How far is Rio Grande City, TX from Austin, TX?
The driving distance from Rio Grande City, TX to Austin, TX is about 320.9 miles (516.4 km), with a travel time of about 05h 13m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 276.4 miles (444.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 27m 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 05h 13m.
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.
City in La Salle County, Texas, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Rio Grande City and Austin.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rio Grande City and Austin.
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1
Start on North Britton Avenue
10 m · 7 sec · North Britton Avenue
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2
Turn left onto West 2nd Street
2666 ft · 37 sec · West 2nd Street
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3
Continue on United States Highway 83
7.7 mi · 9 min · United States Highway 83
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4
Continue on East Grant Street
4.7 mi · 6 min · East Grant Street
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5
Turn slight right onto Garcia Street
12.6 mi · 14 min · Garcia Street
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6
Continue on United States Highway 83
54.3 mi · 1 hr 1 min · United States Highway 83
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7
Continue on North US Highway 83
14.2 mi · 16 min · North US Highway 83
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8
Continue on South Zapata Highway
5.4 mi · 8 min · South Zapata Highway
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9
Turn left onto South Meadow Avenue
2.1 mi · 5 min · South Meadow Avenue
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10
Turn left onto Guadalupe Street
1 mi · 2 min · Guadalupe Street
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11
Continue on Houston Street
1856 ft · 48 sec · Houston Street
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12
Turn right onto San Dario Avenue
85 m · 6 sec · San Dario Avenue
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13
Continue on Purple Heart Trail
144.4 mi · 2 hr 27 min · Purple Heart Trail
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14
Continue on South Pan Am Expressway
9.3 mi · 11 min · South Pan Am Expressway
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15
Keep slight left to continue on South Pan Am Expressway
1.7 mi · 2 min · South Pan Am Expressway
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16
Keep slight right to continue on South Pan Am Expressway
10.5 mi · 13 min · South Pan Am Expressway
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17
Keep slight left to continue on North Pan Am Expressway
7.4 mi · 8 min · North Pan Am Expressway
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18
Continue on Purple Heart Trail
11.9 mi · 13 min · Purple Heart Trail
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19
Continue on Interstate Highway 35
1.9 mi · 2 min · Interstate Highway 35
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20
Continue on Purple Heart Trail
46.7 mi · 51 min · Purple Heart Trail
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21
Take the exit slight right toward 6th - 12th Streets
665 ft · 24 sec
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22
Turn left onto East 6th Street
2863 ft · 1 min · East 6th Street
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23
Turn left onto Congress Avenue
109 m · 18 sec · Congress Avenue
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24
Turn left onto East 5th Street
8 m · 1 sec · East 5th Street
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East 5th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Rio Grande City and Austin.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Purple Heart Trail
Continue on Purple Heart Trail
144 mi · 02h 27m
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 Sunny leaving Rio Grande City and Mostly Sunny near Austin.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Rio Grande City to Austin?
The road trip is about 320.9 miles (516.4 km) and usually takes 05h 13m 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?
Cotulla is a useful midpoint, sitting about 169.1 miles from Rio Grande City and 151.8 miles from Austin.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 276.4 miles (444.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 44.5 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 6:32 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $42.78 one way or $85.56 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 100.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Rio Grande City and Mostly Sunny near Austin.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Rio Grande City and Austin. Straight-line distance: 276.46 mi (444.92 km).
#1 Rio Grande City
City in Starr County, Texas, United States
| Population | 14,511 |
| Coordinates | 26.3797900, -98.8203000 |
| Altitude | 53 |
| 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: 516 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 41m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 01m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 25m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 20m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 35m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 00m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $42.78 | $85.56 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $48.13 | $96.27 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $51.97 | $103.94 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $45.20 | $90.40 |
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 · Jun 10, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.