This 267-mile drive from San Augustine, Texas, to Austin, Texas, is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in a single day. Expect to spend about 5 hours and 11 minutes on the road, with a projected fuel cost of around $40. The route primarily utilizes TX 21 and US 290, offering a direct path through the Great Plains region of Texas. With only one recommended stop and the longest stretch covering 132.5 miles on TX 21, it's designed for efficiency. This trip is ideal if you're looking for a no-fuss drive to get you from point A to point B without needing an overnight stay.
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
133.5 miles from San Augustine, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 37m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
TX 21
132.5 mi
2h 29m
TX 103
41.4 mi
44m
US 290
31.8 mi
37m
TX 7
31.3 mi
34m
South Broadway Street
12 mi
20m
Manor Expressway
6.1 mi
6m
Purple Heart Trail
3.4 mi
4m
US 69
2.5 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
TX 21
— 132.5 mi, about 2h 29m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
7 AM
~5,290 veh/hr typical
Quietest
3 AM
~977 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
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 San Augustine, TX and Austin, TX.
1
Start on Loop 547
289 ft·13 sec·Columbia Street
2
Turn left onto FM 2213
373 ft·12 sec·South Liberty Street
3
Turn right onto TX 21; TX 147
0.3 mi·33 sec·East Main Street
4
Turn left onto TX 147
12 mi·20 min·South Broadway Street
5
Continue on TX 103
30 mi·32 min·TX 103
6
Take the exit
106 ft·2 sec
7
Turn straight onto North Medford Drive
252 ft·6 sec·North Medford Drive
8
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·20 sec
9
Merge onto US 59; US 69; Loop 287
0.9 mi·1 min·US 59; US 69; Loop 287
10
Keep slight left at fork onto US 69; Loop 287
2.5 mi·3 min·US 69; Loop 287
Toward US 69 North, Loop 287 West: Tyler
11
Take the exit onto Loop 287
0.8 mi·1 min·Loop 287
Toward Loop 287 South, TX 103 West, FM 2680, US 69 Business: Kurth Drive
12
Turn left onto TX 103; Loop 287
0.7 mi·55 sec·John Redditt Drive
13
Take the exit onto TX 103
12 mi·12 min·TX 103
14
Continue on TX 7
31 mi·34 min·TX 7
15
Turn right onto US 287; TX 7
129 ft·2 sec·5th Street
16
Turn left onto US 287; TX 7; TX 19; TX 21
196 ft·6 sec·East Houston Avenue
17
Turn left onto US 287; TX 7; TX 19; TX 21
289 ft·8 sec·South 4th Street
18
Turn right onto TX 7; TX 21
1.6 mi·2 min·East Goliad Avenue
19
Turn left onto TX 21
133 mi·2 hr 29 min·TX 21
Use the left lane.
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
21
Merge onto US 290
7.7 mi·8 min·US 290
22
Continue on US 290
21 mi·25 min·US 290
23
Continue on 290 Toll
6.1 mi·6 min·Manor Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
24
Continue on US 290
1.6 mi·1 min·US 290
25
Take the exit onto US 290
1.1 mi·2 min·US 290
Toward I 35 South, US 290 WestUse the slight right lane.
26
Merge onto I 35; US 290
1.0 mi·1 min·Purple Heart Trail
27
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35; US 290
2.4 mi·3 min·Purple Heart Trail
Toward 32nd Street, Dean Keeton StreetUse the slight left lane.
28
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 234BToward 8th–3rd Streets, Huston-Tillotson UniversityUse the slight right lane.
29
Turn straight onto North Interstate 35
0.2 mi·27 sec·North Interstate 35
Use the straight / right lanes.
30
Turn right onto East 6th Street
0.5 mi·1 min·East 6th Street
Use the right lane.
31
Turn left onto Congress Avenue
357 ft·17 sec·Congress Avenue
32
Turn left onto East 5th Street
28 ft·0 sec·East 5th Street
Use the left lane.
33
Arrive at destination
East 5th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour 11-minute duration, starting your drive from San Augustine early in the morning is your best bet to arrive in Austin with ample time. With a fuel cost estimated at $40, ensure your tank is full before departing to minimize any unnecessary stops. The route offers flexibility, but planning for that 132.5-mile stretch on TX 21 means you might want to identify your single stop point beforehand. Consider gassing up and taking a break just before or after this longer segment to break up the drive effectively.
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 133.5 miles from San Augustine, TX, or about 2h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 132.5 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 59 miles or 1h 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 133.5 miles or 2h 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 4h 13m
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 San Augustine, 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 San Augustine, TX
This is one driving day of about 267 miles and 5h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from San Augustine, 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 TX 21 for about 132.5 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 25
5 decision points cluster between mile 43.2 and 267 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
43.2 mi into trip|~55m in|US 69; Loop 287
Keep slight left at fork onto US 69; Loop 287 toward US 69 North, Loop 287 West: Tyler
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 69 North, Loop 287 West: Tyler
7
261.5 mi into trip|~5h 2m in|US 290
Take the exit onto US 290 toward I 35 South, US 290 West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 35 South, US 290 West
8
263.7 mi into trip|~5h 6m in|I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail toward 32nd Street, Dean Keeton Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward 32nd Street, Dean Keeton Street
8
266.1 mi into trip|~5h 9m in
Take the exit toward 8th–3rd Streets, Huston-Tillotson University
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 234B
Toward 8th–3rd Streets, Huston-Tillotson Univer...
7
267 mi into trip|~5h 11m in|East 5th Street
Turn left onto East 5th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.57 one way
$73.14 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg93 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$40.85
$81.70
premium
$4.23
$44.41
$88.82
diesel
$4.80
$50.41
$100.83
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 93.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
80.1
0
$28.04
$12.82
Efficient EV
66.8
0
$23.36
$10.68
EV Truck/SUV
106.8
1
$37.38
$17.09
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
San Augustine, TX
Late night
in San Augustine on Monday
Local time
2:38 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Mostly Cloudy
0 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 10:45PM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:59PM CDT until July 19 at 6:17PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Austin, TX
Late night
in Austin on Monday
Local time
2:38 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 5 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 10:45PM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:59PM CDT until July 19 at 6:17PM 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
2 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
5h 11m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 92% of the journey taking place on main roads. You'll spend most of your time on TX 21 and US 290, experiencing a consistent pace. The longest uninterrupted stretch is a significant 132.5 miles on TX 21, so be prepared for extended periods of driving between towns. While the profile suggests a highway focus, expect the character to remain consistent for the majority of the trip, making it a predictable and efficient travel experience.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 132.5 mi on TX 21.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on TX 21 and TX 103. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 43.2 miles in near US 69; Loop 287.
Driving Effort9/10
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 25 significant decision points across 267 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 43.2 miles (US 69; Loop 287): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 261.5 miles (US 290): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 263.7 miles (I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
608 ft182 ft
Total Climb
730 ft
Total Descent
614 ft
Highest Point
608 ft
~228.9 mi in
Elevation Range
426 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between San Augustine, TX and Austin, TX, road signs point toward Loop 287 West: Tyler, Loop 287 South and Fm 2680.
San Augustine is a picturesque town in Deep East Texas, and the site of Mission Dolores, one of the first Spanish missions established in east Texas in the early 18th century. Today, San Augustine is a Texas Main Street Community of 1900 people (2020) with several old buildings in its historic downtown. It is within an hour's drive of two of east Texas' largest lakes: Sam Rayburn Reservoir and Toledo Bend Reservoir.
Top landmarks
•San Augustine County Courthouse and Jail — historic place in San Augustine, San Augustine County, Texas
•Ezekiel W. Cullen House — building in San Augustine, San Augustine County, Texas
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 5h 11m. Total distance: 267 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 11m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 132.5 miles on TX 21. 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 43.2 miles (US 69; Loop 287): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 261.5 miles (US 290): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 263.7 miles (I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.4 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.
