How far is Big Lake, TX from Austin, TX?

The driving distance from Big Lake, TX to Austin, TX is about 265 miles (426.5 km), with a travel time of about 04h 33m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 229.8 miles (369.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 07m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
265.02 mi
04h 33m
Flight
229.82 mi
369.86 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Big Lake.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
229.82 mi
Kilometers
369.86 km
Flight Time
00h 27m

Driving Distance

Road route
265.02 mi
Kilometers
426.51 km
Drive Time
04h 33m

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 04h 33m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Austin
Wed, Apr 22, 11:06 PM CDT
Return by in Big Lake
Thu, Apr 23, 3:40 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Big Lake
2026-04-22T18:32
Arrive Austin
Wed, Apr 22, 11:06 PM CDT
Route Timing
04h 33m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:34 AM to 12:34 PM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
7:52 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Big Lake
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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.

Mid-route stop
Junction
TX

City in Texas, United States

From Big Lake
138.8 mi
02h 16m
To Austin
126.3 mi
02h 16m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
82°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 20 mph S
Destination
81°F
Wednesday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph SE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Big Lake and Austin.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Big Lake and Austin.

  1. 1

    Start on East 2nd Street

    18 mi · 19 min · East 2nd Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Main Street

    28.6 mi · 42 min · Main Street

  3. 3

    Continue on Avenue E

    1 mi · 2 min · Avenue E

  4. 4

    Turn left onto 15th Street

    1577 ft · 30 sec · 15th Street

  5. 5

    Take the ramp straight toward I 10 East: San Antonio

    716 ft · 18 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    110.7 mi · 1 hr 44 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward US 290 East: Fredericksburg

    1.1 mi · 2 min

  8. 8

    Continue on US Highway 290

    39 mi · 42 min · US Highway 290

  9. 9

    Continue on West Main Street

    3.5 mi · 8 min · West Main Street

  10. 10

    Continue on East US Highway 290

    27.2 mi · 31 min · East US Highway 290

  11. 11

    Continue on West Main Street

    1 mi · 2 min · West Main Street

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right

    724 ft · 18 sec

  13. 13

    Merge slight left onto South US Highway 281

    5.4 mi · 6 min · South US Highway 281

  14. 14

    Turn slight left onto East US Highway 290

    30.9 mi · 38 min · East US Highway 290

  15. 15

    Continue on West US Highway 290

    1424 ft · 18 sec · West US Highway 290

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight left

    892 ft · 22 sec

  17. 17

    Continue on West US Highway 290

    2 mi · 2 min · West US Highway 290

  18. 18

    Continue straight

    1.6 mi · 2 min

  19. 19

    Take the exit slight right toward Loop 1 North

    1.1 km · 2 min

  20. 20

    Merge slight left onto South Mopac Expressway

    4 mi · 5 min · South Mopac Expressway

  21. 21

    Take the exit slight right toward 5th Street, Lake Austin Boulevard, Cesar Chavez Street

    659 ft · 12 sec

  22. 22

    Keep slight left to continue on West 5th Street, Lake Austin Boulevard

    775 ft · 15 sec

  23. 23

    Keep slight right to continue on 5th Street

    37 m · 2 sec

  24. 24

    Turn straight onto West 5th Street

    1.6 mi · 4 min · West 5th Street

  25. 25

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East 5th Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Big Lake and Austin.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
25 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
9
3 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 10 East
111 mi · 42%
East US Highway 290
58.1 mi · 22%
US Highway 290
39 mi · 15%
Main Street
28.6 mi · 11%
East 2nd Street
18 mi · 7%
South US Highway 281
5.41 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

I 10 East

Merge slight left

111 mi · 01h 44m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A longer out-and-back drive

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

Drive Time
04h 33m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
09h 08m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+35.2 mi
229.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Junction
02h 16m from Big Lake
Leave By
7:52 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Big Lake and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Austin.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Big Lake to Austin?

The road trip is about 265 miles (426.5 km) and usually takes 04h 33m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Junction is a useful midpoint, sitting about 138.8 miles from Big Lake and 126.3 miles from Austin.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 229.8 miles (369.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 35.2 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 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:52 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $35.33 one way or $70.67 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 83.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Big Lake and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Austin.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Big Lake and Austin. Straight-line distance: 229.82 mi (369.86 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Big Lake

City in Texas, USA

Population3,348
Coordinates31.1915400, -101.4603900
Altitude820
CountryUnited States
Austin

#2 Austin

The eleventh most populous city in the United States and the center of the Austin metropolitan area.

Population995,484
Coordinates30.2671500, -97.7430600
Altitude149
CountryUnited States
Start: East 2nd Street (-101.460391, 31.191516)
End: East 5th Street (-97.743073, 30.267115)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 427 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)08h 49m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 37m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 18m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 25m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 47m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 18m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
9.35 gal
35.4 L · about $35.33
Round trip
$70.67
18.7 gal · 70.8 L
Estimated CO2
83.1 kg one way
Round trip: 166.2 kg / 366 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.78 $35.33 $70.67
Mid-grade $4.25 $39.76 $79.51
Premium $4.59 $42.93 $85.85
Diesel $3.99 $37.33 $74.67

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 22, 2026

There is no time difference between Big Lake and Austin. The current time is 18:32:58.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.