How far is Penitas, TX from Austin, TX?

The driving distance from Penitas, TX to Austin, TX is about 327 miles (526.3 km), with a travel time of about 05h 09m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 282.2 miles (454.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 18m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
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
327.03 mi
05h 09m
Flight
282.15 mi
454.07 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Penitas.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
282.15 mi
Kilometers
454.07 km
Flight Time
00h 34m

Driving Distance

Road route
327.03 mi
Kilometers
526.3 km
Drive Time
05h 09m

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 05h 09m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Austin
Thu, Apr 23, 2:10 AM CDT
Return by in Penitas
Thu, Apr 23, 7:19 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Penitas
2026-04-22T21:00
Arrive Austin
Thu, Apr 23, 2:10 AM CDT
Route Timing
05h 09m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
11:09 AM to 1:09 PM CDT

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

Leave by
6:42 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Penitas
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
George West
TX

City in Texas, United States

From Penitas
163.5 mi
02h 34m
To Austin
163.5 mi
02h 34m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
Penitas Weather
TX
Live fallback forecast
89°F
Wednesday
Using La Joya as the closest live forecast in the Hidalgo County weather hub.

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 to 10 mph SE
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 Penitas and Austin.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    59 m · 16 sec

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Penitas Street

    1.4 km · 2 min · Penitas Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto East Expressway 83

    1.3 mi · 2 min · East Expressway 83

  4. 4

    Take the ramp straight

    964 ft · 13 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    15.4 mi · 18 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward I 69C North, US 281: Edinburg

    1.6 km · 2 min

  7. 7

    Continue straight

    21.8 mi · 23 min

  8. 8

    Continue straight

    57.1 mi · 1 hr

  9. 9

    Keep slight right

    70.2 mi · 1 hr 20 min

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on Nueces Street

    14.7 mi · 19 min · Nueces Street

  11. 11

    Continue straight

    1199 ft · 16 sec

  12. 12

    Take the exit straight

    60.8 mi · 1 hr 2 min

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward I 410, TX 130, US 281 South

    971 ft · 24 sec

  14. 14

    Keep slight right to continue on I 410 North, TX 130 North

    2383 ft · 58 sec

  15. 15

    Merge slight left onto Connally Loop

    10.6 mi · 12 min · Connally Loop

  16. 16

    Merge slight left onto North Pan Am Expressway

    2.8 mi · 3 min · North Pan Am Expressway

  17. 17

    Keep slight left to continue on North Pan Am Expressway

    7.4 mi · 8 min · North Pan Am Expressway

  18. 18

    Continue on Purple Heart Trail

    11.9 mi · 13 min · Purple Heart Trail

  19. 19

    Continue on Interstate Highway 35

    1.9 mi · 2 min · Interstate Highway 35

  20. 20

    Continue on Purple Heart Trail

    46.7 mi · 51 min · Purple Heart Trail

  21. 21

    Take the exit slight right toward 6th - 12th Streets

    665 ft · 24 sec

  22. 22

    Turn left onto East 6th Street

    2863 ft · 1 min · East 6th Street

  23. 23

    Turn left onto Congress Avenue

    109 m · 18 sec · Congress Avenue

  24. 24

    Turn left onto East 5th Street

    8 m · 1 sec · East 5th Street

  25. 25

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East 5th Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Penitas and Austin.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Long-distance drive

This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.

Directions
25 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
3 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
7.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 69C North
150 mi · 46%
Nueces Street
75.7 mi · 23%
Purple Heart Trail
58.6 mi · 18%
East Expressway 83
16.9 mi · 5%
Connally Loop
10.6 mi · 3%
North Pan Am Expressway
10.2 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

I 69C North

Keep slight right

70.2 mi · 01h 20m

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
05h 09m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
10h 18m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+44.8 mi
282.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
George West
02h 34m from Penitas
Leave By
6:42 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Penitas 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 Penitas to Austin?

The road trip is about 327 miles (526.3 km) and usually takes 05h 09m 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?

George West is a useful midpoint, sitting about 163.5 miles from Penitas and 163.5 miles from Austin.

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

The direct path is about 282.2 miles (454.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 44.8 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 6:42 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $43.61 one way or $87.22 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 102.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Penitas and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Austin.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Penitas and Austin. Straight-line distance: 282.15 mi (454.07 km).

Penitas

#1 Penitas

City in Texas, United States

Population4,596
Coordinates26.2306300, -98.4447400
Altitude44
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: (-98.444834, 26.230499)
End: East 5th Street (-97.743073, 30.267115)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 526 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)10h 53m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)08h 10m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)06h 32m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)05h 27m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)04h 40m
80 mph (129 km/h)04h 04m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
11.54 gal
43.68 L · about $43.61
Round trip
$87.22
23.08 gal · 87.36 L
Estimated CO2
102.6 kg one way
Round trip: 205.1 kg / 452 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.78 $43.61 $87.22
Mid-grade $4.25 $49.07 $98.14
Premium $4.59 $52.98 $105.96
Diesel $3.99 $46.08 $92.16

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 Penitas and Austin. The current time is 21:00:58.

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.