How far is Austin, TX from Hico, TX?
The driving distance from Austin, TX to Hico, TX is about 135.1 miles (217.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 33m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 119.8 miles (192.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 07m 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 02h 33m.
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
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 Hico.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Austin and Hico.
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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
757 ft · 17 sec · East 7th Street
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4
Turn left onto North Interstate 35
928 ft · 27 sec · North Interstate 35
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5
Take the ramp slight left toward I 35 North, US 290 East
906 ft · 22 sec
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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
4 mi · 5 min · Purple Heart Trail
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8
Take the exit slight right toward US 183 North: Lampasas
1.4 km · 2 min
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9
Merge slight left
11.3 mi · 13 min
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10
Continue straight
14.6 mi · 15 min
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11
Continue on North US Highway 183
35.7 mi · 39 min · North US Highway 183
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12
Continue on South Key Avenue
2.3 mi · 5 min · South Key Avenue
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13
Continue on North US Highway 281
965 ft · 15 sec · North US Highway 281
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14
Keep slight right to continue on North US Highway 281
42.9 mi · 49 min · North US Highway 281
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15
Continue on South Rice Street
2.3 mi · 3 min · South Rice Street
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16
Continue on North US Highway 281
19 mi · 20 min · North US Highway 281
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17
Continue on South Walnut Street
2995 ft · 44 sec · South Walnut Street
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18
At the end of the road, turn right onto West 2nd Street
12 m · 1 sec · West 2nd Street
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West 2nd Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Austin and Hico.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
North US Highway 281
Keep slight right to continue on North US Highway 281
42.9 mi · 00h 49m
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Austin and Mostly Sunny near Hico.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Austin to Hico?
The road trip is about 135.1 miles (217.4 km) and usually takes 02h 33m 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?
Lampasas is a useful midpoint, sitting about 67.7 miles from Austin and 67.4 miles from Hico.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 119.8 miles (192.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 15.3 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 1:22 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.03 one way or $36.05 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 42.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Austin and Mostly Sunny near Hico.
Stop Ideas Near Lampasas
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 Lampasas.
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Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Austin and Hico. Straight-line distance: 119.79 mi (192.78 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 Hico
City in Hamilton County, Texas, United States
| Population | 1,437 |
| Coordinates | 31.9829300, -98.0336500 |
| Altitude | 313 |
| Country | United States |
End: Hico (-98.03365, 31.98293)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 217 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 30m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 22m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 42m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 15m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 55m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 41m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $18.03 | $36.05 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $20.28 | $40.56 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $21.90 | $43.80 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $19.05 | $38.09 |
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 16, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.