How far is Palmer, TX from Austin, TX?
The driving distance from Palmer, TX to Austin, TX is about 180.6 miles (290.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 01m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 162.4 miles (261.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 03m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
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 01m.
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.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy
Mostly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Palmer and Austin.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Palmer and Austin.
-
1
Start on West Jefferson Street
2.3 mi · 4 min · West Jefferson Street
-
2
Turn straight onto Farm-to-Market Road 878
4.3 mi · 8 min · Farm-to-Market Road 878
-
3
Keep slight right to continue on Farm-to-Market Road 878
1.5 mi · 3 min · Farm-to-Market Road 878
-
4
Continue on Palmetto Road
1.2 mi · 2 min · Palmetto Road
-
5
Continue on Wyatt Street
1.9 mi · 4 min · Wyatt Street
-
6
At the end of the road, turn right onto Dr Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
987 ft · 17 sec · Dr Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
-
7
Continue on East Main Street
1565 ft · 40 sec · East Main Street
-
8
Turn left onto South Monroe Street
2397 ft · 40 sec · South Monroe Street
-
9
Turn slight right onto South Highway 77
1 mi · 2 min · South Highway 77
-
10
Keep slight right
534 ft · 9 sec
-
11
Take the ramp straight toward I 35E South: Waco
1352 ft · 33 sec
-
12
Merge slight right
60.5 mi · 1 hr 1 min
-
13
Continue on North Jack Kultgen Expressway
6.6 mi · 8 min · North Jack Kultgen Expressway
-
14
Continue on Purple Heart Trail
37.9 mi · 39 min · Purple Heart Trail
-
15
Keep slight left
55.8 mi · 59 min
-
16
Keep slight left to continue on Purple Heart Trail
2.4 mi · 3 min · Purple Heart Trail
-
17
Take the exit slight right toward 8th–3rd Streets, Huston-Tillotson University
1096 ft · 27 sec
-
18
Turn straight onto North Interstate 35
948 ft · 27 sec · North Interstate 35
-
19
Turn right onto East 6th Street
2578 ft · 1 min · East 6th Street
-
20
Turn left onto Congress Avenue
109 m · 18 sec · Congress Avenue
-
21
Turn left onto East 5th Street
8 m · 1 sec · East 5th Street
-
22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East 5th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Palmer and Austin.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
I 35E South
Merge slight right
60.5 mi · 01h 01m
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.
Mostly Cloudy leaving Palmer and Mostly Cloudy near Austin.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Palmer to Austin?
The road trip is about 180.6 miles (290.7 km) and usually takes 03h 01m 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?
Lorena is a useful midpoint, sitting about 89 miles from Palmer and 91.6 miles from Austin.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 162.4 miles (261.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.2 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 10:56 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.07 one way or $48.14 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around Palmer and Mostly Cloudy near Austin.
Stop Ideas Near Lorena
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 Lorena.
McGregor
Waco, TX
Temple
Killeen, Texas
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Palmer and Austin. Straight-line distance: 162.43 mi (261.4 km).
#1 Palmer
Town in Texas, USA
| Population | 2,169 |
| Coordinates | 32.4312500, -96.6677700 |
| Altitude | 141 |
| 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: 291 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 01m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 30m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 36m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 00m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 34m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 15m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $24.07 | $48.14 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $27.09 | $54.17 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $29.24 | $58.49 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $25.44 | $50.87 |
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.