The Colony, TX to Austin, TX is 219.3 miles and takes about 3h 59m via South R L Thornton Freeway and I 35, with a fuel budget near $32 and enough daylight to finish in a day. You'll be traveling within the Great Plains region for the entire trip, staying within Texas. Most of this drive is on major highways, making it a straightforward option if you're looking for a direct route. With only one recommended stop and a drive time under four hours, this trip is easily manageable in a single day.
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
109.7 miles from The Colony, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 2m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
South R L Thornton Freeway
89.9 mi
1h 32m
I 35
55.8 mi
58m
Purple Heart Trail
40.3 mi
42m
Dallas North Tollway
17.4 mi
19m
North Jack Kultgen Expressway
6.6 mi
7m
Windhaven Parkway
2 mi
4m
North Stemmons Freeway
1.9 mi
2m
Plano Parkway
1.6 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
South R L Thornton Freeway
— 89.9 mi, about 1h 32m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 84 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~4,276 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,985
Quietest
2 AM
~739 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.8×
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 The Colony, TX and Austin, TX.
1
Start on this road
208 ft·20 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto Blair Oaks Drive
0.3 mi·49 sec·Blair Oaks Drive
3
Turn left onto Clover Valley Drive
0.6 mi·1 min·Clover Valley Drive
4
Turn left onto Worley Drive
0.2 mi·36 sec·Worley Drive
5
Turn right onto Paige Road
0.5 mi·1 min·Paige Road
6
Continue on Plano Parkway
1.6 mi·2 min·Plano Parkway
Use the left lane.
7
Turn left onto Windhaven Parkway
2.0 mi·4 min·Windhaven Parkway
Use the left lane.
8
Turn right onto Dallas Parkway
0.3 mi·34 sec·Dallas Parkway
Use the right lane.
9
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward DNT Toll South
10
Merge onto DNT
17 mi·19 min·Dallas North Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·49 sec
Toward I 35E SouthUse the right lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork
329 ft·8 sec
Toward I 35E SouthUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
13
Turn straight onto North Stemmons Freeway
0.1 mi·12 sec·North Stemmons Freeway
14
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·17 sec
Toward I 35E South
15
Merge onto I 35E
1.8 mi·2 min·North Stemmons Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on I 35E
0.5 mi·44 sec·South R L Thornton Freeway
17
Continue on I 35E
89 mi·1 hr 31 min·South R L Thornton Freeway
Exit 426Toward Dallas ZooUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on I 35; US 77
6.6 mi·7 min·North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on I 35
38 mi·39 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
56 mi·58 min·I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
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.
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 234BToward 8th–3rd Streets, Huston-Tillotson UniversityUse the slight right lane.
23
Turn straight onto North Interstate 35
0.2 mi·27 sec·North Interstate 35
Use the straight / right lanes.
24
Turn right onto East 6th Street
0.5 mi·1 min·East 6th Street
Use the right lane.
25
Turn left onto Congress Avenue
357 ft·17 sec·Congress Avenue
26
Turn left onto East 5th Street
28 ft·0 sec·East 5th Street
Use the left lane.
27
Arrive at destination
East 5th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 59m duration, leaving The Colony in the morning should allow you to reach Austin with plenty of time to spare. The $32 fuel cost is an estimate, so keep an eye on gas prices as you travel. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in planning your break. Consider a mid-morning or early afternoon stop to break up the 89.9-mile stretch on South R L Thornton Freeway. Since this is a relatively short, highway-focused drive, you can easily adjust your departure time based on your schedule.
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 109.7 miles from The Colony, TX, or about 2h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 89.9 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 48 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 109.7 miles or 2h 2m 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 15m
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 The Colony, 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 The Colony, TX
This is one driving day of about 219.3 miles and 3h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 miles from The Colony, 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 South R L Thornton Freeway for about 89.9 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 23.2 and 219.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
23.2 mi into trip|~32m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 35E South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 35E South
7
23.6 mi into trip|~32m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 35E South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35E South
8
216 mi into trip|~3h 53m 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
218.4 mi into trip|~3h 56m 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
219.3 mi into trip|~3h 59m in|East 5th Street
Turn left onto East 5th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.04 one way
$60.07 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg77 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$33.55
$67.10
premium
$4.23
$36.48
$72.96
diesel
$4.80
$41.41
$82.82
Estimated Tolls: $1.39
Dallas North Tollway
(17.4 mi)$1.39
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
$30
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 76.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
65.8
0
$23.03
$10.53
Efficient EV
54.8
0
$19.19
$8.77
EV Truck/SUV
87.7
1
$30.70
$14.04
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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
The Colony, TX
Late night
in The Colony on Monday
Local time
4:18 AM
CDT
Current temp
94°F
Mostly Sunny
SSW 10 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 4:08PM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 4:04PM CDT by NWS Lubbock TX
Destination
Austin, TX
Late night
in Austin on Monday
Local time
4:18 AM
CDT
Current temp
94°F
Mostly Sunny
S 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 4:08PM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 4:04PM CDT by NWS Lubbock TX
100°F
Italy, 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
3h 59m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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.
Waco Mammoth National Monument
National Monument
Standing as tall as 14 feet and weighing 20,000 pounds, Columbian mammoths roamed across what is present-day Texas thousands of years ago. Today, the fossil specimens represent the nation's first and...
5 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 113.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly highway, with 72% of the 219.3 miles on major roads. You'll experience an 89.9-mile stretch on South R L Thornton Freeway, which is a significant portion of the route. Expect a more urban feel with frequent exits during the initial part of your drive as you navigate out of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. The remainder of the trip is primarily on I 35, offering a consistent cruising experience.
72% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 89.9 mi on South R L Thornton Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on South R L Thornton Freeway and I 35. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 23.2 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 219.3 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 23.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 23.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 216 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
822 ft487 ft
Total Climb
821 ft
Total Descent
922 ft
Highest Point
822 ft
~203.7 mi in
Elevation Range
335 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from The Colony, TX to Austin, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Dallas Zoo along the way.
The Colony, City by the Lake, is located in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex region of Texas, less than 30 miles from Downtown Dallas. Best known for beautiful views of Lake Lewisville, The Colony extends 23 miles along its eastern shoreline, with hundreds of acres of wildlife and a myriad of recreational opportunities including camping, fishing, swimming, boating, hiking, picnicking and cycling.
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 3h 59m. Total distance: 219.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (72%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 89.9 miles on South R L Thornton Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.39 in tolls one way, starting with Dallas North 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 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 23.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 23.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 216 miles (I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Austin, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.
