How far is Hico, TX from Austin, TX?
The driving distance from Hico, TX to Austin, TX is about 135 miles (217.3 km), with a travel time of about 02h 16m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 119.8 miles (192.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 33m 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 02h 16m.
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.
City in Texas, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Mostly Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Hico and Austin.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hico and Austin.
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1
Start on West 2nd Street
12 m · 9 sec · West 2nd Street
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2
Turn left onto North Walnut Street
2995 ft · 39 sec · North Walnut Street
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3
Turn straight onto North US Highway 281
19 mi · 20 min · North US Highway 281
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4
Continue on North Rice Street
2.3 mi · 3 min · North Rice Street
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5
Continue on South US Highway 281
43.1 mi · 49 min · South US Highway 281
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6
Continue on North Key Avenue
2.3 mi · 5 min · North Key Avenue
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7
Continue on South US Highway 183
35.3 mi · 38 min · South US Highway 183
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8
Continue straight
2151 ft · 30 sec
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9
Keep slight left to continue on 183A Toll Road
14.3 mi · 14 min · 183A Toll Road
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10
Continue straight
7.5 mi · 9 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward Loop 1: Mopac Boulevard
2127 ft · 52 sec
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12
Keep slight right to continue on Loop 1 South: Mopac Boulevard South
2119 ft · 52 sec
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13
Merge slight left onto North Mopac Expressway
2.4 mi · 3 min · North Mopac Expressway
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14
Take the exit slight left toward Express 1 Toll
129 m · 10 sec
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15
Merge slight left
3.9 mi · 4 min
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16
Take the exit slight right
1.1 km · 1 min
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17
Keep slight left to continue on West 5th Street
1602 ft · 39 sec
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18
Turn straight onto West 5th Street
1.5 mi · 3 min · West 5th Street
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East 5th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Hico and Austin.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
South US Highway 281
Continue on South US Highway 281
43.1 mi · 00h 49m
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Hico and Mostly Cloudy then 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 Hico to Austin?
The road trip is about 135 miles (217.3 km) and usually takes 02h 16m 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?
Lampasas is a useful midpoint, sitting about 67.2 miles from Hico and 67.8 miles from Austin.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 119.8 miles (192.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 15.2 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 1:56 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.03 one way or $36.05 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 42.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Hico and Mostly Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Austin.
Stop Ideas Near Lampasas
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 Lampasas.
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Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Hico and Austin. Straight-line distance: 119.79 mi (192.78 km).
#1 Hico
City in Hamilton County, Texas, United States
| Population | 1,437 |
| Coordinates | 31.9829300, -98.0336500 |
| Altitude | 313 |
| 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: 217 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 29m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 22m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 42m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 15m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 55m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 41m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $18.03 | $36.05 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $20.28 | $40.56 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $21.90 | $43.80 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $19.05 | $38.09 |
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 16, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.