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Trip from Meadows Place, 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 57m
Distance
155.8 mi
251 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 46m
★
6 AM
2h 57m
8 AM
3h 20m
10 AM
3h 5m
12 PM
3h 3m
3 PM
3h 6m
5 PM
3h 19m
8 PM
2h 50m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Meadows Place, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Austin, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 155.8-mile drive from Meadows Place, TX to Austin, TX is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 57 minutes. With a highway share of 91%, you'll spend most of your time on high-speed roads like TX 71 and the Katy Freeway, making for a straightforward journey. The estimated fuel cost for this route is around $24, and you'll encounter one recommended stop along the way. Both your origin and destination are within the Great Plains region, so expect a consistent landscape. This route is ideal for those looking for an efficient transit between these two Texas cities.
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
77.9 miles from Meadows Place, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 30m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| TX 71 | 77.7 mi | 1h 22m |
| Katy Freeway | 48.2 mi | 49m |
| West Grand Parkway South | 10.8 mi | 12m |
| West Airport Boulevard | 7.6 mi | 14m |
| East 7th Street | 2.8 mi | 4m |
| East State Highway 71 | 2.2 mi | 2m |
| Bastrop Freeway | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| Bergstrom Expressway | 0.7 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
TX 71
— 77.7 mi, about 1h 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Meadows Place, TX and Austin, TX.
1
Start on Dorrance Lane
24 ft
·
6 sec
·
Dorrance Lane
2
Turn left onto Amblewood Drive
0.2 mi
·
58 sec
·
Amblewood Drive
3
Turn right onto West Airport Boulevard
7.6 mi
·
14 min
·
West Airport Boulevard
Use the left lane.
4
Turn right onto TX 99
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
West Grand Parkway South Frontage Road
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
Toward TX 99 Toll North
6
Merge onto TX 99 Toll
11 mi
·
12 min
·
West Grand Parkway South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
Toward I 10 West, I 10 East: San Antonio, Houston
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 10 West: San Antonio
Use the slight left lane.
9
Merge onto I 10; US 90
48 mi
·
49 min
·
Katy Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit onto TX 71
0.5 mi
·
33 sec
·
TX 71
Toward TX 71 West: La Grange, Austin
11
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 71
77 mi
·
1 hr 22 min
·
TX 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on 71 Toll
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Bastrop Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on TX 71
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
East State Highway 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 183 North, 183 Toll North: Lampasas
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto US 183
0.4 mi
·
26 sec
·
Bastrop Highway
16
Continue on 183 Toll
0.7 mi
·
40 sec
·
Bergstrom Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
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.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto East 7th Street
2.8 mi
·
4 min
·
East 7th Street
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
19
Turn left onto Brushy Street
352 ft
·
17 sec
·
Brushy Street
20
Turn right onto East 6th Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East 6th Street
21
Turn left onto Congress Avenue
357 ft
·
17 sec
·
Congress Avenue
22
Turn left onto East 5th Street
28 ft
·
0 sec
·
East 5th Street
Use the left lane.
23
Arrive at destination
East 5th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 2 hour and 57 minute duration, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day adventure, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. To make the most of the drive, consider leaving early to avoid potential traffic, especially as you approach Austin. With a fuel cost estimated at $24, planning your refueling in advance is wise, though the 155.8 miles shouldn't necessitate multiple stops. Keep an eye out for the 77.7-mile stretch on TX 71; this is your longest continuous segment, so ensure you're comfortable and have everything you need before embarking on it.
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 77.9 miles from Meadows Place, TX, or about 1h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 77.7 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 34 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 77.9 miles or 1h 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 2h 23m
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 Meadows Place, 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 Meadows Place, TX
This is one driving day of about 155.8 miles and 2h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Meadows Place, 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 71 for about 77.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
78 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 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 77.9 miles from Meadows Place, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before TX 71 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 77.7 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.
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
Love's Travel Stop
0.3 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
Colorado County Eastbound Rest Area
2.1 mi from route
Colorado County Westbound Rest Area
2.1 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
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
First break
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Katy, Texas
Hours: 6 am–9 pm
+12813914840
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
Play Street Museum - Katy
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
First break
2.9 mi from route
~7 min detour
Katy, Texas
Hours: 8:30 am–6 pm
+12816664217
Visit websiteAndretti Indoor Karting & Games Katy
4.1
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the start, short detour
First break
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Katy, Texas
Hours: 11 am–11 pm
+18329742201
Visit websiteFort Bend Children's Discovery Center
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, ~9 min detour
3.6 mi from route
~9 min detour
Sugar Land, Texas
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+18327422800
Visit websiteEscape Again Rooms
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, ~11 min detour
4.4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Sugar Land, Texas
Hours: 4–10 pm
+18329994572
Visit websiteBarton 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 websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 185 decision points cluster between mile 19 and 155.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
19 mi into trip
|
~28m in
Take the exit toward I 10 West, I 10 East: San Antonio, Houston
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 I 10 West, I 10 East: San Antonio, Houst...
7
19.4 mi into trip
|
~29m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 10 West: San Antonio
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 10 West: San Antonio
7
150.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 47m 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
151.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 49m 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...
7
155.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 57m in
|
East 5th Street
Turn left onto East 5th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.54 one way
$47.08 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
55 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $25.77 | $51.54 |
| premium | $4.54 | $27.82 | $55.63 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $34.40 | $68.80 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 54.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 46.7 | 0 | $16.36 | $7.48 |
| Efficient EV | 39 | 0 | $13.63 | $6.23 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 62.3 | 0 | $21.81 | $9.97 |
Gas CO2
55 kg
EV CO2
18 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.
Origin
Meadows Place, TX
Morning in Meadows Place on Tuesday
Local time
10:42 AM
CDT
Current temp
89°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Austin, TX
Morning in Austin on Tuesday
Local time
10:42 AM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
ENE 5 mph
77% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued April 20 at 5:15PM CDT until April 20 at 6:00PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 20 at 5:02PM 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
26 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
2h 57m 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 155.8-mile trip, with a substantial 91% of your journey on major roadways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 77.7 miles, primarily on TX 71, offering a good period of steady cruising. This route is characterized by its efficiency, utilizing roads like the Katy Freeway and West Grand Parkway South before transitioning to TX 71. The driving experience is largely about covering distance with minimal interruption, making it a predictable and relatively fast transit.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 77.7 mi on TX 71.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on TX 71 and Katy Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 19 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 18 significant decision points across 155.8 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 19 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 19.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 150.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Meadows Place, TX to Austin, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Houston along the way.
Houston
19 mi in
|
~28m
About the Cities
Starting in Meadows Place, TX
Full guide →Founded 1967
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 57m. Total distance: 155.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 57m 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 77.7 miles on TX 71. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 1 meaningful breaks. There are 9 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 19 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 19.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 150.2 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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