Pecos, TX to Austin, TX is 389.7 miles and takes about 6h 49m via La Entrada al Pacifico Corridor and East US Highway 290, with a fuel budget near $59 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip begins in the Great Plains region of Texas and concludes in the same vast landscape, though the character of the drive shifts as you approach your destination. Given the 6-hour-plus duration, it’s a manageable one-day drive, but consider starting early to allow ample time. The route's overall feel is more of a turn-heavy local drive than a high-speed interstate journey, so plan accordingly for a potentially longer travel time than the pure highway equivalent.
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
194.8 miles from Pecos, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 13m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
La Entrada al Pacifico Corridor
219.2 mi
3h 25m
East US Highway 290
58.1 mi
1h 8m
South Cedar Street
51.1 mi
58m
US Highway 290
39 mi
42m
South US Highway 281
5.4 mi
6m
West Main Street
4.6 mi
9m
South Mopac Expressway
4 mi
4m
West US Highway 290
2.3 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
La Entrada al Pacifico Corridor
— 219.2 mi, about 3h 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pecos, TX and Austin, TX.
1
Start on East 6th Street
67 ft·4 sec·East 6th Street
2
Turn right onto US 285
51 mi·58 min·South Cedar Street
3
Turn left onto Interstate 10 West
425 ft·11 sec·Interstate 10 West
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward I 10 East: San Antonio
5
Merge onto I 10; US 67
219 mi·3 hr 25 min·La Entrada al Pacifico Corridor
6
Take the exit
1.1 mi·2 min
Exit 477Toward US 290 East: Fredericksburg
7
Continue on US 290
39 mi·42 min·US Highway 290
8
Continue on US 290; US 87
3.5 mi·7 min·West Main Street
9
Continue on US 290
27 mi·30 min·East US Highway 290
10
Continue on US 290
1.0 mi·2 min·West Main Street
11
Take the exit onto US 290
0.1 mi·18 sec·US 290
12
Merge onto US 281; US 290
5.4 mi·6 min·South US Highway 281
13
Turn slight left onto US 290
31 mi·37 min·East US Highway 290
Toward US 290: AustinUse the left lane.
14
Continue on US 290
0.3 mi·18 sec·West US Highway 290
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
16
Continue on West US Highway 290
2.0 mi·2 min·West US Highway 290
17
Continue on US 290; TX 71
1.6 mi·1 min·US 290; TX 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward Loop 1 NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Merge onto Loop 1
4.0 mi·4 min·South Mopac Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.1 mi·12 sec
Toward 5th Street, Lake Austin Boulevard, Cesar Chavez StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·14 sec
Toward West 5th Street, Lake Austin BoulevardUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight right at fork
120 ft·2 sec
Toward 5th StreetUse the slight right lane.
23
Turn straight onto West 5th Street
1.6 mi·3 min·West 5th Street
Use the straight lane.
24
Arrive at destination
East 5th Street
Trip Plan
For this 389.7-mile journey from Pecos to Austin, consider departing in the early morning to maximize daylight and allow for a comfortable pace. While the total duration is under 7 hours, the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile means actual travel time might extend slightly. You'll have one recommended stop, which is a good opportunity to refuel and stretch your legs. Be mindful that the longest stretch without a significant change is over 200 miles, so ensure you have sufficient fuel before embarking on that segment. The estimated fuel cost is around $59, so factor that into your budget.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 194.8 miles from Pecos, TX, or about 3h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 219.2 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 86 miles or 1h 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 194.8 miles or 3h 13m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 34m
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 Pecos, 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 Pecos, TX
This is one driving day of about 389.7 miles and 6h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 86 miles from Pecos, 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 La Entrada al Pacifico Corridor for about 219.2 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 270.7 and 388 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
270.7 mi into trip|~4h 24m in
Take the exit toward US 290 East: Fredericksburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 477
Toward US 290 East: Fredericksburg
6
383.1 mi into trip|~6h 39m in
Take the exit toward Loop 1 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Loop 1 North
7
387.8 mi into trip|~6h 45m in
Take the exit toward 5th Street, Lake Austin Boulevard, Cesar Chavez Street
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 5th Street, Lake Austin Boulevard, Cesar...
9
387.9 mi into trip|~6h 45m in
Keep slight left at fork toward West 5th Street, Lake Austin Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward West 5th Street, Lake Austin Boulevard
8
388 mi into trip|~6h 45m in
Keep slight right at fork toward 5th Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward 5th Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$58.88 one way
$117.77 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg136 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$64.45
$128.91
premium
$4.54
$69.58
$139.16
diesel
$5.61
$86.04
$172.08
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$59
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$84–$109
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 136.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $41 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
116.9
1
$40.92
$18.71
Efficient EV
97.4
1
$34.10
$15.59
EV Truck/SUV
155.9
1
$54.56
$24.94
Gas CO2
136 kg
EV CO2
46 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 20, 2026
Origin
Pecos, TX
Late night
in Pecos on Tuesday
Local time
3:07 AM
CDT
Current temp
88°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Austin, TX
Late night
in Austin on Tuesday
Local time
3:07 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
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
6h 49m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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.
Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park tells the story of our 36th president beginning with his ancestors until his final resting place on his beloved LBJ Ranch. This entire "circle of life" gives...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 335.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive', meaning you'll encounter more frequent changes in direction and potentially slower speeds compared to a direct interstate route. With only a 28% highway share, expect a significant portion of your journey to involve navigating local roads and highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll experience is 219.2 miles along the La Entrada al Pacifico Corridor, offering a good period of consistent travel before the route becomes more intricate. This profile suggests a driving experience that requires more active navigation and engagement, rather than a passive cruise.
Only 28% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 219.2 mi on La Entrada al Pacifico Corridor.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 270.7 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
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 389.7 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 270.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 383.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 387.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 6h 49m. Total distance: 389.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 49m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 219.2 miles on La Entrada al Pacifico Corridor. 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 270.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 383.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 387.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.8 hours each way, a round trip means 13.7 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.
