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Trip from Runge, TX to Austin, TX

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 9m

Distance

105.7 mi

170 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$16

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 28 min
4 AM
2h 0m ★
6 AM
2h 9m
8 AM
2h 28m
10 AM
2h 16m
12 PM
2h 14m
3 PM
2h 17m
5 PM
2h 27m
8 PM
2h 4m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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town in Karnes County, Texas, United States

Runge, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Austin, TX, TX

Austin, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 105.7-mile drive from Runge to Austin, Texas, is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in about 2 hours and 9 minutes. With 81% of the route on highways, it’s a practical choice for a single day trip, allowing ample time to enjoy your destination. The estimated fuel cost for this leg is around $16, making it an economical option. You'll be traveling within the Great Plains region for both your start and end points, suggesting a consistent landscape throughout the drive. This route is designed for efficiency, getting you from point A to point B with minimal fuss.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

52.8 miles from Runge, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 3m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
State Highway 80 North 30.8 mi 35m
State Highway 80 22.2 mi 24m
US Highway 183 South 11.8 mi 15m
US 183 10.1 mi 11m
Pickle Parkway 9.8 mi 8m
Helena Street 9.2 mi 13m
South Colorado Street 4.9 mi 8m
East 7th Street 2.8 mi 4m
Longest stretch: State Highway 80 North — 30.8 mi, about 35m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Runge, TX and Austin, TX.

1

Start on FM 81

9.2 mi · 13 min · Helena Street
2

Turn slight right

209 ft · 9 sec
3

Turn straight onto TX 80

22 mi · 24 min · State Highway 80
4

Continue on TX 80

1.0 mi · 2 min · South Nixon Avenue
5

Continue on TX 80; TX 97

31 mi · 35 min · State Highway 80 North
6

Continue on US 183

10 mi · 11 min · US 183
7

Continue on US 183

4.9 mi · 8 min · South Colorado Street
8

Continue on US 183

0.2 mi · 16 sec · United States Highway 183
9

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 35 sec
Toward TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco
10

Merge onto TX 130 Toll

9.8 mi · 8 min · Pickle Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 46 sec
Exit 460 Toward US 183 North: Austin Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Continue on US 183

12 mi · 15 min · US Highway 183 South
Use the left lane.
13

Continue on 183 Toll

0.7 mi · 40 sec · Bergstrom Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 54 sec
Toward Loop 111: Cesar Chavez Street, 5th Street, 6th Street, 7th Street, Airport Boulevard Use the right lane.
15

Keep slight left at fork onto East 7th Street

2.8 mi · 4 min · East 7th Street
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
16

Turn left onto Brushy Street

352 ft · 17 sec · Brushy Street
17

Turn right onto East 6th Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · East 6th Street
18

Turn left onto Congress Avenue

357 ft · 17 sec · Congress Avenue
19

Turn left onto East 5th Street

28 ft · 0 sec · East 5th Street
Use the left lane.
20

Arrive at destination

East 5th Street

Trip Plan

Given its relatively short duration of just over 2 hours, this 105.7-mile trip from Runge to Austin offers great flexibility. You can easily depart in the morning and arrive with plenty of daylight to spare. The $16 fuel cost is manageable, but it’s always wise to top off your tank before leaving Runge, especially since the longest stretch without a significant change in road is 30.8 miles. While there are no specific stops indicated, consider a brief break around the halfway point if needed, perhaps near a town where US Highway 183 South begins its approach towards Austin.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 52.8 miles from Runge, TX, or about 1h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 30.8 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 23 miles or 28m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 52.8 miles or 1h 3m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 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 Runge, 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 Runge, TX

This is one driving day of about 105.7 miles and 2h 9m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Runge, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on State Highway 80 North for about 30.8 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Caldwell and Guadalupe counties in Texas, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Luling, TX

53 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

Nixon, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 23 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Luling, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 52.8 miles from Runge, 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.

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 website

Botanical 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

Barton 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 website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 9

5 decision points cluster between mile 78.5 and 105.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
78.5 mi into trip | ~1h 36m 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
88.8 mi into trip | ~1h 45m 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
101.6 mi into trip | ~2h 1m 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
102.1 mi into trip | ~2h 2m 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
105.6 mi into trip | ~2h 9m in | East 5th Street

Turn left onto East 5th Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$15.97 one way

$31.94 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 37 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.20 $17.48 $34.96
premium $4.54 $18.87 $37.74
diesel $5.61 $23.34 $46.67

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$16

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$41–$66

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 37 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 31.7 0 $11.10 $5.07
Efficient EV 26.4 0 $9.25 $4.23
EV Truck/SUV 42.3 0 $14.80 $6.76

Gas CO2

37 kg

EV CO2

12 kg (68% 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 17, 2026

Origin

Runge, TX

Morning in Runge on Tuesday

Local time

11:52 AM

CDT

Current temp

71°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Austin, TX

Morning in Austin on Tuesday

Local time

11:52 AM

CDT

Current temp

70°F

Partly Cloudy

SSE 5 to 10 mph 0% chance Live forecast

69°F

Luling, TX

53 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

1 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

2h 9m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a predominantly highway experience on this 105.7-mile trip, with State Highway 80 North and US Highway 183 South forming the backbone of your journey. Eighty-one percent of this drive is on highways, offering a consistent pace for most of the 2 hours and 9 minutes. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 30.8 miles on State Highway 80 North, providing a solid block of driving without significant interruptions. This highway-focused profile means you'll likely experience steady speeds and a direct path toward Austin.

81% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 30.8 mi on State Highway 80 North.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on State Highway 80 North and State Highway 80. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 78.5 miles in.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 105.7 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 78.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 88.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 101.6 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 Runge, TX to Austin, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Waco along the way.

Waco

78.5 mi in | ~1h 36m

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 2h 9m. Total distance: 105.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (81%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 30.8 miles on State Highway 80 North. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 78.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 88.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 101.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Austin, TX before heading back.

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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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