How far is Austin, TX from Mercedes, TX?
The driving distance from Austin, TX to Mercedes, TX is about 325.7 miles (524.1 km), with a travel time of about 05h 53m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 284.7 miles (458.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 46m 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 05h 53m.
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 Texas, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Austin and Mercedes.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Austin and Mercedes.
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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 right to continue on Connally Loop
11 mi · 12 min · Connally Loop
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9
Take the exit slight right toward I 37, US 281 North: San Antonio, Corpus Christi
1184 ft · 29 sec
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10
Keep slight left to continue on I 37 South: Corpus Christi
2457 ft · 1 min
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11
Merge slight left
60.5 mi · 1 hr 1 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward US 281 South
15.2 mi · 19 min
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13
Keep slight left to continue on South Nueces Street
66.2 mi · 1 hr 10 min · South Nueces Street
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14
Keep slight left
9.5 mi · 10 min
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15
Keep slight left to continue on Falfurrias Expressway
55.8 mi · 59 min · Falfurrias Expressway
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16
Keep slight left
18.4 mi · 20 min
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17
Merge slight left
2577 ft · 34 sec
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18
Continue straight
15.9 mi · 18 min
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19
Take the exit slight right toward FM 491: Texas Avenue
1976 ft · 48 sec
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20
Turn straight onto Expressway 83
615 ft · 18 sec · Expressway 83
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21
Turn right onto North Texas Avenue
2225 ft · 47 sec · North Texas Avenue
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Texas Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Austin and Mercedes.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
South Nueces Street
Keep slight left to continue on South Nueces Street
66.2 mi · 01h 10m
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 Mostly Sunny near Mercedes.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Austin to Mercedes?
The road trip is about 325.7 miles (524.1 km) and usually takes 05h 53m 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?
George West is a useful midpoint, sitting about 163.2 miles from Austin and 162.4 miles from Mercedes.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 284.7 miles (458.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 41 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 5:14 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $43.42 one way or $86.84 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 102.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around Austin and Mostly Sunny near Mercedes.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Austin and Mercedes. Straight-line distance: 284.67 mi (458.13 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 Mercedes
City in Texas, USA
| Population | 16,598 |
| Coordinates | 26.1498000, -97.9136100 |
| Altitude | 21 |
| Country | United States |
End: Mercedes (-97.91361, 26.1498)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 524 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 51m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 08m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 30m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 25m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 39m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 03m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $43.42 | $86.84 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $48.86 | $97.71 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $52.75 | $105.50 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $45.88 | $91.76 |
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.