How far is Austin, TX from Athens, TX?
The driving distance from Austin, TX to Athens, TX is about 194.2 miles (312.5 km), with a travel time of about 03h 35m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 174.2 miles (280.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 10m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 03h 35m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Town in McLennan County, Texas, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Austin and Athens.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Austin and Athens.
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1
Start on East 5th Street
1836 ft · 52 sec · East 5th Street
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2
Turn left onto Red River Street
711 ft · 20 sec · Red River Street
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3
Turn right onto East 7th Street
757 ft · 17 sec · East 7th Street
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4
Turn left onto North Interstate 35
928 ft · 27 sec · North Interstate 35
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5
Take the ramp slight left toward I 35 North, US 290 East
906 ft · 22 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Purple Heart Trail
2985 ft · 42 sec · Purple Heart Trail
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7
Keep slight right to continue on Purple Heart Trail
95.6 mi · 1 hr 40 min · Purple Heart Trail
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8
Continue on South Jack Kultgen Expressway
6 mi · 7 min · South Jack Kultgen Expressway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward US 84: Waco Drive, Bellmead Drive
1323 ft · 28 sec
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10
Turn straight onto North Jack Kultgen Expressway
1408 ft · 31 sec · North Jack Kultgen Expressway
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11
Turn right onto East Waco Drive
1793 ft · 53 sec · East Waco Drive
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12
Continue on Bellmead Drive
2.6 mi · 5 min · Bellmead Drive
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13
Continue on East US Highway 84
2.7 mi · 3 min · East US Highway 84
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14
Continue on State Highway 31
16.9 mi · 17 min · State Highway 31
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15
Continue on Hubbard Bypass
5.3 mi · 5 min · Hubbard Bypass
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16
Continue on State Highway 31
18.9 mi · 21 min · State Highway 31
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17
Turn right onto Corsicana Bypass
11.8 mi · 14 min · Corsicana Bypass
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18
Turn right onto East State Highway 31
9.3 mi · 11 min · East State Highway 31
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19
Continue on Northeast 2nd Street
9.9 mi · 11 min · Northeast 2nd Street
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20
Continue on West Royall Boulevard
5.3 mi · 6 min · West Royall Boulevard
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21
Continue on State Highway 31 West
4.1 mi · 5 min · State Highway 31 West
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22
Continue on West Corsicana Street
3.2 mi · 6 min · West Corsicana Street
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23
Turn left onto North Prairieville Street
59 m · 3 sec · North Prairieville Street
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Prairieville Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Austin and Athens.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
Purple Heart Trail
Keep slight right to continue on Purple Heart Trail
95.6 mi · 01h 40m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy leaving Austin and Mostly Sunny near Athens.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Austin to Athens?
The road trip is about 194.2 miles (312.5 km) and usually takes 03h 35m 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?
Beverly Hills is a useful midpoint, sitting about 97.2 miles from Austin and 97 miles from Athens.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 174.2 miles (280.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 20 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 9:50 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.89 one way or $51.77 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 60.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy around Austin and Mostly Sunny near Athens.
Stop Ideas Near Beverly Hills
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Riesel City Hall
Waco City Hall
Robinson City Police Department
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Beverly Hills.
Waco, TX
McGregor
Temple
Killeen, Texas
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Austin and Athens. Straight-line distance: 174.23 mi (280.4 km).
#1 Austin
The eleventh most populous city in the United States and the center of the Austin metropolitan area.
| Population | 995,484 |
| Coordinates | 30.2671500, -97.7430600 |
| Altitude | 149 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Athens
City in Texas
| Population | 12,770 |
| Coordinates | 32.2048700, -95.8555200 |
| Altitude | 149 |
| Country | United States |
End: Athens (-95.85552, 32.20487)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 312 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 28m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 51m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 52m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 14m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 46m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 25m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $25.89 | $51.77 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $29.13 | $58.25 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $31.45 | $62.90 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $27.35 | $54.70 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.