Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Port Neches, TX to Killeen, 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 29m
Distance
282.6 mi
455 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$39
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 16m
★
6 AM
5h 30m
8 AM
5h 56m
10 AM
5h 39m
12 PM
5h 36m
3 PM
5h 40m
5 PM
5h 55m
8 PM
5h 22m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Port Neches, TX
Kei Scampa
Killeen, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Port Neches, TX to Killeen, TX is 282.6 miles and takes about 5h 29m via TX 6 and US 90, with a fuel budget near $44 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Great Plains region, primarily traversing Texas. Expect a straightforward drive that's mostly on main roads, making it a solid option for a single-day trip. You'll be covering a good chunk of Texas without needing to break it up overnight.
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
141.3 miles from Port Neches, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 45m 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 |
| Farm-to-Market Road 979 | 15.3 mi | 19m |
| TX 53 | 13.1 mi | 16m |
| Central Texas Expressway | 13.1 mi | 13m |
Longest stretch:
TX 6
— 49.8 mi, about 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Port Neches, TX and Killeen, TX.
1
Start on FM 365
86 ft
·
9 sec
·
Nall Street
2
Turn left onto Port Neches Avenue
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Port Neches Avenue
3
Turn right onto FM 366
154 ft
·
2 sec
·
Pure Oil Road
Use the right lane.
4
Continue on FM 366
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Magnolia Avenue
5
Turn straight onto TX 347
3.0 mi
·
4 min
·
North Twin City Highway
6
Continue on TX 347
0.7 mi
·
48 sec
·
Highway 347
7
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 69, US 96, US 287 North
8
Merge onto US 69; US 96; US 287
5.6 mi
·
6 min
·
US 69; US 96; US 287
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto US 69; US 96; US 287
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
US 69; US 96; US 287
Toward I 10 East, US 69 North, US 96 North, US 287 North: Lake Charles, Lufkin
10
Keep slight left at fork onto US 69; US 96; US 287
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
US 69; US 96; US 287
Toward I 10 East, US 69 North, US 96 North, US 287 North: Lake Charles, Lufkin
11
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
Exit 851
Toward US 90: Liberty
12
Turn straight onto Interstate 10 South Frontage Road
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
Interstate 10 South Frontage Road
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
13
Turn left onto College Street
6.4 mi
·
8 min
·
College Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
14
Continue on US 90
40 mi
·
45 min
·
US 90
15
Turn right onto TX 321
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
North Cleveland Street
16
Turn left onto FM 1960
5.1 mi
·
6 min
·
West Clayton Street
17
Turn right onto East Grand Parkway North
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
East Grand Parkway North
18
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
19
Merge onto TX 99 Toll
44 mi
·
46 min
·
East Grand Parkway North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
Toward TX 249: Boudreaux Road, Rocky Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on North Grand Parkway West
0.4 mi
·
40 sec
·
North Grand Parkway West
22
Turn right onto TX 249
447 ft
·
7 sec
·
Tomball Parkway
23
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Toward TBT Toll North
24
Merge onto TBT
4.9 mi
·
5 min
·
Tomball Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Continue on TX 249 Toll
3.6 mi
·
4 min
·
MCTRA 249 Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Continue on TX 249 Toll
25 mi
·
27 min
·
Aggie Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Continue on TX 105
5.8 mi
·
6 min
·
State Highway 105
28
Turn right onto TX 105
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
State Highway 6
29
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
30
Merge onto TX 6
50 mi
·
53 min
·
TX 6
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 6
5.8 mi
·
5 min
·
North State Highway 6
32
Continue on TX 6
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
South Main Street
33
Turn left onto FM 979
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Browning Street
34
Continue on FM 979
15 mi
·
19 min
·
Farm-to-Market Road 979
35
At end of road, turn right onto FM 485
20 mi
·
25 min
·
Farm-to-Market Road 485
36
At end of road, turn left onto TX 53
13 mi
·
16 min
·
TX 53
37
Turn left onto North General Bruce Drive
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
North General Bruce Drive
38
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward I 35 South
39
Merge onto I 35
7.1 mi
·
7 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
40
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.
41
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 287
Toward FM 3470: Rosewood Drive, Stan Schlueter Loop
Use the slight right lane.
42
Turn straight onto West Central Texas Expressway
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
West Central Texas Expressway
43
Turn right onto South W.S. Young Drive
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
South W.S. Young Drive
44
Turn left onto US 190 Bus
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
East Veterans Memorial Boulevard
45
Turn right
83 ft
·
8 sec
46
Turn right
74 ft
·
5 sec
47
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5.5-hour drive, consider an early morning departure from Port Neches to maximize daylight. With only one recommended stop and a $44 fuel estimate, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially as you approach the longer stretches on TX 6, ensuring you have ample gas before entering more rural sections. The flexibility of a one-day trip means you can adjust your pace as needed.
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 141.3 miles from Port Neches, TX, or about 2h 45m 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 62 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 141.3 miles or 2h 45m 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 27m
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 Port Neches, 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 Port Neches, TX
This is one driving day of about 282.6 miles and 5h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 miles from Port Neches, 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
141 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 62 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 141.3 miles from Port Neches, 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.
Petro Stopping Centers
1.2 mi from route
Port Neches Riverfront Park
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, right off the route
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Port Neches, Texas
Hours: 8 am–8 pm
+14097194280
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 websiteGeronimo Adventure Park
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour
Early stretch
3.6 mi from route
~9 min detour
Spring, Texas
Hours: 12–6 pm
+18303655867
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, ~9 min detour
Early stretch
3.7 mi from route
~9 min detour
Spring, Texas
Hours: 7 am–10 pm
+17132740930
Visit websiteRoger's Park
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, ~11 min detour
First break
4.2 mi from route
~11 min detour
Beaumont, Texas
Hours: 7 am–9 pm
+14098611929
Visit websiteThe Woodlands Waterway
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour
Early stretch
4.8 mi from route
~12 min detour
The Woodlands, Texas
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 345 decision points cluster between mile 12.7 and 277.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
12.7 mi into trip
|
~17m in
|
US 69; US 96; US 287
Keep slight right at fork onto US 69; US 96; US 287 toward I 10 East, US 69 North, US 96 North, US 287 North: Lake Charles, Lufkin
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 10 East, US 69 North, US 96 North, US...
6
12.8 mi into trip
|
~18m in
|
US 69; US 96; US 287
Keep slight left at fork onto US 69; US 96; US 287 toward I 10 East, US 69 North, US 96 North, US 287 North: Lake Charles, Lufkin
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 10 East, US 69 North, US 96 North, US...
7
109.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 8m 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
264 mi into trip
|
~5h 7m 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
277.1 mi into trip
|
~5h 21m 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
$38.71 one way
$77.41 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
99 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $43.24 | $86.47 |
| premium | $4.23 | $47.01 | $94.01 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $53.36 | $106.72 |
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
$39
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 98.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 84.8 | 1 | $29.67 | $13.56 |
| Efficient EV | 70.7 | 0 | $24.73 | $11.30 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 113 | 1 | $39.56 | $18.09 |
Gas CO2
99 kg
EV CO2
33 kg (67% 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
Port Neches, TX
Late night in Port Neches on Sunday
Local time
4:56 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Mostly Cloudy
SW 0 to 5 mph
2% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 8:49PM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 8:48PM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX
Destination
Killeen, TX
Late night in Killeen on Sunday
Local time
4:56 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Partly Cloudy
SSE 10 mph
4% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 8:49PM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 8:48PM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi 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
2 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 29m 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 73% of the drive on major roads. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 49.8 miles on TX 6, offering a chance for steady cruising. As you transition from highway to surface roads, be prepared for more frequent intersections and varying speed limits. The drive will feel predominantly like traversing Texas's established corridors.
73% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
47 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 12.7 miles in near US 69; US 96; US 287.
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 34 significant decision points across 282.6 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 12.7 miles (US 69; US 96; US 287): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.8 miles (US 69; US 96; US 287): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 109.8 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
18 ft
Total Climb
942 ft
Total Descent
137 ft
Highest Point
823 ft
~282.6 mi in
Elevation Range
805 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 Port Neches, TX and Killeen, TX, road signs point toward Tbt Toll North and Fort Cavazos.
Tbt Toll North
110.7 mi in
|
~2h 10m
Fort Cavazos
264 mi in
|
~5h 7m
|
via I 14; US 190
About the Cities
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 Cavasos, 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 29m. Total distance: 282.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 29m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (73%). 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 2 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 2 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 12.7 miles (US 69; US 96; US 287): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.8 miles (US 69; US 96; US 287): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 109.8 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 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 11.0 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, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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