How far is Austin, TX from Highlands, TX?
The driving distance from Austin, TX to Highlands, TX is about 182.9 miles (294.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 25m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 163.7 miles (263.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 50m 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 25m.
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.
City in Colorado County, Texas, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Austin and Highlands.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Austin and Highlands.
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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
137 mi · 2 hr 25 min · Texas State Highway 71
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14
Take the exit slight left toward I 10 Toll: Katy Tollway
1548 ft · 22 sec
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15
Merge slight left onto Katy Tollway
3.2 mi · 4 min · Katy Tollway
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16
Take the exit slight right
1092 ft · 15 sec
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17
Merge slight right onto Katy Freeway
10.9 mi · 14 min · Katy Freeway
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18
Continue on East Freeway
5.8 mi · 7 min · East Freeway
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19
Keep slight left to continue on East Freeway
13 mi · 16 min · East Freeway
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20
Take the exit slight right toward Crosby-Lynchburg Road
983 ft · 26 sec
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21
Turn left onto Crosby Lynchburg Road
550 ft · 16 sec · Crosby Lynchburg Road
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22
Continue on South Main Street
1.9 mi · 4 min · South Main Street
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23
Turn right onto East Wallisville Road
125 m · 11 sec · East Wallisville Road
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Wallisville Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Austin and Highlands.
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
137 mi · 02h 25m
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 Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Highlands.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Austin to Highlands?
The road trip is about 182.9 miles (294.3 km) and usually takes 03h 25m 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?
Columbus is a useful midpoint, sitting about 91.3 miles from Austin and 91.5 miles from Highlands.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 163.7 miles (263.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 19.2 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 10:10 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.37 one way or $48.75 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 57.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around Austin and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Highlands.
Stop Ideas Near Columbus
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 Columbus.
Prairie View, TX
Bryan, TX
Houston
Houston, TX
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Austin and Highlands. Straight-line distance: 163.66 mi (263.39 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 Highlands
Census designated place
| Population | 7,522 |
| Coordinates | 29.8188400, -95.0560400 |
| Altitude | 11 |
| Country | United States |
End: Highlands (-95.05604, 29.81884)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 294 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 05m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 34m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 39m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 02m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 36m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 16m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $24.37 | $48.75 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $27.43 | $54.85 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $29.61 | $59.22 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $25.75 | $51.51 |
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.