How far is Cottonwood Shores, TX from Austin, TX?
The driving distance from Cottonwood Shores, TX to Austin, TX is about 51.5 miles (82.9 km), with a travel time of about 01h 05m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 40 miles (64.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 11m 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 05m.
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.
Village in Texas, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Cottonwood Shores and Austin.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cottonwood Shores and Austin.
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1
Start on Magnolia Lane
611 ft · 32 sec · Magnolia Lane
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2
Turn left onto Willow Drive
72 m · 13 sec · Willow Drive
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3
Turn right onto Pecan Lane
1817 ft · 1 min · Pecan Lane
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4
Turn left onto West Ranch Road 2147
3.4 mi · 6 min · West Ranch Road 2147
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5
Turn right onto South US Highway 281
4.1 mi · 5 min · South US Highway 281
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6
Take the exit slight right toward TX 71 East: Austin
780 ft · 33 sec
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7
Turn straight
27.5 mi · 35 min
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8
Turn left onto Bee Caves Road
8 mi · 12 min · Bee Caves Road
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9
Continue on Bee Cave Road
1.6 km · 2 min · Bee Cave Road
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10
Continue on Bee Caves Road
2.3 mi · 4 min · Bee Caves Road
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11
Turn left onto South Mopac Service Road
844 ft · 17 sec · South Mopac Service Road
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12
Take the ramp slight left toward Loop 1 North
703 ft · 17 sec
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13
Merge slight left onto South Mopac Expressway
3244 ft · 43 sec · South Mopac Expressway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward 5th Street, Lake Austin Boulevard, Cesar Chavez Street
659 ft · 12 sec
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15
Keep slight left to continue on West 5th Street, Lake Austin Boulevard
775 ft · 15 sec
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16
Keep slight right to continue on 5th Street
37 m · 2 sec
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17
Turn straight onto West 5th Street
1.6 mi · 4 min · West 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 Cottonwood Shores and Austin.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Longest stretch
Turn straight
27.5 mi · 00h 35m
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 Sunny leaving Cottonwood Shores 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 Cottonwood Shores to Austin?
The road trip is about 51.5 miles (82.9 km) and usually takes 01h 05m 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?
Briarcliff is a useful midpoint, sitting about 24.9 miles from Cottonwood Shores and 26.7 miles from Austin.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 40 miles (64.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.5 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 4:18 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.88 one way or $13.76 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 16.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Cottonwood Shores and Mostly Sunny near Austin.
Stop Ideas Near Briarcliff
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 Briarcliff.
Austin
San Marcos Station
Taylor
Killeen, Texas
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Cottonwood Shores and Austin. Straight-line distance: 39.94 mi (64.28 km).
#1 Cottonwood Shores
City in Burnet County, Texas, United States
| Population | 1,313 |
| Coordinates | 30.5557500, -98.3239100 |
| 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: 83 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 42m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 17m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 01m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 51m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 44m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 38m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $6.88 | $13.76 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $7.74 | $15.48 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $8.36 | $16.71 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $7.27 | $14.53 |
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.