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Trip from Raymondville, 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
6h 52m
Distance
353.4 mi
569 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$48
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 41m
★
6 AM
6h 53m
8 AM
7h 16m
10 AM
7h 1m
12 PM
6h 58m
3 PM
7h 2m
5 PM
7h 15m
8 PM
6h 46m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Raymondville, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Killeen, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 353.4-mile drive from Raymondville, TX to Killeen, TX will take approximately 6 hours and 52 minutes. Primarily using U.S. Highway 77 and Pickle Parkway before connecting to US Highway 181 South, this is a solid day trip, with the majority of the route on highways. You can expect a fuel cost of around $54 for this journey. The route stays within the Great Plains region, offering a consistent driving experience. Given its manageable duration, you can comfortably complete this trip in one day.
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
176.7 miles from Raymondville, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 37m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. Highway 77 | 91.1 mi | 1h 42m |
| Pickle Parkway | 58.5 mi | 54m |
| US Highway 181 South | 40.2 mi | 45m |
| State Highway 195 | 34 mi | 38m |
| State Highway 80 North | 30.8 mi | 35m |
| State Highway 80 | 23.6 mi | 25m |
| I 37 | 19.7 mi | 19m |
| State Highway 359 | 12.4 mi | 16m |
Longest stretch:
U.S. Highway 77
— 91.1 mi, about 1h 42m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Raymondville, TX and Killeen, 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 left at fork
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
8
Merge onto I 69E; US 77
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
I 69E; US 77
9
Continue on U.S. Highway 77
12 mi
·
12 min
·
U.S. Highway 77
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
11
Turn straight onto US Highway 77 Frontage Road
485 ft
·
17 sec
·
US Highway 77 Frontage Road
12
Turn right onto County Road 10
1.0 mi
·
4 min
·
County Road 10
13
Turn left onto County Road 79
4.0 mi
·
15 min
·
County Road 79
14
Turn left onto County Road 18
0.2 mi
·
43 sec
·
County Road 18
15
Turn sharp right
1.1 mi
·
2 min
16
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
57 sec
17
Merge onto US 77
2.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Driscoll Bypass
18
Continue on US 77
13 mi
·
14 min
·
U.S. Highway 77
19
Merge onto I 37; US 77; I 69E
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
I 37; US 77; I 69E
20
Keep slight left at fork
1.3 mi
·
1 min
21
Continue on I 37
18 mi
·
18 min
·
I 37
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
Toward TX 359: Mathis, Skidmore
23
Turn right onto TX 359
12 mi
·
16 min
·
State Highway 359
24
At end of road, turn left onto US 181
0.8 mi
·
55 sec
·
South 8th Street
25
Continue on US 181
40 mi
·
45 min
·
US Highway 181 South
26
Continue on US 181
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
South Sunset Strip Drive
27
Turn right onto TX 72; TX 239
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
West Main Street
28
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 72; TX 239
233 ft
·
3 sec
·
East Main Street
29
Continue on FM 792
8.4 mi
·
10 min
·
Helena Road
30
Turn straight onto TX 80
24 mi
·
25 min
·
State Highway 80
31
Continue on TX 80
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
South Nixon Avenue
32
Continue on TX 80; TX 97
31 mi
·
35 min
·
State Highway 80 North
33
Continue on US 183
10 mi
·
11 min
·
US 183
34
Continue on US 183
4.9 mi
·
8 min
·
South Colorado Street
35
Continue on US 183
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
United States Highway 183
36
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
35 sec
Toward TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco
37
Merge onto TX 130 Toll
59 mi
·
54 min
·
Pickle Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
38
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Toward TX 195 North: Florence, Killeen
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
39
Continue on North Interstate 35
0.3 mi
·
25 sec
·
North Interstate 35
40
Turn left onto TX 195
34 mi
·
38 min
·
State Highway 195
Use the left / straight lanes.
41
Turn slight right
263 ft
·
9 sec
Use the right lane.
42
Turn slight right onto US 190 Bus
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
West Veterans Memorial Boulevard
Use the right lane.
43
Turn left
83 ft
·
8 sec
44
Turn right
74 ft
·
5 sec
45
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 6-hour, 52-minute drive, aim for an early morning departure to avoid potential afternoon traffic. With only one suggested stop, you have flexibility in pacing yourself. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the longest stretch on U.S. Highway 77, as services can be spaced out. The $54 fuel cost is a good estimate, but it's always wise to have a buffer. This trip is well-suited for a single day, so you can enjoy the flexibility of not needing to plan an overnight stay.
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 176.7 miles from Raymondville, TX, or about 3h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 91.1 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 78 miles or 1h 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 176.7 miles or 3h 37m 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 48m
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 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 353.4 miles and 6h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 78 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 U.S. Highway 77 for about 91.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
177 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 78 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 176.7 miles from Raymondville, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before U.S. Highway 77 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 91.1 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.
San Patricio County Southbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Kenedy County Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
San Patricio County Northbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Circle K
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Walburg Travel Center & Food Court
0.7 mi from route
Great 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 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 websiteIzzy Bounce`
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Corpus Christi, Texas
Hours: 2–7 pm
+13615044050
Visit websiteGonzalo Paiz Park
4.3
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Around the midpoint, short detour
Early stretch
2.8 mi from route
~7 min detour
Mathis, Texas
+13615472113
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 275 decision points cluster between mile 86.2 and 318 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
86.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 53m in
Turn sharp right
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
5
124.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 34m in
Take the exit toward TX 359: Mathis, Skidmore
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward TX 359: Mathis, Skidmore
6
259.1 mi into trip
|
~5h 16m 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
5
259.5 mi into trip
|
~5h 16m in
|
TX 130 Toll / Pickle Parkway
Merge onto TX 130 Toll / Pickle Parkway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
318 mi into trip
|
~6h 11m in
Keep slight right at fork toward TX 195 North: Florence, Killeen
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward TX 195 North: Florence, Killeen
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$48.40 one way
$96.81 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
124 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $54.07 | $108.13 |
| premium | $4.23 | $58.78 | $117.57 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $66.73 | $133.46 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$48
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 123.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 106 | 1 | $37.11 | $16.96 |
| Efficient EV | 88.4 | 1 | $30.92 | $14.14 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 141.4 | 1 | $49.48 | $22.62 |
Gas CO2
124 kg
EV CO2
41 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
Morning in Raymondville on Sunday
Local time
10:29 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Partly Cloudy
SSE 9 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 5:03AM CDT until July 17 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 5:02AM CDT until July 17 at 6:45AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Destination
Killeen, TX
Morning in Killeen on Sunday
Local time
10:29 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Mostly Cloudy
SSE 5 mph
7% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 5:03AM CDT until July 17 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 5:02AM CDT until July 17 at 6:45AM 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
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
6h 52m 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.
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 36.6
Park Closure: Malaquite Campground and dump station closed for road work April 19-24
Park Closure: Dredging at Mansfield Channel; Mile 55-60 of South Beach Closed
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This is largely a highway-focused drive, with 91% of the route utilizing high-speed roads. Expect stretches where you'll be on U.S. Highway 77 for up to 91.1 miles at a time, allowing for steady progress. The character of the road is consistent, making it a straightforward journey without significant shifts in terrain or road type. It’s a profile that favors getting you to your destination efficiently.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
45 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 91.1 mi on U.S. Highway 77.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on U.S. Highway 77 and Pickle Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 86.2 miles in.
Driving Effort
9/10
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 27 significant decision points across 353.4 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 86.2 miles: Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 124.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 259.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
953 ft
28 ft
Total Climb
1,042 ft
Total Descent
252 ft
Highest Point
953 ft
~328.2 mi in
Elevation Range
925 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 Raymondville, TX and Killeen, TX, road signs point toward Skidmore and Waco.
Skidmore
124.2 mi in
|
~2h 34m
Waco
259.1 mi in
|
~5h 16m
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 6h 52m. Total distance: 353.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 52m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 91.1 miles on U.S. Highway 77. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 10 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 10 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 86.2 miles: Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 124.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 259.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Padre Island National Seashore. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.9 hours each way, a round trip means 13.8 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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