How far is Austin, TX from Center, TX?
The driving distance from Austin, TX to Center, TX is about 265 miles (426.5 km), with a travel time of about 05h 21m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 235.9 miles (379.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 42m 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 21m.
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.
City in Texas, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy
Mostly Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Austin and Center.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Austin and Center.
-
1
Start on East 5th Street
1836 ft · 52 sec · East 5th Street
-
2
Turn left onto Red River Street
711 ft · 20 sec · Red River Street
-
3
Turn right onto East 7th Street
757 ft · 17 sec · East 7th Street
-
4
Turn left onto North Interstate 35
928 ft · 27 sec · North Interstate 35
-
5
Take the ramp slight left toward I 35 North, US 290 East
906 ft · 22 sec
-
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
2.9 mi · 4 min · Purple Heart Trail
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8
Take the exit slight right toward US 290 East: Houston
2.5 mi · 4 min
-
9
Continue on Manor Expressway
6.2 mi · 6 min · Manor Expressway
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10
Continue on East US Highway 290
29 mi · 34 min · East US Highway 290
-
11
Take the exit slight right
726 ft · 20 sec
-
12
Keep slight left
85 m · 13 sec
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13
Turn left
53.5 mi · 58 min
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14
Keep slight left
79.2 mi · 1 hr 31 min
-
15
At the end of the road, turn right
33 mi · 37 min
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16
Turn left
20.9 mi · 31 min
-
17
Take the ramp right
2954 ft · 50 sec
-
18
Continue on Southwest Stallings Drive
1106 ft · 14 sec · Southwest Stallings Drive
-
19
Continue on Southeast Stallings Drive
4.3 mi · 5 min · Southeast Stallings Drive
-
20
Take the exit slight right toward East TX 7
75 m · 7 sec
-
21
Turn slight right onto Center Road
1755 ft · 30 sec · Center Road
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22
Continue on East State Highway 7
30.1 mi · 45 min · East State Highway 7
-
23
Continue on San Augustine Street
2355 ft · 40 sec · San Augustine Street
-
24
Turn right onto Shelbyville Street
78 m · 10 sec · Shelbyville Street
-
25
Turn left onto Jackson
73 m · 13 sec · Jackson
-
26
Turn right onto Porter Street
15 m · 2 sec · Porter Street
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Porter Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Austin and Center.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
East US Highway 290
Keep slight left
79.2 mi · 01h 31m
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 Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Center.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Austin to Center?
The road trip is about 265 miles (426.5 km) and usually takes 05h 21m 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?
Madisonville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 132.5 miles from Austin and 132.5 miles from Center.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 235.9 miles (379.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 29.1 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 6:18 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $35.33 one way or $70.67 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 83.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around Austin and Mostly Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Center.
Stop Ideas Near Madisonville
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 Madisonville.
Bryan, TX
Prairie View, TX
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Austin and Center. Straight-line distance: 235.93 mi (379.7 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 Center
City in Shelby County, Texas, United States
| Population | 5,211 |
| Coordinates | 31.7954500, -94.1790900 |
| Altitude | 113 |
| Country | United States |
End: Center (-94.17909, 31.79545)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 426 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 49m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 37m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 17m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 25m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 47m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 18m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $35.33 | $70.67 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $39.76 | $79.51 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $42.93 | $85.85 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $37.33 | $74.67 |
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.