How far is Harlingen, TX from Austin, TX?

The driving distance from Harlingen, TX to Austin, TX is about 326.2 miles (525 km), with a travel time of about 04h 48m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 281.7 miles (453.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 36m 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
326.2 mi
04h 48m
Flight
281.67 mi
453.31 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Harlingen.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
281.67 mi
Kilometers
453.31 km
Flight Time
00h 33m

Driving Distance

Road route
326.2 mi
Kilometers
524.97 km
Drive Time
04h 48m

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 48m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Austin
Thu, Apr 23, 4:56 PM CDT
Return by in Harlingen
Thu, Apr 23, 9:44 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Harlingen
2026-04-23T12:07
Arrive Austin
Thu, Apr 23, 4:56 PM CDT
Route Timing
04h 48m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:48 AM to 12:48 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
7:24 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Harlingen
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
George West
TX

City in Texas, United States

From Harlingen
161.7 mi
02h 24m
To Austin
164.5 mi
02h 24m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
88°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
8 to 17 mph SE
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 Harlingen and Austin.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on South Commerce Street

    4 m · 4 sec · South Commerce Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto West Harrison Avenue

    1.3 mi · 2 min · West Harrison Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn right onto North Expressway 77

    130 m · 12 sec · North Expressway 77

  4. 4

    Take the ramp slight left toward I 69E North, US 77 North

    884 ft · 22 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left onto U.S. Highway 77

    88 mi · 1 hr 38 min · U.S. Highway 77

  6. 6

    Keep slight right

    623 ft · 8 sec

  7. 7

    Keep slight right

    1.2 km · 2 min

  8. 8

    Turn left onto FM 772

    1009 ft · 17 sec · FM 772

  9. 9

    Turn straight onto South 6th Street

    4.4 mi · 7 min · South 6th Street

  10. 10

    Turn left onto West King Avenue

    14.5 mi · 18 min · West King Avenue

  11. 11

    Take the ramp right

    1 km · 2 min

  12. 12

    Merge slight left

    54.2 mi · 1 hr 2 min

  13. 13

    Keep slight left to continue on Nueces Street

    14.7 mi · 19 min · Nueces Street

  14. 14

    Continue straight

    1199 ft · 16 sec

  15. 15

    Take the exit straight

    60.8 mi · 1 hr 2 min

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right toward I 410, TX 130, US 281 South

    971 ft · 24 sec

  17. 17

    Keep slight right to continue on I 410 North, TX 130 North

    2383 ft · 58 sec

  18. 18

    Merge slight left onto Connally Loop

    10.6 mi · 12 min · Connally Loop

  19. 19

    Merge slight left onto North Pan Am Expressway

    2.8 mi · 3 min · North Pan Am Expressway

  20. 20

    Keep slight left to continue on North Pan Am Expressway

    7.4 mi · 8 min · North Pan Am Expressway

  21. 21

    Continue on Purple Heart Trail

    11.9 mi · 13 min · Purple Heart Trail

  22. 22

    Continue on Interstate Highway 35

    1.9 mi · 2 min · Interstate Highway 35

  23. 23

    Continue on Purple Heart Trail

    46.7 mi · 51 min · Purple Heart Trail

  24. 24

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

    665 ft · 24 sec

  25. 25

    Turn left onto East 6th Street

    2863 ft · 1 min · East 6th Street

  26. 26

    Turn left onto Congress Avenue

    109 m · 18 sec · Congress Avenue

  27. 27

    Turn left onto East 5th Street

    8 m · 1 sec · East 5th Street

  28. 28

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East 5th Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Long-distance drive

This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.

Directions
28 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
9
4 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
U.S. Highway 77
88.9 mi · 27%
Nueces Street
75.7 mi · 23%
West King Avenue
69.3 mi · 21%
Purple Heart Trail
58.6 mi · 18%
Connally Loop
10.6 mi · 3%
North Pan Am Expressway
10.2 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

U.S. Highway 77

Merge slight left onto U.S. Highway 77

88 mi · 01h 38m

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 48m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
09h 36m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+44.5 mi
281.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
George West
02h 24m from Harlingen
Leave By
7:24 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Harlingen 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 Harlingen to Austin?

The road trip is about 326.2 miles (525 km) and usually takes 04h 48m 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?

George West is a useful midpoint, sitting about 161.7 miles from Harlingen and 164.5 miles from Austin.

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

The direct path is about 281.7 miles (453.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 44.5 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:24 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $43.50 one way or $86.99 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 102.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Harlingen and Austin. Straight-line distance: 281.67 mi (453.31 km).

Harlingen

#1 Harlingen

The most populous city in Cameron County, Texas.

Population65,176
Coordinates26.1906300, -97.6961000
Altitude12
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 Harrison Avenue (-97.696114, 26.190669)
End: East 5th Street (-97.743073, 30.267115)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 525 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)10h 52m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)08h 09m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)06h 31m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)05h 26m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)04h 39m
80 mph (129 km/h)04h 04m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
11.51 gal
43.57 L · about $43.50
Round trip
$86.99
23.02 gal · 87.14 L
Estimated CO2
102.3 kg one way
Round trip: 204.6 kg / 451 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.78 $43.50 $86.99
Mid-grade $4.25 $48.94 $97.88
Premium $4.59 $52.84 $105.68
Diesel $3.99 $45.96 $91.92

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 Harlingen and Austin. The current time is 12:07:42.

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.