Seabrook to Killeen is 233.4 miles and takes about 4h 34m via TX 6, Aggie Expressway, and Farm-to-Market Road 485, with a fuel budget near $34 and enough daylight to finish in a day. You'll be traveling within the Great Plains region for the entirety of this Texas trip. This route offers a straightforward drive, primarily on highways, making it a convenient option for a single-day excursion. Consider this drive if you need a practical and efficient way to get from the coast to Central Texas.
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
116.7 miles from Seabrook, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 16m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
TX 6
49.8 mi
53m
Aggie Expressway
24.8 mi
27m
Farm-to-Market Road 485
20.4 mi
25m
Farm-to-Market Road 979
15.3 mi
19m
TX 53
13.1 mi
16m
Central Texas Expressway
13.1 mi
13m
East Sam Houston Tollway North
13 mi
15m
North Sam Houston Parkway East
8.7 mi
10m
Longest stretch:
TX 6
— 49.8 mi, about 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Seabrook, TX and Killeen, TX.
1
Start on this road
22 ft·2 sec·this road
2
Turn right
78 ft·10 sec
3
Turn left onto TX 146
1.2 mi·1 min·Bayport Boulevard
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·24 sec
5
Merge onto TX 146
6.9 mi·8 min·TX 146
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward TX 225 West: Pasadena, HoustonUse the slight right lane.
7
Continue on TX 225
6.7 mi·7 min·La Porte Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
499 ft·12 sec
Toward BW 8 South, SHT: Sam Houston TollwayUse the slight right lane.
9
Continue on Pasadena Freeway Frontage Road
0.5 mi·50 sec·Pasadena Freeway Frontage Road
10
Turn slight right
259 ft·11 sec
Toward SHTUse the straight / right lanes.
11
Turn straight onto BW 8
310 ft·6 sec·East Sam Houston Parkway South
Toward SHT North
12
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward SHT North
13
Merge onto SHT
3.1 mi·4 min·East Sam Houston Tollway South
14
Continue on BW 8
4.6 mi·5 min·East Sam Houston Parkway North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on SHT
13 mi·15 min·East Sam Houston Tollway North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on BW 8
8.7 mi·10 min·North Sam Houston Parkway East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on SHT
2.3 mi·2 min·North Sam Houston Tollway West
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto SHT
2.1 mi·2 min·North Sam Houston Tollway West
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward TX 249 SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Turn straight onto BW 8
0.7 mi·1 min·North Sam Houston Parkway West
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Turn right onto Tomball Parkway Frontage Road
0.3 mi·26 sec·Tomball Parkway Frontage Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
22
Take the ramp onto Tomball Parkway Frontage Road
0.2 mi·23 sec·Tomball Parkway Frontage Road
Toward TX 249 NorthUse the slight left lane.
23
Merge onto TX 249
7.4 mi·8 min·Tomball Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Continue on TBT
7.3 mi·8 min·Tomball Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Continue on TX 249 Toll
3.6 mi·4 min·MCTRA 249 Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Continue on TX 249 Toll
25 mi·27 min·Aggie Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Continue on TX 105
5.8 mi·6 min·State Highway 105
28
Turn right onto TX 105
0.2 mi·16 sec·State Highway 6
29
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·18 sec
30
Merge onto TX 6
50 mi·53 min·TX 6
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 6
5.8 mi·5 min·North State Highway 6
32
Continue on TX 6
1.3 mi·2 min·South Main Street
33
Turn left onto FM 979
0.7 mi·1 min·Browning Street
34
Continue on FM 979
15 mi·19 min·Farm-to-Market Road 979
35
At end of road, turn right onto FM 485
20 mi·25 min·Farm-to-Market Road 485
36
At end of road, turn left onto TX 53
13 mi·16 min·TX 53
37
Turn left onto North General Bruce Drive
0.2 mi·20 sec·North General Bruce Drive
38
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward I 35 South
39
Merge onto I 35
7.1 mi·7 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 14; US 190
13 mi·13 min·Central Texas Expressway
Toward US 190 West: Killeen, Fort CavazosUse the straight / slight right lanes.
41
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Exit 287Toward FM 3470: Rosewood Drive, Stan Schlueter LoopUse the slight right lane.
42
Turn straight onto West Central Texas Expressway
2.9 mi·3 min·West Central Texas Expressway
43
Turn right onto South W.S. Young Drive
1.3 mi·2 min·South W.S. Young Drive
44
Turn left onto US 190 Bus
1.0 mi·1 min·East Veterans Memorial Boulevard
45
Turn right
83 ft·8 sec
46
Turn right
74 ft·5 sec
47
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 34m estimated drive time, leaving Seabrook in the morning allows ample time to reach Killeen before evening. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in planning your break. The route is mostly highway, so keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 49.8-mile stretch on TX 6. The fuel cost is estimated at $34, so ensure you have enough to cover this. Since this is a single-day trip, you can depart at your convenience, but an early start is advisable for a relaxed pace.
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 116.7 miles from Seabrook, TX, or about 2h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 49.8 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 51 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 116.7 miles or 2h 16m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 43m
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 Seabrook, 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 Seabrook, TX
This is one driving day of about 233.4 miles and 4h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 miles from Seabrook, 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 6 for about 49.8 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 31
5 decision points cluster between mile 8.3 and 227.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
8.3 mi into trip|~11m in
Take the exit toward TX 225 West: Pasadena, Houston
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 TX 225 West: Pasadena, Houston
7
15.7 mi into trip|~20m in
Take the exit toward BW 8 South, SHT: Sam Houston Tollway
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 BW 8 South, SHT: Sam Houston Tollway
6
50.3 mi into trip|~1h 1m in
Take the exit toward TX 249 South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward TX 249 South
8
214.8 mi into trip|~4h 12m in|I 14; US 190 / Central Texas Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 14; US 190 / Central Texas Expressway toward US 190 West: Killeen, Fort Cavazos
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 190 West: Killeen, Fort Cavazos
8
227.8 mi into trip|~4h 26m in
Take the exit toward FM 3470: Rosewood Drive, Stan Schlueter Loop
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 287
Toward FM 3470: Rosewood Drive, Stan Schlueter...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.97 one way
$63.94 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg82 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$35.71
$71.42
premium
$4.23
$38.82
$77.65
diesel
$4.80
$44.07
$88.14
Estimated Tolls: $2.40
Sam Houston Tollway
(20.4 mi)$1.64
Tomball Tollway
(7.3 mi)$0.51
MCTRA 249 Tollway
(3.6 mi)$0.25
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 81.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
70
0
$24.51
$11.20
Efficient EV
58.4
0
$20.42
$9.34
EV Truck/SUV
93.4
1
$32.68
$14.94
Gas CO2
82 kg
EV CO2
27 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 20, 2026
Origin
Seabrook, TX
Evening
in Seabrook on Monday
Local time
7:22 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Partly Cloudy
SW 10 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 19 at 11:05PM CDT until July 20 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Fort Worth TX
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 19 at 10:55PM CDT until July 20 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA
Destination
Killeen, TX
Evening
in Killeen on Monday
Local time
7:22 PM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Clear
S 5 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 19 at 11:05PM CDT until July 20 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Fort Worth TX
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 19 at 10:55PM CDT until July 20 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA
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
4h 34m 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?
Approximately 65% of this 233.4-mile drive is on highways. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 49.8 miles on TX 6 before transitioning to other roads. The route begins with more highway cruising and later incorporates Farm-to-Market Road 485, indicating a shift towards more rural or local road conditions as you approach Killeen. Expect a mix of faster highway travel and potentially slower speeds on the non-highway segments.
65% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
47 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 49.8 mi on TX 6.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on TX 6 and Aggie Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 8.3 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 31 significant decision points across 233.4 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 8.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 15.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 50.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
823 ft9 ft
Total Climb
944 ft
Total Descent
130 ft
Highest Point
823 ft
~233.4 mi in
Elevation Range
813 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Seabrook, TX and Killeen, TX, road signs point toward Bw 8 South, Sht: Sam Houston Tollway, Sht, Sht North and Fort Cavazos.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 34m. Total distance: 233.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 49.8 miles on TX 6. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.40 in tolls one way, starting with Sam Houston Tollway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
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 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 8.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 15.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 50.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Killeen, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.
