How far is Austin, TX from Cotulla, TX?
The driving distance from Austin, TX to Cotulla, TX is about 167.3 miles (269.2 km), with a travel time of about 03h 00m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 155.1 miles (249.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 01m 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 03h 00m.
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.
The seventh most populous city in the United States and the center of the San Antonio metropolitan area.
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 Cotulla.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Austin and Cotulla.
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1
Start on East 5th Street
2551 ft · 1 min · East 5th Street
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2
At the end of the road, turn right onto North Interstate 35
1893 ft · 40 sec · North Interstate 35
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3
Take the ramp slight left toward I 35 South
899 ft · 22 sec
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4
Merge slight left onto Purple Heart Trail
46.4 mi · 50 min · Purple Heart Trail
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5
Continue on Interstate Highway 35
1.7 mi · 2 min · Interstate Highway 35
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6
Continue on Purple Heart Trail
11.9 mi · 13 min · Purple Heart Trail
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7
Continue on North Pan Am Expressway
10 mi · 12 min · North Pan Am Expressway
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8
Keep slight left to continue on North Pan Am Expressway
6.4 mi · 8 min · North Pan Am Expressway
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9
Keep slight left to continue on North Pan Am Expressway
2.1 mi · 3 min · North Pan Am Expressway
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10
Keep slight right to continue on South Pan Am Expressway
10.4 mi · 12 min · South Pan Am Expressway
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11
Continue on Purple Heart Trail
75.9 mi · 1 hr 16 min · Purple Heart Trail
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12
Take the exit slight right toward I 35 Business South: Cotulla
1325 ft · 32 sec
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13
Turn slight left onto North Interstate 35
149 m · 9 sec · North Interstate 35
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14
Turn left onto North Main Street
1 mi · 2 min · North Main Street
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15
Turn left onto Tilden Street
15 m · 1 sec · Tilden Street
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Tilden Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Austin and Cotulla.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
Purple Heart Trail
Continue on Purple Heart Trail
75.9 mi · 01h 16m
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 Partly Sunny near Cotulla.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Austin to Cotulla?
The road trip is about 167.3 miles (269.2 km) and usually takes 03h 00m 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?
San Antonio is a useful midpoint, sitting about 83.8 miles from Austin and 83.5 miles from Cotulla.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 155.1 miles (249.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.2 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:58 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.30 one way or $44.59 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 52.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around Austin and Partly Sunny near Cotulla.
Stop Ideas Near San Antonio
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Piazza Italia Park
City Hall San Antonio
Municipal Plaza
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to San Antonio.
San Antonio Station
San Marcos Station
Austin
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Austin and Cotulla. Straight-line distance: 155.13 mi (249.65 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 Cotulla
City in La Salle County, Texas, United States
| Population | 4,133 |
| Coordinates | 28.4369300, -99.2350300 |
| Altitude | 130 |
| Country | United States |
End: Cotulla (-99.23503, 28.43693)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 269 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 34m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 10m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 20m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 47m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 23m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 05m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $22.30 | $44.59 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $25.09 | $50.17 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $27.09 | $54.17 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $23.56 | $47.12 |
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.