How far is Austin, TX from Cottonwood Shores, TX?
The driving distance from Austin, TX to Cottonwood Shores, TX is about 51.2 miles (82.4 km), with a travel time of about 01h 12m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 40 miles (64.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 24m 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 12m.
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.
Village in Texas, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Austin and Cottonwood Shores.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Austin and Cottonwood Shores.
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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
11.3 mi · 12 min · East State Highway 71
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12
Take the ramp straight toward US 281 North: Marble Falls
2194 ft · 1 min
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13
Merge slight right onto South US Highway 281
3.7 mi · 5 min · South US Highway 281
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14
Turn left onto West Ranch Road 2147
3.4 mi · 6 min · West Ranch Road 2147
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15
Turn right onto Dutch Leming Lane
84 m · 12 sec · Dutch Leming Lane
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16
Continue on Pecan Lane
1541 ft · 49 sec · Pecan Lane
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17
Turn left onto Willow Drive
72 m · 12 sec · Willow Drive
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18
Turn right onto Magnolia Lane
611 ft · 27 sec · Magnolia Lane
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Magnolia Lane
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Austin and Cottonwood Shores.
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 Highway 71
Turn slight right onto West Highway 71
22.4 mi · 00h 31m
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 Sunny leaving Austin and Mostly Sunny near Cottonwood Shores.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Austin to Cottonwood Shores?
The road trip is about 51.2 miles (82.4 km) and usually takes 01h 12m 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?
Briarcliff is a useful midpoint, sitting about 25.6 miles from Austin and 25.6 miles from Cottonwood Shores.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 40 miles (64.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.2 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 4:06 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.84 one way or $13.68 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 16.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Austin and Mostly Sunny near Cottonwood Shores.
Stop Ideas Near Briarcliff
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 Briarcliff.
Austin
San Marcos Station
Taylor
Killeen, Texas
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Austin and Cottonwood Shores. Straight-line distance: 39.94 mi (64.28 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 Cottonwood Shores
City in Burnet County, Texas, United States
| Population | 1,313 |
| Coordinates | 30.5557500, -98.3239100 |
| Altitude | 253 |
| Country | United States |
End: Cottonwood Shores (-98.32391, 30.55575)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 82 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 42m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 16m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 01m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 51m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 43m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 38m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $6.84 | $13.68 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $7.70 | $15.39 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $8.31 | $16.62 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $7.23 | $14.45 |
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 · May 31, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.