How far is Austin, TX from Chico, TX?
The driving distance from Austin, TX to Chico, TX is about 244 miles (392.7 km), with a travel time of about 04h 24m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 209.3 miles (336.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 49m 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 24m.
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
Mostly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Austin and Chico.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Austin and Chico.
-
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
-
7
Keep slight right to continue on Purple Heart Trail
95.6 mi · 1 hr 40 min · Purple Heart Trail
-
8
Continue on South Jack Kultgen Expressway
6.6 mi · 8 min · South Jack Kultgen Expressway
-
9
Continue on Purple Heart Trail
33 mi · 33 min · Purple Heart Trail
-
10
Keep slight left to continue on I 35W: Fort Worth
51.5 mi · 54 min
-
11
Take the exit slight left toward I 35W Express North: I 35W TEXpress North
8.9 mi · 9 min · I 35W TEXpress
-
12
Take the exit slight right toward US 81 North, US 287 North: Decatur
1.1 km · 1 min
-
13
Merge slight left
1.7 mi · 2 min
-
14
Continue straight
28 mi · 31 min
-
15
Take the exit straight toward FM 51: Weatherford, Gainesville
814 ft · 23 sec
-
16
Keep slight right to continue on South Highway 287
57 m · 7 sec · South Highway 287
-
17
Continue on South US Highway 287
1386 ft · 35 sec · South US Highway 287
-
18
Turn left onto West Business 380
1.2 mi · 2 min · West Business 380
-
19
Turn left onto West US Highway 380
9.1 mi · 11 min · West US Highway 380
-
20
Turn right onto South State Highway 101
5.5 mi · 8 min · South State Highway 101
-
21
Turn left onto West Sherman Street
1479 ft · 30 sec · West Sherman Street
-
22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Sherman Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Austin and Chico.
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 Mostly Cloudy near Chico.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Austin to Chico?
The road trip is about 244 miles (392.7 km) and usually takes 04h 24m 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?
Abbott is a useful midpoint, sitting about 122.2 miles from Austin and 121.8 miles from Chico.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 209.3 miles (336.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 34.7 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:10 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $32.54 one way or $65.07 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 76.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Austin and Mostly Cloudy near Chico.
Stop Ideas Near Abbott
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Historic City Hall
West City Hall
Town Hall Estates Hillsboro
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Abbott.
Waco, TX
Cleburne
McGregor
Temple
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Austin and Chico. Straight-line distance: 209.3 mi (336.83 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 Chico
City in Wise County, Texas, United States
| Population | 1,199 |
| Coordinates | 33.2959500, -97.7989200 |
| Altitude | 282 |
| Country | United States |
End: Chico (-97.79892, 33.29595)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 393 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 07m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 06m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 52m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 04m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 29m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 02m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $32.54 | $65.07 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $36.61 | $73.22 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $39.53 | $79.06 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $34.38 | $68.76 |
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.