How far is Austin, TX from Big Spring, TX?
The driving distance from Austin, TX to Big Spring, TX is about 291.2 miles (468.7 km), with a travel time of about 05h 42m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 259.7 miles (417.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 24m 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 05h 42m.
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.
Town of the United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Austin and Big Spring.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Austin and Big Spring.
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1
Start on East 5th Street
127 m · 16 sec · East 5th Street
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2
Turn left onto Brazos Street
109 m · 23 sec · Brazos Street
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3
Turn left onto East 6th Street
1.9 mi · 5 min · East 6th Street
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4
Turn left onto Atlanta Street
71 m · 7 sec · Atlanta Street
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5
Take the ramp straight toward Loop 1 South
1065 ft · 26 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto South Mopac Expressway
3.9 mi · 5 min · South Mopac Expressway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward US 290 West, TX 71 West: Johnson City, Llano
1 km · 1 min
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8
Keep slight left to continue on US 290 West, TX 71 West
97 m · 8 sec
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9
Merge slight left
2.5 mi · 3 min
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10
Turn slight right onto West Highway 71
22.4 mi · 31 min · West Highway 71
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11
Continue on East State Highway 71
42 mi · 57 min · East State Highway 71
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12
Keep slight right
1.5 mi · 2 min
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13
Turn left onto West Young Street
2.7 mi · 4 min · West Young Street
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14
Continue straight
47.2 mi · 51 min
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15
Turn right
2.8 mi · 4 min
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16
At the end of the road, turn left onto Commerce Street
1347 ft · 19 sec · Commerce Street
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17
Turn straight onto United States Highway 87
71.2 mi · 1 hr 17 min · United States Highway 87
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18
Continue on South Bryant Boulevard
4.1 mi · 6 min · South Bryant Boulevard
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19
Continue on South Koenigheim Street
1.4 mi · 2 min · South Koenigheim Street
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20
Continue on North Bryant Boulevard
4.3 mi · 6 min · North Bryant Boulevard
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21
Continue on US Highway 87 North
23.2 mi · 24 min · US Highway 87 North
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22
Continue straight
15.8 mi · 17 min
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23
Turn straight onto US Highway 87 North
37.7 mi · 38 min · US Highway 87 North
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24
Take the exit slight right toward US 87 Business North: Big Spring
1048 ft · 26 sec
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25
Continue on South US Highway 87
3.1 mi · 5 min · South US Highway 87
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26
Continue on South Gregg Street
1.7 mi · 3 min · South Gregg Street
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27
Turn left onto West 5th Street
117 m · 19 sec · West 5th Street
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28
Turn right onto South Lancaster Street
115 m · 19 sec · South Lancaster Street
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29
Turn right onto West 4th Street
92 m · 6 sec · West 4th Street
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30
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West 4th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Austin and Big Spring.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
United States Highway 87
Turn straight onto United States Highway 87
71.2 mi · 01h 17m
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.
Mostly Cloudy leaving Austin and Mostly Sunny near Big Spring.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Austin to Big Spring?
The road trip is about 291.2 miles (468.7 km) and usually takes 05h 42m 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?
Melvin is a useful midpoint, sitting about 145.6 miles from Austin and 145.6 miles from Big Spring.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 259.7 miles (417.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 31.5 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 5:36 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $38.85 one way or $77.70 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 91.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around Austin and Mostly Sunny near Big Spring.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Austin and Big Spring. Straight-line distance: 259.7 mi (417.95 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 Big Spring
City in Texas, United States
| Population | 28,077 |
| Coordinates | 32.2504000, -101.4787400 |
| Altitude | 744 |
| Country | United States |
End: Big Spring (-101.47874, 32.2504)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 469 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 42m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 16m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 49m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 51m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 09m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 38m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $38.85 | $77.70 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $43.71 | $87.42 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $47.20 | $94.39 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $41.05 | $82.10 |
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.