Road Ranger
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Orange, TX to Killeen, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 43m
Distance
295.6 mi
476 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$44
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 30m
★
6 AM
5h 43m
8 AM
6h 10m
10 AM
5h 53m
12 PM
5h 50m
3 PM
5h 54m
5 PM
6h 8m
8 PM
5h 35m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Orange, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Killeen, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Orange, TX to Killeen, TX is 295.6 miles and takes about 5h 43m via TX 6 and US 90, with a fuel budget near $44 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Texas, traversing generally flat terrain as you move from the Great Plains region. Expect a mostly highway experience, making it a straightforward option for a single-day trip. The route is efficient, allowing you to cover significant ground without a complex itinerary. Consider this a practical choice if you need to get from East Texas to Central Texas without much fuss.
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
147.8 miles from Orange, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 51m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| TX 6 | 49.8 mi | 53m |
| East Grand Parkway North | 44 mi | 46m |
| US 90 | 39.6 mi | 45m |
| Aggie Expressway | 24.8 mi | 27m |
| Farm-to-Market Road 485 | 20.4 mi | 25m |
| I 10 | 20.2 mi | 20m |
| Farm-to-Market Road 979 | 15.3 mi | 19m |
| TX 53 | 13.1 mi | 16m |
Longest stretch:
TX 6
— 49.8 mi, about 53m
Traffic on I-10
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 28 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,134 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~356 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 7 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 Killeen, 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
Turn right onto US 90 Bus
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Strickland Drive
5
Continue on US 90 Bus
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
West Park Avenue
6
Turn straight onto West I-10 Service Road
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
West I-10 Service Road
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward I 10 West, US 90 West: Houston
8
Merge onto I 10; US 90
20 mi
·
20 min
·
I 10; US 90
9
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
Exit 852B
Toward Gladys Avenue, Calder Avenue
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
Toward Calder Avenue
11
Turn straight onto Interstate 10 North Frontage Road
0.5 mi
·
59 sec
·
Interstate 10 North Frontage Road
12
Turn right onto Calder Avenue
351 ft
·
7 sec
·
Calder Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Turn slight left onto Phelan Boulevard
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Phelan Boulevard
14
Turn left onto Dowlen Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Dowlen Road
Use the left lane.
15
At end of road, turn right onto US 90
4.1 mi
·
4 min
·
College Street
Use the right lane.
16
Continue on US 90
40 mi
·
45 min
·
US 90
17
Turn right onto TX 321
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
North Cleveland Street
18
Turn left onto FM 1960
5.1 mi
·
6 min
·
West Clayton Street
19
Turn right onto East Grand Parkway North
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
East Grand Parkway North
20
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
21
Merge onto TX 99 Toll
44 mi
·
46 min
·
East Grand Parkway North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
Toward TX 249: Boudreaux Road, Rocky Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on North Grand Parkway West
0.4 mi
·
40 sec
·
North Grand Parkway West
24
Turn right onto TX 249
447 ft
·
7 sec
·
Tomball Parkway
25
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Toward TBT Toll North
26
Merge onto TBT
4.9 mi
·
5 min
·
Tomball Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Continue on TX 249 Toll
3.6 mi
·
4 min
·
MCTRA 249 Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Continue on TX 249 Toll
25 mi
·
27 min
·
Aggie Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Continue on TX 105
5.8 mi
·
6 min
·
State Highway 105
30
Turn right onto TX 105
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
State Highway 6
31
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
32
Merge onto TX 6
50 mi
·
53 min
·
TX 6
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 6
5.8 mi
·
5 min
·
North State Highway 6
34
Continue on TX 6
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
South Main Street
35
Turn left onto FM 979
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Browning Street
36
Continue on FM 979
15 mi
·
19 min
·
Farm-to-Market Road 979
37
At end of road, turn right onto FM 485
20 mi
·
25 min
·
Farm-to-Market Road 485
38
At end of road, turn left onto TX 53
13 mi
·
16 min
·
TX 53
39
Turn left onto North General Bruce Drive
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
North General Bruce Drive
40
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward I 35 South
41
Merge onto I 35
7.1 mi
·
7 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
42
Keep slight right at fork onto I 14; US 190
13 mi
·
13 min
·
Central Texas Expressway
Toward US 190 West: Killeen, Fort Cavazos
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
43
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 287
Toward FM 3470: Rosewood Drive, Stan Schlueter Loop
Use the slight right lane.
44
Turn straight onto West Central Texas Expressway
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
West Central Texas Expressway
45
Turn right onto South W.S. Young Drive
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
South W.S. Young Drive
46
Turn left onto US 190 Bus
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
East Veterans Memorial Boulevard
47
Turn right
83 ft
·
8 sec
48
Turn right
74 ft
·
5 sec
49
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5h 43m drive, aim for an early morning departure from Orange, TX, to avoid any potential midday traffic. With a total distance of 295.6 miles, you might consider one planned stop for fuel and a quick break. The longest continuous stretch on TX 6 is nearly 50 miles, so ensure you're comfortable before starting that segment. Your estimated fuel cost is around $44, so factor that into your budget. Given it's a single-day trip, you have flexibility, but sticking to the main roads like TX 6 and US 90 will keep you on track.
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 147.8 miles from Orange, TX, or about 2h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 49.8 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 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 147.8 miles or 2h 51m 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 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Killeen, 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 295.6 miles and 5h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 65 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 TX 6 for about 49.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
148 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 65 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 147.8 miles from Orange, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
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 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 websiteBeaumont Children's Museum
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
First break
2.6 mi from route
~7 min detour
Beaumont, Texas
Hours: 9 am–4 pm
+14093477919
Visit websiteGreat Escape of Central Texas
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
3.1 mi from route
~8 min detour
Killeen, Texas
Hours: 3:30–9:30 pm
+12546802686
Visit websiteWorld’s Largest Working Fire Hydrant
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
First break
2.7 mi from route
~7 min detour
Beaumont, Texas
Hours: Open 24 hours
+14098803927
Visit websiteBeaumont Escape Room
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
First break
2.8 mi from route
~7 min detour
Beaumont, Texas
Hours: 12–7 pm
+14097293300
Visit websiteLions Club Park
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
3.3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Killeen, Texas
Hours: 5 am–10 pm
+12545016390
Visit websiteDennis Johnston Park
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour
Early stretch
4.6 mi from route
~11 min detour
Spring, Texas
Hours: 7 am–10 pm
+17132740930
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 335 decision points cluster between mile 25.8 and 290.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
25.8 mi into trip
|
~31m in
Take the exit toward Gladys Avenue, Calder Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 852B
Toward Gladys Avenue, Calder Avenue
6
26 mi into trip
|
~31m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Calder Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward Calder Avenue
7
122.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 22m in
Take the exit toward TX 249: Boudreaux Road, Rocky Road
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 TX 249: Boudreaux Road, Rocky Road
8
277 mi into trip
|
~5h 21m in
|
I 14; US 190 / Central Texas Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 14; US 190 / Central Texas Expressway toward US 190 West: Killeen, Fort Cavazos
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 190 West: Killeen, Fort Cavazos
8
290.1 mi into trip
|
~5h 35m in
Take the exit toward FM 3470: Rosewood Drive, Stan Schlueter Loop
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 287
Toward FM 3470: Rosewood Drive, Stan Schlueter...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$44.20 one way
$88.40 round trip
$3.80/gal
25.4 MPG avg
103 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.31 | $50.14 | $100.27 |
| premium | $4.68 | $54.48 | $108.95 |
| diesel | $5.79 | $67.37 | $134.74 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.59
Tomball Tollway
(4.9 mi)
$0.34
MCTRA 249 Tollway
(3.6 mi)
$0.25
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
$44
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 103.4 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 88.7 | 1 | $31.04 | $14.19 |
| Efficient EV | 73.9 | 0 | $25.87 | $11.82 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 118.2 | 1 | $41.38 | $18.92 |
Gas CO2
103 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.
Origin
Orange, TX
Afternoon in Orange on Sunday
Local time
4:17 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Mostly Clear
NE 5 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued October 18 at 2:18AM CDT until October 20 at 7:32PM CDT by NWS Norman OK
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 18 at 2:12AM CDT until October 18 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX
Destination
Killeen, TX
Afternoon in Killeen on Sunday
Local time
4:17 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Mostly Cloudy
0 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued October 18 at 2:18AM CDT until October 20 at 7:32PM CDT by NWS Norman OK
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 18 at 2:12AM CDT until October 18 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Brownsville 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
6 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 43m 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?
This route is mostly highway, with 75% of the driving on higher-speed roads. You'll encounter a long stretch of 49.8 miles on TX 6, which will likely feel like cruising. The transition from highway to surface roads will happen gradually as you approach your destination. Be prepared for increasing exit density as you move closer to Killeen.
75% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
49 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 49.8 mi on TX 6.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on TX 6 and East Grand Parkway North. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 25.8 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 33 significant decision points across 295.6 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 25.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 26 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 122.8 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
823 ft
6 ft
Total Climb
946 ft
Total Descent
129 ft
Highest Point
823 ft
~295.6 mi in
Elevation Range
816 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.
Between Orange, TX and Killeen, TX, road signs point toward Tbt Toll North and Fort Cavazos.
Tbt Toll North
123.8 mi in
|
~2h 24m
Fort Cavazos
277 mi in
|
~5h 21m
|
via I 14; US 190
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 Killeen, TX
Full guide →Founded 1872
Killeen is a city in the Central Hill Country of Texas. It is home to U.S. Army installation Fort Hood, one of the largest military bases in the world.
Top landmarks
- • Killeen High School — historic place in Killeen, Bell County, Texas
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 43m. Total distance: 295.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (75%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 49.8 miles on TX 6. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.59 in tolls one way, starting with Tomball Tollway. 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.
Yes — we found about 6 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 Killeen, 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 6 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 25.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 26 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 122.8 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 5.7 hours each way, a round trip means 11.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Killeen, 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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