How far is Austin, TX from Merkel, TX?
The driving distance from Austin, TX to Merkel, TX is about 236.3 miles (380.3 km), with a travel time of about 04h 29m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 202.8 miles (326.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 58m 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 04h 29m.
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.
Town of the United States
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 Merkel.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Austin and Merkel.
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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 left to continue on North US Highway 183
36.9 mi · 40 min · North US Highway 183
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15
At the end of the road, turn left
30.4 mi · 35 min
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16
Turn left onto Early Boulevard
1.7 mi · 2 min · Early Boulevard
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17
Continue on East Commerce Street
22 mi · 25 min · East Commerce Street
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18
Keep slight right to continue on Wallis Avenue
9.2 mi · 10 min · Wallis Avenue
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19
Turn right onto North Neches Street
34.9 mi · 40 min · North Neches Street
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20
Continue straight
16.4 mi · 18 min
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21
Take the exit slight right toward US 84 West, I 20 Business: Sweetwater, South 1st Street
1568 ft · 42 sec
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22
Merge slight right onto South 1st Street
1.6 km · 1 min · South 1st Street
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23
Continue on West Highway 80
2.5 mi · 3 min · West Highway 80
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24
Keep slight left to continue on I 20 West: El Paso
1877 ft · 46 sec
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25
Keep slight left to continue on I 20 West: El Paso
9.5 mi · 10 min
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26
Take the exit slight right toward FM 126
60 m · 7 sec
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27
Turn straight onto West Interstate 20
1033 ft · 36 sec · West Interstate 20
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28
Turn left onto Kent Street
2750 ft · 57 sec · Kent Street
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29
At the end of the road, turn right onto North 1st Street
16 m · 1 sec · North 1st Street
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30
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North 1st Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Austin and Merkel.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
North US Highway 183
Keep slight left to continue on North US Highway 183
36.9 mi · 00h 40m
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 Merkel.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Austin to Merkel?
The road trip is about 236.3 miles (380.3 km) and usually takes 04h 29m 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?
Mullin is a useful midpoint, sitting about 118.2 miles from Austin and 118.1 miles from Merkel.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 202.8 miles (326.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 33.5 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 8:02 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $31.52 one way or $63.03 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 74.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around Austin and Partly Sunny near Merkel.
Stop Ideas Near Mullin
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 Mullin.
Fort Hood, Texas
Killeen, Texas
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Austin and Merkel. Straight-line distance: 202.75 mi (326.29 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 Merkel
City in Texas
| Population | 2,629 |
| Coordinates | 32.4706800, -100.0128700 |
| Altitude | 570 |
| Country | United States |
End: Merkel (-100.01287, 32.47068)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 380 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 52m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 54m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 43m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 56m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 22m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 56m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $31.52 | $63.03 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $35.46 | $70.92 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $38.29 | $76.58 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $33.30 | $66.60 |
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.