Killeen

Killeen is a city in the Central Hill Country of Texas. It is home to U.S. Army installation Fort Hood, one of the largest military bases in the world.

• Killeen-Ft. Hood Regional Airport - Flights from Dallas, Houston, and Atlanta. However, flights into Killeen's airport are often more expensive than those into Austin's Bergstrom International Airport, which is only an hour and a half to the south of Killeen. Check both rates before booking a flight.

• Interstate 14 - Comes into Killeen from Belton to the east and runs concurrently with US Highway 190. Provides access to the area from Temple and Interstate 35.

Killeen has become easier to get around without a car, thanks to the municipal bus service provided by "The HOP." HOP stops are found throughout the city, sometimes only a few blocks apart. To find out the HOP schedule from a stop, call +1 254-616-6800. The buses usually stop running before it gets dark. With a car, Killeen can be difficult to navigate, due to the irregular street pattern that exists outside of downtown. A map of the city (which can be purchased at Wal-Mart or at local convenience stores) can be very helpful.

Killeen is somewhat lacking in tourist attractions. However, there are a few things to see and do around town, if for some reason you should find yourself here visiting family or for whatever other reason.

• Fort Hood. Fort Hood (formerly Fort Cavazos for a short while), the largest military base in the world, borders the northern and western edges of town. If you can get on base (you must be with or related to a military member or civil service worker), there is a good Cavalry Museum to see, and you can drive down Battalion Avenue, which is lined with barracks and Army buildings, to get a glimpse of life on a military reservation. (updated Sep 2026)
• Since most of Killeen dates from the 1940s or later, there are not many historic buildings. There is, however, a nice little chapel dating from 1882 (Bethel Primitive Baptist Church), that offers scheduled tours, and there are a number of turn-of-the-century buildings and small shops lining North 2nd Street in the downtown area.

Killeen does offer plenty of shopping. The Market Heights shopping area, in Harker Heights (a suburb bordering Killeen on the east) is the area's most upscale shopping venue, boasting a Barnes & Noble's bookstore, Target, a large Cineplex movie theater, high-end spirits shop, a few clothing stores, and a number of restaurants. Killeen is dotted with strip malls, few of which have anything good.

• Killeen Mall. Has over 100 stores but is somewhat run-down. 

• 31.119945-97.728121 Sarah's Kitchen, 224 E Avenue D, ☏ +1 254-415-7155. Filipino food with lots of pancit and little kabob things.  

• Rincon De Panama, 205A N Gray St, ☏ +1 254-466-0914. Panamanian cuisine. 

• BITBAR, 701 W Elms Rd (Corner of Elms Rd and Fort Hood St (FH 195)). Arcade bar with free arcade and retro games. $5 Cover, really cheap drinks. (updated Aug 2021)

• 31.093099-97.7213671 Courtyard by Marriott Killeen, 1721 E Central Texas Expy, ☏ +1 254-616-2000.  (updated Apr 2017)
• Holiday Inn Express, 2603 Gateway Dr, ☏ +1 254-526-2022.  
• Comfort Inn, 2702 O W Curry Dr, ☏ +1 254-554-7110.  

As of Dec 2021, Killeen has 5G from AT&T Mobility and T-Mobile / Sprint.

El Paso ← San Saba ← ends ←

W  E

→ Harker Heights → Temple