Aransas Pass to Irving is 390.2 miles and takes about 7h 3m via Purple Heart Trail and Pickle Parkway, with a fuel budget near $57 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily stays within the Great Plains region of Texas, offering a consistent landscape for most of the trip. With a recommended one-day drive, it's a straightforward transit between South Texas and the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. You'll encounter mostly highway driving, making it a practical choice for efficient travel, with just a couple of planned stops to break up the 7-hour journey.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
195.1 miles from Aransas Pass, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 39m into the drive
.
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 20 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,987 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,782
Quietest
2 AM
~483 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 51 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 Aransas Pass, TX and Irving, TX.
1
Start on Loop 90
196 ft·3 sec·Harrison Boulevard
2
Continue on TX 35 Bus
1.9 mi·3 min·West Wheeler Avenue
3
Turn right onto FM 1069
4.3 mi·5 min·FM 1069 North
4
Turn left onto TX 188
7.2 mi·7 min·State Highway 188
5
Turn right onto FM 136
10.0 mi·11 min·Farm to Market Road 136
6
Continue on FM 2678
9.6 mi·9 min·FM 2678
7
At end of road, turn left onto FM 774
1.5 mi·2 min·FM 774
8
Turn right onto US 77
1.3 mi·2 min·South Alamo Street
9
Continue on US 77 Alt; US 183
0.8 mi·1 min·North Alamo Street
10
Continue on US 77 Alt; US 183
23 mi·24 min·US Highway 183
11
Continue on US 77 Alt; US 183; TX 239
3.7 mi·5 min·South Jefferson Street
12
Continue on US 77 Alt; US 183
29 mi·31 min·North US Highway 183
13
Continue on US 77 Alt; US 87; US 183
2.8 mi·3 min·South Esplanade Street
14
Continue on US 77 Alt; US 183
23 mi·24 min·North US Highway 183
15
Continue on US 183; TX 111
6.0 mi·6 min·US 183; TX 111
16
Continue on US 183; TX 97
20 mi·23 min·US 183; TX 97
17
Turn right onto US 183; TX 80
1.2 mi·2 min·South Magnolia Avenue
18
Continue on US 183
10 mi·11 min·US 183
19
Continue on US 183
4.9 mi·8 min·South Colorado Street
20
Continue on US 183
0.2 mi·16 sec·United States Highway 183
21
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·35 sec
Toward TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco
22
Merge onto TX 130 Toll
59 mi·54 min·Pickle Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·49 sec
Toward I 35 North: WacoUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
24
Merge onto I 35
65 mi·1 hr 6 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Continue on I 35
6.6 mi·7 min·South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Continue on I 35; US 77
33 mi·33 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E
47 mi·48 min·I 35E
Toward I 35E: DallasUse the slight right lane.
28
Take the exit
0.9 mi·2 min
Exit 418AToward I 20 West: Fort WorthUse the slight right lane.
29
Merge onto I 20
6.6 mi·7 min·Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 460Toward Spur 408Use the slight right lane.
31
Merge onto Spur 408
3.9 mi·4 min·Patriot Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Merge onto Loop 12
5.4 mi·5 min·South Walton Walker Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Take the exit
492 ft·12 sec
Toward TX 356: Irving BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
34
Turn straight onto South Loop 12
0.3 mi·32 sec·South Loop 12
35
Turn left onto TX 356
0.4 mi·59 sec·East State Highway 356
Use the left / straight lanes.
36
Continue on TX 356
1.2 mi·2 min·East Irving Boulevard
37
Continue on West Irving Boulevard
0.1 mi·26 sec·West Irving Boulevard
38
Turn right onto North Ohio Street
58 ft·2 sec·North Ohio Street
39
Arrive at destination
North Ohio Street
Trip Plan
Given the 7-hour estimated drive time, departing Aransas Pass in the morning is advisable to make the most of daylight. You'll have two planned stops, which should be sufficient to break up the 390.2 miles without making the trip feel rushed. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially as you approach the 97.7-mile stretch on the Purple Heart Trail, as services can be more spread out in some areas. The fuel cost is estimated at $57, so budget accordingly. Since this is a one-day drive, you have the flexibility to adjust your stop timing based on your needs.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 195.1 miles from Aransas Pass, TX, or about 3h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 97.7 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 86 miles or 1h 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 195.1 miles or 3h 39m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 56m
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 Aransas Pass, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Aransas Pass, TX
This is one driving day of about 390.2 miles and 7h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 86 miles from Aransas Pass, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Purple Heart Trail for about 97.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 159.4 and 378 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
159.4 mi into trip|~3h 5m in
Keep slight left at fork toward TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco
7
218.4 mi into trip|~4h 1m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35 North: Waco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35 North: Waco
7
323.1 mi into trip|~5h 48m in|I 35E
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E toward I 35E: Dallas
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 35E: Dallas
7
370.4 mi into trip|~6h 37m in
Take the exit toward I 20 West: Fort Worth
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 418A
Toward I 20 West: Fort Worth
7
378 mi into trip|~6h 46m in
Take the exit toward Spur 408
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 460
Toward Spur 408
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$53.45 one way
$106.89 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg137 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$59.70
$119.40
premium
$4.23
$64.91
$129.81
diesel
$4.80
$73.68
$147.35
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$53
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$78–$103
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 136.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $41 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
117.1
1
$40.97
$18.73
Efficient EV
97.6
1
$34.14
$15.61
EV Truck/SUV
156.1
1
$54.63
$24.97
Gas CO2
137 kg
EV CO2
46 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.
Forecast as of Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Aransas Pass, TX
Morning
in Aransas Pass on Sunday
Local time
10:25 AM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Mostly Cloudy
SSE 13 mph5% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 11:12PM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 10:46PM CDT until July 17 at 3:45AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Irving, TX
Morning
in Irving on Sunday
Local time
10:25 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
S 5 mph15% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 11:12PM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 10:46PM CDT until July 17 at 3:45AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
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
7 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
7h 3m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Waco Mammoth National Monument
National Monument
Standing as tall as 14 feet and weighing 20,000 pounds, Columbian mammoths roamed across what is present-day Texas thousands of years ago. Today, the fossil specimens represent the nation's first and...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect to spend about 66% of your time on highways for this 390.2-mile trip. The longest continuous stretch without a significant change in road type is 97.7 miles on the Purple Heart Trail. As you transition from highway to surface roads, you'll notice a change in traffic flow and exit density. This route involves merging onto and off of major roadways, so be prepared for typical highway traffic patterns.
66% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
39 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 97.7 mi on Purple Heart Trail.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Purple Heart Trail and Pickle Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 159.4 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 19 significant decision points across 390.2 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 159.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 218.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 323.1 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
878 ft16 ft
Total Climb
910 ft
Total Descent
441 ft
Highest Point
878 ft
~223 mi in
Elevation Range
862 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Aransas Pass, TX to Irving, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Waco along the way.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 3m. Total distance: 390.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 3m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 97.7 miles on Purple Heart Trail. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 159.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 218.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 323.1 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.1 hours each way, a round trip means 14.1 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.
