How far is Austin, TX from South Padre Island, TX?
The driving distance from Austin, TX to South Padre Island, TX is about 370 miles (595.5 km), with a travel time of about 06h 44m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 289.8 miles (466.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 13h 28m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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 06h 44m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Austin and South Padre Island.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Austin and South Padre Island.
-
1
Start on East 5th Street
2551 ft · 1 min · East 5th Street
-
2
At the end of the road, turn right onto North Interstate 35
1893 ft · 40 sec · North Interstate 35
-
3
Take the ramp slight left toward I 35 South
899 ft · 22 sec
-
4
Merge slight left onto Purple Heart Trail
46.4 mi · 50 min · Purple Heart Trail
-
5
Continue on Interstate Highway 35
1.7 mi · 2 min · Interstate Highway 35
-
6
Continue on Purple Heart Trail
11.9 mi · 13 min · Purple Heart Trail
-
7
Continue on North Pan Am Expressway
10 mi · 12 min · North Pan Am Expressway
-
8
Keep slight right to continue on Connally Loop
11 mi · 12 min · Connally Loop
-
9
Take the exit slight right toward I 37, US 281 North: San Antonio, Corpus Christi
1184 ft · 29 sec
-
10
Keep slight left to continue on I 37 South: Corpus Christi
2457 ft · 1 min
-
11
Merge slight left
118.7 mi · 1 hr 59 min
-
12
Take the exit slight right toward I 69E, US 77: Kingsville, Brownsville
31.3 mi · 34 min
-
13
Keep slight left to continue on U.S. Highway 77
61.3 mi · 1 hr 9 min · U.S. Highway 77
-
14
Keep slight left to continue on U.S. Highway 77
43.7 mi · 47 min · U.S. Highway 77
-
15
Continue on North Expressway
2.1 mi · 2 min · North Expressway
-
16
Keep slight right to continue on Interstate 169
3.7 mi · 4 min · Interstate 169
-
17
Continue on I-169, TX 550 Toll
1.3 km · 52 sec · I-169, TX 550 Toll
-
18
Continue straight
2 mi · 2 min
-
19
Continue on State Highway 550
3.7 mi · 4 min · State Highway 550
-
20
Turn left
1123 ft · 27 sec
-
21
Merge slight left onto Brownsville-Port Isabel Highway
14.1 mi · 16 min · Brownsville-Port Isabel Highway
-
22
Turn right onto State Highway 100
1 mi · 3 min · State Highway 100
-
23
Turn slight right onto West Queen Isabella Boulevard
2460 ft · 1 min · West Queen Isabella Boulevard
-
24
Continue on Queen Isabella Causeway
2.7 mi · 5 min · Queen Isabella Causeway
-
25
Turn left onto Padre Boulevard
1.1 km · 2 min · Padre Boulevard
-
26
Turn right onto East Haas Street
155 m · 20 sec · East Haas Street
-
27
Turn left onto Gulf Boulevard
3129 ft · 2 min · Gulf Boulevard
-
28
Turn right
27 m · 12 sec
-
29
Turn left
24 m · 6 sec
-
30
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Austin and South Padre Island.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
I 37 South
Merge slight left
119 mi · 01h 59m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Austin and Partly Sunny near South Padre Island.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Austin to South Padre Island?
The road trip is about 370 miles (595.5 km) and usually takes 06h 44m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Mathis is a useful midpoint, sitting about 185.4 miles from Austin and 184.7 miles from South Padre Island.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 289.8 miles (466.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 80.2 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 7:30 AM CDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $49.35 one way or $98.71 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 116.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Austin and Partly Sunny near South Padre Island.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Austin and South Padre Island. Straight-line distance: 289.81 mi (466.41 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 South Padre Island
Town in Texas, United States
| Population | 2,752 |
| Coordinates | 26.1036900, -97.1646900 |
| Altitude | 2 |
| Country | United States |
End: South Padre Island (-97.16469, 26.10369)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 595 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 12h 19m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 09h 15m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 07h 24m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 06h 10m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 05h 17m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 36m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $49.35 | $98.71 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $55.53 | $111.06 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $59.96 | $119.92 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $52.15 | $104.30 |
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.