Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Raymondville, TX to Austin, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 43m
Distance
300.8 mi
484 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$41
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 9m
8 PM
5h 35m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Raymondville, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Austin, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Raymondville, TX to Austin, TX is 300.8 miles and takes about 5h 43m via US 281, with a fuel budget near $44 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the state of Texas and traverses the Great Plains region for both its start and end points. You'll primarily be on highways for this drive, making it a straightforward path north. The estimated fuel cost is around $44, and with a total duration under six hours, it's a manageable one-day excursion. Consider this a practical route for getting between these two Texas locations efficiently.
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
150.4 miles from Raymondville, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 59m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 281 | 115.2 mi | 2h 4m |
| U.S. Highway 77 | 66.3 mi | 1h 15m |
| 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 28 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 Raymondville, TX and Austin, TX.
1
Start on this road
142 ft
·
14 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto US 77 Business
149 ft
·
6 sec
·
South 7th Street
3
Turn right onto TX 186
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
East Hidalgo Avenue
4
Turn left onto Interstate 69E Frontage Road
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
Interstate 69E Frontage Road
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
6
Merge onto I 69E; US 77
66 mi
·
1 hr 15 min
·
U.S. Highway 77
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
8 sec
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi
·
1 min
9
Turn left onto FM 772
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
FM 772
10
Turn straight onto US 77 Business
4.4 mi
·
7 min
·
South 6th Street
11
Turn left onto TX 141
14 mi
·
17 min
·
West King Avenue
12
Take the ramp
0.6 mi
·
1 min
13
Merge onto US 281
54 mi
·
1 hr 1 min
·
US 281
14
Keep slight left at fork onto US 281
15 mi
·
18 min
·
Nueces Street
15
Continue on US 281
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
·
US 281
16
Take the exit onto US 281
61 mi
·
1 hr 2 min
·
US 281
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Exit 133
Toward I 410, TX 130, US 281 South
Use the slight right lane.
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
Toward I 410 North, TX 130 North
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
19
Merge onto I 410; TX 130
11 mi
·
12 min
·
Connally Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Merge onto I 35; I 410
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
North Pan Am Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
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.
22
Continue on I 35
12 mi
·
12 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on I 35
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Interstate Highway 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Continue on I 35
47 mi
·
50 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
Exit 234C
Toward 6th - 12th Streets
Use the slight right lane.
26
Turn left onto East 6th Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
East 6th Street
27
Turn left onto Congress Avenue
357 ft
·
17 sec
·
Congress Avenue
28
Turn left onto East 5th Street
28 ft
·
0 sec
·
East 5th Street
Use the left lane.
29
Arrive at destination
East 5th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 43m estimated drive time, leaving Raymondville in the morning should allow you to reach Austin with plenty of daylight to spare. With only one recommended stop and a total distance of 300.8 miles, you have flexibility in pacing your journey. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 115.2-mile stretch on US 281, as services might be more spread out. The estimated fuel cost of $44 is a good benchmark for budgeting your expenses on this Texas drive.
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 150.4 miles from Raymondville, TX, or about 2h 59m 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 66 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 150.4 miles or 2h 59m 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 43m
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 Raymondville, 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 Raymondville, TX
This is one driving day of about 300.8 miles and 5h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 66 miles from Raymondville, 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
150 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 66 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 150.4 miles from Raymondville, 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
Marlstone Retail Center
0.4 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 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
Morgan's Wonderland
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 10 am–3 pm
+12104955888
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 websiteTube Chute
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, ~10 min detour
Home stretch
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
New Braunfels, Texas
+18302214000
Visit websiteThe Sophienburg Museum & Archives
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, ~11 min detour
Home stretch
4.4 mi from route
~11 min detour
New Braunfels, Texas
Hours: 10 am–4 pm
+18306291572
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 215 decision points cluster between mile 218.2 and 300.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
218.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 10m 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
218.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 10m 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
232.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 27m 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
300.1 mi into trip
|
~5h 41m 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
300.8 mi into trip
|
~5h 43m in
|
East 5th Street
Turn left onto East 5th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.20 one way
$82.40 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
105 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $46.02 | $92.04 |
| premium | $4.23 | $50.03 | $100.07 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $56.80 | $113.59 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 105.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 90.2 | 1 | $31.58 | $14.44 |
| Efficient EV | 75.2 | 0 | $26.32 | $12.03 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 120.3 | 1 | $42.11 | $19.25 |
Gas CO2
105 kg
EV CO2
35 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
Raymondville, TX
Late night in Raymondville on Monday
Local time
2:31 AM
CDT
Current temp
96°F
Mostly Sunny
SE 17 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 3:29PM CDT by NWS Norman OK
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 2:38PM CDT until July 22 at 11:48AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Austin, TX
Late night in Austin on Monday
Local time
2:31 AM
CDT
Current temp
92°F
Mostly Sunny
S 10 mph
2% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 3:29PM CDT by NWS Norman OK
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 2:38PM CDT until July 22 at 11:48AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio 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
4 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.
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...
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Free
near mile 217.8
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
~67 min detour
$25
near mile 41.5
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is mostly highway, with 64% of the 300.8 miles on roads like US 281 and U.S. Highway 77. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 115.2 miles on US 281, so expect extended periods of consistent driving. As you progress, you'll transition from highway cruising to surface roads, so be prepared for changes in speed limits and traffic patterns. The abundance of highway driving suggests a generally open road experience for a significant portion of the trip.
64% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 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 218.2 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 21 significant decision points across 300.8 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 218.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 218.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 232.2 miles (North Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
927 ft
25 ft
Total Climb
1,009 ft
Total Descent
554 ft
Highest Point
927 ft
~236.4 mi in
Elevation Range
902 ft
About the Cities
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 5h 43m. Total distance: 300.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.
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 22 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 22 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 218.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 218.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 232.2 miles (North Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — San Antonio Missions 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 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 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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