How far is Bay City, TX from Austin, TX?
The driving distance from Bay City, TX to Austin, TX is about 163.7 miles (263.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 45m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 138.6 miles (223.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 30m 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 02h 45m.
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.
City in Colorado County, Texas, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Bay City and Austin.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bay City and Austin.
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1
Start on 7th Street
6.3 mi · 9 min · 7th Street
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2
Turn right onto Broadway
10.4 mi · 18 min · Broadway
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3
At the end of the road, turn right
53.3 mi · 1 hr 11 min
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4
Turn left onto I-10 Service Road
136 m · 9 sec · I-10 Service Road
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5
Take the ramp straight
1330 ft · 32 sec
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6
Merge slight left
1.3 mi · 1 min
-
7
Take the exit slight right toward TX 71 West: La Grange, Austin
2832 ft · 33 sec
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8
Keep slight left
77.2 mi · 1 hr 22 min
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9
Continue on Bastrop Freeway
1.9 mi · 2 min · Bastrop Freeway
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10
Continue on East State Highway 71
2.2 mi · 3 min · East State Highway 71
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11
Take the exit slight right toward US 183 North, 183 Toll North: Lampasas
2773 ft · 1 min
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12
Merge slight left onto Bastrop Highway
2088 ft · 27 sec · Bastrop Highway
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13
Continue on Bergstrom Expressway
1.1 km · 41 sec · Bergstrom Expressway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward Loop 111: Cesar Chavez Street, 5th Street, 6th Street, 7th Street, Airport Boulevard
2724 ft · 54 sec
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15
Keep slight left to continue on East 7th Street
2.8 mi · 5 min · East 7th Street
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16
Turn left onto Brushy Street
107 m · 18 sec · Brushy Street
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17
Turn right onto East 6th Street
3066 ft · 1 min · East 6th Street
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18
Turn left onto Congress Avenue
109 m · 18 sec · Congress Avenue
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19
Turn left onto East 5th Street
8 m · 1 sec · East 5th Street
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East 5th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Bay City and Austin.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
TX 71 West
Keep slight left
77.2 mi · 01h 22m
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.
Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny leaving Bay City and Mostly Sunny near Austin.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Bay City to Austin?
The road trip is about 163.7 miles (263.4 km) and usually takes 02h 45m 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?
Columbus is a useful midpoint, sitting about 79.5 miles from Bay City and 84.1 miles from Austin.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 138.6 miles (223.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 25.1 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 1:00 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.80 one way or $43.61 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 51.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny around Bay City and Mostly Sunny near Austin.
Stop Ideas Near Columbus
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 Columbus.
Prairie View, TX
Bryan, TX
Houston
Houston, TX
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Bay City and Austin. Straight-line distance: 138.65 mi (223.13 km).
#1 Bay City
City in Texas
| Population | 17,535 |
| Coordinates | 28.9827600, -95.9694000 |
| Altitude | 16 |
| 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: 263 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 27m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 05m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 16m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 43m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 20m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 02m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $21.80 | $43.61 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $24.53 | $49.07 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $26.49 | $52.98 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $23.04 | $46.08 |
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 31, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.