How far is Austin, TX from Shepherd, TX?
The driving distance from Austin, TX to Shepherd, TX is about 197.1 miles (317.2 km), with a travel time of about 03h 45m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 164.5 miles (264.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 31m 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 45m.
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Austin and Shepherd.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Austin and Shepherd.
-
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
2.9 mi · 4 min · Purple Heart Trail
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8
Take the exit slight right toward US 290 East: Houston
2.5 mi · 4 min
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9
Continue on Manor Expressway
6.2 mi · 6 min · Manor Expressway
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10
Continue on East US Highway 290
41.5 mi · 48 min · East US Highway 290
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11
Continue on West Austin Street
32.9 mi · 37 min · West Austin Street
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12
Take the exit slight right toward US 290 East, TX 36 South: Houston, Bellville
1393 ft · 38 sec
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13
Merge slight left onto US Highway 290 West
41.8 mi · 47 min · US Highway 290 West
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14
Take the exit slight right toward TX 99 Toll North, TX 99 Toll South: Grand Parkway
2269 ft · 48 sec
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15
Keep slight left to continue on TX 99 Toll North: Grand Parkway
3125 ft · 1 min
-
16
Merge slight left onto North Grand Parkway West
36.6 mi · 39 min · North Grand Parkway West
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17
Take the exit slight right toward I 69 North: Cleveland
2628 ft · 1 min
-
18
Continue straight
1.2 km · 1 min
-
19
Merge slight left onto Eastex Freeway
11 mi · 12 min · Eastex Freeway
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20
Keep slight left
1.1 km · 44 sec
-
21
Continue straight
14.4 mi · 15 min
-
22
Take the exit slight right toward Loop 424, FM 3460: Shepherd
2320 ft · 57 sec
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23
Turn straight
2.1 mi · 4 min
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Byrd Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Austin and Shepherd.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
US Highway 290 West
Merge slight left onto US Highway 290 West
41.8 mi · 00h 47m
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Austin and Showers And Thunderstorms near Shepherd.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Austin to Shepherd?
The road trip is about 197.1 miles (317.2 km) and usually takes 03h 45m 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?
Brenham is a useful midpoint, sitting about 98.5 miles from Austin and 98.6 miles from Shepherd.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 164.5 miles (264.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 32.6 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 9:28 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.30 one way or $52.60 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 61.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Austin and Showers And Thunderstorms near Shepherd.
Stop Ideas Near Brenham
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 Brenham.
Prairie View, TX
Bryan, TX
Taylor
Houston
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Austin and Shepherd. Straight-line distance: 164.47 mi (264.69 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 Shepherd
Human settlement in San Jacinto County, Texas, United States of America
| Population | 2,424 |
| Coordinates | 30.4979800, -94.9966000 |
| Altitude | 44 |
| Country | United States |
End: Shepherd (-94.9966, 30.49798)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 317 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 34m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 55m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 56m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 17m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 48m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 27m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $26.30 | $52.60 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $29.59 | $59.19 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $31.95 | $63.91 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $27.79 | $55.58 |
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 · May 01, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.