Rest Area US-84 US-283
0 mi from route
Trip from Sundown, TX to Austin, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
7h 29m
Distance
411.3 mi
662 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$56
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 19m
★
6 AM
7h 29m
8 AM
7h 50m
10 AM
7h 36m
12 PM
7h 34m
3 PM
7h 37m
5 PM
7h 49m
8 PM
7h 23m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Sundown, TX
Al d'Vilas
Austin, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Sundown, TX to Austin, TX is 411.3 miles and takes about 7h 29m via US Highway 84 and US 183, with a fuel budget near $60 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip spans the Great Plains region of Texas, offering a straightforward drive. Given its 1-day recommendation and mostly highway profile, it's a practical choice for getting from point A to point B efficiently. Plan for a solid day of driving without needing an overnight stop.
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
205.7 miles from Sundown, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 36m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US Highway 84 | 73.9 mi | 1h 14m |
| State Highway 153 | 69 mi | 1h 14m |
| US 183 | 44.5 mi | 49m |
| South US Highway 183 | 35.3 mi | 38m |
| US Highway 84 East | 29.2 mi | 33m |
| East Highway 84 | 26.9 mi | 26m |
| US 67 | 21.5 mi | 24m |
| FM 1585 | 16.2 mi | 16m |
Longest stretch:
US Highway 84
— 73.9 mi, about 1h 14m
Traffic on I-20
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 4 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,210 veh/hr typical · worst 1,594
Quietest
3 AM
~203 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 31 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 Sundown, TX and Austin, TX.
1
Start on FM 301
22 ft
·
2 sec
·
East Richardson Street
2
Turn right onto FM 303
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
South Slaughter Avenue
3
Continue on FM 303
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
North FM 303
4
Turn right onto FM 1585
10.0 mi
·
10 min
·
West FM 1585
5
Keep slight right at fork onto FM 1585; FM 3261
16 mi
·
16 min
·
FM 1585; FM 3261
6
Turn left onto US 62; US 82
5.8 mi
·
6 min
·
US 62; US 82
7
Take the exit onto Spur 327
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Spur 327
Toward Spur 327
8
Merge onto Loop 289
5.9 mi
·
6 min
·
Loop 289
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Toward US 84: Slaton, Post
10
Turn straight onto Southeast Loop 289
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
Southeast Loop 289
11
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
12
Merge onto US 84
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Slaton Road
13
Continue on US 84
6.9 mi
·
6 min
·
East Highway 84
14
Continue on US 84
4.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Trooper Jerry Don Davis Memorial Highway
15
Continue on US 84
20 mi
·
20 min
·
East Highway 84
16
Continue on US 84
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
North US Highway 84
17
Turn left onto Spur 575
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
East 15th Street
18
Turn right onto TX 207
0.4 mi
·
37 sec
·
Ralls Road
19
Turn straight onto TX 207
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
North Avenue F
20
At end of road, turn left onto US 84
74 mi
·
1 hr 14 min
·
US Highway 84
21
Keep slight left at fork onto US 84
6.5 mi
·
6 min
·
US 84
Toward I 20 East, US 84 East: Abilene
22
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
Exit 244
Toward SH 70 South, SH 70 Business: Sweetwater, San Angelo
23
Turn slight left onto Southwest Georgia Avenue
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
Southwest Georgia Avenue
24
Turn right onto TX 70
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Lamar Street
25
Continue on TX 70
10 mi
·
10 min
·
State Highway 70
26
Turn left onto TX 153
69 mi
·
1 hr 14 min
·
State Highway 153
27
Continue on TX 153
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
West Walnut Street
28
Continue on TX 153
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
East Walnut Street
29
At end of road, turn left onto US 84; US 283
9.4 mi
·
10 min
·
US 84; US 283
30
Continue on US 67; US 84
21 mi
·
24 min
·
US 67; US 84
31
Turn right onto US 84; US 183
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Garmon Drive
32
Continue on US 84; US 183
29 mi
·
33 min
·
US Highway 84 East
33
Turn right onto US 183; TX 16
22 mi
·
25 min
·
US 183; TX 16
34
Continue on US 183; US 190
15 mi
·
15 min
·
US 183; US 190
35
Merge onto US 183; US 190; US 281
260 ft
·
4 sec
·
North US Highway 281
36
Continue on US 183; US 190; US 281
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
North Key Avenue
37
Continue on US 183
35 mi
·
38 min
·
South US Highway 183
38
Continue on this road
0.4 mi
·
29 sec
·
this road
39
Keep slight left at fork onto 183A Toll
14 mi
·
14 min
·
183A Toll Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
40
Continue on US 183
7.5 mi
·
8 min
·
US 183
41
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Toward Loop 1: Mopac Boulevard
Use the slight right lane.
42
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
Toward Loop 1 South: Mopac Boulevard South
Use the slight right lane.
43
Merge onto Loop 1
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
North Mopac Expressway
44
Take the exit
423 ft
·
10 sec
Toward Express 1 Toll
Use the slight left lane.
45
Merge onto Express 1 Toll
3.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Express 1 Toll
46
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
47
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Toward West 5th Street
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
48
Turn straight onto West 5th Street
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
West 5th Street
Use the straight lane.
49
Arrive at destination
East 5th Street
Trip Plan
Aim to depart Sundown early in the morning to make the most of the 7h 29m estimated drive time to Austin. With only 2 recommended stops, you have flexibility in how you pace your day; consider a mid-morning break and a longer lunch stop. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 73.9-mile stretch on US Highway 84, as services might be less frequent in those rural sections. The estimated fuel cost is around $60, so budget accordingly before you leave.
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 205.7 miles from Sundown, TX, or about 3h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 73.9 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 90 miles or 1h 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 205.7 miles or 3h 36m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 21m
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 Sundown, 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 Sundown, TX
This is one driving day of about 411.3 miles and 7h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 90 miles from Sundown, 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 Highway 84 for about 73.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
206 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 90 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 205.7 miles from Sundown, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US Highway 84 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 73.9 miles.
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.
Llano Estacado Picnic Area
0 mi from route
San Saba Picnic Area
0 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Eagles Landing Travel Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
2.2 mi from route
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 websiteBotanical 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 websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 275 decision points cluster between mile 154.9 and 409.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
154.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 42m in
|
US 84
Keep slight left at fork onto US 84 toward I 20 East, US 84 East: Abilene
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 20 East, US 84 East: Abilene
6
161.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 49m in
Take the exit toward SH 70 South, SH 70 Business: Sweetwater, San Angelo
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 244
Toward SH 70 South, SH 70 Business: Sweetwater,...
6
380 mi into trip
|
~6h 52m in
|
183A Toll / 183A Toll Road
Keep slight left at fork onto 183A Toll / 183A Toll Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
402.2 mi into trip
|
~7h 16m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Loop 1 South: Mopac Boulevard South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Loop 1 South: Mopac Boulevard South
7
409.6 mi into trip
|
~7h 25m in
Keep slight left at fork toward West 5th Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Toward West 5th Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$56.34 one way
$112.67 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
144 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $62.93 | $125.85 |
| premium | $4.23 | $68.42 | $136.83 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $77.66 | $155.32 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.00
183A Toll Road
(14.3 mi)
$1.00
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
$56
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$82–$107
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 143.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $43 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 123.4 | 1 | $43.19 | $19.74 |
| Efficient EV | 102.8 | 1 | $35.99 | $16.45 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 164.5 | 2 | $57.58 | $26.32 |
Gas CO2
144 kg
EV CO2
48 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.
Origin
Sundown, TX
Late night in Sundown on Sunday
Local time
1:39 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy
SSE 10 to 15 mph
16% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 9:36PM CDT until July 19 at 3:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 9:36PM CDT until July 19 at 1:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Austin, TX
Late night in Austin on Sunday
Local time
1:39 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SE 5 mph
29% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 9:36PM CDT until July 19 at 3:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 9:36PM CDT until July 19 at 1:00AM 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
11 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 29m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 89% of the trip on major roads. You'll experience a long stretch of 73.9 miles on US Highway 84, which offers a chance for consistent cruising. The transition from highway to surface roads will occur later in the drive, giving you extended periods of less interrupted travel. Expect a good amount of rural cruising for much of the 411.3 miles.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
49 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 73.9 mi on US Highway 84.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US Highway 84 and State Highway 153. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 154.9 miles in near US 84.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 27 significant decision points across 411.3 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 154.9 miles (US 84): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 161.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 380 miles (183A Toll / 183A Toll Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
3,538 ft
487 ft
Total Climb
221 ft
Total Descent
3,272 ft
Highest Point
3,538 ft
Elevation Range
3,052 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Sundown, TX and Austin, TX, road signs point toward Spur 327, Post, Sh 70 South, Sh 70 Business: Sweetwater and San Angelo.
Spur 327
35.2 mi in
|
~37m
|
via Spur 327
Post
43.3 mi in
|
~47m
Sh 70 South
161.4 mi in
|
~2h 49m
Sh 70 Business: Sweetwater
161.4 mi in
|
~2h 49m
San Angelo
161.4 mi in
|
~2h 49m
About the Cities
Starting in Sundown, TX
Full guide →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 7h 29m. Total distance: 411.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 29m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 73.9 miles on US Highway 84. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.00 in tolls one way, starting with 183A Toll Road. 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.
Yes — we found about 10 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. There are 10 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 154.9 miles (US 84): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 161.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 380 miles (183A Toll / 183A Toll Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.5 hours each way, a round trip means 15.0 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.
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, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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