How bad is the commute to Fort Hood from Austin?

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.

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.

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!"

2LT (Join to see) 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!

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.

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.

BAH is based on duty station zip code

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.

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.

Roughly 60 Miles