Embark on a 289.4-mile journey from Marshall, Texas, to Austin, Texas, that will take approximately 5 hours and 24 minutes. This drive is primarily highway-focused, with 69% of the route on major roadways, making it a manageable one-day trip. You'll primarily travel on State Highway 31 East and I-35, with a segment on Purple Heart Trail. With an estimated fuel cost of $44, this route offers a straightforward path through the Great Plains region of Texas. Consider this a practical option if you're looking for an efficient drive between these two points.
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
144.7 miles from Marshall, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 47m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
State Highway 31 East
59.9 mi
1h 9m
I 35
55.8 mi
58m
Purple Heart Trail
40.3 mi
42m
I 20
21.2 mi
21m
West State Highway 31
18.8 mi
21m
State Highway 31
17.2 mi
17m
Corsicana Bypass
11.8 mi
13m
State Highway 31 West
9.7 mi
11m
Longest stretch:
State Highway 31 East
— 59.9 mi, about 1h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Marshall, TX and Austin, TX.
1
Start on West Houston Street
342 ft·12 sec·West Houston Street
2
At end of road, turn left onto South Bolivar Street
0.3 mi·48 sec·South Bolivar Street
3
Turn left onto US 80
4.8 mi·5 min·East Grand Avenue
4
Turn left onto FM 968
2.7 mi·3 min·FM 968
5
Turn left onto FM 3251
0.7 mi·58 sec·FM 3251
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·44 sec
7
Merge onto I 20
21 mi·21 min·I 20
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward US 259 South, SH 31 West: Kilgore, Henderson
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·15 sec
Toward US 259 South, SH 31 West: Kilgore, Henderson
10
Continue on US 259; TX 31
0.6 mi·41 sec·US Highway 259 North
11
Keep slight right at fork onto US 259 Business; TX 31
1.3 mi·1 min·US Highway 259 Business North
12
Turn right onto TX 31
29 mi·34 min·State Highway 31 East
13
Continue on TX 31
1.9 mi·2 min·Chandler Highway
14
Continue on TX 31
5.6 mi·6 min·State Highway 31 West
15
Continue on TX 31
2.0 mi·2 min·East Highway 31
16
Continue on TX 31
21 mi·23 min·State Highway 31 East
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·45 sec
18
Merge onto US 175; TX 19; TX 31; Loop 7
6.2 mi·7 min·Jed Robinson Loop
19
Take the exit
0.1 mi·21 sec
20
Keep slight left at fork
445 ft·14 sec
21
Turn right onto TX 31
4.0 mi·4 min·State Highway 31 West
22
Continue on TX 31
5.4 mi·6 min·East Royall Boulevard
23
Continue on TX 31
9.9 mi·11 min·State Highway 31 East
24
Continue on TX 31
9.3 mi·10 min·Northwest 2nd Street
25
Turn left onto TX 31
12 mi·13 min·Corsicana Bypass
Use the straight lane.
26
At end of road, turn left onto TX 31
19 mi·21 min·West State Highway 31
27
Continue on TX 31
5.5 mi·5 min·Hubbard Bypass
28
Continue on TX 31
17 mi·17 min·State Highway 31
29
Continue on US 84
2.5 mi·2 min·East US Highway 84
30
Continue on US 84
2.6 mi·4 min·Bellmead Drive
31
Turn straight onto US 84
0.4 mi·1 min·East Waco Drive
32
Turn left onto North Jack Kultgen Expressway
519 ft·12 sec·North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the left / straight lanes.
33
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward I 35 South, US 77 South
34
Merge onto I 35; US 77
6.1 mi·6 min·North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
35
Continue on I 35
38 mi·39 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
36
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
56 mi·58 min·I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
37
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.
38
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 234BToward 8th–3rd Streets, Huston-Tillotson UniversityUse the slight right lane.
39
Turn straight onto North Interstate 35
0.2 mi·27 sec·North Interstate 35
Use the straight / right lanes.
40
Turn right onto East 6th Street
0.5 mi·1 min·East 6th Street
Use the right lane.
41
Turn left onto Congress Avenue
357 ft·17 sec·Congress Avenue
42
Turn left onto East 5th Street
28 ft·0 sec·East 5th Street
Use the left lane.
43
Arrive at destination
East 5th Street
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour and 24-minute drive, departing in the morning is recommended to maximize daylight and allow for flexibility. With only one recommended stop, you can strategically plan for a longer break or push through to Austin. Be mindful of the longest stretch of 59.9 miles on State Highway 31 East, and ensure you have sufficient fuel before entering that segment, as services might be more spaced out. The overall fuel cost is estimated at $44, which is quite reasonable for a single-day trip of this distance.
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 144.7 miles from Marshall, TX, or about 2h 47m 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 64 miles or 1h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 144.7 miles or 2h 47m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 27m
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 Marshall, 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 Marshall, TX
This is one driving day of about 289.4 miles and 5h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 miles from Marshall, 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 26
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 289.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|South Bolivar Street
At end of road, turn left onto South Bolivar Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
7
30.3 mi into trip|~34m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 259 South, SH 31 West: Kilgore, Henderson
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 259 South, SH 31 West: Kilgore, Hende...
8
286.1 mi into trip|~5h 19m 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
288.5 mi into trip|~5h 22m 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...
7
289.4 mi into trip|~5h 24m in|East 5th Street
Turn left onto East 5th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$43.73 one way
$87.46 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg101 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$47.86
$95.73
premium
$4.54
$51.67
$103.34
diesel
$5.61
$63.90
$127.79
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 101.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
86.8
1
$30.39
$13.89
Efficient EV
72.4
0
$25.32
$11.58
EV Truck/SUV
115.8
1
$40.52
$18.52
Gas CO2
101 kg
EV CO2
34 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Marshall, TX
Night
in Marshall on Saturday
Local time
9:44 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Austin, TX
Night
in Austin on Saturday
Local time
9:44 PM
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
11 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 24m 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...
6 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 196.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive leans heavily towards highway travel, with a substantial 69% of the journey on major roads. You'll experience a longest uninterrupted stretch of 59.9 miles on State Highway 31 East, offering a solid period of consistent driving. While much of the route is highway-focused, expect a mix of conditions as you transition between State Highway 31 East and the I-35 corridor. The character of the drive will shift from potentially more rural highway sections to the busier, faster pace of interstate travel as you approach Austin.
69% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
43 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 is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on State Highway 31 East and I 35. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near South Bolivar Street.
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 26 significant decision points across 289.4 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 0.1 miles (South Bolivar Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 30.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 286.1 miles (I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Marshall, TX and Austin, TX, road signs point toward Sh 31 West: Kilgore and Henderson.
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 5h 24m. Total distance: 289.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
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 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 0.1 miles (South Bolivar Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 30.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 286.1 miles (I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.4 hours each way, a round trip means 10.8 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.
