How far is Austin, TX from Palmer, TX?
The driving distance from Austin, TX to Palmer, TX is about 178 miles (286.4 km), with a travel time of about 03h 16m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 162.4 miles (261.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 33m 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 16m.
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.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy
Mostly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Austin and Palmer.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Austin and Palmer.
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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
95.6 mi · 1 hr 40 min · Purple Heart Trail
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8
Continue on South Jack Kultgen Expressway
6.6 mi · 8 min · South Jack Kultgen Expressway
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9
Continue on Purple Heart Trail
33 mi · 33 min · Purple Heart Trail
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10
Keep slight right to continue on I 35E: Dallas
27.8 mi · 28 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward FM 66, FM 1446
766 ft · 19 sec
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12
Turn straight onto South Interstate 35E
1146 ft · 23 sec · South Interstate 35E
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13
Turn right onto Five Points Road
2375 ft · 1 min · Five Points Road
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14
Turn right onto South Rogers Street
2135 ft · 45 sec · South Rogers Street
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15
Turn left onto South Highway 77
1185 ft · 34 sec · South Highway 77
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16
Continue on South Elm Street
1277 ft · 31 sec · South Elm Street
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17
Turn right onto West Main Street
1306 ft · 26 sec · West Main Street
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18
Continue on Dr Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
987 ft · 22 sec · Dr Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
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19
Turn left onto Wyatt Street
1.9 mi · 4 min · Wyatt Street
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20
Continue on Palmetto Road
1.2 mi · 2 min · Palmetto Road
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21
Continue on Farm-to-Market Road 878
5.9 mi · 10 min · Farm-to-Market Road 878
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22
Turn straight onto West Jefferson Street
2.3 mi · 4 min · West Jefferson Street
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Jefferson Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Austin and Palmer.
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
Keep slight right to continue on Purple Heart Trail
95.6 mi · 01h 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 Mostly Cloudy near Palmer.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Austin to Palmer?
The road trip is about 178 miles (286.4 km) and usually takes 03h 16m 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?
Lorena is a useful midpoint, sitting about 89.2 miles from Austin and 88.9 miles from Palmer.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 162.4 miles (261.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 15.6 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 10:26 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.73 one way or $47.46 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 55.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around Austin and Mostly Cloudy near Palmer.
Stop Ideas Near Lorena
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 Lorena.
McGregor
Waco, TX
Temple
Killeen, Texas
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Austin and Palmer. Straight-line distance: 162.43 mi (261.4 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 Palmer
Town in Texas, USA
| Population | 2,169 |
| Coordinates | 32.4312500, -96.6677700 |
| Altitude | 141 |
| Country | United States |
End: Palmer (-96.66777, 32.43125)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 286 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 55m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 26m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 33m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 57m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 32m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 13m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $23.73 | $47.46 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $26.70 | $53.41 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $28.83 | $57.66 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $25.08 | $50.15 |
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.