This 171.9-mile drive from Port O'Connor, TX to Austin, TX is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 39 minutes. You'll primarily be on US 183 and US 87, with 88% of the journey on highways. With a fuel cost estimated at $26, it's an economical option. The route begins in the Great Plains region and ends in the same region, offering a straightforward transition. This drive is focused on efficient travel rather than extensive sightseeing, making it ideal for getting from point A to point B comfortably.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
86 miles from Port O'Connor, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 56m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 183
35.9 mi
41m
US 87
25.7 mi
30m
North US Highway 183
22.7 mi
24m
US Highway 87 North
22.1 mi
25m
US Highway 183 South
11.8 mi
15m
FM 1289
11.2 mi
19m
Pickle Parkway
9.8 mi
8m
State Highway 185 East
6.9 mi
12m
Longest stretch:
US 183
— 35.9 mi, about 41m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Port O'Connor, TX and Austin, TX.
1
Start on TX 185
91 ft·7 sec·2nd Street
2
Turn left onto TX 185
1.0 mi·1 min·Adams Avenue
3
Continue on TX 185
6.9 mi·12 min·State Highway 185 East
4
Turn right onto FM 1289
11 mi·19 min·FM 1289
5
Turn right onto TX 238
0.9 mi·1 min·State Highway 238
6
At end of road, turn left onto TX 238
3.2 mi·5 min·TX 238
7
Turn left onto FM 1090
0.8 mi·1 min·Alcoa Drive
8
At end of road, turn left onto US 87
4.9 mi·5 min·US 87
9
Turn straight onto US 87
21 mi·24 min·US 87
10
Turn right onto US 87
0.5 mi·50 sec·North Navarro Street
11
Turn left onto US 87; US 59 Bus; US 77 Bus
0.2 mi·19 sec·East Rio Grande Street
12
Turn right onto US 87
3.9 mi·6 min·North Main Street
13
Continue on US 87
22 mi·25 min·US Highway 87 North
14
Continue on US 87
1.7 mi·1 min·East Broadway Street
15
Turn right onto US 77 Alt; US 183
1.6 mi·1 min·North Esplanade Street
16
Continue on US 77 Alt; US 183
23 mi·24 min·North US Highway 183
17
Continue on US 183; TX 111
6.0 mi·6 min·US 183; TX 111
18
Continue on US 183; TX 97
20 mi·23 min·US 183; TX 97
19
Turn right onto US 183; TX 80
1.2 mi·2 min·South Magnolia Avenue
20
Continue on US 183
10 mi·11 min·US 183
21
Continue on US 183
4.9 mi·8 min·South Colorado Street
22
Continue on US 183
0.2 mi·16 sec·United States Highway 183
23
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·35 sec
Toward TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco
24
Merge onto TX 130 Toll
9.8 mi·8 min·Pickle Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.4 mi·46 sec
Exit 460Toward US 183 North: AustinUse the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Continue on US 183
12 mi·15 min·US Highway 183 South
Use the left lane.
27
Continue on 183 Toll
0.7 mi·40 sec·Bergstrom Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Take the exit
0.5 mi·54 sec
Toward Loop 111: Cesar Chavez Street, 5th Street, 6th Street, 7th Street, Airport BoulevardUse the right lane.
29
Keep slight left at fork onto East 7th Street
2.8 mi·4 min·East 7th Street
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
30
Turn left onto Brushy Street
352 ft·17 sec·Brushy Street
31
Turn right onto East 6th Street
0.6 mi·1 min·East 6th Street
32
Turn left onto Congress Avenue
357 ft·17 sec·Congress Avenue
33
Turn left onto East 5th Street
28 ft·0 sec·East 5th Street
Use the left lane.
34
Arrive at destination
East 5th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour and 39-minute duration, this trip works well as a single-day adventure. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize your daylight hours and allow for an unhurried arrival in Austin. With only one recommended stop on this 171.9-mile journey, you have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially before embarking on the 35.9-mile stretch on US 183, to ensure a smooth ride. The estimated fuel cost is around $26, so budget accordingly.
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 86 miles from Port O'Connor, TX, or about 1h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 35.9 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 38 miles or 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 86 miles or 1h 56m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 59m
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 Port O'Connor, 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 O'Connor, TX
This is one driving day of about 171.9 miles and 3h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from Port O'Connor, 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 US 183 for about 35.9 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 144.8 and 171.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
144.8 mi into trip|~3h 6m in
Keep slight left at fork toward TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco
7
155.1 mi into trip|~3h 15m in
Take the exit toward US 183 North: Austin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 460
Toward US 183 North: Austin
7
167.9 mi into trip|~3h 31m 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...
6
168.4 mi into trip|~3h 32m in|East 7th Street
Keep slight left at fork onto East 7th Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
7
171.9 mi into trip|~3h 39m in|East 5th Street
Turn left onto East 5th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.97 one way
$51.95 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg60 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$28.43
$56.86
premium
$4.54
$30.69
$61.38
diesel
$5.61
$37.95
$75.91
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 60.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
51.6
0
$18.05
$8.25
Efficient EV
43
0
$15.04
$6.88
EV Truck/SUV
68.8
0
$24.07
$11.00
Gas CO2
60 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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 21, 2026
Origin
Port O'Connor, TX
Late night
in Port O'Connor on Tuesday
Local time
5:19 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Austin, TX
Late night
in Austin on Tuesday
Local time
5:19 AM
CDT
Current temp
89°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
89°F
Gonzales, TX
86 mi in
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
11 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
3h 39m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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 highway-focused experience for most of this 171.9-mile route, with 88% of your travel occurring on major roads like US 183 and US 87. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 35.9 miles on US 183, offering a good period of consistent driving. While largely highway-based, the personality of the drive is less about monotonous interstate and more about navigating through Texas landscapes on well-maintained US highways. You'll likely experience a steady pace, allowing for efficient progress towards Austin.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 35.9 mi on US 183.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 183 and US 87. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 144.8 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 171.9 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 144.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 155.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 167.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Port O'Connor, TX to Austin, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Waco along the way.
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 3h 39m. Total distance: 171.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 35.9 miles on US 183. 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 144.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 155.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 167.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Austin, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.
