How far is Cotulla, TX from Austin, TX?

The driving distance from Cotulla, TX to Austin, TX is about 167.7 miles (269.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 42m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 155.1 miles (249.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 25m 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
167.7 mi
02h 42m
Flight
155.13 mi
249.65 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Cotulla.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
155.13 mi
Kilometers
249.65 km
Flight Time
00h 18m

Driving Distance

Road route
167.7 mi
Kilometers
269.88 km
Drive Time
02h 42m

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 42m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Austin
Wed, Apr 22, 10:48 PM CDT
Return by in Cotulla
Thu, Apr 23, 1:30 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Cotulla
2026-04-22T20:05
Arrive Austin
Wed, Apr 22, 10:48 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 42m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:43 AM to 12:43 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:04 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Cotulla
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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
San Antonio
TX

The seventh most populous city in the United States and the center of the San Antonio metropolitan area.

From Cotulla
83.8 mi
01h 21m
To Austin
83.9 mi
01h 21m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
87°F
Wednesday

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 to 9 mph SE
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 Cotulla and Austin.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Tilden Street

    15 m · 5 sec · Tilden Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto North Main Street

    1.3 km · 2 min · North Main Street

  3. 3

    Turn slight right

    721 ft · 12 sec

  4. 4

    Take the ramp slight left

    1263 ft · 31 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left onto Purple Heart Trail

    76.1 mi · 1 hr 16 min · Purple Heart Trail

  6. 6

    Continue on South Pan Am Expressway

    9.3 mi · 11 min · South Pan Am Expressway

  7. 7

    Keep slight left to continue on South Pan Am Expressway

    1.7 mi · 2 min · South Pan Am Expressway

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on South Pan Am Expressway

    10.5 mi · 13 min · South Pan Am Expressway

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on North Pan Am Expressway

    7.4 mi · 8 min · North Pan Am Expressway

  10. 10

    Continue on Purple Heart Trail

    11.9 mi · 13 min · Purple Heart Trail

  11. 11

    Continue on Interstate Highway 35

    1.9 mi · 2 min · Interstate Highway 35

  12. 12

    Continue on Purple Heart Trail

    46.7 mi · 51 min · Purple Heart Trail

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward 6th - 12th Streets

    665 ft · 24 sec

  14. 14

    Turn left onto East 6th Street

    2863 ft · 1 min · East 6th Street

  15. 15

    Turn left onto Congress Avenue

    109 m · 18 sec · Congress Avenue

  16. 16

    Turn left onto East 5th Street

    8 m · 1 sec · East 5th Street

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East 5th Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
17 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
10.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Purple Heart Trail
135 mi · 80%
South Pan Am Expressway
21.5 mi · 13%
North Pan Am Expressway
7.38 mi · 4%
Interstate Highway 35
1.93 mi · 1%
North Main Street
1.05 mi · 1%
East 6th Street
0.54 mi
Longest Stretch

Purple Heart Trail

Merge slight left onto Purple Heart Trail

76.1 mi · 01h 16m

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 42m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 26m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+12.6 mi
155.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
San Antonio
01h 21m from Cotulla
Leave By
1:04 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny leaving Cotulla 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 Cotulla to Austin?

The road trip is about 167.7 miles (269.9 km) and usually takes 02h 42m 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?

San Antonio is a useful midpoint, sitting about 83.8 miles from Cotulla and 83.9 miles from Austin.

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

The direct path is about 155.1 miles (249.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.6 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 1:04 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.37 one way or $44.74 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 52.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny around Cotulla and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Austin.

Stop Ideas Near San Antonio

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

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around San Antonio and the surrounding midpoint area.
Piazza Italia Park
Scenic stop 4.6 mi away

Piazza Italia Park

San Antonio , TX
500 Columbus St, San Antonio, TX 78207
Rating 4.0/5 70 reviews Tourist attraction,Park
City Hall San Antonio
Meeting point 4.3 mi away

City Hall San Antonio

San Antonio , TX
100 Military Plaza #4, San Antonio, TX 78205
Rating 3.5/5 25 reviews City Hall
Municipal Plaza
Nearby stop 4.4 mi away

Municipal Plaza

San Antonio , TX
114 W Commerce St, San Antonio, TX 78205
Rating 4.4/5 34 reviews Plaza

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to San Antonio.

RAIL

San Antonio Station

2 mi away
350 Hoefgen Street
RAIL

San Marcos Station

74 mi away
338 South Guadalupe St.
RAIL

Austin

118 mi away
250 North Lamar Blvd.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Cotulla and Austin. Straight-line distance: 155.13 mi (249.65 km).

Cotulla

#1 Cotulla

City in La Salle County, Texas, United States

Population4,133
Coordinates28.4369300, -99.2350300
Altitude130
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: Tilden Street (-99.23502, 28.436876)
End: East 5th Street (-97.743073, 30.267115)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 270 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 35m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 11m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 21m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 47m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 23m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 05m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.92 gal
22.4 L · about $22.37
Round trip
$44.74
11.84 gal · 44.8 L
Estimated CO2
52.6 kg one way
Round trip: 105.2 kg / 232 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.78 $22.37 $44.74
Mid-grade $4.25 $25.17 $50.34
Premium $4.59 $27.18 $54.36
Diesel $3.99 $23.64 $47.28

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 Cotulla and Austin. The current time is 20:05:24.

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.