Chambers County Westbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Mauriceville, TX to Austin, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 59m
Distance
264.2 mi
425 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$36
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 46m
★
6 AM
4h 59m
8 AM
5h 26m
10 AM
5h 9m
12 PM
5h 6m
3 PM
5h 10m
5 PM
5h 25m
8 PM
4h 51m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Mauriceville, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Austin, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Mauriceville, TX to Austin, TX is 264.2 miles and takes about 4h 59m via I 10 and TX 71, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Texas, passing through the Great Plains region for its entirety. Given its mostly highway profile and single-day recommendation, it’s a straightforward trip for those looking to cover ground efficiently. Plan for a solid block of driving, but with under five hours on the road, it’s manageable for most drivers.
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
132.1 miles from Mauriceville, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 33m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 10 | 92.2 mi | 1h 44m |
| TX 71 | 77.7 mi | 1h 22m |
| Katy Freeway | 74.4 mi | 1h 21m |
| TX 12 | 8.1 mi | 12m |
| East 7th Street | 2.8 mi | 4m |
| East State Highway 71 | 2.2 mi | 2m |
| Bastrop Freeway | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| FM 1130 | 1.9 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 92.2 mi, about 1h 44m
Traffic on I-10
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 60 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
7 AM
~4,887 veh/hr typical · worst 5,738
Quietest
2 AM
~583 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 51 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 Mauriceville, TX and Austin, TX.
1
Start on FM 1130
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
FM 1130
2
At end of road, turn right onto FM 1136
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
Old Buna Road
3
Turn left onto TX 12
7.9 mi
·
11 min
·
TX 12
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Take the ramp onto TX 12
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
·
TX 12
Toward I 10 West, US 90 West: Houston
5
Merge onto I 10; US 90
9.2 mi
·
10 min
·
I 10; US 90
6
Continue on I 10; US 69; US 96; US 287
83 mi
·
1 hr 34 min
·
I 10; US 69; US 96; US 287
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 10; US 90
74 mi
·
1 hr 21 min
·
Katy Freeway
Use the straight lane.
8
Take the exit onto TX 71
0.5 mi
·
33 sec
·
TX 71
Toward TX 71 West: La Grange, Austin
9
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 71
77 mi
·
1 hr 22 min
·
TX 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on 71 Toll
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Bastrop Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on TX 71
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
East State Highway 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 183 North, 183 Toll North: Lampasas
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto US 183
0.4 mi
·
26 sec
·
Bastrop Highway
14
Continue on 183 Toll
0.7 mi
·
40 sec
·
Bergstrom Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
54 sec
Toward Loop 111: Cesar Chavez Street, 5th Street, 6th Street, 7th Street, Airport Boulevard
Use the right lane.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto East 7th Street
2.8 mi
·
4 min
·
East 7th Street
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
17
Turn left onto Brushy Street
352 ft
·
17 sec
·
Brushy Street
18
Turn right onto East 6th Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East 6th Street
19
Turn left onto Congress Avenue
357 ft
·
17 sec
·
Congress Avenue
20
Turn left onto East 5th Street
28 ft
·
0 sec
·
East 5th Street
Use the left lane.
21
Arrive at destination
East 5th Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 4h 59m drive, aim to depart Mauriceville early to avoid potential afternoon traffic closer to Austin. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $38, you have flexibility in pacing. The longest stretch without exiting is over 92 miles on I 10, so ensure you have sufficient fuel before embarking on that segment. Since this is a single-day trip, you can adjust your departure time based on your preference for morning or afternoon driving.
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 132.1 miles from Mauriceville, TX, or about 2h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 92.2 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 58 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 132.1 miles or 2h 33m 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 4m
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 Mauriceville, 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 Mauriceville, TX
This is one driving day of about 264.2 miles and 4h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Mauriceville, 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 I 10 for about 92.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
132 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 58 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 132.1 miles from Mauriceville, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 10 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 92.2 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.
Chambers County Eastbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.3 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.5 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
1.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
1.5 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
1.6 mi from route
Road Ranger
1.7 mi from route
Colorado County Eastbound Rest Area
2.1 mi from route
Colorado County Westbound Rest Area
2.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
2.4 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 websiteKaty Heritage Park
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
1.4 mi from route
~4 min detour
Katy, Texas
Hours: 6 am–9 pm
+12813914840
Visit websiteImagination Station
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
First break
1.7 mi from route
~4 min detour
Beaumont, Texas
Hours: 7 am–10 pm
+14098611929
Visit websiteRoger's Park
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
First break
2.2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Beaumont, Texas
Hours: 7 am–9 pm
+14098611929
Visit websiteWorld’s Largest Working Fire Hydrant
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
First break
2.2 mi from route
~6 min detour
Beaumont, Texas
Hours: Open 24 hours
+14098803927
Visit websiteBeaumont Children's Museum
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
First break
2.5 mi from route
~6 min detour
Beaumont, Texas
Hours: 9 am–4 pm
+14093477919
Visit websiteBeaumont Escape Room
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
First break
2.2 mi from route
~6 min detour
Beaumont, Texas
Hours: 12–7 pm
+14097293300
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
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 145 decision points cluster between mile 177.4 and 264.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
177.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 22m in
|
TX 71
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 71
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
258.6 mi into trip
|
~4h 49m in
Take the exit toward US 183 North, 183 Toll North: Lampasas
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 183 North, 183 Toll North: Lampasas
7
260.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 51m in
Take the exit toward Loop 111: Cesar Chavez Street, 5th Street, 6th Street, 7th Street, Airport Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward Loop 111: Cesar Chavez Street, 5th Stree...
6
260.7 mi into trip
|
~4h 52m in
|
East 7th Street
Keep slight left at fork onto East 7th Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
7
264.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 59m in
|
East 5th Street
Turn left onto East 5th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.19 one way
$72.37 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
92 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $40.42 | $80.84 |
| premium | $4.23 | $43.95 | $87.89 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $49.89 | $99.77 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 79.3 | 0 | $27.74 | $12.68 |
| Efficient EV | 66.1 | 0 | $23.12 | $10.57 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 105.7 | 1 | $36.99 | $16.91 |
Gas CO2
92 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (66% 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.
Origin
Mauriceville, TX
Evening in Mauriceville on Monday
Local time
8:19 PM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Mostly Cloudy
0 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 1:41AM CDT until July 21 at 11:48PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 1:40AM CDT until July 22 at 9:50AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Austin, TX
Evening in Austin on Monday
Local time
8:19 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 5 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 1:41AM CDT until July 21 at 11:48PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 1:40AM CDT until July 22 at 9:50AM 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
2 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 59m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is overwhelmingly on highways, with a 98% highway share. You'll spend most of your time on I 10, including a significant stretch of 92.2 miles without needing to exit. The transition to surface roads will happen late in the trip as you approach Austin, primarily on TX 71 and the Katy Freeway. Expect a consistent cruising experience with minimal interruptions for much of the drive.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 92.2 mi on I 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and TX 71. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 177.4 miles in near TX 71.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 264.2 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 177.4 miles (TX 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 258.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 260.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
565 ft
18 ft
Total Climb
569 ft
Total Descent
106 ft
Highest Point
565 ft
~245.4 mi in
Elevation Range
548 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Mauriceville, 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 4h 59m. Total distance: 264.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 92.2 miles on I 10. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 27 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 1 meaningful breaks. There are 27 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 177.4 miles (TX 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 258.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 260.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 5.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 10.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Austin, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.
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.
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