Reliably Austin
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

MAP: Drive-Thru COVID-19 Testing Locations In Austin And How To Access Them

CommUnityCare conducts drive-thru COVID-19 testing at Hancock Center.
Gabriel C. Pérez
/
KUT
CommUnityCare conducts drive-thru COVID-19 testing at Hancock Center.

Lee esta historia en español.

Several public and private entities have set up drive-thru COVID-19 testing sites, so people can be tested for the disease without having to enter a clinic and risk exposure to the coronavirus. The setup is intended to protect health care workers from contracting the disease, too. 

But not all sites work the same. Some require a phone or video screening first to determine if a test is needed. Others complete assessments on the spot and then decide if you’ll be given a test. Completing a screening or just showing up doesn’t guarantee you’ll be tested. That’s up to the health care provider, and the availability of tests has been limited. 

Here’s a map of drive-thru testing sites in the Austin area. Below that, read more about each location’s process. 

We'll be updating this page throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Got a tip? Email us at news@KUT.org.

Austin Public Health

Austin Public Healthhas set up anonline tool that allows patients to input their symptoms and, if necessary, get a referral to a drive-thru testing site that day. The online assessment and the test are free.

APH said it doesn’t share its testing site locations with the public, so you won't see them all in the map above. But those who are referred for a test will be told where to go. (KUT has identified one drive-thru testing location on city-owned property at 7211 N. IH 35, Austin, on the map above, but people need a referral to be tested.)

Austin Emergency Center

www.austinemergencycenters.net
www.eastaustiners.com/covid

Anderson Mill

  • Address: 13435 Hwy. 183 North, Ste. 311, Austin
  • Phone: 512-614-1200
  • Hours: Every day, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Far West

  • Address: 3563 Far West Blvd., Ste 110, Austin
  • Phone: 512-481-2321
  • Hours: Every day, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Mueller

  • Address: 1801 E. 51st St., Bldg. H., Austin
  • Phone: 512-322-5104
  • Hours: Every day, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

South Lamar

  • Address: 4015 South Lamar Blvd., Austin
  • Phone: 512-774-5780
  • Hours: Every day, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Pflugerville

  • Address: 15100 FM 1825, Pflugerville
  • Phone: 512-334-6707
  • Hours: Every day, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

East Riverside Emergency Room

  • Address: 2020 East Riverside Dr. 78741
  • Phone: 512-856-9563
  • Hours: Every day, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

What do patients need to do before showing up to get tested? You do not need to do anything. You can show up impromptu. Doctors or nurses will evaluate you from your car and determine if a test is needed. 

How long does it take to get results? Two to six days.

Does testing require payment or insurance? Yes. Non-insured or unemployed patients are charged an at-cost price. Insured patients’ insurance will be charged for the testing and assessment. 

What kind of COVID-19 test do they use? Quantitative real-time rtPCR testing (FDA-authorized under emergency use authorization).

Do people have to be in a car or can they walk up? AEC says the drive-thru is designed so patients can avoid entering the emergency room and potentially being exposed; it protects the health care workers, too. But patients can walk up if they choose.

Austin Regional Clinic

www.austinregionalclinic.com

ARC Cedar Park

  • Address: 801 E. Whitestone Blvd., Bldg. C, Cedar Park
  • Phone: 512-259-3467
  • Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

ARC Round Rock

  • Address: 940 Hesters Crossing Road, Round Rock
  • Phone: 512-244-9024
  • Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

ARC Far West

  • Address: 6835 Austin Center Blvd., Austin
  • Phone: 512-346-6611
  • Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

ARC South First

  • Address: 3828 S. First St., Austin
  • Phone: 512-443-1311
  • Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

ARC Southwest

  • Address: 1807 W. Slaughter Lane, Ste. 490, Austin
  • Phone: 512-282-8967
  • Hours: Monday through Friday, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

ARC Kyle Plum Creek

  • Address: 4100 Everett St., Kyle
  • Phone: 512-295-1333
  • Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

What do patients need to do before showing up to get tested? Patients must have an in-clinic or telemedicine visit and a lab order from an ARC physician before coming to the drive-thru site. If you do drive up without this, you will be offered a telemedicine appointment right then, so a physician can see if a test is needed. Lab orders from other doctors outside of ARC are not accepted.

How long does it take to get results? Generally, one to three days.

Does testing require payment or insurance? ARC said most insurance companies are covering costs for the doctor visit and commercial lab tests. State labs aren’t charging patients for the test. Patients without insurance will be charged 25% of the cost of the doctor visit, and the cost of a test at a commercial lab is about $70.

What kind of COVID-19 test do they use? Viral tests and antibody tests. A viral test tells you if you have an infection currently, and an antibody test might tell you if you had an infection in the past.

Do people have to be in a car or can they walk up? ARC doesn’t accept walkups to the drive-thru for safety reasons, but ARC accepts walk-in patients inside the clinic. Patients are encouraged to book an appointment first, but if they do walk in, they will be screened first. If they have symptoms, they will be asked to wait in an area isolated from other patients while waiting to go into the exam room.

Baylor Scott & White

www.bswhealth.com

Austin

  • Address: 5251 W. U.S. Hwy 290, Austin
  • Phone: 512-654-2100

Round Rock

  • Address: 425 University Blvd., Round Rock
  • Phone: 512-509-0200

What do patients need to do before showing up to get tested? Baylor Scott & White drive-thru testing sites are available only to people who first take the online questionnaire on MyBSWHealth app or at MyBSWHealth.com and are directed to a testing location. The testing location may or may not be a drive-thru site.

Note: BS&W says its drive-thru sites are subject to change, so it’s important for people who think they have symptoms to follow the steps above first.

How long does it take to get results? Most test results have been delivered to patients within 24 hours.

Does testing require payment or insurance? BS&W says it does seek to bill insurance companies for testing associated with COVID-19; out-of-pocket costs associated with testing are expected to be waived by insurance. “No patient deemed appropriate for a COVID-19 test by a Baylor Scott & White provider will be denied the test regardless of their ability to pay,” BS&W says.

What kind of COVID-19 test do they use? A nasal swab.

CommUnityCare Health Centers

www.communitycaretx.org

CommUnityCare’s COVID-19 hotline (open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.): 512-978-8775

Hancock Center

  • Address: 1000 East 41st St., Ste. 925, Austin
  • Hours: Monday through Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

Turner-Roberts Recreation Center

  • Address: 7201 Colony Loop Dr., Austin
  • Hours: Monday and Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

Manor Senior High School

  • Address: 14832 FM 973, Manor
  • Hours: Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

Burleson Road 

  • Address: 7019 Burleson Road, Bldg. 1, Austin
  • Hours: Monday through Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Hornsby Bend Health Center (Appointment needed at this location. Call 512-978-8090 to schedule.)

  • Address: 14312 Hunters Bend Road, Austin
  • Hours: Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

What do patients need to do before showing up to get tested? No appointment, call ahead or documentation is needed, except at the Hornsby Bend location. People can request a test even if they do not have symptoms.

How long does it take to get results? Two to three business days.

Does testing require payment or insurance? No.

What kind of COVID-19 test do they use? A nasal swab (PCR test).

Do people have to be in a car or can they walk up? They will take walk-ups. 

Genotox Laboratories

www.mytruthtest.com

855-236-7900

Drive-Thru Station #1

  • Address: 5200 Davis Lane, Austin
  • Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Drive-Thru Station #2

  • Address: Upwards Church Leander, 8754 Ranch to Market Road 2243, Leander
  • Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Drive-Thru Station #3

  • Address: Upwards Church Jarrell, 1460 County Road 313, Jarrell
  • Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Drive-Thru Station #4

  • Address: Upwards Church Taylor, 3705 Old Georgetown Road, Taylor
  • Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

What do patients need to do before showing up to get tested? Visit www.mytruthtest.com to order a test. Select your location and set up an appointment. You’ll also pay for the test at this point. After that, you’ll receive a confirmation code, which you’ll need when you arrive for the test, along with your ID.

How long does it take to get results back? Results are returned within 72 hours.

Does testing require payment or insurance? Payment is required before the test. The test is $130, according to the website.

What kind of COVID-19 test do they use? RT-PCR

Do people have to be in a car or can they walk up? This test is completed from a car only. 

Martin’s Wellness and Compounding Pharmacies

https://martinswellness.com/covid-19-testing-appointments

Lamar Plaza Drug Store

  • Address: 1509 South Lamar Blvd., Austin
  • Phone: 512-773-1558
  • Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

What do patients need to do before showing up to get tested? Reserve a 10-minute appointment on the website. When you get to the location, follow the signs and park behind the building. Call 512-773-1558 when you arrive.

How long does it take to get results? Within one hour.

Does testing require payment or insurance? The test is $125.

What kind of COVID-19 test do they use? Rapid antigen and antibody tests. Antigen tests test for a current infection. Antibody tests test for a past infection.

Do people have to be in a car or can they walk up? The tests are done curbside. You’ll park in a designated spot behind the pharmacy and call. A worker will come to you and complete the test.

Remedy

www.myremedy.com

  • Address: 3200 Jones Road, Austin
  • Phone: 844-REMEDY-5
  • Hours: Every day, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

What do patients need to do before showing up to get tested? Patients need an appointment first. You must first book a video visit where a provider will assess, diagnose and recommend testing. You’ll then be directed to the testing center with an appointment time.

How long does it take to get results? Typically two to four days.

Does testing require payment or insurance? Remedy says it’s “in-network” with most major insurers and Medicare. For people who are uninsured, the video visit is $49, and additional costs for the labs vary based on the availability of testing supplies and what lab is used. The total can cost from between $65 and $75 currently.

What kind of COVID-19 test do they use? Nasal swabs (PCR tests).

Do people have to be in a car or can they walk up? Patients must be in a car. Remedy also has an open air clinic for those who need it but can’t visit a traditional clinic out of fear of exposure to COVID-19. Patients first book a video consult and are directed to the appropriate care.

Tarrytown Pharmacy

 Tarrytown Pharmacy

  • Address: 2727 Exposition Blvd., Ste. 105, Austin
  • Phone: 512-478-6419
  • Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Saturday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to noon

Tarrytown Shoal Creek

  • Address: 8500 Shoal Creek Blvd., Ste. 200, Austin 
  • Phone: 512-478-6419
  • Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

What do patients need to do before showing up to get tested? Book an appointment online at www.tarrytownpharmacy.com.

How long does it take to get results back? Results come back usually within an hour. 

Does testing require payment or insurance? The pharmacy says testing requires payment up front, but it is working on being able to process the payment through insurance in the future. The test is $130, according to the website.

What kind of COVID-19 test do they use? Rapid antigen SARS-CoV-2 test. Not to be confused with an “antibody test,” this test determines if you have an active infection currently, not if you have been infected in the past.

Do people have to be in a car or can they walk up? Patients must be in a car.

UT Health Austin

www.uthealthaustin.org

UT Health Austin

  • Address: 1601 Trinity St., Austin
  • Phone: 1-833-UT-CARES (833-882-2737) 
  • Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m. to noon

What do patients need to do before showing up to get tested? Call the nurse triage line above to complete a screening. If you meet CDC criteria, you can make an appointment on the phone.  

How long does it take to get results? Between 24 to 48 hours on average.

Does testing require payment or insurance? Yes, for most cases.

What kind of COVID-19 test do they use? A nasopharyngeal swab (PCR test).

Do people have to be in a car or can they walk up? You must be in a car.

Williamson County

Williamson County is offering free COVID-19 assessment and testing. The county has an online assessment tool that determines if you are eligible for a COVID-19 test. Those deemed eligible will be given an appointment time. 

The county is partnering with Family Emergency Room to offer the drive-thru or walk-up testing in two locations:

  • 3620 E. Whitestone Blvd., Cedar Park
  • 1925 A.W. Grimes Blvd., Round Rock

The Williamson County Cities and Health District is also operating a free drive-thru testing site, but the county is not releasing its location. People must first fill out the assessment, and those approved for a test will be given an appointment time and told where to go.

This post has been updated.

-

Got a tip? Email Marisa Charpentier at mcharpentier@kut.org. Follow her on Twitter @marisacharp.

If you found the reporting above valuable, please consider making a donation to support it. Your gift pays for everything you find on KUT.org. Thanks for donating today.

Marisa Charpentier is KUT's assistant digital editor. Got a tip? Email her at mcharpentier@kut.org. Follow her on Twitter @marisacharp.
Related Content