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Trip from Sugar Land, TX to Killeen, TX

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 56m

Distance

219 mi

352 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$33

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
3h 44m ★
6 AM
3h 57m
8 AM
4h 22m
10 AM
4h 6m
12 PM
4h 3m
3 PM
4h 7m
5 PM
4h 21m
8 PM
3h 49m

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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city in Fort Bend County, Texas, United States

Sugar Land, TX

Wikimedia Commons

city in Bell County, Texas, United States

Killeen, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 219-mile drive from Sugar Land, Texas, to Killeen, Texas, is a straightforward journey that can easily be completed in a single day, taking approximately 3 hours and 56 minutes. You'll spend virtually the entire trip on highways, with a 99% highway share, making it an efficient route. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $33. Given its manageable length and predominantly highway profile, this route is well-suited for a day trip, allowing you to arrive in Killeen without needing an overnight stop. Both your origin and destination are within the Great Plains region, so expect a consistent landscape throughout.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

109.5 miles from Sugar Land, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 59m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
TX 71 77.7 mi 1h 22m
Katy Freeway 48.2 mi 49m
Pickle Parkway 36.9 mi 35m
State Highway 195 34 mi 38m
West Grand Parkway South 14.7 mi 17m
US Highway 90A 3.5 mi 5m
West Veterans Memorial Boulevard 0.9 mi 1m
State Highway 130 0.7 mi 1m
Longest stretch: TX 71 — 77.7 mi, about 1h 22m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Sugar Land, TX and Killeen, TX.

1

Start on US 90 Alt

0.1 mi · 19 sec · US Highway 90A
2

Continue on US 90 Alt

3.4 mi · 5 min · US Highway 90A
Use the left lane.
3

Turn right onto TX 99

0.5 mi · 1 min · West Grand Parkway South
Use the right lane.
4

Merge onto TX 99

14 mi · 16 min · West Grand Parkway South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 56 sec
Toward I 10 West, I 10 East: San Antonio, Houston Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Keep slight left at fork

0.8 mi · 1 min
Toward I 10 West: San Antonio Use the slight left lane.
7

Merge onto I 10; US 90

48 mi · 49 min · Katy Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Take the exit onto TX 71

0.5 mi · 33 sec · TX 71
Toward TX 71 West: La Grange, Austin
9

Keep slight left at fork onto TX 71

77 mi · 1 hr 22 min · TX 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Take the exit onto TX 71

0.3 mi · 22 sec · East State Highway 71
Toward TX 71 West, TX 45 Toll, TX 130 Toll: Austin, Waco, San Antonio Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Turn right onto State Highway 130

0.7 mi · 1 min · State Highway 130
Use the straight / right lanes.
12

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 42 sec
Toward TX 45 Toll North, TX 130 Toll North
13

Merge onto TX 45 Toll; TX 130 Toll

37 mi · 35 min · Pickle Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 21 sec
Toward TX 195 North: Florence, Killeen Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
15

Continue on North Interstate 35

0.3 mi · 25 sec · North Interstate 35
16

Turn left onto TX 195

34 mi · 38 min · State Highway 195
Use the left / straight lanes.
17

Turn slight right

263 ft · 9 sec
Use the right lane.
18

Turn slight right onto US 190 Bus

0.9 mi · 1 min · West Veterans Memorial Boulevard
Use the right lane.
19

Turn left

83 ft · 8 sec
20

Turn right

74 ft · 5 sec
21

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

For this relatively short 219-mile journey, departing in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight and arrive with ample time. Since the drive is under 4 hours, you won't need to plan for an overnight stop. Consider making your one planned stop around the halfway point to stretch your legs and refuel if necessary. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 77.7-mile stretch on TX 71, as services might be less frequent in certain sections. The $33 fuel cost is a good estimate, but always factor in a little extra for unexpected detours or traffic.

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 109.5 miles from Sugar Land, TX, or about 1h 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 77.7 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 48 miles or 54m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 109.5 miles or 1h 59m 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 11m

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 Sugar Land, 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 Sugar Land, TX

This is one driving day of about 219 miles and 3h 56m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 miles from Sugar Land, 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 71 for about 77.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in Bastrop County, Texas, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Smithville, TX

110 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

Missouri City, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 48 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Smithville, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 109.5 miles from Sugar Land, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before TX 71 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 77.7 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Fort Bend Children's Discovery Center

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route

Sugar Land, Texas

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+18327422800

Visit website

Cullinan Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour

Sugar Land, Texas

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+12812752825

Visit website

Play Street Museum - Katy

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 15.6

Katy, Texas

Hours: 8:30 am–6 pm

+12816664217

Visit website

Great Escape of Central Texas

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 219

Killeen, Texas

Hours: 3:30–9:30 pm

+12546802686

Visit website

Escape Again Rooms

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour

Sugar Land, Texas

Hours: 4–10 pm

+18329994572

Visit website

Lions Club Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 219

Killeen, Texas

Hours: 5 am–10 pm

+12545016390

Visit website

Brazos River Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour

Sugar Land, Texas

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+12812752825

Visit website

Andretti Indoor Karting & Games Katy

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 15.6

Katy, Texas

Hours: 11 am–11 pm

+18329742201

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 18

5 decision points cluster between mile 18.2 and 183.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
18.2 mi into trip | ~23m in

Take the exit toward I 10 West, I 10 East: San Antonio, Houston

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 I 10 West, I 10 East: San Antonio, Houst...
7
18.6 mi into trip | ~24m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 10 West: San Antonio

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Toward I 10 West: San Antonio
6
68.2 mi into trip | ~1h 15m in | TX 71

Keep slight left at fork onto TX 71

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
145.4 mi into trip | ~2h 37m in | TX 71 / East State Highway 71

Take the exit onto TX 71 / East State Highway 71 toward TX 71 West, TX 45 Toll, TX 130 Toll: Austin, Waco, San Antonio

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 TX 71 West, TX 45 Toll, TX 130 Toll: Aus...
8
183.6 mi into trip | ~3h 15m 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

$33.09 one way

$66.18 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 77 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.20 $36.22 $72.44
premium $4.54 $39.10 $78.20
diesel $5.61 $48.35 $96.70

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$33

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$58–$83

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 76.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 65.7 0 $23.00 $10.51
Efficient EV 54.8 0 $19.16 $8.76
EV Truck/SUV 87.6 1 $30.66 $14.02

Gas CO2

77 kg

EV CO2

26 kg (66% 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 Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Sugar Land, TX

Afternoon in Sugar Land on Sunday

Local time

4:50 PM

CDT

Current temp

81°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Killeen, TX

Afternoon in Killeen on Sunday

Local time

4:50 PM

CDT

Current temp

60°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

75°F

Smithville, TX

110 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

21 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

3h 56m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

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

What kind of drive is this?

This drive is heavily focused on highway travel, with 99% of the route utilizing major roads like TX 71 and the Katy Freeway. You'll experience a consistent, fast-paced journey for the most part. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 77.7 miles on TX 71, offering a good opportunity to settle in for a solid period. While primarily a highway-focused experience, the Pickle Parkway may offer a slightly different feel as you transition. Overall, expect a smooth and efficient drive with minimal deviations from the main thoroughfares.

99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 77.7 mi on TX 71.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on TX 71 and Katy Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 18.2 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 18 significant decision points across 219 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 18.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 18.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 68.2 miles (TX 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Sugar Land, TX and Killeen, TX, road signs point toward Houston, Austin, Waco and San Antonio.

Houston

18.2 mi in | ~23m

Austin

67.7 mi in | ~1h 15m | via TX 71

Waco

145.4 mi in | ~2h 37m | via TX 71

San Antonio

145.4 mi in | ~2h 37m | via TX 71

About the Cities

Starting in Sugar Land, TX

Full guide →

Sugar Land is a city in the North Barrier Coast region of Texas, 24 miles southwest of Downtown Houston. It has a population of 118,000 (2019).

Arriving in Killeen, TX

Full guide →

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.

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 3h 56m. Total distance: 219 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (99%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 77.7 miles on TX 71. 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 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 18.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 18.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 68.2 miles (TX 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Possible but tiring. At 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Killeen, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.

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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