How far is Austin, TX from Buchanan Dam, TX?
The driving distance from Austin, TX to Buchanan Dam, TX is about 68.1 miles (109.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 25m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 52.4 miles (84.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 50m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 01h 25m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
City in Williamson 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 Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Austin and Buchanan Dam.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Austin and Buchanan Dam.
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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
4 mi · 5 min · Purple Heart Trail
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8
Take the exit slight right toward US 183 North: Lampasas
1.4 km · 2 min
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9
Merge slight left
11.3 mi · 13 min
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10
Continue straight
13.6 mi · 14 min
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11
Take the exit slight right
1547 ft · 38 sec
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12
Turn straight onto North US Highway 183
1244 ft · 22 sec · North US Highway 183
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13
Turn left onto West State Highway 29
21.7 mi · 28 min · West State Highway 29
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14
Continue on East Polk Street
1.8 mi · 3 min · East Polk Street
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15
Continue on Buchanan Drive
1.9 mi · 3 min · Buchanan Drive
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16
Continue on TX 29
10.9 mi · 13 min · TX 29
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17
Turn right onto Island Lodges Drive
43 m · 6 sec · Island Lodges Drive
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Island Lodges Drive
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Austin and Buchanan Dam.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
West State Highway 29
Turn left onto West State Highway 29
21.7 mi · 00h 28m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy leaving Austin and Mostly Cloudy near Buchanan Dam.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Austin to Buchanan Dam?
The road trip is about 68.1 miles (109.6 km) and usually takes 01h 25m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Liberty Hill is a useful midpoint, sitting about 34.1 miles from Austin and 34.1 miles from Buchanan Dam.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 52.4 miles (84.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 15.7 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:40 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.07 one way or $18.14 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 21.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy around Austin and Mostly Cloudy near Buchanan Dam.
Stop Ideas Near Liberty Hill
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Liberty Hill.
Austin
Taylor
Killeen, Texas
Fort Hood, Texas
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Austin and Buchanan Dam. Straight-line distance: 52.39 mi (84.31 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 Buchanan Dam
Place in Texas
| Population | 1,519 |
| Coordinates | 30.7399000, -98.4311400 |
| Altitude | 318 |
| Country | United States |
End: Buchanan Dam (-98.43114, 30.7399)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 110 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 16m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 42m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 21m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 08m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 58m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 50m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $9.07 | $18.14 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $10.20 | $20.41 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $11.02 | $22.04 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $9.58 | $19.17 |
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.