Driving from Olney to Austin covers 258.6 miles and takes approximately 4 hours and 27 minutes of active wheel time. Since you remain within the Great Plains region for the entire journey, you will notice a consistent landscape as you head toward the state capital. Budgeting about $38 for fuel should get you to your destination comfortably. Because this is a relatively manageable distance, it works well as a one-day trip, though you will want to account for at least one stop to break up the drive. This route is best suited for those who don't mind navigating local roads rather than sticking strictly to major interstates.
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
128.7 miles from Olney, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 38m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
South US Highway 281
61.1 mi
1h 9m
US Highway 281
39.9 mi
44m
South US Highway 183
35.3 mi
38m
State Highway 337
21.1 mi
21m
North US Highway 281
19 mi
20m
183A Toll Road
14.3 mi
14m
State Highway 16 South
14.2 mi
20m
State Highway 114 East
9.8 mi
14m
Longest stretch:
South US Highway 281
— 61.1 mi, about 1h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Olney, TX and Austin, TX.
1
Start on TX 114
0.2 mi·22 sec·East Main Street
2
Continue on TX 114
9.8 mi·14 min·State Highway 114 East
3
Turn right onto FM 1769
8.0 mi·14 min·FM 1769
4
At end of road, turn left onto US Highway 380 West
4.9 mi·6 min·US Highway 380 West
5
Continue on US 380; TX 16
1.2 mi·2 min·Elm Street
6
Continue on TX 16
14 mi·20 min·State Highway 16 South
7
Continue on TX 337
21 mi·21 min·State Highway 337
8
At end of road, turn left onto US 180; BH
1.8 mi·2 min·US Highway 180 West
9
Continue on US 180; BH
1.0 mi·1 min·Southwest 1st Street
10
Turn right onto US 281
1.7 mi·2 min·South Oak Avenue
11
Continue on US 281
40 mi·44 min·US Highway 281
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on US 281
1.1 mi·1 min·East Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Continue on US 281
18 mi·20 min·South US Highway 281
14
Continue on US 281; TX 6
0.4 mi·28 sec·North 2nd Street
15
Turn right onto US 281
0.6 mi·38 sec·North Walnut Street
Use the right lane.
16
Turn straight onto US 281
19 mi·20 min·North US Highway 281
17
Continue on US 281
2.3 mi·2 min·North Rice Street
18
Continue on US 281
43 mi·49 min·South US Highway 281
19
Continue on US 183; US 190; US 281
2.3 mi·4 min·North Key Avenue
20
Continue on US 183
35 mi·38 min·South US Highway 183
21
Continue on this road
0.4 mi·29 sec·this road
22
Keep slight left at fork onto 183A Toll
14 mi·14 min·183A Toll Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on US 183
7.5 mi·8 min·US 183
24
Take the exit
0.4 mi·52 sec
Toward Loop 1: Mopac BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
25
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·51 sec
Toward Loop 1 South: Mopac Boulevard SouthUse the slight right lane.
26
Merge onto Loop 1
2.4 mi·2 min·North Mopac Expressway
27
Take the exit
423 ft·10 sec
Toward Express 1 TollUse the slight left lane.
28
Merge onto Express 1 Toll
3.9 mi·4 min·Express 1 Toll
29
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward West 5th StreetUse the slight left / straight lanes.
31
Turn straight onto West 5th Street
1.5 mi·3 min·West 5th Street
Use the straight lane.
32
Arrive at destination
East 5th Street
Trip Plan
For the smoothest experience, plan to depart early in the morning to navigate the local roads before traffic peaks. Since the route requires a heavy focus on local navigation, keeping your GPS updated and ready is essential. You should budget for at least one planned stop to rest during the 4-hour and 27-minute journey. Given the turn-heavy nature of the route, stay alert for directional changes when transitioning between Highway 380 West and Elm Street. Because you are handling the fuel costs yourself, filling up before you leave Olney will help you manage your $38 estimated budget without needing to hunt for stations along the way.
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 128.7 miles from Olney, TX, or about 2h 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 61.1 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 57 miles or 1h 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 128.7 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 12m
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 Olney, 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 Olney, TX
This is one driving day of about 257.5 miles and 5h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 miles from Olney, 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 South US Highway 281 for about 61.1 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 226.1 and 255.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
226.1 mi into trip|~4h 28m in|183A Toll / 183A Toll Road
Keep slight left at fork onto 183A Toll / 183A Toll Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
247.9 mi into trip|~4h 51m in
Take the exit toward Loop 1: Mopac Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Loop 1: Mopac Boulevard
7
248.3 mi into trip|~4h 52m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Loop 1 South: Mopac Boulevard South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Loop 1 South: Mopac Boulevard South
6
251.1 mi into trip|~4h 56m in
Take the exit toward Express 1 Toll
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward Express 1 Toll
7
255.7 mi into trip|~5h 1m in
Keep slight left at fork toward West 5th Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Toward West 5th Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.91 one way
$77.82 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg90 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$42.59
$85.18
premium
$4.54
$45.97
$91.95
diesel
$5.61
$56.85
$113.71
Estimated Tolls: $1.00
183A Toll Road
(14.3 mi)$1.00
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 90.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
77.3
0
$27.04
$12.36
Efficient EV
64.4
0
$22.53
$10.30
EV Truck/SUV
103
1
$36.05
$16.48
Gas CO2
90 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (67% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Olney, TX
Morning
in Olney on Tuesday
Local time
7:13 AM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Austin, TX
Morning
in Austin on Tuesday
Local time
7:13 AM
CDT
Current temp
89°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
5h 5m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention rather than a mindless highway cruise. With a highway share of 0%, this route relies on roads like Highway 114 East, Highway 380 West, and Elm Street to get you to your destination. You won't find long, uninterrupted stretches here, as the longest segment on Highway 114 East is effectively 0 miles. The character of the road is defined by its local transitions, making it feel more like a series of connected stretches than a singular high-speed corridor. Be prepared for a hands-on driving experience that keeps you engaged with the local geography.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 61.1 mi on South US Highway 281.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on South US Highway 281 and US Highway 281. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 226.1 miles in near 183A Toll / 183A Toll Road.
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 14 significant decision points across 257.5 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 226.1 miles (183A Toll / 183A Toll Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 247.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 248.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 5h 5m. Total distance: 257.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 61.1 miles on South US Highway 281. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.00 in tolls one way, starting with 183A Toll Road. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
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 226.1 miles (183A Toll / 183A Toll Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 247.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 248.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.2 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.
