How far is Horseshoe Bay, TX from Austin, TX?
The driving distance from Horseshoe Bay, TX to Austin, TX is about 53.3 miles (85.8 km), with a travel time of about 01h 07m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 42.2 miles (67.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 14m 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 07m.
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.
Partly Sunny
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Horseshoe Bay and Austin.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Horseshoe Bay and Austin.
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1
Start on Rawhide
154 m · 15 sec · Rawhide
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2
Turn right onto Silver Spur
91 m · 14 sec · Silver Spur
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3
Turn left onto Sombrero
550 ft · 18 sec · Sombrero
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4
Turn right onto Big Spur North
715 ft · 28 sec · Big Spur North
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5
At the end of the road, turn right onto West Ranch Road 2147
2.7 mi · 5 min · West Ranch Road 2147
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6
At the end of the road, turn left onto West State Highway 71
18.5 mi · 22 min · West State Highway 71
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7
Continue on West Highway 71
16 mi · 22 min · West Highway 71
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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 Horseshoe Bay 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.
West State Highway 71
At the end of the road, turn left onto West State Highway 71
18.5 mi · 00h 22m
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Horseshoe Bay and Partly Sunny near Austin.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Horseshoe Bay to Austin?
The road trip is about 53.3 miles (85.8 km) and usually takes 01h 07m 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 25.8 miles from Horseshoe Bay and 27.5 miles from Austin.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 42.2 miles (67.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.1 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 4:16 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.10 one way or $14.21 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 16.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Horseshoe Bay and Partly 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 Horseshoe Bay and Austin. Straight-line distance: 42.19 mi (67.9 km).
#1 Horseshoe Bay
City in Llano County, Texas, United States
| Population | 4,156 |
| Coordinates | 30.5442900, -98.3739400 |
| Altitude | 258 |
| 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: 86 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 46m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 19m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 03m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 53m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 45m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 39m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $7.10 | $14.21 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $7.99 | $15.99 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $8.63 | $17.26 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $7.51 | $15.01 |
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 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.