Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Primera, 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
6h 5m
Distance
320.1 mi
515 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$44
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 53m
★
6 AM
6h 6m
8 AM
6h 32m
10 AM
6h 15m
12 PM
6h 12m
3 PM
6h 16m
5 PM
6h 30m
8 PM
5h 58m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Primera, TX
Heber Vazquez
Austin, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Primera to Austin is 320.1 miles and takes about 6h 5m via US 281 and U.S. Highway 77, with a fuel budget near $47 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily stays within the Great Plains region of Texas, offering a straightforward path between these two points. You'll spend about two-thirds of your time on highways, making it a relatively efficient trip. It's a solid option if you're looking for a single-day drive with a predictable travel time and manageable fuel costs.
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
160 miles from Primera, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 9m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 281 | 115.2 mi | 2h 4m |
| U.S. Highway 77 | 81.8 mi | 1h 31m |
| Purple Heart Trail | 58.6 mi | 1h 3m |
| Nueces Street | 14.7 mi | 18m |
| West King Avenue | 14.5 mi | 17m |
| Connally Loop | 10.6 mi | 12m |
| North Pan Am Expressway | 10.2 mi | 11m |
| South 6th Street | 4.4 mi | 7m |
Longest stretch:
US 281
— 115.2 mi, about 2h 4m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 14 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~4,203 veh/hr typical
Quietest
3 AM
~766 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.5×
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 Primera, TX and Austin, TX.
1
Start on Primera Road
23 ft
·
5 sec
·
Primera Road
2
Turn left onto CR 3195
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Stuart Place Road
3
At end of road, turn right onto TX 107
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
TX 107
4
Turn left onto US 77 Bus
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Business 77
5
Continue on US 77 Bus
383 ft
·
6 sec
·
Business 77
6
Continue on US 77 Bus
393 ft
·
8 sec
·
15th Street
7
Turn left onto Interstate 69E Frontage Road
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
Interstate 69E Frontage Road
8
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
9
Merge onto I 69E; US 77
82 mi
·
1 hr 31 min
·
U.S. Highway 77
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
8 sec
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi
·
1 min
12
Turn left onto FM 772
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
FM 772
13
Turn straight onto US 77 Business
4.4 mi
·
7 min
·
South 6th Street
14
Turn left onto TX 141
14 mi
·
17 min
·
West King Avenue
15
Take the ramp
0.6 mi
·
1 min
16
Merge onto US 281
54 mi
·
1 hr 1 min
·
US 281
17
Keep slight left at fork onto US 281
15 mi
·
18 min
·
Nueces Street
18
Continue on US 281
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
·
US 281
19
Take the exit onto US 281
61 mi
·
1 hr 2 min
·
US 281
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Exit 133
Toward I 410, TX 130, US 281 South
Use the slight right lane.
21
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
Toward I 410 North, TX 130 North
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
22
Merge onto I 410; TX 130
11 mi
·
12 min
·
Connally Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Merge onto I 35; I 410
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
North Pan Am Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork onto North Pan Am Expressway
7.4 mi
·
8 min
·
North Pan Am Expressway
Toward I 35: Austin
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Continue on I 35
12 mi
·
12 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Continue on I 35
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Interstate Highway 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Continue on I 35
47 mi
·
50 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
Exit 234C
Toward 6th - 12th Streets
Use the slight right lane.
29
Turn left onto East 6th Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
East 6th Street
30
Turn left onto Congress Avenue
357 ft
·
17 sec
·
Congress Avenue
31
Turn left onto East 5th Street
28 ft
·
0 sec
·
East 5th Street
Use the left lane.
32
Arrive at destination
East 5th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 5m estimated drive time, leaving Primera in the morning should get you to Austin with plenty of daylight to spare. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $47, this trip is easily doable in a single day. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 115.2-mile stretch on US 281, as services might be spaced out in some sections. This route's manageable length means you have flexibility if you decide to stop longer somewhere or encounter unexpected delays.
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 160 miles from Primera, TX, or about 3h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 115.2 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 70 miles or 1h 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 160 miles or 3h 9m 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 2m
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 Primera, 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 Primera, TX
This is one driving day of about 320.1 miles and 6h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 70 miles from Primera, 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 281 for about 115.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
160 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 70 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 160 miles from Primera, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 281 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 115.2 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.
Picnic Area
0 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Kenedy County Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Live Oak County Southbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Live Oak County Northbound Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.3 mi from route
Marlstone Retail Center
0.4 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.5 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.5 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.7 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.7 mi from route
TA
1.7 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
1.8 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
1.8 mi from route
QuikTrip
2 mi from route
Austin 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 websiteMorgan's Wonderland
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
1.4 mi from route
~4 min detour
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 10 am–3 pm
+12104955888
Visit websiteDick Kleberg Park
4.3
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
1.8 mi from route
~5 min detour
Kingsville, Texas
Hours: 8 am–10 pm
+13612218705
Visit websiteTube Chute
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.9 mi from route
~5 min detour
New Braunfels, Texas
+18302214000
Visit websiteThe Sophienburg Museum & Archives
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2.1 mi from route
~5 min detour
New Braunfels, Texas
Hours: 10 am–4 pm
+18306291572
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
Wonder Chamber
4.2
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Later in the drive, ~10 min detour
Final third
3.9 mi from route
~10 min detour
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 12–9 pm
+12104675504
Visit websiteBarton Creek Greenbelt
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, ~11 min detour
Home stretch
4.4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Austin, Texas
Hours: 5 am–10 pm
+15129746700
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 235 decision points cluster between mile 237.4 and 320 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
237.4 mi into trip
|
~4h 32m in
Take the exit toward I 410, TX 130, US 281 South
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 133
Toward I 410, TX 130, US 281 South
8
237.6 mi into trip
|
~4h 33m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 410 North, TX 130 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 410 North, TX 130 North
7
251.4 mi into trip
|
~4h 49m in
|
North Pan Am Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto North Pan Am Expressway toward I 35: Austin
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35: Austin
7
319.3 mi into trip
|
~6h 3m in
Take the exit toward 6th - 12th Streets
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 234C
Toward 6th - 12th Streets
7
320 mi into trip
|
~6h 5m in
|
East 5th Street
Turn left onto East 5th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$43.84 one way
$87.69 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
112 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $48.97 | $97.95 |
| premium | $4.23 | $53.24 | $106.49 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $60.44 | $120.88 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 112 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 96 | 1 | $33.61 | $15.36 |
| Efficient EV | 80 | 0 | $28.01 | $12.80 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 128 | 1 | $44.81 | $20.49 |
Gas CO2
112 kg
EV CO2
37 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
Primera, TX
Morning in Primera on Sunday
Local time
10:17 AM
CDT
Current temp
97°F
Mostly Sunny
SE 17 mph
2% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 11:14AM CDT until July 17 at 2:15PM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 11:03AM CDT until July 17 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Destination
Austin, TX
Morning in Austin on Sunday
Local time
10:17 AM
CDT
Current temp
92°F
Partly Sunny
S 5 to 10 mph
6% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 11:14AM CDT until July 17 at 2:15PM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 11:03AM CDT until July 17 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS San Angelo 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
5 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
6h 5m 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.
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Welcome to San Antonio Missions, a National Park Service site and the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Texas. Each mission in the park is a center of community and has been since the early 1700s. Th...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 231.8
View on nps.gov
Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park
National Historical Park
On May 8, 1846, U.S. and Mexican troops clashed on the prairie of Palo Alto. The battle was the first in a two-year long war that changed the map of North America. Although the two countries have deve...
23 mi from route
~58 min detour
Free
View on nps.gov
Padre Island National Seashore
National Seashore
Protecting sixty-six miles of wild coastline along the Gulf of America, the narrow barrier island is home to one of the last intact coastal prairie habitats in the United States. Along the hypersaline...
27 mi from route
~68 min detour
$25
near mile 55.2
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
You'll be on highways for approximately 66% of this 320.1-mile route. The longest continuous stretch on a main road, US 281, spans 115.2 miles. Expect a good amount of highway cruising, especially on US 281, before transitioning to surface roads as you get closer to Austin. The profile is mostly highway, so you can anticipate consistent speeds for much of the drive.
66% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 115.2 mi on US 281.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 281 and U.S. Highway 77. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 237.4 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 23 significant decision points across 320.1 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 237.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 237.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 251.4 miles (North Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
758 ft
29 ft
Total Climb
837 ft
Total Descent
392 ft
Highest Point
758 ft
~251.5 mi in
Elevation Range
729 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Primera, TX
Full guide →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 6h 5m. Total distance: 320.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 5m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 115.2 miles on US 281. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 25 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 25 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 237.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 237.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 251.4 miles (North Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park and Padre Island National Seashore. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.1 hours each way, a round trip means 12.2 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, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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