Trip from Olivarez, TX to Austin, TX

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

Drive Time

5h 51m

Distance

314.4 mi

506 km

Drive Score

10/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$43

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min

4 AM

5h 39m ★

6 AM

5h 52m

8 AM

6h 18m

10 AM

6h 1m

12 PM

5h 58m

3 PM

6h 2m

5 PM

6h 17m

8 PM

5h 44m

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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Olivarez, TX

Fernando Capetillo

Austin, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Olivarez, TX to Austin, TX is 314.4 miles and takes about 5h 51m via I 69C and US 281, with a fuel budget near $46 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Great Plains region of Texas, offering a straightforward drive. You'll primarily be on highways, making it a practical choice for a single-day excursion. Consider this route if you're looking for an efficient way to cover the distance between these two Texas locations without extensive planning.

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

157.2 miles from Olivarez, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 58m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 69C	141.7 mi	2h 35m
US 281	61 mi	1h 2m
Purple Heart Trail	58.6 mi	1h 3m
Nueces Street	14.7 mi	18m
Connally Loop	10.6 mi	12m
North Pan Am Expressway	10.2 mi	11m
Edinburg Avenue	6.1 mi	9m
North Texas Boulevard	4 mi	5m

Longest stretch: I 69C — 141.7 mi, about 2h 35m

Traffic on I-35

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 14 FHWA count stations on your route.

Peak

3 PM

~4,203 veh/hr typical

Quietest

3 AM

~766 veh/hr

Peak-to-quiet ratio

5.5×

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 Olivarez, TX and Austin, TX.

Start on FM 88

4.0 mi · 5 min · North Texas Boulevard

Continue on FM 88

0.5 mi · 51 sec · South Broadway Street

Turn left onto TX 107

6.1 mi · 9 min · Edinburg Avenue

Turn right onto FM 2128

0.9 mi · 1 min · Richardson Road

Continue on FM 2128

0.5 mi · 40 sec · East Schunior Street

Continue on FM 2128

0.8 mi · 1 min · East Richardson Street

Continue on FM 2128

1.2 mi · 1 min · East Richardson Road

Turn right onto North Expressway 281

181 ft · 3 sec · North Expressway 281

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 35 sec

Toward I 69C North, US 281 North

Merge onto I 69C; US 281

71 mi · 1 hr 15 min · I 69C; US 281

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 69C; US 281

70 mi · 1 hr 19 min · I 69C; US 281

Keep slight left at fork onto US 281

15 mi · 18 min · Nueces Street

Continue on US 281

0.2 mi · 15 sec · US 281

Take the exit onto US 281

61 mi · 1 hr 2 min · US 281

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 23 sec

Exit 133 Toward I 410, TX 130, US 281 South Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight right at fork

0.5 mi · 58 sec

Toward I 410 North, TX 130 North Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 410; TX 130

11 mi · 12 min · Connally Loop

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 35; I 410

2.8 mi · 3 min · North Pan Am Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto North Pan Am Expressway

7.4 mi · 8 min · North Pan Am Expressway

Toward I 35: Austin Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 35

12 mi · 12 min · Purple Heart Trail

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 35

1.9 mi · 2 min · Interstate Highway 35

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 35

47 mi · 50 min · Purple Heart Trail

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 24 sec

Exit 234C Toward 6th - 12th Streets Use the slight right lane.

Turn left onto East 6th Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · East 6th Street

Turn left onto Congress Avenue

357 ft · 17 sec · Congress Avenue

Turn left onto East 5th Street

28 ft · 0 sec · East 5th Street

Use the left lane.

Arrive at destination

East 5th Street

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 5h 51m drive, aim to depart from Olivarez in the morning to allow ample time for potential traffic as you approach Austin. With a total distance of 314.4 miles, you could comfortably complete this in one day, but a single stop is factored into the plan. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 141.7-mile stretch on I 69C, as services might be less frequent than in more urban areas. The fuel cost is estimated at $46, so factor that into your budget.

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 157.2 miles from Olivarez, TX, or about 2h 58m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 141.7 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 69 miles or 1h 19m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 157.2 miles or 2h 58m 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 49m

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 Olivarez, 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 Olivarez, TX

This is one driving day of about 314.4 miles and 5h 51m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 69 miles from Olivarez, 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 69C for about 141.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in and county seat of Live Oak County, Texas, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

George West, TX

157 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

San Diego, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 69 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

George West, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 157.2 miles from Olivarez, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

1.7 mi from route

Flying J Travel Center

1.8 mi from route

QuikTrip

2 mi from route

Morgan's Wonderland

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

Final third 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

San Antonio, Texas

Hours: 10 am–3 pm

+12104955888

Visit website

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 website

Tube Chute

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour

New Braunfels, Texas

+18302214000

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, ~11 min detour

Final third 4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour

San Antonio, Texas

Hours: 12–9 pm

+12104675504

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 17

5 decision points cluster between mile 231.7 and 314.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

231.7 mi into trip | ~4h 18m in

Take the exit toward I 410, TX 130, US 281 South

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 133 Toward I 410, TX 130, US 281 South

231.9 mi into trip | ~4h 19m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 410 North, TX 130 North

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

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward I 410 North, TX 130 North

245.7 mi into trip | ~4h 35m in | North Pan Am Expressway

Keep slight left at fork onto North Pan Am Expressway toward I 35: Austin

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 35: Austin

313.6 mi into trip | ~5h 49m in

Take the exit toward 6th - 12th Streets

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 234C Toward 6th - 12th Streets

314.4 mi into trip | ~5h 51m in | East 5th Street

Turn left onto East 5th Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$43.06 one way

$86.13 round trip

$3.48/gal 25.4 MPG avg 110 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$3.89	$48.10	$96.20
premium	$4.23	$52.30	$104.59
diesel	$4.80	$59.36	$118.73

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$43

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$68–$93

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 110 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.

Driving Electric?

About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	94.3	1	$33.01	$15.09
Efficient EV	78.6	0	$27.51	$12.58
EV Truck/SUV	125.8	1	$44.02	$20.12

Gas CO2

110 kg

EV CO2

37 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 Jul 16, 2026

Origin

Olivarez, TX

Late night in Olivarez on Sunday

Local time

1:59 AM

CDT

Current temp

79°F

Partly Cloudy

SE 10 mph 2% chance Live forecast

Tornado Warning

Tornado Warning issued July 16 at 4:10AM CDT until July 16 at 5:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX

Tornado Warning

Tornado Warning issued July 16 at 4:06AM CDT until July 16 at 4:30AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX

Destination

Austin, TX

Late night in Austin on Sunday

Local time

1:59 AM

CDT

Current temp

72°F

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

SE 0 to 5 mph 57% chance Live forecast

Tornado Warning

Tornado Warning issued July 16 at 4:10AM CDT until July 16 at 5:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX

Tornado Warning

Tornado Warning issued July 16 at 4:06AM CDT until July 16 at 4:30AM 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

7 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 51m 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.

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Welcome to San Antonio Missions, a National Park Service site and the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Texas. Each mission in the park is a center of community and has been since the early 1700s. Th...

4 mi from route ~9 min detour Free near mile 227.7

View on nps.gov

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

What kind of drive is this?

This drive is mostly highway, with 68% of the 314.4 miles on higher-speed roads. Your longest stretch without a significant change in road type will be 141.7 miles on I 69C. After I 69C, you'll transition to US 281, which will feel more like rural cruising. Expect a steady pace for the majority of your travel.

68% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 141.7 mi on I 69C.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 69C and US 281. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 231.7 miles in.

Driving Effort 9/10

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 17 significant decision points across 314.4 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 231.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 231.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 245.7 miles (North Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

778 ft 68 ft

Total Climb

907 ft

Total Descent

488 ft

Highest Point

778 ft

~247 mi in

Elevation Range

710 ft

About the Cities

Starting in Olivarez, 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 5h 51m. Total distance: 314.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 141.7 miles on I 69C. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — we found about 25 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 25 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

Yes — San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Not recommended in a single day. At 5.9 hours each way, a round trip means 11.7 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Explore more options from Olivarez, TX or browse trips ending in Austin, TX.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TX road trips.

Trip from Olivarez, TX to Austin, TX

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Traffic on I-35

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

Rest Area

Brooks County Rest Area

Picnic Area

Service Plaza

TA

Love's Travel Stop

Love's Travel Stop

Buc-ee's

Rest Area

Live Oak County Southbound Rest Area

Picnic Area

Flying J Travel Center

Pilot Travel Center

QuikTrip

QuikTrip

TA

Pilot Travel Center

Pilot Travel Center

Live Oak County Northbound Rest Area

Marlstone Retail Center

Pilot Travel Center

Petro Stopping Centers

TA

Flying J Travel Center

QuikTrip

Morgan's Wonderland

Austin Bat Tours

Tube Chute

Botanical Gates of Paradise

The Sophienburg Museum & Archives

Barton Creek Greenbelt

Gibson Park

Wonder Chamber

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Olivarez, TX

Austin, TX

Same local time

7 degrees cooler at arrival

5h 51m on the road

National Parks Near This Route

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Elevation Profile

About the Cities

Starting in Olivarez, TX

Arriving in Austin, TX

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Are there national parks near this route?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

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