How far is Balcones Heights, TX from Austin, TX?
The driving distance from Balcones Heights, TX to Austin, TX is about 79.5 miles (128 km), with a travel time of about 01h 25m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 72.5 miles (116.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 50m 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 25m.
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.
Census-designated place in Texas
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 Balcones Heights and Austin.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Balcones Heights and Austin.
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1
Start on the route
39 m · 15 sec
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2
At the end of the road, turn left onto Siesta Lane
138 m · 25 sec · Siesta Lane
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3
Turn left onto Fredericksburg Road
2148 ft · 50 sec · Fredericksburg Road
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4
Turn slight right
58 m · 7 sec
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5
Turn slight right onto Northwest Loop 410
1259 ft · 25 sec · Northwest Loop 410
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6
Take the ramp straight toward I 410 East: Cherry Ridge Drive
1893 ft · 46 sec · Northwest Loop 410
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7
Keep slight left to continue on I 410 East
1387 ft · 34 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Connally Loop
9.7 mi · 11 min · Connally Loop
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9
Keep slight left to continue on I 35 North: Austin
1694 ft · 41 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto North Pan Am Expressway
6.8 mi · 8 min · North Pan Am Expressway
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11
Continue on Purple Heart Trail
11.9 mi · 13 min · Purple Heart Trail
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12
Continue on Interstate Highway 35
1.9 mi · 2 min · Interstate Highway 35
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13
Continue on Purple Heart Trail
46.7 mi · 51 min · Purple Heart Trail
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14
Take the exit slight right toward 6th - 12th Streets
665 ft · 24 sec
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15
Turn left onto East 6th Street
2863 ft · 1 min · East 6th Street
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16
Turn left onto Congress Avenue
109 m · 18 sec · Congress Avenue
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17
Turn left onto East 5th Street
8 m · 1 sec · East 5th Street
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East 5th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Balcones Heights and Austin.
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
Continue on Purple Heart Trail
46.7 mi · 00h 51m
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.
Mostly Cloudy leaving Balcones Heights and Mostly Cloudy near Austin.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Balcones Heights to Austin?
The road trip is about 79.5 miles (128 km) and usually takes 01h 25m 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?
Lake Dunlap is a useful midpoint, sitting about 39.8 miles from Balcones Heights and 39.8 miles from Austin.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 72.5 miles (116.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 7 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 3:40 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.62 one way or $21.24 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 25 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around Balcones Heights and Mostly Cloudy near Austin.
Stop Ideas Near Lake Dunlap
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
New Braunfels Parks and Recreation
New Braunfels City Hall
Comal County Courthouse(Gerichtsgebäude)
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Lake Dunlap.
San Marcos Station
San Antonio Station
Austin
Taylor
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Balcones Heights and Austin. Straight-line distance: 72.42 mi (116.55 km).
#1 Balcones Heights
City in Bexar County, Texas, United States
| Population | 3,117 |
| Coordinates | 29.4880100, -98.5516900 |
| Altitude | 253 |
| Country | United States |
#2 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 |
End: East 5th Street (-97.743073, 30.267115)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 128 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 39m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 59m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 35m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 19m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 08m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 59m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $10.62 | $21.24 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $11.95 | $23.90 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $12.90 | $25.80 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $11.22 | $22.44 |
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.