Austin to Big Bend: Best Routes, Drive Times & Road Tips
From the live-oak hills of the Hill Country to the desert mountains of West Texas, the drive from Austin to Big Bend is a classic Texas road trip. Plan for roughly 8–9 hours of wheel time (plus stops) and 475–500 miles, depending on your route and first destination in the park.
Primary Route: US-290 → I-10 West → Fort Stockton
This is the fastest, most straightforward path—great if your goal is to reach the park with minimal detours.
- Austin → I-10 West: Take US-290 west through the Hill Country to join I-10 near Junction.
- I-10 → Fort Stockton: Cruise west on I-10 to Fort Stockton (major fuel/food stop).
- Choose your gateway:
- Eastern Entrance (Persimmon Gap): From Fort Stockton, take US-385 south to Marathon, continue on US-385 to the park’s east entrance and on to Panther Junction.
- Western Entrance (Maverick): From I-10, continue a few more miles to US-67, head south to Alpine, then TX-118 south to Study Butte/Terlingua and the west entrance. Ideal for Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive and the River Road (FM 170).
Alternate Route: I-35/I-10 → US-90 via San Antonio & Del Rio
A scenic option with small towns, borderlands views, and fewer interstate miles.
- From Austin, go south toward San Antonio and pick up US-90 west through Uvalde and Del Rio.
- Continue on US-90 to Marathon (gateway to the US-385 east entrance) or on to Alpine (connect to TX-118 for the west entrance).
- This route is often shorter in distance but slower in time due to town speeds and stoplights. For more detail from that hub, see Drive from San Antonio.
Estimated Drive Times & Distances
- Austin → Panther Junction (via I-10/US-385): ≈ 475–500 miles, about 8–9 hours
- Austin → Terlingua/Study Butte (via Alpine/TX-118): ≈ 500–520 miles, about 8.5–9.5 hours
- Austin → Marathon (US-90 or I-10/US-385): ≈ 410–430 miles, about 6.5–7.5 hours
Actual times vary with traffic, weather, construction, and stops.
Great Stops Along the Way
- Fredericksburg (US-290): Hill Country charm and quick bites before merging onto I-10.
- Junction (I-10): Llano River vistas and an easy refuel point.
- Del Rio (US-90): Borderlands landscapes and supplies before the long westward stretch.
- Marathon & Alpine: Classic West Texas towns for fuel, food, and last-minute gear.
Road Tips, Fuel & Safety
- Top off often: Services thin out west of Fort Stockton; plan fuel stops in Marathon, Alpine, and Study Butte/Terlingua.
- Inside the park: Speed limit is generally 45 mph (lower where posted). Distances are long—budget time.
- Navigation: Cell coverage is spotty. Download offline maps and keep a paper map as backup.
- Heat & hydration: Carry at least one gallon of water per person per day, even in cooler months.
- Wildlife: Watch for deer, javelina, and livestock—especially at dawn and dusk.
Need a Car?
Flying in or meeting friends en route?
See Vehicle Rentals to Big Bend for options from El Paso, Midland, and Alpine.
More Route Guides
Explore other starting points:
