Origin
Madisonville, TX
Late night in Madisonville on Tuesday
Local time
5:37 AM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Madisonville, TX to Austin, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 39m
Distance
138 mi
222 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 29m
★
6 AM
2h 39m
8 AM
3h 0m
10 AM
2h 46m
12 PM
2h 44m
3 PM
2h 48m
5 PM
2h 59m
8 PM
2h 33m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Madisonville, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Austin, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 138-mile journey from Madisonville, TX to Austin, TX is a straightforward, one-day drive, typically taking about 2 hours and 39 minutes. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, with about 70% of the route being highway driving. With an estimated fuel cost of $21, this trip is quite budget-friendly. The drive is primarily focused on getting you efficiently from the Great Plains region of East Texas to the Great Plains region of Central Texas. Given its manageable length and duration, it's an ideal candidate for a single-day excursion, allowing you to arrive in Austin with plenty of time to spare.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
69 miles from Madisonville, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 18m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| West State Highway 21 | 58.8 mi | 1h 4m |
| East Main Street | 35.4 mi | 40m |
| US 290 | 31.8 mi | 37m |
| Manor Expressway | 6.1 mi | 6m |
| Purple Heart Trail | 3.4 mi | 4m |
| San Jacinto Avenue | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| East 6th Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| North Interstate 35 | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
West State Highway 21
— 58.8 mi, about 1h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Madisonville, TX and Austin, TX.
1
Start on US 190; TX 21
35 mi
·
40 min
·
East Main Street
2
Continue on TX 21
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
San Jacinto Avenue
3
Continue on TX 21
59 mi
·
1 hr 4 min
·
West State Highway 21
4
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
5
Merge onto US 290
7.7 mi
·
8 min
·
US 290
6
Continue on US 290
21 mi
·
25 min
·
US 290
7
Continue on 290 Toll
6.1 mi
·
6 min
·
Manor Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Continue on US 290
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
US 290
9
Take the exit onto US 290
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
US 290
Toward I 35 South, US 290 West
Use the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto I 35; US 290
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35; US 290
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Toward 32nd Street, Dean Keeton Street
Use the slight left lane.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Exit 234B
Toward 8th–3rd Streets, Huston-Tillotson University
Use the slight right lane.
13
Turn straight onto North Interstate 35
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
North Interstate 35
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Turn right onto East 6th Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
East 6th Street
Use the right lane.
15
Turn left onto Congress Avenue
357 ft
·
17 sec
·
Congress Avenue
16
Turn left onto East 5th Street
28 ft
·
0 sec
·
East 5th Street
Use the left lane.
17
Arrive at destination
East 5th Street
Trip Plan
For this relatively short 2-hour and 39-minute drive, flexibility is key. You can easily depart Madisonville in the morning and arrive in Austin well before lunchtime, or opt for a leisurely afternoon departure. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $21, your primary consideration will be managing your time. Pay attention to road signs as you transition between West State Highway 21, East Main Street, and US 290, as these changes mark the shift in road character. Keep an eye on traffic as you approach the Austin metropolitan area.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 69 miles from Madisonville, TX, or about 1h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 58.8 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 30 miles or 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 69 miles or 1h 18m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 8m
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 Madisonville, 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 Madisonville, TX
This is one driving day of about 138 miles and 2h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 miles from Madisonville, 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 West State Highway 21 for about 58.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
69 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 30 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 69 miles from Madisonville, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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 132.5 and 138 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
132.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 30m 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
134.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 33m 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
137 mi into trip
|
~2h 36m 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
137.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 37m in
|
East 6th Street
Turn right onto East 6th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
138 mi into trip
|
~2h 39m in
|
East 5th Street
Turn left onto East 5th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.85 one way
$41.70 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
48 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $22.82 | $45.65 |
| premium | $4.54 | $24.64 | $49.28 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $30.47 | $60.94 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 48.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 41.4 | 0 | $14.49 | $6.62 |
| Efficient EV | 34.5 | 0 | $12.08 | $5.52 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 55.2 | 0 | $19.32 | $8.83 |
Gas CO2
48 kg
EV CO2
16 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
Austin, TX
Late night in Austin on Tuesday
Local time
5:37 AM
CDT
Current temp
89°F
Partly Sunny
S 5 to 10 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
82°F
Lexington, TX
69 mi in
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
9 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 39m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this 138-mile trip, with 70% of your time spent on well-maintained roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is a substantial 58.8 miles along West State Highway 21, offering a consistent pace. The route blends efficient highway travel with sections that feel more like navigating through local thoroughfares, as evidenced by the use of East Main Street and US 290. This mix means you'll experience both speed and a more grounded sense of place as you progress towards Austin.
70% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 58.8 mi on West State Highway 21.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on West State Highway 21 and East Main Street. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 132.5 miles in near US 290.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 138 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 132.5 miles (US 290): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 134.6 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 137 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
About the Cities
Starting in Madisonville, TX
Full guide →Top landmarks
- • Woodbine Hotel and Restaurant — historic place in Madisonville, Madison County, Texas
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 2h 39m. Total distance: 138 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (70%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 58.8 miles on West State Highway 21. 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 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 132.5 miles (US 290): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 134.6 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 137 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Austin, 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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