How far is Highlands, TX from Austin, TX?
Fastest route
Here are some tips and suggestions for your trip from Highlands, Texas, to Austin, Texas, covering a distance of approximately 182 miles (293 kilometers) via I-10 W and State Hwy 71 W:
Directions
-
Get on I-10 W: Head west on E Wallisville Rd toward N Main St, then turn left at the 1st cross street onto N Main St. Continue until you merge onto I-10 W.
-
Follow I-10 W to State Hwy 71 W/TX-71 W in Columbus: Keep right to stay on I-10 W, then take exit 695 for TX-71 W toward La Grange/Austin.
-
Continue onto State Hwy 71 W/TX-71 W: This section of the route has tolls, so be prepared for that.
-
Keep left to continue on State Hwy 71 W: Use the 2nd from the right lane to stay on State Hwy 71 W.
-
Use the right lane to take the US-183 N ramp: Continue onto S Hwy 183/US-183 Hwy N, and keep following S Hwy 183 Toll road.
-
Take the TX-111 Loop exit toward Cesar Chavez St: Keep left to continue toward E 7th St, then turn left onto San Marcos St.
-
Turn right at the 1st cross street onto E 6th St: Finally, turn left onto Congress Ave, your destination.
Tips & Suggestions
- 🚗 Plan for a total driving time of approximately 2 hours and 54 minutes, depending on traffic conditions.
- 🛣️ The route includes tolls, so make sure you have some cash or electronic payment options.
- ⛽ It's a good idea to refuel your vehicle before starting the journey to avoid potential inconveniences.
- 📱 Check for real-time traffic updates before leaving to find the fastest route and avoid delays.
- 🍴 Pack some snacks and water for the trip to stay refreshed and energized.
- 🚘 Regularly check your vehicle's tire pressure, fluids, and brakes before embarking on a long drive.
- 🏨 If your trip includes an overnight stay, consider booking accommodations in advance to secure a comfortable stay.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 06m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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 Colorado County, Texas, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Highlands and Austin.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Highlands and Austin.
-
1
Start on East Wallisville Road
125 m · 19 sec · East Wallisville Road
-
2
Turn left onto North Main Street
1.9 mi · 3 min · North Main Street
-
3
Take the ramp straight toward I 10 West
998 ft · 24 sec
-
4
Merge slight left onto East Freeway
18.7 mi · 23 min · East Freeway
-
5
Continue on Katy Freeway
74.4 mi · 1 hr 21 min · Katy Freeway
-
6
Take the exit slight right toward TX 71 West: La Grange, Austin
2832 ft · 33 sec
-
7
Keep slight left
77.2 mi · 1 hr 22 min
-
8
Continue on Bastrop Freeway
1.9 mi · 2 min · Bastrop Freeway
-
9
Continue on East State Highway 71
2.2 mi · 3 min · East State Highway 71
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward US 183 North, 183 Toll North: Lampasas
2773 ft · 1 min
-
11
Merge slight left onto Bastrop Highway
2088 ft · 27 sec · Bastrop Highway
-
12
Continue on Bergstrom Expressway
1.1 km · 41 sec · Bergstrom Expressway
-
13
Take the exit slight right toward Loop 111: Cesar Chavez Street, 5th Street, 6th Street, 7th Street, Airport Boulevard
2724 ft · 54 sec
-
14
Keep slight left to continue on East 7th Street
2.8 mi · 5 min · East 7th Street
-
15
Turn left onto Brushy Street
107 m · 18 sec · Brushy Street
-
16
Turn right onto East 6th Street
3066 ft · 1 min · East 6th Street
-
17
Turn left onto Congress Avenue
109 m · 18 sec · Congress Avenue
-
18
Turn left onto East 5th Street
8 m · 1 sec · East 5th Street
-
19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East 5th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Highlands and Austin.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
TX 71 West
Keep slight left
77.2 mi · 01h 22m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Highlands 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 Highlands to Austin?
The road trip is about 182.6 miles (293.9 km) and usually takes 03h 06m 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?
Columbus is a useful midpoint, sitting about 91.2 miles from Highlands and 91.4 miles from Austin.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 163.7 miles (263.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.9 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 10:48 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.34 one way or $48.67 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 57.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Highlands and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Austin.
Stop Ideas Near Columbus
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 Columbus.
Prairie View, TX
Bryan, TX
Houston
Houston, TX
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Highlands and Austin. Straight-line distance: 163.66 mi (263.39 km).
#1 Highlands
Census designated place
| Population | 7,522 |
| Coordinates | 29.8188400, -95.0560400 |
| Altitude | 11 |
| 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: 294 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 05m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 33m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 39m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 02m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 36m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 16m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $24.34 | $48.67 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $27.38 | $54.77 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $29.57 | $59.13 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $25.71 | $51.43 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.