Traveling from Memphis to Austin covers 404.8 miles and typically takes about 6 hours and 38 minutes of time behind the wheel. Because this journey stays entirely within the Great Plains region of Texas, you will notice a consistent landscape as you head south. With a fuel budget of approximately $60, it is a manageable trip to complete in a single day if you start early. While the route involves navigating through local streets like Burnett Street and Avenue F Northwest, the overall experience is straightforward enough to tackle without an overnight stay. You should expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate cruise, so plan your schedule accordingly to account for slower speeds through various town centers.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
220 miles from Memphis, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 55m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Central East Freeway
99.2 mi
1h 46m
North South Freeway
84.6 mi
1h 27m
US Highway 287
81.8 mi
1h 27m
I 35
55.8 mi
58m
US Highway 287 East
40.5 mi
42m
Purple Heart Trail
40.3 mi
42m
North Jack Kultgen Expressway
6.6 mi
7m
Northwest Freeway
5.2 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
Central East Freeway
— 99.2 mi, about 1h 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Memphis, TX and Austin, TX.
1
Start on US 287
0.5 mi·35 sec·Boykin Drive
2
Turn slight right onto US 287
14 mi·13 min·US Highway 287
3
Continue on US 287
0.7 mi·58 sec·Burnett Street
4
Continue on US 287
14 mi·14 min·US Highway 287
5
Continue on US 287
2.8 mi·3 min·Avenue F Northwest
6
Continue on US 287
54 mi·58 min·US Highway 287
7
Continue on US 287
4.1 mi·4 min·Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on US 70; US 183; US 287
41 mi·42 min·US Highway 287 East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on US 287
4.6 mi·4 min·Northwest Freeway
10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 287
0.6 mi·42 sec·Northwest Freeway
Toward I 44 West, US 277 South, US 281 South, US 287 South: Wichita Falls
11
Merge onto I 44; US 277; US 281; US 287
2.5 mi·3 min·Central Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on US 277; US 281; US 287
0.9 mi·1 min·Lloyd Ruby Overpass
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on US 281; US 287
0.9 mi·1 min·Central East Freeway
14
Keep slight right at fork onto US 82; US 287
1.8 mi·1 min·Central East Freeway
15
Keep slight right at fork onto US 82; US 287
97 mi·1 hr 43 min·Central East Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on US 81; US 287
4.6 mi·4 min·US 81; US 287
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Merge onto I 35W; US 287
4.5 mi·4 min·North Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.6 mi·33 sec
Toward I 35W Express Toll SouthUse the slight left lane.
19
Merge onto I 35W TEXpress
4.0 mi·3 min·I 35W TEXpress
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Merge onto I 35W
85 mi·1 hr 27 min·North South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on I 35; US 77
6.6 mi·7 min·North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on I 35
38 mi·39 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
56 mi·58 min·I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
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.
25
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 234BToward 8th–3rd Streets, Huston-Tillotson UniversityUse the slight right lane.
26
Turn straight onto North Interstate 35
0.2 mi·27 sec·North Interstate 35
Use the straight / right lanes.
27
Turn right onto East 6th Street
0.5 mi·1 min·East 6th Street
Use the right lane.
28
Turn left onto Congress Avenue
357 ft·17 sec·Congress Avenue
29
Turn left onto East 5th Street
28 ft·0 sec·East 5th Street
Use the left lane.
30
Arrive at destination
East 5th Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 6-hour and 38-minute drive, plan to depart early in the morning to avoid fatigue on the more technical sections of the road. Since this is a turn-heavy route, having a reliable GPS is essential to navigate the transitions between Burnett Street, Avenue F Northwest, and other local connectors. You should budget for at least one planned stop to stretch your legs and refuel, keeping your $60 fuel estimate in mind. Given that there are no long highway stretches to zone out on, use your one required stop to reset your focus for the remaining local segments. Staying flexible with your pace is your biggest advantage here, as the lack of high-speed interstate miles means your travel time can fluctuate depending on local traffic.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 220 miles from Memphis, TX, or about 3h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.2 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 97 miles or 1h 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 220 miles or 3h 55m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 43m
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 Memphis, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Memphis, TX
This is one driving day of about 440.1 miles and 7h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 97 miles from Memphis, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Central East Freeway for about 99.2 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 135 and 440.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
135 mi into trip|~2h 23m in|US 287 / Northwest Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 287 / Northwest Freeway toward I 44 West, US 277 South, US 281 South, US 287 South: Wichita Falls
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 44 West, US 277 South, US 281 South, U...
6
141.5 mi into trip|~2h 31m in|US 82; US 287 / Central East Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 82; US 287 / Central East Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
436.7 mi into trip|~7h 43m 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
439.1 mi into trip|~7h 46m 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
440.1 mi into trip|~7h 48m in|East 5th Street
Turn left onto East 5th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$66.50 one way
$133.00 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg154 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$72.79
$145.58
premium
$4.54
$78.58
$157.15
diesel
$5.61
$97.17
$194.34
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$67
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$92–$117
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 154 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $46 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
132
1
$46.21
$21.12
Efficient EV
110
1
$38.51
$17.60
EV Truck/SUV
176
2
$61.61
$28.17
Gas CO2
154 kg
EV CO2
51 kg (67% 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
Memphis, TX
Night
in Memphis on Saturday
Local time
11:16 PM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Austin, TX
Night
in Austin on Saturday
Local time
11:16 PM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
61°F
Saginaw, TX
220 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
7 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
7h 48m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 333.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a unique driving experience that differs significantly from a standard interstate slog. This route is defined by its turn-heavy local nature, requiring you to stay alert as you navigate through various stretches rather than relying on long, monotonous highway cruising. Interestingly, the highway share for this trip is 0%, emphasizing the winding, localized feel of the journey. You will not find any long, uninterrupted stretches of highway, as the longest stretch on Highway 287 is 0 miles. Consequently, the drive demands your full attention, providing a more tactile experience behind the wheel as you transition between local roads.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 99.2 mi on Central East Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Central East Freeway and North South Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 135 miles in near US 287 / Northwest Freeway.
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 15 significant decision points across 440.1 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 135 miles (US 287 / Northwest Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 141.5 miles (US 82; US 287 / Central East Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 436.7 miles (I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 7h 48m. Total distance: 440.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 48m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 99.2 miles on Central East Freeway. 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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 135 miles (US 287 / Northwest Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 141.5 miles (US 82; US 287 / Central East Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 436.7 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 7.8 hours each way, a round trip means 15.6 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.
