Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Alvin, TX to Irving, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 9m
Distance
281 mi
452 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$38
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 56m
★
6 AM
5h 10m
8 AM
5h 37m
10 AM
5h 19m
12 PM
5h 17m
3 PM
5h 21m
5 PM
5h 35m
8 PM
5h 2m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Alvin, TX
Thomas balabaud
Irving, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Alvin, TX to Irving, TX is 281 miles and takes about 5h 9m via North Freeway, with a fuel budget near $41 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Great Plains region of Texas, offering a straightforward drive. With 97% of the route on highways, you'll spend most of your time cruising at higher speeds. This is a classic same-day drive, perfect for a quick transit between these two Texas locations.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
140.5 miles from Alvin, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 36m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North Freeway | 235.8 mi | 4h 7m |
| Brazoria County Expressway | 16.1 mi | 19m |
| West State Highway 6 | 10 mi | 15m |
| Tom Landry Freeway | 6.2 mi | 7m |
| Gulf Freeway | 2.4 mi | 3m |
| North Walton Walker Boulevard | 2.3 mi | 2m |
| Nolan Ryan Expressway | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| East Irving Boulevard | 1.2 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
North Freeway
— 235.8 mi, about 4h 7m
Traffic on I-45
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 48 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,256 veh/hr typical · worst 3,806
Quietest
2 AM
~407 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 48 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alvin, TX and Irving, TX.
1
Start on West Sealy Street
8 ft
·
7 sec
·
West Sealy Street
2
Turn left onto TX 35 Bus
0.4 mi
·
39 sec
·
North Gordon Street
3
Turn left onto TX 6
10 mi
·
15 min
·
West State Highway 6
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
Toward TX 288 North
5
Merge onto TX 288
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Nolan Ryan Expressway
6
Continue on TX 288
0.1 mi
·
7 sec
·
South Freeway
7
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 288 Toll
16 mi
·
19 min
·
Brazoria County Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
59 sec
Toward I 45 North: Dallas
Use the slight left lane.
9
Merge onto I 45
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Gulf Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 45
236 mi
·
4 hr 7 min
·
North Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Exit 284A
Toward I 30
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 30 West
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto I 30; US 67
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
East R L Thornton Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I 30
6.2 mi
·
7 min
·
Tom Landry Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 38
Toward LOOP 12
Use the right lane.
17
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
Toward Loop 12 North
Use the slight right lane.
18
Turn straight onto North Walton Walker Service Road West
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
North Walton Walker Service Road West
19
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Toward Loop 12 North
20
Merge onto Loop 12
2.3 mi
·
2 min
·
North Walton Walker Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
492 ft
·
12 sec
Toward TX 356: Irving Boulevard
Use the slight right lane.
22
Turn straight onto South Loop 12
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
·
South Loop 12
23
Turn left onto TX 356
0.4 mi
·
59 sec
·
East State Highway 356
Use the left / straight lanes.
24
Continue on TX 356
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
East Irving Boulevard
25
Continue on West Irving Boulevard
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
·
West Irving Boulevard
26
Turn right onto North Ohio Street
58 ft
·
2 sec
·
North Ohio Street
27
Arrive at destination
North Ohio Street
Trip Plan
Given this is a single-day trip, leaving Alvin, TX in the morning will get you to Irving, TX with plenty of daylight remaining. You'll only need about one stop for fuel or a quick break, making the 5-hour drive manageable. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch is quite substantial. The $41 fuel cost estimate is helpful for budgeting your trip.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 140.5 miles from Alvin, TX, or about 2h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 235.8 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 62 miles or 1h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 140.5 miles or 2h 36m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 10m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Irving, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Alvin, TX so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Alvin, TX
This is one driving day of about 281 miles and 5h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 miles from Alvin, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on North Freeway for about 235.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
141 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 62 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 140.5 miles from Alvin, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before North Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 235.8 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
TA Express
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Navarro County Northbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
TA Express
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Walker County Southbound Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Walker County Northbound Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Navarro County Southbound Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.3 mi from route
Rest Area
0.8 mi from route
QuikTrip
1.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
1.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.4 mi from route
TA
1.6 mi from route
Service Plaza
2.3 mi from route
QuikTrip
2.3 mi from route
The Woodlands Waterway
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
1.2 mi from route
~3 min detour
The Woodlands, Texas
Visit websiteRipley's Believe It or Not!
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, ~12 min detour
Home stretch
4.9 mi from route
~12 min detour
Grand Prairie, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+19722632391
Visit websiteLouis Tussaud's Palace of Wax
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, ~12 min detour
Home stretch
4.9 mi from route
~12 min detour
Grand Prairie, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+19722632391
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 175 decision points cluster between mile 28.9 and 276.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
28.9 mi into trip
|
~38m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 45 North: Dallas
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 45 North: Dallas
7
267.5 mi into trip
|
~4h 49m in
Take the exit toward I 30
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 284A
Toward I 30
7
267.7 mi into trip
|
~4h 50m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 30 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 30 West
7
275.4 mi into trip
|
~4h 59m in
Take the exit toward LOOP 12
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 38
Toward LOOP 12
7
276.1 mi into trip
|
~5h 1m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Loop 12 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Loop 12 North
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.49 one way
$76.98 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
98 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $42.99 | $85.98 |
| premium | $4.23 | $46.74 | $93.48 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $53.06 | $106.12 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 98.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 84.3 | 1 | $29.51 | $13.49 |
| Efficient EV | 70.3 | 0 | $24.59 | $11.24 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 112.4 | 1 | $39.34 | $17.98 |
Gas CO2
98 kg
EV CO2
33 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Alvin, TX
Late night in Alvin on Monday
Local time
5:06 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 5 mph
5% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:10PM CDT until July 19 at 12:24PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:07PM CDT until July 18 at 8:23AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Irving, TX
Late night in Irving on Monday
Local time
5:06 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 5 to 10 mph
2% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:10PM CDT until July 19 at 12:24PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:07PM CDT until July 18 at 8:23AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
100°F
Italy, TX
141 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
5h 9m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
You'll be on highways for virtually the entire 281-mile trip, with only a small portion on surface roads. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 235.8 miles along the North Freeway. Expect a consistent driving experience with minimal interruptions from lower speed limits for the vast majority of the drive.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 235.8 mi on North Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on North Freeway and Brazoria County Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 28.9 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 281 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 28.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 267.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 267.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
484 ft
44 ft
Total Climb
738 ft
Total Descent
298 ft
Highest Point
484 ft
~281 mi in
Elevation Range
440 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Alvin, TX
Full guide →Founded 1893
Alvin is in the Gulf Coast of Texas. Home of the Pitcher Nolan Ryan. It's about 20 miles southeast of Houston, at the intersections of SH-35 and SH-6.
Arriving in Irving, TX
Full guide →Founded 1903
Irving is a city in the Prairies and Lakes region of Texas. Part of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, Irving has experienced exponential growth over the past fifty years, and is home to a multitude of attractions of all types, from modern art to major sporting events. Founded in 1902 out of the remnants of the small community of Kit, Irving is now a bustling city of approximately 197,000 residents. Rather like Dallas, it is divided into a highly affluent northern half and less affluent but highly diverse southern half. It is bounded to the east by the northern fork (Elm Fork) of the Trinity River and to the northwest by the sprawling D/FW International Airport.
Top landmarks
- • Ruth Paine Home — house in Irving, Texas, United States
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 9m. Total distance: 281 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 235.8 miles on North Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 29 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Irving, TX before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 29 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 28.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 267.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 267.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Irving, TX before the return drive.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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