How far is Joshua, TX from Austin, TX?

The driving distance from Joshua, TX to Austin, TX is about 175.9 miles (283.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 44m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 153 miles (246.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 29m 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
175.89 mi
02h 44m
Flight
153.06 mi
246.32 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Joshua.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
153.06 mi
Kilometers
246.32 km
Flight Time
00h 18m

Driving Distance

Road route
175.89 mi
Kilometers
283.06 km
Drive Time
02h 44m

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 44m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Austin
Thu, Apr 23, 12:34 AM CDT
Return by in Joshua
Thu, Apr 23, 3:18 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Joshua
2026-04-22T21:49
Arrive Austin
Thu, Apr 23, 12:34 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 44m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:45 AM to 12:45 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:00 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Joshua
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
Lorena
TX

City in Texas

From Joshua
87.9 mi
01h 22m
To Austin
88 mi
01h 22m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
77°F
Wednesday

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph SSE
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 Joshua and Austin.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    15 m · 9 sec

  2. 2

    Turn left onto East 12th Street

    1063 ft · 30 sec · East 12th Street

  3. 3

    Continue on Conveyor Drive

    5.4 mi · 8 min · Conveyor Drive

  4. 4

    Continue on Conveyor Drive

    2.2 mi · 3 min · Conveyor Drive

  5. 5

    Turn right onto South Burleson Boulevard

    1077 ft · 30 sec · South Burleson Boulevard

  6. 6

    Take the ramp slight left toward I 35W South

    757 ft · 19 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left onto I 35W South: Waco

    63.5 mi · 1 hr 5 min

  8. 8

    Continue on North Jack Kultgen Expressway

    6.6 mi · 8 min · North Jack Kultgen Expressway

  9. 9

    Continue on Purple Heart Trail

    37.9 mi · 39 min · Purple Heart Trail

  10. 10

    Keep slight left

    55.8 mi · 59 min

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on Purple Heart Trail

    2.4 mi · 3 min · Purple Heart Trail

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward 8th–3rd Streets, Huston-Tillotson University

    1096 ft · 27 sec

  13. 13

    Turn straight onto North Interstate 35

    948 ft · 27 sec · North Interstate 35

  14. 14

    Turn right onto East 6th Street

    2578 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 Joshua 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
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Purple Heart Trail
96.1 mi · 55%
I 35W South
63.6 mi · 36%
Conveyor Drive
7.58 mi · 4%
North Jack Kultgen Expressway
6.63 mi · 4%
East 6th Street
0.49 mi
8th–3rd Streets
0.21 mi
Longest Stretch

I 35W South

Merge slight left onto I 35W South: Waco

63.5 mi · 01h 05m

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 44m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 30m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+22.9 mi
153 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Lorena
01h 22m from Joshua
Leave By
1:00 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Joshua 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 Joshua to Austin?

The road trip is about 175.9 miles (283.1 km) and usually takes 02h 44m 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?

Lorena is a useful midpoint, sitting about 87.9 miles from Joshua and 88 miles from Austin.

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

The direct path is about 153 miles (246.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 22.9 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:00 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.47 one way or $46.94 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 55.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Joshua and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Austin.

Stop Ideas Near Lorena

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Lorena, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Lorena.

RAIL

McGregor

19 mi away
1 Amtrak Blvd.
BUS

Waco, TX

20 mi away
301 South 8th Street
RAIL

Temple

35 mi away
315 West Ave B
BUS

Killeen, Texas

57 mi away
200 East Avenue C

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Joshua and Austin. Straight-line distance: 153.06 mi (246.32 km).

Joshua

#1 Joshua

City in Texas, USA

Population8,202
Coordinates32.4615300, -97.3880700
Altitude283
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: East 12th Street (-97.388064, 32.461397)
End: East 5th Street (-97.743073, 30.267115)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 283 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 51m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 23m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 31m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 55m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 30m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 11m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.21 gal
23.49 L · about $23.47
Round trip
$46.94
12.42 gal · 46.98 L
Estimated CO2
55.2 kg one way
Round trip: 110.4 kg / 243 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.78 $23.47 $46.94
Mid-grade $4.25 $26.40 $52.81
Premium $4.59 $28.51 $57.02
Diesel $3.99 $24.80 $49.59

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 Joshua and Austin. The current time is 21:49:38.

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.