How far is Austin, TX from Universal City, TX?
The driving distance from Austin, TX to Universal City, TX is about 65 miles (104.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 16m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 59.5 miles (95.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 32m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 01h 16m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
The most populous city in Hays County, Texas.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Austin and Universal City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Austin and Universal City.
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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
8.8 mi · 9 min · Purple Heart Trail
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7
Take the exit slight right toward Cibolo Valley Drive
1142 ft · 28 sec
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8
Turn straight onto Interstate 35 North
1.5 km · 1 min · Interstate 35 North
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9
Turn left onto Natural Bridge Caverns Road
3.2 mi · 6 min · Natural Bridge Caverns Road
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10
Turn right onto John E Peterson Boulevard
1.4 mi · 3 min · John E Peterson Boulevard
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11
Continue on Gordon A Blake Highway
1.5 km · 2 min · Gordon A Blake Highway
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12
Turn right onto Pat Booker Road
1829 ft · 1 min · Pat Booker Road
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13
Turn left
12 m · 3 sec
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14
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Austin and Universal City.
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
Merge slight left onto Purple Heart Trail
46.4 mi · 00h 50m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Austin and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Universal City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Austin to Universal City?
The road trip is about 65 miles (104.6 km) and usually takes 01h 16m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
San Marcos is a useful midpoint, sitting about 32.5 miles from Austin and 32.4 miles from Universal City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 59.5 miles (95.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.5 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:58 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $8.65 one way or $17.31 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 20.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Austin and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Universal City.
Stop Ideas Near San Marcos
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
New Braunfels Parks and Recreation
San Marcos Rec Hall
Comal County Courthouse(Gerichtsgebäude)
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to San Marcos.
San Marcos Station
Austin
San Antonio Station
Taylor
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Austin and Universal City. Straight-line distance: 59.55 mi (95.84 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 Universal City
Community in the San Fernando Valley region of Los Angeles County, California
| Population | 20,890 |
| Coordinates | 29.5480100, -98.2911200 |
| Altitude | 233 |
| Country | United States |
End: Universal City (-98.29112, 29.54801)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 105 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 09m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 37m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 17m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 04m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 55m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 48m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $8.65 | $17.31 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $9.74 | $19.47 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $10.51 | $21.03 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $9.14 | $18.29 |
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.