 183
7.5 mi
·
8 min
·
US 183
28
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Toward Loop 1: Mopac Boulevard
Use the slight right lane.
29
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
Toward Loop 1 South: Mopac Boulevard South
Use the slight right lane.
30
Merge onto Loop 1
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
North Mopac Expressway
31
Take the exit
423 ft
·
10 sec
Toward Express 1 Toll
Use the slight left lane.
32
Merge onto Express 1 Toll
3.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Express 1 Toll
33
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Toward West 5th Street
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
35
Turn straight onto West 5th Street
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
West 5th Street
Use the straight lane.
36
Arrive at destination
East 5th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 7-hour drive time, starting early from Lorenzo, TX is advisable to maximize daylight. You'll want to plan for your 2 stops strategically, perhaps one mid-morning and another for lunch, to break up the 374.2 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 73.9-mile stretch on US Highway 84, as services might be less frequent. The $54 fuel estimate is based on typical consumption, but always check current prices.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 187.1 miles from Lorenzo, TX, or about 3h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 73.9 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 82 miles or 1h 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 187.1 miles or 3h 30m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 55m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Austin, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Lorenzo, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Lorenzo, TX
This is one driving day of about 374.2 miles and 7h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 82 miles from Lorenzo, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US Highway 84 for about 73.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
187 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 82 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 187.1 miles from Lorenzo, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US Highway 84 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 73.9 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.
Llano Estacado Picnic Area
0 mi from route
San Saba Picnic Area
0 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Eagles Landing Travel Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Picnic Area
1.9 mi from route
Rest Area
2.2 mi from route
Austin Bat Tours
4.4
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.2 mi from route
~1 min detour
Austin, Texas
Hours: 9 am–10 pm
Visit websiteBotanical Gates of Paradise
4.1
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.7 mi from route
~4 min detour
Austin, Texas
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
Barton Creek Greenbelt
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, ~11 min detour
Home stretch
4.4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Austin, Texas
Hours: 5 am–10 pm
+15129746700
Visit websiteThe Martin & Frances Lehnis Railroad Museum
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour
Final third
4.8 mi from route
~12 min detour
Brownwood, Texas
Hours: 10 am–4 pm
+13256436376
Visit websiteBrown County Museum of History
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour
Final third
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Brownwood, Texas
Hours: 10 am–4 pm
+13256411926
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 195 decision points cluster between mile 117.7 and 372.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
117.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 16m in
|
US 84
Keep slight left at fork onto US 84 toward I 20 East, US 84 East: Abilene
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 20 East, US 84 East: Abilene
6
124.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 22m in
Take the exit toward SH 70 South, SH 70 Business: Sweetwater, San Angelo
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 244
Toward SH 70 South, SH 70 Business: Sweetwater,...
6
342.8 mi into trip
|
~6h 26m in
|
183A Toll / 183A Toll Road
Keep slight left at fork onto 183A Toll / 183A Toll Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
365 mi into trip
|
~6h 50m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Loop 1 South: Mopac Boulevard South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Loop 1 South: Mopac Boulevard South
7
372.4 mi into trip
|
~6h 59m in
Keep slight left at fork toward West 5th Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Toward West 5th Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$51.25 one way
$102.51 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
131 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $57.25 | $114.50 |
| premium | $4.23 | $62.24 | $124.49 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $70.66 | $141.31 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.00
183A Toll Road
(14.3 mi)
$1.00
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$51
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$77–$102
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 130.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 112.3 | 1 | $39.29 | $17.96 |
| Efficient EV | 93.6 | 1 | $32.74 | $14.97 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 149.7 | 1 | $52.39 | $23.95 |
Gas CO2
131 kg
EV CO2
44 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.
Origin
Lorenzo, TX
Late night in Lorenzo on Monday
Local time
12:54 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SSE 10 mph
29% chance
Live forecast
Tornado Warning
Tornado Warning issued July 17 at 1:35AM CDT until July 17 at 2:15AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 1:00AM CDT until July 17 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Austin, TX
Late night in Austin on Monday
Local time
12:54 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Mostly Cloudy
SSE 5 mph
14% chance
Live forecast
Tornado Warning
Tornado Warning issued July 17 at 1:35AM CDT until July 17 at 2:15AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 1:00AM CDT until July 17 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio 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
11 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
7h 3m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 83% of the 374.2 miles on major roads like US Highway 84 and US 183. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 73.9 miles on US Highway 84 before needing to transition to surface roads. Expect a consistent highway pace for the majority of the trip, with minimal deviations onto smaller state highways like State Highway 153.
83% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
36 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 73.9 mi on US Highway 84.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US Highway 84 and State Highway 153. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 117.7 miles in near US 84.
Driving Effort
9/10
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 374.2 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 117.7 miles (US 84): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 124.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 342.8 miles (183A Toll / 183A Toll Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
3,167 ft
487 ft
Total Climb
425 ft
Total Descent
3,106 ft
Highest Point
3,167 ft
Elevation Range
2,681 ft
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 Lorenzo, TX and Austin, TX, road signs point toward Sh 70 South, Sh 70 Business: Sweetwater and San Angelo.
Sh 70 South
124.2 mi in
|
~2h 22m
Sh 70 Business: Sweetwater
124.2 mi in
|
~2h 22m
San Angelo
124.2 mi in
|
~2h 22m
About the Cities
Starting in Lorenzo, TX
Full guide →Arriving in Austin, TX
Full guide →“City of the Violet Crown” · Founded 1835
Austin is a city of about 1,054,000 (2026) surpassing Fort Worth to become the 4th most populous city in Texas. It is on the southeast edge of the Hill Country region of Texas, making it the fourth-largest city in the state and the 11th-largest in the country. It is the capital of Texas and a college town, and also a center of an alternative culture away from the major cities on the US coasts, though the city is rapidly gentrifying with its rising popularity. Austin's attitude is commonly emblazoned about town on T-shirts and bumper stickers that read: "Keep Austin Weird." Austin is also marketed as the Live Music Capital of the World due to the large number of venues.
Top landmarks
- • Texas State Capitol — capitol and seat of government of the U.S. state of Texas
- • Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum — presidential library and museum for U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson in Austin,...
- • Texas State Cemetery — historic cemetery in Austin, Texas, USA
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 7h 3m. Total distance: 374.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 3m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 73.9 miles on US Highway 84. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.00 in tolls one way, starting with 183A Toll Road. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
Yes — we found about 9 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.
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 Austin, 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 9 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 117.7 miles (US 84): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 124.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 342.8 miles (183A Toll / 183A Toll Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.1 hours each way, a round trip means 14.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Austin, TX before the return drive.
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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Austin, TX
More trips to Austin, TX
Explore more options from Lorenzo, TX or browse trips ending in Austin, TX.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TX road trips.