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Austin air right now

ModerateAQI 55

Austin’s five-day smoke forecast shows the current index and the clearest time ahead.

55
AQI now
11.1
PM2.5 · µg/m³
1 cleaner spot within 3 hr drive

Where are you?

Search covers Canada and the United States.

The better move within a 3-hour drive

Dates

Dates follow you into hotel searches. Live inventory is confirmed by the provider.

Fredericksburg looks like the better move.29% cleaner air with a verified 1 h 40 min road trip. Rankings balance cleaner air with trip ease.

Every town is also available in the ranked list.
Austin Clean · PM2.5 0–5 Good · 5–9 Elevated · 9–15 Polluted · 15–35 Unhealthy · 35–55 Severe · 55+
Top pick
Marble Falls
Cel-shaded illustration of Marble Falls
AQI 43
#1Marble FallsChecking road route

Texas· Good

Highland Lakes town on Lake Marble Falls, an open-water Hill Country escape with resorts and rentals.

30% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 7.8 µg/m³ here vs 11.1 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 7.8/22 × 7 = 2.5 here; 11.1/22 × 7 = 3.5 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

3.3 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Austin right now

30% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 6:12 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is estimated for this town.

Directions
Horseshoe Bay
Cel-shaded illustration of Horseshoe Bay
AQI 43
#2Horseshoe BayChecking road route

Texas· Good

Hill Country resort town on Lake LBJ, an open-water escape with golf resorts and lakeside lodging.

30% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 7.8 µg/m³ here vs 11.1 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 7.8/22 × 7 = 2.5 here; 11.1/22 × 7 = 3.5 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

3.3 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Austin right now

30% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 6:27 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is estimated for this town.

Directions
Fredericksburg
Cel-shaded illustration of Fredericksburg
AQI 44
#3Fredericksburg~1 h 40 min drive

Texas· Good

Hill Country town in the German-settled heart of central Texas, set higher and drier than the coast, with inns and B&Bs.

29% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 7.9 µg/m³ here vs 11.1 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 7.9/22 × 7 = 2.5 here; 11.1/22 × 7 = 3.5 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

3.2 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Austin right now

29% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 6:12 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is estimated for this town.

Directions
Still smoky
Blanco
Cel-shaded illustration of Blanco
AQI 46
#4BlancoChecking road route

Texas· Good

Small Hill Country town on the Blanco River, a quiet countryside base between Austin and San Antonio.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 8.3 µg/m³ here vs 11.1 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 8.3/22 × 7 = 2.6 here; 11.1/22 × 7 = 3.5 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

2.8 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Austin right now

25% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 6:12 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is estimated for this town.

Directions
Still smoky
Wimberley
Cel-shaded illustration of Wimberley
AQI 48
#5Wimberley~50 min drive

Texas· Good

Hill Country village between Austin and San Antonio, tucked among cypress-lined creeks, with cottages and inns.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 8.7 µg/m³ here vs 11.1 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 8.7/22 × 7 = 2.8 here; 11.1/22 × 7 = 3.5 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

2.4 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Austin right now

22% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 6:12 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is estimated for this town.

Directions
Still smoky
Llano
Cel-shaded illustration of Llano
AQI 49
#6LlanoChecking road route

Texas· Good

Granite-country Hill Country seat on the Llano River, a quieter base than the busier lake towns nearby.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 8.9 µg/m³ here vs 11.1 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 8.9/22 × 7 = 2.8 here; 11.1/22 × 7 = 3.5 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

2.2 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Austin right now

20% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 6:12 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is estimated for this town.

Directions
Still smoky
New Braunfels
Cel-shaded illustration of New Braunfels
AQI 52
#7New Braunfels~55 min drive

Texas· Moderate

Hill Country town at the spring-fed Comal and Guadalupe river confluence, a breezy river-town escape, with hotels and rentals.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 9.9 µg/m³ here vs 11.1 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 9.9/22 × 7 = 3.1 here; 11.1/22 × 7 = 3.5 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
11% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 5:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 from the San Antonio Bulverde Parkway C1087 monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Canyon Lake
Cel-shaded illustration of Canyon Lake
AQI 52
#8Canyon LakeChecking road route

Texas· Moderate

Hill Country reservoir community on the Guadalupe headwaters, an open-water escape with lakeside rentals.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 9.9 µg/m³ here vs 11.1 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 9.9/22 × 7 = 3.1 here; 11.1/22 × 7 = 3.5 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
11% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 5:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 from the San Antonio Bulverde Parkway C1087 monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
San Antonio
Cel-shaded illustration of San Antonio
AQI 52
#9San Antonio~1 h 30 min drive

Texas· Moderate

A major Texas city with broad lodging options and live air-quality readings for comparison when smoke shifts across the region.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 9.9 µg/m³ here vs 11.1 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 9.9/22 × 7 = 3.1 here; 11.1/22 × 7 = 3.5 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
11% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 5:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 from the San Antonio Bulverde Parkway C1087 monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Boerne
Cel-shaded illustration of Boerne
AQI 52
#10BoerneChecking road route

Texas· Moderate

German-settled Hill Country town northwest of San Antonio, with a walkable creekside Main Street of inns.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 9.9 µg/m³ here vs 11.1 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 9.9/22 × 7 = 3.1 here; 11.1/22 × 7 = 3.5 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
11% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 5:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 from the San Antonio Bulverde Parkway C1087 monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Lakeway
Cel-shaded illustration of Lakeway
AQI 55
#11LakewayChecking road route

Texas· Moderate

Lake Travis resort community west of Austin, an open-water escape with waterfront resorts and rentals.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 11.1 µg/m³ here vs 11.1 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 11.1/22 × 7 = 3.5 here; 11.1/22 × 7 = 3.5 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
0% worse airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 5:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 from the Austin Webberville Road C171 monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Onion Creek
Cel-shaded illustration of Onion Creek
AQI unavailable
#12Onion CreekChecking road route

Texas

Texas community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town.

Directions
Still smoky
Kerrville
Cel-shaded illustration of Kerrville
AQI 46
#13KerrvilleChecking road route

Texas· Good

Hill Country hub on the Guadalupe River, set on the Edwards Plateau with a broad hotel base.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 8.2 µg/m³ here vs 11.1 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 8.2/22 × 7 = 2.6 here; 11.1/22 × 7 = 3.5 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

2.9 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Austin right now

26% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 6:12 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is estimated for this town.

Directions
Still smoky
Bandera
Cel-shaded illustration of Bandera
AQI 48
#14BanderaChecking road route

Texas· Good

"Cowboy Capital of the World" on the Medina River in the Hill Country, higher and drier than the Gulf coast.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 8.7 µg/m³ here vs 11.1 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 8.7/22 × 7 = 2.8 here; 11.1/22 × 7 = 3.5 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

2.4 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Austin right now

22% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 6:12 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is estimated for this town.

Directions
Still smoky
Waco
Cel-shaded illustration of Waco
AQI 52
#15WacoChecking road route

Texas· Moderate

A major Texas city with broad lodging options and live air-quality readings for comparison when smoke shifts across the region.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 9.9 µg/m³ here vs 11.1 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 9.9/22 × 7 = 3.1 here; 11.1/22 × 7 = 3.5 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
11% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 5:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 from the Waco C1037 monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Houston
Cel-shaded illustration of Houston
AQI 55
#16Houston~3 h drive

Texas· Moderate

A major Texas city with broad lodging options and live air-quality readings for comparison when smoke shifts across the region.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 11.1 µg/m³ here vs 11.1 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 11.1/22 × 7 = 3.5 here; 11.1/22 × 7 = 3.5 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
0% worse airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 5:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 from the Houston Finnigan Park C1099 monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Columbus
Cel-shaded illustration of Columbus
AQI unavailable
#17ColumbusChecking road route

Texas

Texas community with a separate live air reading for regional smoke comparisons.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town.

Directions
Levelland
Cel-shaded illustration of Levelland
AQI 30
#18LevellandChecking road route

Texas· Good

Texas community with lodging and a separate live air reading for regional smoke comparisons.

51% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 5.4 µg/m³ here vs 11.1 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 5.4/22 × 7 = 1.7 here; 11.1/22 × 7 = 3.5 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

5.7 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Austin right now

51% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 6:27 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is estimated for this town.

Directions
Plainview
Cel-shaded illustration of Plainview
AQI 32
#19PlainviewChecking road route

Texas· Good

Texas community with lodging and a separate live air reading for regional smoke comparisons.

49% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 5.7 µg/m³ here vs 11.1 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 5.7/22 × 7 = 1.8 here; 11.1/22 × 7 = 3.5 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

5.4 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Austin right now

49% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 6:27 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is estimated for this town.

Directions
Lubbock
Cel-shaded illustration of Lubbock
AQI 33
#20LubbockChecking road route

Texas· Good

A major Texas city with broad lodging options and live air-quality readings for comparison when smoke shifts across the region.

47% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 5.9 µg/m³ here vs 11.1 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 5.9/22 × 7 = 1.9 here; 11.1/22 × 7 = 3.5 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

5.2 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Austin right now

47% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 6:12 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is estimated for this town.

Directions
Bad week ahead? Check the 7-day outlook — if it won’t clear, book the trip

7-day outlook

Plan the next seven days

Pick a day, or compare the whole week. Weather is forecast; air quality is the latest available reading.

Loading the week…

Finding the nicest days and reachable cities.

Observed Aug 23, 5:00 p.m. EDTLast scan Aug 23, 6:27 p.m. EDT · 49 min ago

Why live rankings? Smoke plumes are patchy and shift with the wind, so no direction is reliably cleaner. This list is recalculated from live PM2.5 every hour — and if everything nearby is smoky, it says so.

How we work this out →

Browse all 200 cities by province & state →

More air-quality pages in Texas →
Amarillo air qualityArlington air qualityBeaumont air qualityCorpus Christi air qualityDallas air qualityEl Paso air qualityFort Worth air qualityHouston air qualityLaredo air qualityLubbock air qualityMcAllen air qualitySan Antonio air qualityWaco air quality
Air quality in nearby cities →
Shreveport air qualityLafayette air qualityOklahoma City air qualityBaton Rouge air qualityTulsa air qualityLittle Rock air qualityNew Orleans air qualityJackson air qualityWichita air qualitySpringfield air qualityMemphis air qualityMobile air quality

What this means · Austin

Moderate

AQI 55

AQI = Air Quality Index

Typical person. Most people can stay active outside.

Kids, seniors, heart or lung conditions. Unusually sensitive people should consider shorter or easier outdoor effort.

The AQI on this page follows fine particles (PM2.5). Particles here are 11.1 µg/m³ (Elevated), so the headline and the particle scale below tell the same story.

Act two · Fine particles only

Where PM2.5 lands

This bar is smoke and fine particles (PM2.5) only. Left is cleaner air; right is heavier particle pollution. Today's particles sit in Elevated.

11.1 µg/m³
Clean · 0Smoky · 40Severe · 80+

Act three · Particle ladder

What each PM2.5 rung feels like

  • 0–3µg/m³Natural. About as clean as outdoor air realistically gets.
  • 3–5µg/m³Clean. Crisp, destination-worthy air.
  • 5–9µg/m³Good. Clean city air; most people will not notice anything today.
  • 9–15µg/m³Elevated. Usually no big deal today; sensitive lungs may notice hard exercise.
  • 15–35µg/m³Polluted. Smoke or traffic pollution is now worth acting on.
  • 35–55µg/m³Unhealthy. Symptoms become more likely, especially with asthma or heart disease.
  • 55+µg/m³Severe. Everyone should reduce exposure and clean the indoor air.

Act four · Felt number

Cigarettes a week

A secondary feel for the particle load only — not a medical claim, and not a substitute for AQI.

3.5/wk

What is PM2.5?

Fine particles about 30× thinner than a human hair — small enough to slip through your lungs and into your bloodstream. We measure them inµg/m³: micrograms of particle mass in a cubic metre of air.

The math

PM2.5 here is 11.1 µg/m³.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at this level: 11.1/22 × 7 = 3.5 cigarettes.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
See the full method →