How far is New Braunfels, TX from Waco, TX?

The driving distance from New Braunfels, TX to Waco, TX is about 148.9 miles (239.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 44m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 140.2 miles (225.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 28m 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
148.97 mi
02h 44m
Flight
140.19 mi
225.61 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from New Braunfels.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
140.19 mi
Kilometers
225.61 km
Flight Time
00h 16m

Driving Distance

Road route
148.97 mi
Kilometers
239.75 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 Waco
Sat, Jul 11, 4:54 PM CDT
Return by in New Braunfels
Sat, Jul 11, 7:39 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave New Braunfels
2026-07-11T14:10
Arrive Waco
Sat, Jul 11, 4:54 PM 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
10:44 AM to 12:44 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:02 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in New Braunfels
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
Georgetown
TX

The most populous city in Williamson County, Texas.

From New Braunfels
74.6 mi
01h 22m
To Waco
74.4 mi
01h 22m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
92°F
Saturday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, Jul 11 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph SE
Destination
95°F
Saturday

Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, Jul 11 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between New Braunfels and Waco.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between New Braunfels and Waco.

  1. 1

    Start on Main Plaza

    711 ft · 25 sec · Main Plaza

  2. 2

    Exit the rotary onto South Seguin Avenue

    1.2 mi · 3 min · South Seguin Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Interstate 35 North

    1.1 km · 1 min · Interstate 35 North

  4. 4

    Take the ramp slight left toward I 35 North

    1371 ft · 33 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left onto Purple Heart Trail

    46.7 mi · 51 min · Purple Heart Trail

  6. 6

    Keep slight right to continue on Purple Heart Trail

    95.6 mi · 1 hr 40 min · Purple Heart Trail

  7. 7

    Continue on South Jack Kultgen Expressway

    2.5 mi · 3 min · South Jack Kultgen Expressway

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward 18th - 17th Streets

    1380 ft · 34 sec

  9. 9

    Turn straight onto South Jack Kultgen Expressway

    759 ft · 21 sec · South Jack Kultgen Expressway

  10. 10

    Turn left onto South 17th Street

    1.4 mi · 4 min · South 17th Street

  11. 11

    Turn left onto West Waco Drive

    143 m · 26 sec · West Waco Drive

  12. 12

    Continue on West Waco Drive

    34 m · 8 sec · West Waco Drive

  13. 13

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West Waco Drive

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between New Braunfels and Waco.

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
13 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
1 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Purple Heart Trail
142 mi · 95%
South Jack Kultgen Expressway
2.61 mi · 2%
South 17th Street
1.41 mi · 1%
South Seguin Avenue
1.22 mi · 1%
Interstate 35 North
0.71 mi
18th - 17th Streets
0.26 mi
Longest Stretch

Purple Heart Trail

Keep slight right to continue on Purple Heart Trail

95.6 mi · 01h 40m

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 28m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+8.7 mi
140.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Georgetown
01h 22m from New Braunfels
Leave By
1:02 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving New Braunfels and Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Waco.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from New Braunfels to Waco?

The road trip is about 148.9 miles (239.7 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?

Georgetown is a useful midpoint, sitting about 74.6 miles from New Braunfels and 74.4 miles from Waco.

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

The direct path is about 140.2 miles (225.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.7 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 1:02 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.88 one way or $39.76 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 46.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around New Braunfels and Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Waco.

Stop Ideas Near Georgetown

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Georgetown, 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 Georgetown.

RAIL

Taylor

27 mi away
118 East First St.
RAIL

Austin

41 mi away
250 North Lamar Blvd.
BUS

Killeen, Texas

55 mi away
200 East Avenue C
BUS

Fort Hood, Texas

57 mi away
Hood Road & Old Ironsides Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between New Braunfels and Waco. Straight-line distance: 140.19 mi (225.61 km).

New Braunfels

#1 New Braunfels

The third most populous city in Comal County, Texas.

Population95,534
Coordinates29.7030000, -98.1244500
Altitude192
CountryUnited States
Waco

#2 Waco

The 11th most populous city in Texas.

Population141,377
Coordinates31.5493300, -97.1466700
Altitude143
CountryUnited States
Start: New Braunfels (-98.12445, 29.703)
End: Waco (-97.14667, 31.54933)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 240 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 57m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 43m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 58m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 28m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 07m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 51m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.26 gal
19.9 L · about $19.88
Round trip
$39.76
10.52 gal · 39.8 L
Estimated CO2
46.7 kg one way
Round trip: 93.5 kg / 206 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.78 $19.88 $39.76
Mid-grade $4.25 $22.37 $44.73
Premium $4.59 $24.15 $48.30
Diesel $3.99 $21.00 $42.01

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 · Jul 11, 2026

There is no time difference between New Braunfels and Waco. The current time is 14:10:27.

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.