How far is San Marcos, TX from Killeen, TX?

The driving distance from San Marcos, TX to Killeen, TX is about 97.3 miles (156.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 52m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 86.2 miles (138.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 44m 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
97.29 mi
01h 52m
Flight
86.2 mi
138.72 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from San Marcos.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
86.2 mi
Kilometers
138.72 km
Flight Time
00h 10m

Driving Distance

Road route
97.29 mi
Kilometers
156.58 km
Drive Time
01h 52m

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 01h 52m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Killeen
Sun, Apr 19, 5:38 AM CDT
Return by in San Marcos
Sun, Apr 19, 7:31 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave San Marcos
2026-04-19T03:46
Arrive Killeen
Sun, Apr 19, 5:38 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 52m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:52 AM to 11:52 AM CDT

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

Leave by
2:46 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in San Marcos
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
Round Rock
TX

The fourth most populous city in Williamson County, Texas.

From San Marcos
48.7 mi
00h 56m
To Killeen
48.5 mi
00h 56m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
69°F
Sunday

Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph NE
Destination
68°F
Sunday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph NE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between San Marcos and Killeen.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between San Marcos and Killeen.

  1. 1

    Start on North Guadalupe Street

    23 m · 9 sec · North Guadalupe Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto East Hopkins Street

    1.1 mi · 2 min · East Hopkins Street

  3. 3

    Turn slight left

    1141 ft · 49 sec

  4. 4

    Turn straight onto North Interstate 35

    3027 ft · 1 min · North Interstate 35

  5. 5

    Take the ramp slight left toward I 35 North

    1503 ft · 37 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto Purple Heart Trail

    29.1 mi · 32 min · Purple Heart Trail

  7. 7

    Keep slight right to continue on Purple Heart Trail

    29.4 mi · 32 min · Purple Heart Trail

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward TX 195 North: Florence, Killeen

    1.1 mi · 2 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on TX 195 North: Florence, Killeen

    874 ft · 21 sec

  10. 10

    Continue on North Interstate 35

    1424 ft · 26 sec · North Interstate 35

  11. 11

    Turn left onto State Highway 195

    34 mi · 38 min · State Highway 195

  12. 12

    Turn slight right

    80 m · 10 sec

  13. 13

    Turn slight right onto West Veterans Memorial Boulevard

    1.4 km · 2 min · West Veterans Memorial Boulevard

  14. 14

    Turn left

    25 m · 8 sec

  15. 15

    Turn right

    23 m · 5 sec

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between San Marcos and Killeen.

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
16 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
16.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Purple Heart Trail
58.5 mi · 60%
State Highway 195
34 mi · 35%
TX 195 North
1.31 mi · 1%
East Hopkins Street
1.14 mi · 1%
West Veterans Memorial Boulevard
0.88 mi · 1%
North Interstate 35
0.84 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

State Highway 195

Turn left onto State Highway 195

34 mi · 00h 38m

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
01h 52m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 44m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+11.1 mi
86.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Round Rock
00h 56m from San Marcos
Leave By
2:46 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving San Marcos and Partly Sunny near Killeen.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from San Marcos to Killeen?

The road trip is about 97.3 miles (156.6 km) and usually takes 01h 52m 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?

Round Rock is a useful midpoint, sitting about 48.7 miles from San Marcos and 48.5 miles from Killeen.

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

The direct path is about 86.2 miles (138.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.1 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 2:46 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.96 one way or $25.92 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 30.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers around San Marcos and Partly Sunny near Killeen.

Stop Ideas Near Round Rock

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

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

RAIL

Taylor

27 mi away
118 East First St.
RAIL

Austin

28 mi away
250 North Lamar Blvd.
BUS

Killeen, Texas

68 mi away
200 East Avenue C
BUS

Fort Hood, Texas

71 mi away
Hood Road & Old Ironsides Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between San Marcos and Killeen. Straight-line distance: 86.2 mi (138.72 km).

San Marcos

#1 San Marcos

The most populous city in Hays County, Texas.

Population66,350
Coordinates29.8832700, -97.9413900
Altitude188
CountryUnited States
Killeen

#2 Killeen

The 11th most populous city in Texas.

Population153,991
Coordinates31.1171200, -97.7278000
Altitude252
CountryUnited States
Start: San Marcos (-97.94139, 29.88327)
End: Killeen (-97.7278, 31.11712)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 157 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 14m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 25m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 56m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 37m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 23m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 12m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.43 gal
13 L · about $12.96
Round trip
$25.92
6.86 gal · 26 L
Estimated CO2
30.5 kg one way
Round trip: 61 kg / 134 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.78 $12.96 $25.92
Mid-grade $4.25 $14.58 $29.17
Premium $4.59 $15.75 $31.49
Diesel $3.99 $13.70 $27.39

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 19, 2026

There is no time difference between San Marcos and Killeen. The current time is 03:46:43.

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.