Chambers County Westbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Orange, TX to Austin, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 4m
Distance
268.9 mi
433 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$37
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 51m
★
6 AM
5h 5m
8 AM
5h 32m
10 AM
5h 14m
12 PM
5h 12m
3 PM
5h 16m
5 PM
5h 31m
8 PM
4h 57m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Orange, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Austin, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 268.9-mile drive from Orange, TX to Austin, TX will take you approximately 5 hours and 4 minutes, making it a very manageable day trip. The route is predominantly highway, with 90% of your journey on major roads like I 10, TX 73, and TX 71. With an estimated fuel cost of $41, this trip is budget-friendly. You'll experience a highway-focused drive as you transition within the Great Plains region of Texas. This straightforward route offers a practical way to get from East Texas to the state capital.
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
134.4 miles from Orange, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 34m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 10 | 133.2 mi | 2h 30m |
| TX 71 | 77.7 mi | 1h 22m |
| TX 73 | 26 mi | 27m |
| Edgar Brown Drive | 20.6 mi | 26m |
| East 7th Street | 2.8 mi | 4m |
| East State Highway 71 | 2.2 mi | 2m |
| Bastrop Freeway | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| Macarthur Drive | 1 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 133.2 mi, about 2h 30m
Traffic on I-10
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 16 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
7 AM
~4,887 veh/hr typical · worst 5,738
Quietest
2 AM
~583 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.4×
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 Orange, TX and Austin, TX.
1
Start on 7th Street
45 ft
·
7 sec
·
7th Street
2
Turn left onto US 90 Bus
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Green Avenue
3
Continue on US 90 Bus; TX 87
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Macarthur Drive
4
Continue on TX 87
21 mi
·
26 min
·
Edgar Brown Drive
5
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 73
23 mi
·
24 min
·
TX 73
Toward TX 73 West: Winnie, Houston
Use the left lane.
6
Turn straight onto TX 73
3.3 mi
·
3 min
·
TX 73
7
Merge onto I 10
133 mi
·
2 hr 30 min
·
I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit onto TX 71
0.5 mi
·
33 sec
·
TX 71
Toward TX 71 West: La Grange, Austin
9
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 71
77 mi
·
1 hr 22 min
·
TX 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on 71 Toll
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Bastrop Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on TX 71
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
East State Highway 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 183 North, 183 Toll North: Lampasas
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto US 183
0.4 mi
·
26 sec
·
Bastrop Highway
14
Continue on 183 Toll
0.7 mi
·
40 sec
·
Bergstrom Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
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.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto East 7th Street
2.8 mi
·
4 min
·
East 7th Street
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
17
Turn left onto Brushy Street
352 ft
·
17 sec
·
Brushy Street
18
Turn right onto East 6th Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East 6th Street
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
Given the 5-hour duration, starting your drive from Orange, TX early in the morning is recommended to maximize your time in Austin. With only one recommended stop, flexibility is key; you can easily complete this drive in a single day. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 133.2-mile stretch on I 10, as services might be less frequent. The $41 fuel cost is a reasonable estimate, but always factor in a buffer for unexpected needs.
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 134.4 miles from Orange, TX, or about 2h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 133.2 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 59 miles or 1h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 134.4 miles or 2h 34m 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 9m
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 Orange, 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 Orange, TX
This is one driving day of about 268.9 miles and 5h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from Orange, 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 10 for about 133.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
134 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 59 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 134.4 miles from Orange, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 10 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 133.2 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.
Chambers County Eastbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
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
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.3 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.5 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
1.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
1.5 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
1.6 mi from route
Colorado County Eastbound Rest Area
2.1 mi from route
Colorado County Westbound Rest Area
2.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
2.4 mi from route
Stark Museum of Art
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, right off the route
0 mi from route
Orange, Texas
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+14098862787
Visit websiteAustin 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 websiteShangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
1.1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Orange, Texas
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+14096709113
Visit websiteKaty Heritage Park
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
1.2 mi from route
~3 min detour
Katy, Texas
Hours: 6 am–9 pm
+12813914840
Visit websiteAndretti Indoor Karting & Games Katy
4.1
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
2.3 mi from route
~6 min detour
Katy, Texas
Hours: 11 am–11 pm
+18329742201
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
The Escape Game Houston (Galleria)
5.0
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour
Halfway reset
3.5 mi from route
~9 min detour
Houston, Texas
Hours: 8 am–12 pm
+17136365541
Visit websiteMuseum of the Gulf Coast
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, ~9 min detour
First break
3.5 mi from route
~9 min detour
Port Arthur, Texas
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+14099827000
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 135 decision points cluster between mile 22.3 and 268.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
22.3 mi into trip
|
~29m in
|
TX 73
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 73 toward TX 73 West: Winnie, Houston
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward TX 73 West: Winnie, Houston
6
182 mi into trip
|
~3h 28m in
|
TX 71
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 71
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
263.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 55m 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
264.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 57m 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
268.9 mi into trip
|
~5h 4m in
|
East 5th Street
Turn left onto East 5th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.83 one way
$73.66 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
94 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $41.14 | $82.28 |
| premium | $4.23 | $44.73 | $89.46 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $50.77 | $101.55 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 94.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 80.7 | 0 | $28.23 | $12.91 |
| Efficient EV | 67.2 | 0 | $23.53 | $10.76 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 107.6 | 1 | $37.65 | $17.21 |
Gas CO2
94 kg
EV CO2
31 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.
Origin
Orange, TX
Afternoon in Orange on Sunday
Local time
12:40 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Mostly Cloudy
0 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 10:45PM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:59PM CDT until July 19 at 6:17PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Austin, TX
Afternoon in Austin on Sunday
Local time
12:40 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Mostly Cloudy
SSE 5 to 10 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 10:45PM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:59PM CDT until July 19 at 6:17PM 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
1 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 4m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this trip, with 90% of the miles on interstates and major highways. You'll primarily be on I 10, TX 73, and TX 71. The longest uninterrupted stretch is a significant 133.2 miles on I 10, so plan your breaks accordingly. This means you'll spend most of your time on faster-paced roads, with limited opportunities for scenic detours off the main path.
90% 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: 133.2 mi on I 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and TX 71. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 22.3 miles in near TX 73.
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 13 significant decision points across 268.9 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 22.3 miles (TX 73): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 182 miles (TX 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 263.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
545 ft
-3 ft
Total Climb
561 ft
Total Descent
81 ft
Highest Point
545 ft
~249.7 mi in
Elevation Range
548 ft
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 Orange, TX to Austin, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Houston along the way.
Houston
22.3 mi in
|
~29m
|
via TX 73
About the Cities
Starting in Orange, TX
Full guide →Founded 1830
Orange is in the Bayous region of East Texas. It is on the Sabine River, which is the border between Texas and Louisiana.
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 4m. Total distance: 268.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 133.2 miles on I 10. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 24 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 24 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 22.3 miles (TX 73): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 182 miles (TX 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 263.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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.
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, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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