How far is Austin, TX from Bells, TX?
The driving distance from Austin, TX to Bells, TX is about 262.1 miles (421.8 km), with a travel time of about 04h 46m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 243.8 miles (392.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 33m 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 04h 46m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Austin and Bells.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Austin and Bells.
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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
6.6 mi · 8 min · South Jack Kultgen Expressway
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9
Continue on Purple Heart Trail
33 mi · 33 min · Purple Heart Trail
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10
Keep slight right to continue on I 35E: Dallas
56.2 mi · 58 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Riverfront Boulevard, Griffin Street
2094 ft · 42 sec
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12
Keep slight left to continue on I 35E North, I 30 West: Denton, Fort Worth, Texarkana
129 m · 6 sec
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13
Keep slight right to continue on I 30 East: Texarkana, Convention Center
2206 ft · 33 sec
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14
Keep slight left to continue on I 30 East: Texarkana
117 m · 6 sec
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15
Continue on East R L Thornton Freeway
1.2 km · 1 min · East R L Thornton Freeway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward I 45, US 75: Houston, McKinney
2421 ft · 46 sec
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17
Keep slight left to continue on US 75 North: McKinney
2512 ft · 1 min
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18
Keep slight right to continue on US 75 North: McKinney, Bryan Street East
1697 ft · 27 sec
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19
Merge slight left onto Julius Schepps Freeway
1.2 km · 49 sec · Julius Schepps Freeway
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20
Continue on North Central Expressway
35.1 mi · 38 min · North Central Expressway
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21
Take the exit slight right toward TX 121 North: Bonham
1.1 km · 1 min
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22
Continue on Sam Rayburn Highway
13.7 mi · 15 min · Sam Rayburn Highway
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23
Take the exit slight right toward TX 160: Whitewright, Blue Ridge
1437 ft · 46 sec
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24
Turn left onto State Highway 160
8.4 mi · 12 min · State Highway 160
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25
Continue straight
7.3 mi · 11 min
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26
Turn left onto Main Street
26 m · 4 sec · Main Street
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Austin and Bells.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Austin and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Bells.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Austin to Bells?
The road trip is about 262.1 miles (421.8 km) and usually takes 04h 46m 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?
Hillsboro is a useful midpoint, sitting about 131.3 miles from Austin and 130.8 miles from Bells.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 243.8 miles (392.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.3 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 7:26 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $34.96 one way or $69.91 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 82.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Austin and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Bells.
Stop Ideas Near Hillsboro
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Historic City Hall
Whitney City Hall
Town Hall Estates Nursing
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Hillsboro.
Cleburne
Waco, TX
McGregor
Fort Worth Central Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Austin and Bells. Straight-line distance: 243.84 mi (392.42 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 Bells
Town in Texas, United States
| Population | 1,516 |
| Coordinates | 33.6103800, -96.4108200 |
| Altitude | 210 |
| Country | United States |
End: Bells (-96.41082, 33.61038)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 422 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 43m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 33m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 14m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 22m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 44m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 16m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $34.96 | $69.91 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $39.33 | $78.66 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $42.47 | $84.93 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $36.94 | $73.87 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.