Traveling from Seminole to Austin covers 377.7 miles and typically takes about 6 hours and 26 minutes behind the wheel. Because this is a turn-heavy local drive, you should budget for a single day of travel, keeping your estimated fuel costs around $58. Both your starting point in Seminole and your destination in Austin are located within the Great Plains region of Texas, ensuring a consistent geographic feel for the entire journey. While it is certainly possible to complete this trip in one long day, you might consider taking your time to avoid fatigue. Plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and break up the drive. This route is best suited for drivers who prefer local roads over the monotony of major interstate travel.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
189.9 miles from Seminole, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 21m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 87
104.4 mi
1h 55m
TX 71
58 mi
1h 18m
William B Crooker Memorial Highway
52.1 mi
52m
State Highway 71
47.2 mi
50m
East Avenue A
38.7 mi
43m
North US Highway 87
18.1 mi
18m
South US Highway 87
18.1 mi
18m
US Highway 87 South
14.6 mi
14m
Longest stretch:
US 87
— 104.4 mi, about 1h 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Seminole, TX and Austin, TX.
1
Start on US 180
39 mi·43 min·East Avenue A
2
Continue on US 180
1.6 mi·1 min·Seminole Road
3
Continue on US 180
0.7 mi·55 sec·North 4th Street
4
Turn right onto US 87; US 180
1.2 mi·1 min·North Lynn Avenue
5
Continue on US 87; US 180
1.3 mi·1 min·South Dallas Avenue
6
Continue on US 87; US 180
18 mi·18 min·South US Highway 87
7
Continue on US 87
1.4 mi·1 min·William Crooker Highway
8
Continue on US 87
18 mi·18 min·North US Highway 87
9
Continue on US 87
52 mi·52 min·William B Crooker Memorial Highway
10
Continue on US 87; TX 158; TX 163
1.2 mi·2 min·4th Street
11
Continue on US 87
15 mi·14 min·US Highway 87 South
12
Continue on US 87
104 mi·1 hr 55 min·US 87
13
Turn right onto US 87; US 190; US 377
2.8 mi·3 min·Bridge Street
14
Turn left onto TX 71
47 mi·50 min·State Highway 71
15
Turn left onto TX 29; TX 71
2.8 mi·3 min·TX 29; TX 71
16
Turn right onto TX 16; TX 71
0.4 mi·31 sec·Bessemer Avenue
17
Continue on TX 16; TX 71
1.1 mi·1 min·Ford Street
18
Turn left onto TX 71
58 mi·1 hr 18 min·TX 71
19
Turn left onto RM 2244
8.0 mi·11 min·Bee Caves Road
Use the left lane.
20
Continue on RM 2244
1.0 mi·1 min·Bee Cave Road
21
Continue on RM 2244
2.3 mi·4 min·Bee Caves Road
22
Turn left onto South Mopac Service Road
0.2 mi·16 sec·South Mopac Service Road
Use the left lane.
23
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·17 sec
Toward Loop 1 North
24
Merge onto Loop 1
0.6 mi·42 sec·South Mopac Expressway
25
Take the exit
0.1 mi·12 sec
Toward 5th Street, Lake Austin Boulevard, Cesar Chavez StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·14 sec
Toward West 5th Street, Lake Austin BoulevardUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
27
Keep slight right at fork
120 ft·2 sec
Toward 5th StreetUse the slight right lane.
28
Turn straight onto West 5th Street
1.6 mi·3 min·West 5th Street
Use the straight lane.
29
Arrive at destination
East 5th Street
Trip Plan
For a trip of this length, departing early in the morning is your best strategy to navigate the turn-heavy local roads while you are fresh and alert. Since you have one planned stop, use that break to refuel and grab a meal, keeping your $58 fuel budget in mind as you plan your stops. Flexibility is an advantage on this 377.7-mile route, as local roads often feature varying speed limits and traffic patterns that can influence your arrival time. Pay close attention to your navigation system when transitioning between Seminole Road and North Lynn Avenue, as the local nature of the drive makes missing a turn easy. Taking your time is the most effective way to manage the nearly 6.5-hour duration comfortably.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 189.9 miles from Seminole, TX, or about 3h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 104.4 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 84 miles or 1h 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 189.9 miles or 3h 21m 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 Austin, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Seminole, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Seminole, TX
This is one driving day of about 379.8 miles and 7h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 84 miles from Seminole, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US 87 for about 104.4 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 365.7 and 378.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
365.7 mi into trip|~6h 50m in|RM 2244 / Bee Caves Road
Turn left onto RM 2244 / Bee Caves Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
377 mi into trip|~7h 8m in|South Mopac Service Road
Turn left onto South Mopac Service Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
377.9 mi into trip|~7h 9m in
Take the exit toward 5th Street, Lake Austin Boulevard, Cesar Chavez Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward 5th Street, Lake Austin Boulevard, Cesar...
9
378 mi into trip|~7h 9m in
Keep slight left at fork toward West 5th Street, Lake Austin Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward West 5th Street, Lake Austin Boulevard
8
378.1 mi into trip|~7h 9m in
Keep slight right at fork toward 5th Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward 5th Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$57.39 one way
$114.78 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg133 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$62.82
$125.63
premium
$4.54
$67.81
$135.62
diesel
$5.61
$83.86
$167.71
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$57
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$82–$107
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 132.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $40 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
113.9
1
$39.88
$18.23
Efficient EV
95
1
$33.23
$15.19
EV Truck/SUV
151.9
1
$53.17
$24.31
Gas CO2
133 kg
EV CO2
44 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.
Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Seminole, TX
Morning
in Seminole on Tuesday
Local time
7:02 AM
CDT
Current temp
85°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Austin, TX
Morning
in Austin on Tuesday
Local time
7:02 AM
CDT
Current temp
89°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
83°F
Brady, TX
190 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
4 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
7h 13m 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.
Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park tells the story of our 36th president beginning with his ancestors until his final resting place on his beloved LBJ Ranch. This entire "circle of life" gives...
22 mi from route
~56 min detour
Free
near mile 327.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a significantly different experience than a standard highway cruise, as this path avoids major interstates entirely. With a 0% highway share, you will navigate via Seminole Road, North 4th Street, and North Lynn Avenue throughout the duration of the trip. The road personality here is distinctly turn-heavy, requiring your full attention as you transition between local segments. Because you are not traveling on high-speed expressways, you will find a more intimate pace that reflects the local landscape of the Great Plains. Be prepared for a winding experience that demands consistent focus compared to a straight-line interstate trek.
69% 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: 104.4 mi on US 87.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 87 and TX 71. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 365.7 miles in near RM 2244 / Bee Caves Road.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 379.8 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 365.7 miles (RM 2244 / Bee Caves Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 377 miles (South Mopac Service Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 377.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 7h 13m. Total distance: 379.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 13m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 104.4 miles on US 87. 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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 365.7 miles (RM 2244 / Bee Caves Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 377 miles (South Mopac Service Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 377.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.2 hours each way, a round trip means 14.5 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.
