Traveling from Lufkin to Austin covers 223.9 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 48 minutes to complete. Because the duration is relatively short, you can easily manage this as a single-day trip without needing an overnight stay. Expect to budget roughly $33 for fuel to make the journey between these two Texas cities. You will remain within the Great Plains region for the duration of your travel. While the trip is straightforward, it is best categorized as a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate haul. Use this guide to help determine if the local road navigation suits your driving preferences.
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
111.3 miles from Lufkin, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 6m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
TX 21
132.5 mi
2h 29m
US 290
31.8 mi
37m
TX 7
31.3 mi
34m
Raguet Street
11.7 mi
12m
Manor Expressway
6.1 mi
6m
Purple Heart Trail
3.4 mi
4m
North Raguet Street
2.3 mi
3m
East Goliad Avenue
1.6 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
TX 21
— 132.5 mi, about 2h 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lufkin, TX and Austin, TX.
1
Start on Loop 266
0.1 mi·21 sec·South First Street
2
Turn left onto TX 94
0.4 mi·56 sec·West Frank Avenue
3
Turn right onto Spur 339
2.0 mi·3 min·North Raguet Street
4
Continue on Spur 339
0.3 mi·26 sec·North Raguet Street
5
Continue on TX 103
12 mi·12 min·Raguet Street
6
Continue on TX 7
31 mi·34 min·TX 7
7
Turn right onto US 287; TX 7
129 ft·2 sec·5th Street
8
Turn left onto US 287; TX 7; TX 19; TX 21
196 ft·6 sec·East Houston Avenue
9
Turn left onto US 287; TX 7; TX 19; TX 21
289 ft·8 sec·South 4th Street
10
Turn right onto TX 7; TX 21
1.6 mi·2 min·East Goliad Avenue
11
Turn left onto TX 21
133 mi·2 hr 29 min·TX 21
Use the left lane.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
13
Merge onto US 290
7.7 mi·8 min·US 290
14
Continue on US 290
21 mi·25 min·US 290
15
Continue on 290 Toll
6.1 mi·6 min·Manor Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Continue on US 290
1.6 mi·1 min·US 290
17
Take the exit onto US 290
1.1 mi·2 min·US 290
Toward I 35 South, US 290 WestUse the slight right lane.
18
Merge onto I 35; US 290
1.0 mi·1 min·Purple Heart Trail
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35; US 290
2.4 mi·3 min·Purple Heart Trail
Toward 32nd Street, Dean Keeton StreetUse the slight left lane.
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 234BToward 8th–3rd Streets, Huston-Tillotson UniversityUse the slight right lane.
21
Turn straight onto North Interstate 35
0.2 mi·27 sec·North Interstate 35
Use the straight / right lanes.
22
Turn right onto East 6th Street
0.5 mi·1 min·East 6th Street
Use the right lane.
23
Turn left onto Congress Avenue
357 ft·17 sec·Congress Avenue
24
Turn left onto East 5th Street
28 ft·0 sec·East 5th Street
Use the left lane.
25
Arrive at destination
East 5th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 3 hour and 48 minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time around local traffic patterns. Since you are limited to only one stop, choose your break location strategically to ensure you stay refreshed throughout the drive. Keep in mind that the turn-heavy nature of this route can be more fatiguing than highway driving, so prioritize your comfort behind the wheel. Budgeting $33 for gas is a solid baseline, but consider topping off your tank before leaving Lufkin to avoid searching for fuel on smaller local roads. Always monitor your navigation closely, as the lack of long highway stretches means you will encounter frequent turns throughout the journey.
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 111.3 miles from Lufkin, TX, or about 2h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 132.5 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 49 miles or 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 111.3 miles or 2h 6m 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 26m
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 Lufkin, 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 Lufkin, TX
This is one driving day of about 222.6 miles and 4h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 miles from Lufkin, 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 TX 21 for about 132.5 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 217.1 and 222.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
217.1 mi into trip|~4h 6m in|US 290
Take the exit onto US 290 toward I 35 South, US 290 West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 35 South, US 290 West
8
219.2 mi into trip|~4h 9m in|I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail toward 32nd Street, Dean Keeton Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward 32nd Street, Dean Keeton Street
8
221.6 mi into trip|~4h 12m in
Take the exit toward 8th–3rd Streets, Huston-Tillotson University
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 234B
Toward 8th–3rd Streets, Huston-Tillotson Univer...
6
222 mi into trip|~4h 13m in|East 6th Street
Turn right onto East 6th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
222.6 mi into trip|~4h 15m in|East 5th Street
Turn left onto East 5th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.64 one way
$67.27 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg78 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$36.82
$73.63
premium
$4.54
$39.74
$79.49
diesel
$5.61
$49.15
$98.29
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: 77.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
66.8
0
$23.37
$10.68
Efficient EV
55.7
0
$19.48
$8.90
EV Truck/SUV
89
1
$31.16
$14.25
Gas CO2
78 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 15, 2026
Origin
Lufkin, TX
Late night
in Lufkin on Sunday
Local time
1:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Austin, TX
Late night
in Austin on Sunday
Local time
1:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
63°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
6 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 15m 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?
Expect a hands-on driving experience as you navigate away from Lufkin using West Frank Avenue, North Raguet Street, and Raguet Street. This route features a 0% highway share, meaning you will be dealing with local road conditions for the entire 223.9-mile distance. Because there is no significant highway cruising, your longest uninterrupted stretch on West Frank Avenue is effectively 0 miles, requiring your full attention behind the wheel. The journey maintains a technical, turn-heavy character that contrasts with the typical monotonous interstate grind found elsewhere in Texas. Be prepared for a consistent pace that keeps you engaged with the local road network.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 132.5 mi on TX 21.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on TX 21 and US 290. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 217.1 miles in near US 290.
Driving Effort7/10
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 222.6 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 217.1 miles (US 290): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 219.2 miles (I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 221.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Lufkin is a city in Angelina County, in the Piney Woods region of north-east Texas. It has its origins in railroad lines, as it became a stop along the Houston, East and West Texas Railway in 1882 and a depot where cotton could be stored. Not long after, commerce gave way to the timber industry with several sawmills and the Angelina County Lumber Company operating, which in turn saw the addition of foundries and paper mills.
Even though much of this industry has subsided, Lufkin still holds on with chicken plants, retirement homes, churches, etc, plus a handful of tourist attractions.
One distinction about the area is that it witnessed the demise of the Space Ship Columbia during reentry in 2003, which can be appreciated at the Naranjo Museum.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 15m. Total distance: 222.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 15m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 132.5 miles on TX 21. 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 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 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 217.1 miles (US 290): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 219.2 miles (I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 221.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Austin, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.
