How far is Kemp, TX from Austin, TX?

Fastest route

The route from Kemp, Texas 75143 to Austin, Texas is approximately 194 miles and takes about 3 hours and 4 minutes via I-35 S. Here are the directions:

Directions

  1. Head southwest on E 9th St toward N Elm St/State Loop 346.
  2. Turn left at the 1st cross street onto S Elm St/State Loop 346.
  3. Slight right toward TX-274 N.
  4. Turn right onto W Cedar Creek Pkwy.
  5. Continue onto NE 0090/E Chatfield Rd/W Roane Rd.
  6. Turn left (signs for I-45 S) and use the left lane to take the ramp onto I-45 S.
  7. Follow I-45 S to SE 1020/N Fwy Service Rd. Take exit 227 from I-45 S.
  8. Take exit 227 toward SE 1020/N Fwy Service Rd.
  9. Follow TX-31 and State Hwy 31 W to I-35 S in Waco.
  10. Turn left onto SE 1020/N Fwy Service Rd.
  11. Turn left onto TX-31 W/State Hwy 31 W.
  12. Continue onto TX-31/State Hwy 31 W.
  13. Pass by Sonic Drive-In (on the right in 26 mi) and turn left onto N Interstate 35 Frontage Rd.
  14. Keep left to stay on N Interstate 35 Frontage Rd.
  15. Follow I-35 S to S I-35 Frontage Rd in Austin. Take exit 234B from I-35 S/US-290 W/N Interstate 35.
  16. Keep left at the fork to stay on I-35 S.
  17. Keep left at the fork to continue on I-35 S/US-290 W/N Interstate 35, following signs for 32nd St.
  18. Take exit 234B toward 8th - 3rd Sts/Huston - Tillotson University.
  19. Merge onto S I-35 Frontage Rd.
  20. Turn left onto Congress Ave.

Tips & Suggestions

  • πŸš— Plan for a 3-hour and 4-minute journey covering approximately 194 miles.
  • β›½ Make sure your vehicle has enough fuel for the trip.
  • πŸ›£οΈ Stay alert and follow the given directions carefully to avoid any wrong turns.
  • 🚦 Observe traffic signs and signals along the route.
  • 🚧 Be aware of any ongoing road construction or detours.
  • πŸ—ΊοΈ Consider using a GPS or navigation app to help you navigate the route.
  • πŸ“… Check for real-time traffic updates before starting your journey to adjust for any potential delays.
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
195.14 mi
03h 28m
Flight
174.82 mi
281.34 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Kemp.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
174.82 mi
Kilometers
281.34 km
Flight Time
00h 21m

Driving Distance

Road route
195.14 mi
Kilometers
314.05 km
Drive Time
03h 28m

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 28m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Austin
Fri, May 1, 3:47 PM CDT
Return by in Kemp
Fri, May 1, 7:16 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Kemp
2026-05-01T12:18
Arrive Austin
Fri, May 1, 3:47 PM CDT
Route Timing
03h 28m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:29 AM to 11:29 AM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
10:02 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Kemp
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
Waco
TX

The 11th most populous city in Texas.

From Kemp
101.5 mi
01h 44m
To Austin
93.6 mi
01h 44m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
59Β°F
Friday

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Fri, May 1 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph NE
Destination
67Β°F
Friday

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Fri, May 1 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph NE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Kemp and Austin.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on East 9th Street

    35 m Β· 8 sec Β· East 9th Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto South Elm Street

    1.2 km Β· 1 min Β· South Elm Street

  3. 3

    Turn straight

    103 m Β· 12 sec

  4. 4

    Turn slight right onto South State Highway 274

    9.7 mi Β· 14 min Β· South State Highway 274

  5. 5

    Continue on North Tool Drive

    5.8 mi Β· 9 min Β· North Tool Drive

  6. 6

    Continue on State Highway 274

    7.1 mi Β· 11 min Β· State Highway 274

  7. 7

    Turn right onto State Highway 31 West

    8 mi Β· 9 min Β· State Highway 31 West

  8. 8

    Continue on Northwest 2nd Street

    9.3 mi Β· 11 min Β· Northwest 2nd Street

  9. 9

    Turn left onto Corsicana Bypass

    11.8 mi Β· 14 min Β· Corsicana Bypass

  10. 10

    At the end of the road, turn left onto West State Highway 31

    18.8 mi Β· 21 min Β· West State Highway 31

  11. 11

    Continue on Hubbard Bypass

    5.5 mi Β· 6 min Β· Hubbard Bypass

  12. 12

    Continue on State Highway 31

    17.2 mi Β· 17 min Β· State Highway 31

  13. 13

    Continue on East US Highway 84

    2.5 mi Β· 3 min Β· East US Highway 84

  14. 14

    Continue on Bellmead Drive

    2.6 mi Β· 5 min Β· Bellmead Drive

  15. 15

    Turn straight onto East Waco Drive

    2288 ft Β· 1 min Β· East Waco Drive

  16. 16

    Turn left onto North Jack Kultgen Expressway

    158 m Β· 12 sec Β· North Jack Kultgen Expressway

  17. 17

    Take the ramp straight toward I 35 South, US 77 South

    1524 ft Β· 37 sec

  18. 18

    Merge slight left onto North Jack Kultgen Expressway

    6.1 mi Β· 7 min Β· North Jack Kultgen Expressway

  19. 19

    Continue on Purple Heart Trail

    37.9 mi Β· 39 min Β· Purple Heart Trail

  20. 20

    Keep slight left

    55.8 mi Β· 59 min

  21. 21

    Keep slight left to continue on Purple Heart Trail

    2.4 mi Β· 3 min Β· Purple Heart Trail

  22. 22

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

    1096 ft Β· 27 sec

  23. 23

    Turn straight onto North Interstate 35

    948 ft Β· 27 sec Β· North Interstate 35

  24. 24

    Turn right onto East 6th Street

    2578 ft Β· 1 min Β· East 6th Street

  25. 25

    Turn left onto Congress Avenue

    109 m Β· 18 sec Β· Congress Avenue

  26. 26

    Turn left onto East 5th Street

    8 m Β· 1 sec Β· East 5th Street

  27. 27

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m Β· 1 sec Β· East 5th Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Kemp 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
27 steps
12 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
13.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Purple Heart Trail
96.1 mi Β· 49%
West State Highway 31
18.8 mi Β· 10%
State Highway 31
17.2 mi Β· 9%
Corsicana Bypass
11.8 mi Β· 6%
South State Highway 274
9.66 mi Β· 5%
Northwest 2nd Street
9.34 mi Β· 5%
Longest Stretch

Purple Heart Trail

Keep slight left

55.8 mi Β· 00h 59m

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
03h 28m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 58m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+20.4 mi
174.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Waco
01h 44m from Kemp
Leave By
10:02 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Kemp and 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 Kemp to Austin?

The road trip is about 195.2 miles (314.1 km) and usually takes 03h 28m 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?

Waco is a useful midpoint, sitting about 101.5 miles from Kemp and 93.6 miles from Austin.

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

The direct path is about 174.8 miles (281.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 20.4 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 10:02 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.04 one way or $52.07 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 61.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Kemp and Showers And Thunderstorms near Austin.

Stop Ideas Near Waco

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

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Waco and the surrounding midpoint area.
Riesel City Hall
Practical stop 12.8 mi away

Riesel City Hall

Riesel , TX
104 Hwy 6, Riesel, TX 76682
Rating 1.5/5 15 reviews Waste management service
Waco City Hall
Meeting point 0.6 mi away

Waco City Hall

Waco , TX
300 Austin Ave, Waco, TX 76702
Rating 3.6/5 15 reviews City government office,City Hall
Robinson City Police Department
Nearby stop 6 mi away

Robinson City Police Department

Robinson , TX
111 W Lyndale Dr, Robinson, TX 76706
Rating 3.1/5 9 reviews City courthouse

Transit and Meeting Points

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

BUS

Waco, TX

1 mi away
301 South 8th Street
RAIL

McGregor

27 mi away
1 Amtrak Blvd.
RAIL

Temple

54 mi away
315 West Ave B
BUS

Killeen, Texas

73 mi away
200 East Avenue C

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Kemp and Austin. Straight-line distance: 174.82 mi (281.34 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Kemp

Town of the United States

Population1,251
Coordinates32.4426400, -96.2299800
Altitude116
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 9th Street (-96.230107, 32.442881)
End: East 5th Street (-97.743073, 30.267115)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 314 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 30m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 52m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 54m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 15m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 47m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 26m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.89 gal
26.07 L Β· about $26.04
Round trip
$52.07
13.78 gal Β· 52.14 L
Estimated CO2
61.2 kg one way
Round trip: 122.5 kg / 270 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.78 $26.04 $52.07
Mid-grade $4.25 $29.30 $58.59
Premium $4.59 $31.63 $63.26
Diesel $3.99 $27.51 $55.02

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 Β· May 01, 2026

There is no time difference between Kemp and Austin. The current time is 12:18:56.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh β€” 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.