How far is Center, TX from Austin, TX?

The driving distance from Center, TX to Austin, TX is about 143.3 miles (230.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 18m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 116.1 miles (186.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 36m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
143.27 mi
02h 18m
Flight
116.16 mi
186.94 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Center.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
116.16 mi
Kilometers
186.94 km
Flight Time
00h 14m

Driving Distance

Road route
143.27 mi
Kilometers
230.57 km
Drive Time
02h 18m

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 18m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Austin
Thu, Apr 23, 11:14 AM CDT
Return by in Center
Thu, Apr 23, 1:32 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Center
2026-04-23T08:55
Arrive Austin
Thu, Apr 23, 11:14 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 18m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:18 AM to 12:18 PM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
1:54 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Center
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Troy
TX

City in Bell County, Texas

From Center
71.5 mi
01h 09m
To Austin
71.7 mi
01h 09m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
81°F
Thursday

Mostly Cloudy

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph S
Destination
85°F
Thursday

Mostly Cloudy

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Center and Austin.

  1. 1

    Start on Lcr 800

    118 m · 19 sec · Lcr 800

  2. 2

    Turn left onto East Yeagua Street

    7.3 mi · 11 min · East Yeagua Street

  3. 3

    Continue on State Highway 164

    16.4 mi · 24 min · State Highway 164

  4. 4

    Continue on East Texas Avenue

    8.7 mi · 13 min · East Texas Avenue

  5. 5

    Merge slight left onto East State Highway 6

    6.5 mi · 7 min · East State Highway 6

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right

    1450 ft · 35 sec

  7. 7

    Turn left onto East Loop 340

    5.6 mi · 7 min · East Loop 340

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward I 35: Dallas-Fort Worth, Austin

    1031 ft · 25 sec

  9. 9

    Turn straight onto South Loop 340

    1097 ft · 22 sec · South Loop 340

  10. 10

    Continue on South Loop 340

    3110 ft · 1 min · South Loop 340

  11. 11

    Turn slight right onto I 35 South: Austin

    1139 ft · 50 sec

  12. 12

    Turn straight onto South Interstate 35

    1.1 mi · 2 min · South Interstate 35

  13. 13

    Take the ramp slight left toward I 35 South

    2288 ft · 56 sec

  14. 14

    Merge slight left onto Purple Heart Trail

    36.1 mi · 37 min · Purple Heart Trail

  15. 15

    Keep slight left

    55.8 mi · 59 min

  16. 16

    Keep slight left to continue on Purple Heart Trail

    2.4 mi · 3 min · Purple Heart Trail

  17. 17

    Take the exit slight right toward 8th–3rd Streets, Huston-Tillotson University

    1096 ft · 27 sec

  18. 18

    Turn straight onto North Interstate 35

    948 ft · 27 sec · North Interstate 35

  19. 19

    Turn right onto East 6th Street

    2578 ft · 1 min · East 6th Street

  20. 20

    Turn left onto Congress Avenue

    109 m · 18 sec · Congress Avenue

  21. 21

    Turn left onto East 5th Street

    8 m · 1 sec · East 5th Street

  22. 22

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East 5th Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
22 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
2 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
15.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Purple Heart Trail
94.3 mi · 66%
State Highway 164
16.4 mi · 11%
East Texas Avenue
8.74 mi · 6%
East Yeagua Street
7.25 mi · 5%
East State Highway 6
6.8 mi · 5%
East Loop 340
5.64 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

Purple Heart Trail

Keep slight left

55.8 mi · 00h 59m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
02h 18m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 36m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+27.2 mi
116.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Troy
01h 09m from Center
Leave By
1:54 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Cloudy leaving Center 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 Center to Austin?

The road trip is about 143.3 miles (230.6 km) and usually takes 02h 18m 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?

Troy is a useful midpoint, sitting about 71.5 miles from Center and 71.7 miles from Austin.

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

The direct path is about 116.1 miles (186.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 27.2 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:54 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.12 one way or $38.24 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 45 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around Center and Mostly Cloudy near Austin.

Stop Ideas Near Troy

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Troy, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Troy.

RAIL

Temple

13 mi away
315 West Ave B
RAIL

McGregor

27 mi away
1 Amtrak Blvd.
BUS

Killeen, Texas

42 mi away
200 East Avenue C
BUS

Waco, TX

42 mi away
301 South 8th Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Center and Austin. Straight-line distance: 116.16 mi (186.94 km).

Center

#1 Center

City in Shelby County, Texas, United States

Population5,043
Coordinates31.5107300, -96.4247000
Altitude131
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: Lcr 800 (-96.425033, 31.510621)
End: East 5th Street (-97.743073, 30.267115)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 231 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 46m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 34m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 51m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 23m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 02m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 47m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.06 gal
19.14 L · about $19.12
Round trip
$38.24
10.12 gal · 38.28 L
Estimated CO2
45 kg one way
Round trip: 89.9 kg / 198 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.78 $19.12 $38.24
Mid-grade $4.25 $21.52 $43.03
Premium $4.59 $23.23 $46.46
Diesel $3.99 $20.20 $40.41

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 Center and Austin. The current time is 08:55:59.

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.