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

The driving distance from Big Spring, TX to Austin, TX is about 292.6 miles (470.9 km), with a travel time of about 04h 59m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 259.7 miles (417.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 59m 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
292.62 mi
04h 59m
Flight
259.7 mi
417.95 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Big Spring.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
259.7 mi
Kilometers
417.95 km
Flight Time
00h 31m

Driving Distance

Road route
292.62 mi
Kilometers
470.92 km
Drive Time
04h 59m

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 59m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Austin
Thu, Apr 23, 1:05 AM CDT
Return by in Big Spring
Thu, Apr 23, 6:04 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Big Spring
2026-04-22T20:05
Arrive Austin
Thu, Apr 23, 1:05 AM CDT
Route Timing
04h 59m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
11:00 AM to 1:00 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
7:00 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Big Spring
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
Melvin
TX

Town of the United States

From Big Spring
144.7 mi
02h 29m
To Austin
148 mi
02h 29m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
90°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 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 Spring and Austin.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on West 4th Street

    25 m · 6 sec · West 4th Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto South Gregg Street

    1.8 mi · 3 min · South Gregg Street

  3. 3

    Continue on South US Highway 87

    2.7 mi · 4 min · South US Highway 87

  4. 4

    Take the ramp straight toward US 87 South: San Angelo

    1712 ft · 19 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left onto William B Crooker Memorial Highway

    38 mi · 38 min · William B Crooker Memorial Highway

  6. 6

    Continue on 4th Street

    1.2 mi · 2 min · 4th Street

  7. 7

    Continue on US Highway 87 South

    14.6 mi · 15 min · US Highway 87 South

  8. 8

    Continue straight

    104.4 mi · 1 hr 55 min

  9. 9

    Turn right onto Bridge Street

    2.8 mi · 3 min · Bridge Street

  10. 10

    Turn left onto State Highway 71

    47.2 mi · 51 min · State Highway 71

  11. 11

    Turn left

    2.8 mi · 4 min

  12. 12

    Turn right onto Bessemer Avenue

    1878 ft · 32 sec · Bessemer Avenue

  13. 13

    Continue on Ford Street

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Ford Street

  14. 14

    Turn left

    58 mi · 1 hr 18 min

  15. 15

    Turn left onto Bee Caves Road

    8 mi · 12 min · Bee Caves Road

  16. 16

    Continue on Bee Cave Road

    1.6 km · 2 min · Bee Cave Road

  17. 17

    Continue on Bee Caves Road

    2.3 mi · 4 min · Bee Caves Road

  18. 18

    Turn left onto South Mopac Service Road

    844 ft · 17 sec · South Mopac Service Road

  19. 19

    Take the ramp slight left toward Loop 1 North

    703 ft · 17 sec

  20. 20

    Merge slight left onto South Mopac Expressway

    3244 ft · 43 sec · 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 Spring 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
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US Highway 87 South
119 mi · 41%
State Highway 71
47.2 mi · 16%
William B Crooker Memorial Highway
38 mi · 13%
Bee Caves Road
10.3 mi · 4%
Bridge Street
2.79 mi · 1%
South US Highway 87
2.66 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

US Highway 87 South

Continue straight

104 mi · 01h 55m

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 59m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
10h 00m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+32.9 mi
259.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Melvin
02h 29m from Big Spring
Leave By
7:00 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Big Spring 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 Spring to Austin?

The road trip is about 292.6 miles (470.9 km) and usually takes 04h 59m 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?

Melvin is a useful midpoint, sitting about 144.7 miles from Big Spring and 148 miles from Austin.

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

The direct path is about 259.7 miles (417.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 32.9 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 7:00 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $39.04 one way or $78.07 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 91.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Big Spring and Austin. Straight-line distance: 259.7 mi (417.95 km).

Big Spring

#1 Big Spring

City in Texas, United States

Population28,077
Coordinates32.2504000, -101.4787400
Altitude744
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: West 4th Street (-101.478769, 32.25045)
End: East 5th Street (-97.743073, 30.267115)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 471 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)09h 44m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)07h 18m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 51m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 52m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)04h 10m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 39m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
10.33 gal
39.09 L · about $39.04
Round trip
$78.07
20.66 gal · 78.18 L
Estimated CO2
91.8 kg one way
Round trip: 183.6 kg / 405 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.78 $39.04 $78.07
Mid-grade $4.25 $43.92 $87.85
Premium $4.59 $47.43 $94.85
Diesel $3.99 $41.25 $82.50

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

There is no time difference between Big Spring and Austin. The current time is 20:05:37.

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.