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Trip from Tomball, TX to Killeen, TX

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 18m

Distance

169.6 mi

273 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$26

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min
4 AM
3h 6m ★
6 AM
3h 18m
8 AM
3h 42m
10 AM
3h 27m
12 PM
3h 24m
3 PM
3h 28m
5 PM
3h 41m
8 PM
3h 11m

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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Downtown Tomball, TX, TX

Tomball, TX

Danny Meneses

city in Bell County, Texas, United States

Killeen, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 169.6-mile drive from Tomball, TX to Killeen, TX can be completed in about 3 hours and 18 minutes, making it a perfect one-day trip. You'll primarily travel on TX 6 and the Aggie Expressway, with a portion on Farm-to-Market Road 485. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $26. This route offers a straightforward drive, largely focused on highway travel, and is well-suited for a single day's adventure without the need for an overnight stop. Both your origin and destination are within the Great Plains region, suggesting a consistent landscape throughout your journey.

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

84.8 miles from Tomball, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 34m 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
Purple Heart Trail 7.1 mi 7m
North State Highway 6 5.8 mi 5m
Longest stretch: TX 6 — 49.8 mi, about 53m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on FM 2920

21 ft · 5 sec · FM 2920
2

Turn left onto North Cherry Street

0.4 mi · 51 sec · North Cherry Street
Use the left lane.
3

Turn left onto West Hufsmith Road

0.2 mi · 26 sec · West Hufsmith Road
4

Continue on Brown-Hufsmith Road

0.4 mi · 40 sec · Brown-Hufsmith Road
5

Continue on Brown Road

0.6 mi · 1 min · Brown Road
6

Turn right onto TX 249

0.4 mi · 34 sec · Tomball Parkway
Use the right lane.
7

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 41 sec
Toward TBT Toll North Use the straight / slight left lanes.
8

Merge onto TBT

0.5 mi · 37 sec · Tomball Tollway
9

Continue on TX 249 Toll

3.6 mi · 4 min · MCTRA 249 Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Continue on TX 249 Toll

25 mi · 27 min · Aggie Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Continue on TX 105

5.8 mi · 6 min · State Highway 105
12

Turn right onto TX 105

0.2 mi · 16 sec · State Highway 6
13

Take the ramp

0.1 mi · 18 sec
14

Merge onto TX 6

50 mi · 53 min · TX 6
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Keep slight right at fork onto TX 6

5.8 mi · 5 min · North State Highway 6
16

Continue on TX 6

1.3 mi · 2 min · South Main Street
17

Turn left onto FM 979

0.7 mi · 1 min · Browning Street
18

Continue on FM 979

15 mi · 19 min · Farm-to-Market Road 979
19

At end of road, turn right onto FM 485

20 mi · 25 min · Farm-to-Market Road 485
20

At end of road, turn left onto TX 53

13 mi · 16 min · TX 53
21

Turn left onto North General Bruce Drive

0.2 mi · 20 sec · North General Bruce Drive
22

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 26 sec
Toward I 35 South
23

Merge onto I 35

7.1 mi · 7 min · Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24

Keep slight right at fork onto I 14; US 190

13 mi · 13 min · Central Texas Expressway
Toward US 190 West: Killeen, Fort Cavazos Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 32 sec
Exit 287 Toward FM 3470: Rosewood Drive, Stan Schlueter Loop Use the slight right lane.
26

Turn straight onto West Central Texas Expressway

2.9 mi · 3 min · West Central Texas Expressway
27

Turn right onto South W.S. Young Drive

1.3 mi · 2 min · South W.S. Young Drive
28

Turn left onto US 190 Bus

1.0 mi · 1 min · East Veterans Memorial Boulevard
29

Turn right

83 ft · 8 sec
30

Turn right

74 ft · 5 sec
31

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Given the manageable 3-hour duration, leaving Tomball in the morning allows you to reach Killeen by midday. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the longest stretch without a significant turn is nearly 50 miles on TX 6. This drive is easily accomplished in a single day, so consider an early departure to maximize your time upon arrival. The relatively short distance means you can be flexible with your schedule, perhaps stopping for a quick break along TX 6 if needed.

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 84.8 miles from Tomball, TX, or about 1h 34m 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 37 miles or 43m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 84.8 miles or 1h 34m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 41m

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 Tomball, 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 Tomball, TX

This is one driving day of about 169.6 miles and 3h 18m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Tomball, 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.

Downtown Rosebud, TX, TX

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Rosebud, TX

85 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

College Station, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 37 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Hearne, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 84.8 miles from Tomball, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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.

Great Escape of Central Texas

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour

Killeen, Texas

Hours: 3:30–9:30 pm

+12546802686

Visit website

Lions Club Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour

Killeen, Texas

Hours: 5 am–10 pm

+12545016390

Visit website

Cultural Activities Center

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

Home stretch 3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour

Temple, Texas

Hours: 8:30 am–4 pm

+12547739926

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 21

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 164.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | North Cherry Street

Turn left onto North Cherry Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
6
1.6 mi into trip | ~3m in | TX 249 / Tomball Parkway

Turn right onto TX 249 / Tomball Parkway

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
5
2 mi into trip | ~3m in

Take the ramp toward TBT Toll North

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight left lanes. Toward TBT Toll North
8
151.1 mi into trip | ~2h 56m 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
164.1 mi into trip | ~3h 9m 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

$25.63 one way

$51.25 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 59 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.20 $28.05 $56.10
premium $4.54 $30.28 $60.56
diesel $5.61 $37.45 $74.89

Estimated Tolls: $0.29

MCTRA 249 Tollway (3.6 mi) $0.25
Tomball Tollway (0.5 mi) $0.04

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

$26

Tolls

$0

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$51–$76

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 59.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 50.9 0 $17.81 $8.14
Efficient EV 42.4 0 $14.84 $6.78
EV Truck/SUV 67.8 0 $23.74 $10.85

Gas CO2

59 kg

EV CO2

20 kg (66% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

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

Tomball, TX

Late night in Tomball on Tuesday

Local time

3:09 AM

CDT

Current temp

88°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Killeen, TX

Late night in Killeen on Tuesday

Local time

3:09 AM

CDT

Current temp

84°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

66°F

Rosebud, TX

85 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 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 18m 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?

Expect a highway-focused drive for about 68% of this trip. You'll experience stretches of faster-paced road, including a significant 49.8-mile segment on TX 6 without interruption. While the primary roads are designed for efficient travel, the inclusion of Farm-to-Market Road 485 suggests a potential shift to more rural or local road conditions as you approach your destination. This route balances highway efficiency with a touch of local Texas road feel, offering a dynamic driving experience.

68% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 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?

8/10

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 early in the drive near North Cherry Street.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 169.6 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: near the start (North Cherry Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.6 miles (TX 249 / Tomball Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 2 miles: 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.

On the drive from Tomball, TX to Killeen, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Fort Cavazos along the way.

Fort Cavazos

151.1 mi in | ~2h 56m | via I 14; US 190

About the Cities

Arriving in Killeen, TX

Full guide →

Founded 1872

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

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 18m. Total distance: 169.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 18m 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 $0.29 in tolls one way, starting with MCTRA 249 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: near the start (North Cherry Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.6 miles (TX 249 / Tomball Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 2 miles: Lane positioning matters here.

Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.6 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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