How far is Austin, TX from Waco, TX?
The driving distance from Austin, TX to Waco, TX is about 101.5 miles (163.4 km), with a travel time of about 01h 51m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 95.4 miles (153.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 42m 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 51m.
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.
Village in the United States
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 Waco.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Austin and Waco.
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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
2.5 mi · 3 min · South Jack Kultgen Expressway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward 18th - 17th Streets
1380 ft · 34 sec
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10
Turn straight onto South Jack Kultgen Expressway
759 ft · 21 sec · South Jack Kultgen Expressway
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11
Turn left onto South 17th Street
1.4 mi · 4 min · South 17th Street
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12
Turn left onto West Waco Drive
143 m · 26 sec · West Waco Drive
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13
Continue on West Waco Drive
34 m · 8 sec · West Waco Drive
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14
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Waco Drive
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Austin and Waco.
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 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 Waco.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Austin to Waco?
The road trip is about 101.5 miles (163.4 km) and usually takes 01h 51m 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?
Salado is a useful midpoint, sitting about 50.8 miles from Austin and 50.6 miles from Waco.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 95.4 miles (153.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.1 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 2:48 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $13.53 one way or $27.06 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 31.8 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 Waco.
Stop Ideas Near Salado
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 Salado.
Temple
Killeen, Texas
Fort Hood, Texas
Taylor
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Austin and Waco. Straight-line distance: 95.39 mi (153.51 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 Waco
The 11th most populous city in Texas.
| Population | 141,377 |
| Coordinates | 31.5493300, -97.1466700 |
| Altitude | 143 |
| Country | United States |
End: Waco (-97.14667, 31.54933)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 163 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 22m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 32m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 01m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 41m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 27m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 15m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $13.53 | $27.06 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $15.22 | $30.44 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $16.44 | $32.87 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $14.29 | $28.59 |
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.