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Trip from Mount Vernon, TX to Austin, TX

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 15m

Distance

297.6 mi

479 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$45

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
5h 2m ★
6 AM
5h 15m
8 AM
5h 42m
10 AM
5h 25m
12 PM
5h 22m
3 PM
5h 26m
5 PM
5h 41m
8 PM
5h 7m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Mount Vernon, TX, TX

Mount Vernon, TX

Jeff Stapleton

Downtown Austin, TX, TX

Austin, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 297.6-mile journey from Mount Vernon, TX, to Austin, TX, is designed for a single day of travel, taking approximately 5 hours and 15 minutes. You'll primarily navigate major interstates, with 86% of the drive on highways, making it a straightforward, highway-focused experience. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $45. Given its manageable length and interstate routing, this route is well-suited as a day trip, allowing for flexibility in your departure and arrival times. You'll be traveling across the Great Plains region of Texas for the entirety of this drive.

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

148.8 miles from Mount Vernon, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 38m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 30 100 mi 1h 44m
South R L Thornton Freeway 89.9 mi 1h 32m
I 35 55.8 mi 58m
Purple Heart Trail 40.3 mi 42m
North Jack Kultgen Expressway 6.6 mi 7m
State Highway 37 South 1.8 mi 3m
East Main Street 0.6 mi 1m
East 6th Street 0.5 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 30 — 100 mi, about 1h 44m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Mount Vernon, TX and Austin, TX.

1

Start on US 67

0.6 mi · 1 min · East Main Street
2

Turn left onto US 67; TX 37

1.8 mi · 3 min · State Highway 37 South
3

Turn right onto West Interstate 30

0.3 mi · 49 sec · West Interstate 30
4

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 20 sec
5

Merge onto I 30

100 mi · 1 hr 44 min · I 30
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Exit 46A Toward I 35E: Denton, Waco Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 14 sec
Toward I 35E South, I 35E North: Waco, Denton
8

Keep slight left at fork

221 ft · 5 sec
Toward I 35E North, I 35E South: Denton, Waco Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 30 sec
Toward I 35E South: Waco Use the left / right lanes.
10

Continue on I 35E

0.5 mi · 44 sec · South R L Thornton Freeway
11

Continue on I 35E

89 mi · 1 hr 31 min · South R L Thornton Freeway
Exit 426 Toward Dallas Zoo Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Continue on I 35; US 77

6.6 mi · 7 min · North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Continue on I 35

38 mi · 39 min · Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Keep slight left at fork onto I 35

56 mi · 58 min · I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

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.
16

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 26 sec
Exit 234B Toward 8th–3rd Streets, Huston-Tillotson University Use the slight right lane.
17

Turn straight onto North Interstate 35

0.2 mi · 27 sec · North Interstate 35
Use the straight / right lanes.
18

Turn right onto East 6th Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · East 6th Street
Use the right lane.
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 5-hour, 15-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Mount Vernon to bypass potential traffic as you approach Austin. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost of about $45, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 100 miles on I-30, so plan your fuel and rest breaks accordingly before you embark on that segment. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you get closer to Austin, where services can sometimes be more spread out between exits.

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 148.8 miles from Mount Vernon, TX, or about 2h 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 100 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 65 miles or 1h 10m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 148.8 miles or 2h 38m 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 17m

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 Mount Vernon, 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 Mount Vernon, TX

This is one driving day of about 297.6 miles and 5h 15m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 65 miles from Mount Vernon, 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 30 for about 100 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

town in Ellis County, Texas, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Italy, TX

149 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

Nevada, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 65 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Italy, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 148.8 miles from Mount Vernon, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 30 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 100 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Austin Bat Tours

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 297.6

Austin, Texas

Hours: 9 am–10 pm

Visit website

NTER - The Great Escape

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 127.6

Waxahachie, Texas

Hours: 5–9 pm

+12149801053

Visit website

Botanical Gates of Paradise

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 297.6

Austin, Texas

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

City Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 106.3

Dallas, Texas

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+19724823055

Visit website

Barton Creek Greenbelt

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 297.6

Austin, Texas

Hours: 5 am–10 pm

+15129746700

Visit website

Doris D Miller Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 191.3

Waco, Texas

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

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 102.9 and 296.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
102.9 mi into trip | ~1h 50m in

Take the exit toward I 35E: Denton, Waco

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. Exit 46A Toward I 35E: Denton, Waco
9
103.6 mi into trip | ~1h 51m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 35E North, I 35E South: Denton, Waco

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 35E North, I 35E South: Denton, Waco
7
103.7 mi into trip | ~1h 51m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 35E South: Waco

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the left / right lanes. Toward I 35E South: Waco
8
294.3 mi into trip | ~5h 10m 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
296.7 mi into trip | ~5h 13m 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...

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$44.97 one way

$89.94 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 104 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.20 $49.22 $98.44
premium $4.54 $53.13 $106.27
diesel $5.61 $65.71 $131.41

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$45

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$70–$95

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 104.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 89.3 1 $31.25 $14.28
Efficient EV 74.4 0 $26.04 $11.90
EV Truck/SUV 119 1 $41.66 $19.05

Gas CO2

104 kg

EV CO2

35 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 17, 2026

Origin

Mount Vernon, TX

Morning in Mount Vernon on Sunday

Local time

11:11 AM

CDT

Current temp

57°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Austin, TX

Morning in Austin on Sunday

Local time

11:11 AM

CDT

Current temp

70°F

Partly Cloudy

SSE 5 to 10 mph 0% chance Live forecast

59°F

Italy, TX

149 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

13 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

5h 15m 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

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...

4 mi from route ~11 min detour Free near mile 195
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a predominantly highway-driven experience on this route, with I-30 and I-35 forming the backbone of your journey. The highway share is high at 86%, meaning you'll spend most of your time on fast-paced interstates. You'll encounter one significant stretch of 100 miles on I-30 without needing to exit, offering a consistent driving pace. The South R L Thornton Freeway also plays a role in navigating urban areas. This drive offers a consistent feel, largely characterized by interstate travel rather than winding backroads.

86% 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: 100 mi on I 30.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 30 and South R L Thornton Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 102.9 miles in.

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 15 significant decision points across 297.6 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 102.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 103.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 103.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Mount Vernon, TX and Austin, TX, road signs point toward Waco, Denton and Dallas Zoo.

Waco

102.9 mi in | ~1h 50m

Denton

103.5 mi in | ~1h 51m

Dallas Zoo

104.6 mi in | ~1h 52m | via I 35E

About the Cities

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 5h 15m. Total distance: 297.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 15m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 100 miles on I 30. 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 102.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 103.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 103.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Not recommended in a single day. At 5.3 hours each way, a round trip means 10.5 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.

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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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