How far is Austin, TX from Columbus, TX?
The driving distance from Austin, TX to Columbus, TX is about 88 miles (141.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 40m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 81.8 miles (131.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 21m 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 40m.
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 Texas, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Austin and Columbus.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Austin and Columbus.
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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
3 mi · 5 min · East 7th Street
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4
Turn straight onto Airport Boulevard
1279 ft · 20 sec · Airport Boulevard
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5
Continue on Ed Bluestein Boulevard
552 ft · 9 sec · Ed Bluestein Boulevard
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6
Take the ramp straight toward 183 Toll South: Lockhart
705 ft · 17 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Bergstrom Expressway
1.3 km · 47 sec · Bergstrom Expressway
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8
Continue on Bastrop Highway
2119 ft · 26 sec · Bastrop Highway
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9
Take the exit slight left toward TX 71 East: Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
2541 ft · 1 min
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10
Continue on East State Highway 71
2.2 mi · 3 min · East State Highway 71
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11
Turn straight onto Bastrop Freeway
1.9 mi · 2 min · Bastrop Freeway
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12
Continue on East State Highway 71
2388 ft · 29 sec · East State Highway 71
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13
Continue on Texas State Highway 71
73.9 mi · 1 hr 19 min · Texas State Highway 71
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14
Take the exit slight right toward TX 71 Business: Columbus
1272 ft · 42 sec
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15
Turn left
3.2 mi · 6 min
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16
Turn left onto Walnut Street
2294 ft · 1 min · Walnut Street
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Walnut Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Austin and Columbus.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Texas State Highway 71
Continue on Texas State Highway 71
73.9 mi · 01h 19m
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.
Mostly Cloudy leaving Austin and Partly Sunny near Columbus.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Austin to Columbus?
The road trip is about 88 miles (141.6 km) and usually takes 01h 40m 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?
Colorado is a useful midpoint, sitting about 44 miles from Austin and 44 miles from Columbus.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 81.8 miles (131.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.2 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 3:08 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.71 one way or $23.43 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 27.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around Austin and Partly Sunny near Columbus.
Stop Ideas Near Colorado
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 Colorado.
Austin
Taylor
San Marcos Station
Bryan, TX
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Austin and Columbus. Straight-line distance: 81.77 mi (131.59 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 Columbus
City in Colorado County, Texas, United States
| Population | 3,699 |
| Coordinates | 29.7066200, -96.5396900 |
| Altitude | 62 |
| Country | United States |
End: Columbus (-96.53969, 29.70662)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 142 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 55m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 11m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 45m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 27m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 15m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 05m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $11.71 | $23.43 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $13.18 | $26.36 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $14.23 | $28.46 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $12.38 | $24.76 |
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.