How far is Austin, TX from Archer City, TX?

The driving distance from Austin, TX to Archer City, TX is about 271.9 miles (437.6 km), with a travel time of about 05h 13m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 235.7 miles (379.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 27m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
271.89 mi
05h 13m
Flight
235.72 mi
379.36 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Austin.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
235.72 mi
Kilometers
379.36 km
Flight Time
00h 28m

Driving Distance

Road route
271.89 mi
Kilometers
437.56 km
Drive Time
05h 13m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 05h 13m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Archer City
Thu, Apr 23, 6:29 AM CDT
Return by in Austin
Thu, Apr 23, 11:43 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Austin
2026-04-23T01:16
Arrive Archer City
Thu, Apr 23, 6:29 AM CDT
Route Timing
05h 13m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
11:14 AM to 1:14 PM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
6:32 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Austin
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Hico
TX

City in Hamilton County, Texas, United States

From Austin
136.1 mi
02h 36m
To Archer City
135.7 mi
02h 36m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
85°F
Thursday

Mostly Cloudy

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph S
Destination
85°F
Thursday

Mostly Cloudy

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
14 to 20 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Austin and Archer City.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Austin and Archer City.

  1. 1

    Start on East 5th Street

    1836 ft · 52 sec · East 5th Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Red River Street

    711 ft · 20 sec · Red River Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto East 7th Street

    757 ft · 17 sec · East 7th Street

  4. 4

    Turn left onto North Interstate 35

    928 ft · 27 sec · North Interstate 35

  5. 5

    Take the ramp slight left toward I 35 North, US 290 East

    906 ft · 22 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto Purple Heart Trail

    2985 ft · 42 sec · Purple Heart Trail

  7. 7

    Keep slight right to continue on Purple Heart Trail

    4 mi · 5 min · Purple Heart Trail

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward US 183 North: Lampasas

    1.4 km · 2 min

  9. 9

    Merge slight left

    11.3 mi · 13 min

  10. 10

    Continue straight

    14.6 mi · 15 min

  11. 11

    Continue on North US Highway 183

    35.7 mi · 39 min · North US Highway 183

  12. 12

    Continue on South Key Avenue

    2.3 mi · 5 min · South Key Avenue

  13. 13

    Continue on North US Highway 281

    965 ft · 15 sec · North US Highway 281

  14. 14

    Keep slight right to continue on North US Highway 281

    42.9 mi · 49 min · North US Highway 281

  15. 15

    Continue on South Rice Street

    2.3 mi · 3 min · South Rice Street

  16. 16

    Continue on North US Highway 281

    19 mi · 20 min · North US Highway 281

  17. 17

    Continue on South Walnut Street

    2995 ft · 43 sec · South Walnut Street

  18. 18

    At the end of the road, turn left onto North 2nd Street

    2039 ft · 26 sec · North 2nd Street

  19. 19

    Continue on North US Highway 281

    18 mi · 20 min · North US Highway 281

  20. 20

    Continue on East Road

    1.1 mi · 2 min · East Road

  21. 21

    Continue on Morgan Mill Road

    39.9 mi · 44 min · Morgan Mill Road

  22. 22

    Continue on South Oak Avenue

    2.9 mi · 3 min · South Oak Avenue

  23. 23

    Continue on North US Highway 281

    14.9 mi · 17 min · North US Highway 281

  24. 24

    Continue on South Benson Street

    48.4 mi · 56 min · South Benson Street

  25. 25

    Turn left onto State Highway 25 East

    10.3 mi · 15 min · State Highway 25 East

  26. 26

    Continue on East Main Street

    1.4 km · 1 min · East Main Street

  27. 27

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Main Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Austin and Archer City.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
27 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
North US Highway 281
95 mi · 35%
South Benson Street
48.4 mi · 18%
Morgan Mill Road
39.9 mi · 15%
North US Highway 183
35.7 mi · 13%
US 183 North
26.7 mi · 10%
State Highway 25 East
10.3 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

South Benson Street

Continue on South Benson Street

48.4 mi · 00h 56m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A longer out-and-back drive

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

Drive Time
05h 13m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
10h 28m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+36.2 mi
235.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Hico
02h 36m from Austin
Leave By
6:32 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Cloudy leaving Austin and Mostly Cloudy near Archer City.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Austin to Archer City?

The road trip is about 271.9 miles (437.6 km) and usually takes 05h 13m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Hico is a useful midpoint, sitting about 136.1 miles from Austin and 135.7 miles from Archer City.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 235.7 miles (379.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 36.2 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 6:32 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $36.24 one way or $72.48 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 85.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around Austin and Mostly Cloudy near Archer City.

Stop Ideas Near Hico

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Hico, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Hico.

RAIL

Cleburne

74 mi away
206 North Border St.
RAIL

McGregor

85 mi away
1 Amtrak Blvd.
BUS

Fort Hood, Texas

97 mi away
Hood Road & Old Ironsides Ave.
BUS

Waco, TX

98 mi away
301 South 8th Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Austin and Archer City. Straight-line distance: 235.72 mi (379.36 km).

Austin

#1 Austin

The eleventh most populous city in the United States and the center of the Austin metropolitan area.

Population995,484
Coordinates30.2671500, -97.7430600
Altitude149
CountryUnited States
Archer City

#2 Archer City

City in Texas, USA

Population1,702
Coordinates33.5956600, -98.6256100
Altitude324
CountryUnited States
Start: Austin (-97.74306, 30.26715)
End: Archer City (-98.62561, 33.59566)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 438 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)09h 03m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 47m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 26m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 31m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 53m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 23m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
9.59 gal
36.32 L · about $36.24
Round trip
$72.48
19.18 gal · 72.64 L
Estimated CO2
85.2 kg one way
Round trip: 170.5 kg / 376 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.78 $36.24 $72.48
Mid-grade $4.25 $40.78 $81.55
Premium $4.59 $44.03 $88.06
Diesel $3.99 $38.29 $76.59

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Texas · Apr 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Austin and Archer City. The current time is 01:16:15.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.