The stage starts urban and becomes rural in clear steps. From Austin, the route heads southeast, past outer city streets, access roads, commercial edges and the last larger junctions. After that, the rhythm changes to fields, pasture, scattered houses and straight county roads. The profile stays moderate, but at just over 107 kilometres the distance needs to be respected. Near Bastrop, the route reaches the Lost Pines and Colorado River area; the landscape is greener here than on the western Texas stages before. Toward Smithville, the road remains rolling, but never mountainous. The final kilometres run through Fayette County into La Grange. The town sits on the Colorado River, with a classic courthouse, a town square and useful services after a long opening day.
