How bad is the commute to Fort Hood from Austin?

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 Jul 2018 08:50:33 -0400

I am going to be stationed at Fort Hood in March of 19, however I am dual military and my spouse is stationed at JBSA in San Antonio so we are considering moving to Austin. Just looking to see how bad the commute is I know it's 1H/1.5H, but I'm not looking for distance I want to know the strain it causes or doesn't cause. Also, does Hood have child care? And if I live in Austin can I get BAH there?

Response by LCpl Ferdinand Hughes made Jul 11 at 2018 9:01 AM

LCpl Ferdinand Hughes — Wed, 11 Jul 2018 09:01:10 -0400

BAH is based on duty station zip code

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 11 at 2018 9:16 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 Jul 2018 09:16:30 -0400

I was at Ft. Hood in 2008 and we had one of our team that lived in Austin and drove it daily. He made formation every morning and getting on to Hood in the AM can be a pain, the traffic jams up at the gates in the morning .

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 11 at 2018 9:38 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 Jul 2018 09:38:43 -0400

My PL and a battle of mine both commuted everyday. My battle would have to leave at 4am to make it to pt . My PL couldn’t make it on time to save his life. Trial and error will help you figure out how to manage the traffic. I hated Killeen so I understand. You will not receive BAH based off the zip code of Austin.

Response by MSgt Richard Randall made Jul 11 at 2018 9:50 AM

MSgt Richard Randall — Wed, 11 Jul 2018 09:50:53 -0400

I’d be much more concerned about your spouse and the commute between Austin and JBSA. It’s a total Charlie Foxtrot on I-35 going either north or south. As far as the commute from Austin and Ft Hood is concerned, once off I-35 and on SH 195 there is a DPS training center near Florence. I’m sure you can guess where the state troopers get much of their practical experience. Also submitted for your consideration, there are always a number of freshly smushed four-legged Bambi type critters littering the side of the road between Georgetown and Ding Dong (yes, it’s a real place!).

It’s a little known fact in Texas history that the Texas Revolution wasn’t about independence but rather over Santa Anna’s refusal to allocate more funds to widen I-35 between San Antonio and Dallas. Sam Houston started construction on I-35 in 1836 and they’re still not finished.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 11 at 2018 9:53 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 Jul 2018 09:53:08 -0400

North Austin would benefit you, but it would still be a long commute up 195 from Round Rock or Georgetown. Idont want to do it again. Not sure you would for an every day event.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 11 at 2018 12:33 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 Jul 2018 12:33:59 -0400

You can’t get Austin bah it goes off the duty station. I live in south Austin and the drive isn’t that bad for me but I live driving. Just depends the area you live in.

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Jul 11 at 2018 2:09 PM

MAJ Byron Oyler — Wed, 11 Jul 2018 14:09:51 -0400

I have been stationed at both Hood and Ft Sam and I would recommend against your plan and just live separately. If you have to make PT formation, you are leaving before 0400 every day you have that and not home till probably 2000. That gives you at best 8hrs sleep, will you have much of a relationship with that? Live apart and spend weekends or what ever days you have off together, it will be much more meaningful. The drive from San Antonio is not so bad, I still have a house in Belton we used to go back and forth from SA and before I rented it out, it was a nice little get away.

Response by SGT Christopher Hayden made Jul 11 at 2018 2:53 PM

SGT Christopher Hayden — Wed, 11 Jul 2018 14:53:12 -0400

You'll be fine, your spouse will have to wake up around 3 A.M.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 11 at 2018 6:44 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 Jul 2018 18:44:06 -0400

The commute isn’t that bad, just give yourself extra time in the mornings, PT starts are 0630 and if you are trying to get through the gate any later than 0545-0550 you will be late for PT lol

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 11 at 2018 7:22 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 Jul 2018 19:22:40 -0400

Yeah, somebody mentioned above about the commute between Austin and SA being worse. So true. Like DC traffic on certain days. Austin is awesome. But there is no way in hell I would love that far from Hood. It's already a 40-45 minute drive from Georgtown to Hood where my commander lives. But he stays the night at the company most days. If you are willing, then good luck. I would consider Round Rock as well. Maybe see if you can get transferred to SA? Not the answer you want to hear. But the gas alone is gonna eat your wallet and I personally would try to get transferred to be with your spouse or simply cut your losses temporarily and maybe visit each other on the weekends. Good luck!

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 11 at 2018 8:44 PM

SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 Jul 2018 20:44:12 -0400

The commute from Austin to San Antonio is way worse...especially with the location of Sam Houston...it’s about a good hour of driving going from Austin to fort hood though

Response by LT Brad McInnis made Jul 11 at 2018 11:06 PM

LT Brad McInnis — Wed, 11 Jul 2018 23:06:08 -0400

My 2 cents.. I haven't driven the route in awhile (I live in Houston). My experience is with people that lived in Ramona and worked in San Diego. There were a bunch of commuter programs to help them get back and forth. Most sailors I knew decided to stay on the ship throughs the week and spend the weekends at home. Too much time in travel, too much wear and tear on vehicles, and way too much stress (traffic, early formations). My advice, as I was married to a SVCM, too, is make sure that the time you do spend is quality, as stress free as possible. If that is the weekends, so be it. It is better than spending hours each day in stressful traffic, for a couple of minutes together before you have to get unit ready and get to bed for the next day.

Response by LT Brad McInnis made Jul 12 at 2018 2:26 PM

LT Brad McInnis — Thu, 12 Jul 2018 14:26:35 -0400

2LT Private RallyPoint Member I wanted to add something that was bothering me last night after I responded... You came asking for help, and of course, most of us painted horror stories. The fact is that 2 Service Member families can succeed and often do very well. I was married to another Navy officer, and there are certainly differences, but it can also be very rewarding. I just hope you don't get a bad taste, after getting advice from a bunch of old fogies! Best of luck to you and yours!

Response by SGT Steve Hines-Saich B.S. M.S. Cybersecurity made Jul 12 at 2018 7:36 PM

SGT Steve Hines-Saich B.S. M.S. Cybersecurity — Thu, 12 Jul 2018 19:36:03 -0400

Roughly 60 Miles

Response by SFC Christopher Taggart made Jul 12 at 2018 7:59 PM

SFC Christopher Taggart — Thu, 12 Jul 2018 19:59:26 -0400

The commute from Copperas Cove and Killeen IS a commute from HELL and it's a lot closer! Road rage IS the norm!...and you're wanting to drive from Austin! You and your spouse have to think of another idea. Your stress level will be off the charts! I'm sure you and your spouse do not want to live apart, but to save your sanity...because Fort Hood, alone, IS insane, you have to think of another plan. Good luck, ma'am. "Welcome to Fort Hood!"

Response by SPC Katherine Adams (Clayburn) made Jul 13 at 2018 2:12 PM

SPC Katherine Adams (Clayburn) — Fri, 13 Jul 2018 14:12:10 -0400

I would do separate living conditions. They have officer quarters on Ft Hood. At least the last time when I was stationed there. If you do decide to live off post, better be closer to the base. Spend time with your spouse on reg weekends, four day weekends, etc. It'll be more meaninful. Day care is provided on post, but you may be on a waiting list.

Response by SGT Breck Wilson made Jul 14 at 2018 3:26 AM

SGT Breck Wilson — Sat, 14 Jul 2018 03:26:51 -0400

1.5 only if you're there in times not PT 1st lunch or final formation times. That's just the so called drive times. If you get caught in Austin traffic add an hour if you get caught at the busy gate times add another 30 min to hour it can literally take a good 45 min. Just in gate traffic for OT or more.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 15 at 2018 2:33 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 15 Jul 2018 14:33:07 -0400

I had a friend that drove from round rock everyday. It’s doable.

Response by SPC Margaret Gassert made Jul 21 at 2018 10:43 AM

SPC Margaret Gassert — Sat, 21 Jul 2018 10:43:07 -0400

You cannot get BAH for the Austin area. It doesn't work that way. You will get BAH for Hood and your spouse will get BAH for San Antonio. As far as the commute, the times you'll be traveling to Fort Hood won't be any traffic. With PT formation at 0600 you won't be hitting any until you get near base. Same with your spouse heading south. There isn't much traffic that early in the morning and he could easily take 130 down to San Antonio. It's a toll road, but saves a ton of time. Speed limit on a majority of highway 130 is 85mph and takes you from Georgetown all the way to San Antonio. We currently live in Killeen and my husband commutes to the Austin Airport everyday. It's not a bad drive at all.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 24 at 2018 10:41 PM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 Jul 2018 22:41:42 -0400

The specifics as for BAH I have no clue. But as far as your wanting to live in between...? Not wise. There's a better way. One live at the house while the other rents a room. It'll be a lot more cost effective. The trouble is distance and traffic. Austin is in between but the unexpected traffic will be a time killer.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2018 9:39 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 27 Jul 2018 21:39:15 -0400

Response by PO1 Richard Nyberg made Aug 23 at 2018 9:36 PM

PO1 Richard Nyberg — Thu, 23 Aug 2018 21:36:08 -0400

Well in 1971 I was stationed at West Ft Hood in the MI Bn and My wife and I lived in the main base by Killeen and no car, it was hot hitch hiking back then. I imagine things have gotten busier now. I don't think I would commute from Austin.

Response by CW3 Keith Bridgeforth made Sep 6 at 2018 6:45 AM

CW3 Keith Bridgeforth — Thu, 06 Sep 2018 06:45:51 -0400

The commute is not too bad. I would recommend joining a vanpool. I've been commuting from New Braunfels to ft Hood since 2009. In 2015 I started a van pool that has saved me lots on money for gas and the maintenence on my POV. I was paying about $600.00 a month in gas, but now I pay little to zero out of pocket cost. This is due to the government subsidy and the number of rideres I have in my vanpool, awesome program!

Response by CPT Wallace Ward made Oct 3 at 2018 8:18 PM

CPT Wallace Ward — Wed, 03 Oct 2018 20:18:49 -0400

Honestly. When I was a company commander at Fort Hood I had one of my platoon leaders who lived in Georgetown. It’s really not a good commute. Especially getting up for PT and getting home at night. Consider the greater Killeen Metro area. I lived in Harker Heights.
Austin is a great town. Just not a smart commute to Post if you are serious about your career

Response by SFC Melvin Brandenburg made Jan 28 at 2021 9:00 PM

SFC Melvin Brandenburg — Thu, 28 Jan 2021 21:00:27 -0500

I drive 1hr each way in DFW for the last 2 years.