Hill County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Bastrop, TX to Irving, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 4m
Distance
230.4 mi
371 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$32
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 51m
★
6 AM
4h 5m
8 AM
4h 31m
10 AM
4h 14m
12 PM
4h 11m
3 PM
4h 15m
5 PM
4h 29m
8 PM
3h 57m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bastrop, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Irving, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 230.4-mile drive from Bastrop, TX to Irving, TX is a manageable one-day trip, taking approximately 4 hours and 4 minutes. You'll navigate using the Purple Heart Trail, I-35E, and Pickle Parkway, with over half the journey on highways. Expect a fuel cost of around $35 for this excursion. Since both Bastrop and Irving are located in the Great Plains region of Texas, the scenery will maintain a consistent, open character. With a single recommended stop, this route is well-suited for a straightforward 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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
115.2 miles from Bastrop, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Purple Heart Trail | 97.7 mi | 1h 39m |
| I 35E | 47.3 mi | 48m |
| Pickle Parkway | 36.9 mi | 35m |
| TX 21 | 18.6 mi | 21m |
| Lyndon B Johnson Freeway | 6.6 mi | 7m |
| South Jack Kultgen Expressway | 6.6 mi | 7m |
| South Walton Walker Boulevard | 5.4 mi | 5m |
| Patriot Parkway | 3.9 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
Purple Heart Trail
— 97.7 mi, about 1h 39m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 40 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
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
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 Bastrop, TX and Irving, TX.
1
Start on Loop 150
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
Chestnut Street
2
Turn left onto Pecan Street
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
·
Pecan Street
3
At end of road, turn right onto College Street
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
·
College Street
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
5
Merge onto TX 21; TX 71
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
TX 21; TX 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on TX 71; TX 21
0.7 mi
·
49 sec
·
TX 71; TX 21
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on TX 21; TX 71
17 mi
·
19 min
·
TX 21; TX 71
8
Take the exit onto TX 71
0.3 mi
·
22 sec
·
East State Highway 71
Toward TX 71 West, TX 45 Toll, TX 130 Toll: Austin, Waco, San Antonio
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Turn right onto State Highway 130
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
State Highway 130
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Toward TX 45 Toll North, TX 130 Toll North
11
Merge onto TX 45 Toll; TX 130 Toll
37 mi
·
35 min
·
Pickle Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
Toward I 35 North: Waco
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 35
65 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 35
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I 35; US 77
33 mi
·
33 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E
47 mi
·
48 min
·
I 35E
Toward I 35E: Dallas
Use the slight right lane.
17
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
2 min
Exit 418A
Toward I 20 West: Fort Worth
Use the slight right lane.
18
Merge onto I 20
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Exit 460
Toward Spur 408
Use the slight right lane.
20
Merge onto Spur 408
3.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Patriot Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Merge onto Loop 12
5.4 mi
·
5 min
·
South Walton Walker Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
492 ft
·
12 sec
Toward TX 356: Irving Boulevard
Use the slight right lane.
23
Turn straight onto South Loop 12
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
·
South Loop 12
24
Turn left onto TX 356
0.4 mi
·
59 sec
·
East State Highway 356
Use the left / straight lanes.
25
Continue on TX 356
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
East Irving Boulevard
26
Continue on West Irving Boulevard
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
·
West Irving Boulevard
27
Turn right onto North Ohio Street
58 ft
·
2 sec
·
North Ohio Street
28
Arrive at destination
North Ohio Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 4-hour drive, consider an early morning departure from Bastrop to avoid potential traffic, especially as you approach the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. With just one recommended stop, you have flexibility in timing your break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $35 estimated cost is based on the full 230.4 miles. A good strategy is to fill up before you leave Bastrop or plan your single stop around a fuel station to ensure you have plenty of gas for the entire journey, particularly for that long 97.7-mile stretch on the Purple Heart Trail.
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 115.2 miles from Bastrop, TX, or about 2h 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 51 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 115.2 miles or 2h in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 16m
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 Bastrop, 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 Bastrop, TX
This is one driving day of about 230.4 miles and 4h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 miles from Bastrop, 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 Purple Heart Trail for about 97.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
115 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 51 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 115.2 miles from Bastrop, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Purple Heart Trail if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 97.7 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
Flying J Travel Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Hill County Southbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Circle K
0.1 mi from route
Bell County Northbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Bell County Southbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Walburg Travel Center & Food Court
0.2 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.6 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.6 mi from route
QuikTrip
2.3 mi from route
NTER - The Great Escape
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2.6 mi from route
~6 min detour
Waxahachie, Texas
Hours: 5–9 pm
+12149801053
Visit websiteCultural Activities Center
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
3.2 mi from route
~8 min detour
Temple, Texas
Hours: 8:30 am–4 pm
+12547739926
Visit websiteDoris D Miller Park
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
3.3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Waco, Texas
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websitePioneer Farms
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, ~10 min detour
First break
4.2 mi from route
~10 min detour
Austin, Texas
Hours: 10 am–2 pm
+15128371215
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 185 decision points cluster between mile 20.4 and 218.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
20.4 mi into trip
|
~24m in
|
TX 71 / East State Highway 71
Take the exit onto TX 71 / East State Highway 71 toward TX 71 West, TX 45 Toll, TX 130 Toll: Austin, Waco, San Antonio
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward TX 71 West, TX 45 Toll, TX 130 Toll: Aus...
7
58.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 2m 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
163.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 50m 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
210.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 39m 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
218.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 48m 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
$31.56 one way
$63.12 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
81 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $35.25 | $70.50 |
| premium | $4.23 | $38.32 | $76.65 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $43.50 | $87.01 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 80.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 69.1 | 0 | $24.19 | $11.06 |
| Efficient EV | 57.6 | 0 | $20.16 | $9.22 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 92.2 | 1 | $32.26 | $14.75 |
Gas CO2
81 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Bastrop, TX
Evening in Bastrop on Monday
Local time
7:37 PM
CDT
Current temp
95°F
Mostly Sunny
S 10 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 12:27PM CDT until July 20 at 3:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 9:55AM CDT until July 19 at 11:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Irving, TX
Evening in Irving on Monday
Local time
7:37 PM
CDT
Current temp
97°F
Mostly Sunny
SSW 10 to 15 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 12:27PM CDT until July 20 at 3:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 9:55AM CDT until July 19 at 11:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
96°F
Troy, TX
115 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
2 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 4m 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.
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...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 127.1
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
The drive offers a mixed experience, with 53% of the route on highways, providing stretches of consistent speed. You'll encounter your longest uninterrupted drive of 97.7 miles along the Purple Heart Trail, offering a substantial period on this particular road. The transition between the Purple Heart Trail, I-35E, and Pickle Parkway means you'll experience varying road types, from potentially more open highways to segments that might feel more integrated into local traffic patterns as you approach your destination. This blend ensures the drive isn't entirely monotonous.
53% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
28 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?
9/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 20.4 miles in near TX 71 / East State Highway 71.
Driving Effort
9/10
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 18 significant decision points across 230.4 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 20.4 miles (TX 71 / East State Highway 71): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 58.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 163.3 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
907 ft
365 ft
Total Climb
996 ft
Total Descent
877 ft
Highest Point
907 ft
~65.8 mi in
Elevation Range
542 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Bastrop, TX and Irving, TX, road signs point toward Waco, San Antonio and Spur 408.
Waco
20.4 mi in
|
~24m
|
via TX 71
San Antonio
20.4 mi in
|
~24m
|
via TX 71
Spur 408
218.2 mi in
|
~3h 48m
About the Cities
Starting in Bastrop, TX
Full guide →Bastrop is the county seat of Bastrop County, Texas, and is located about 30 mi (48 km) east of Austin. Bastrop was settled by Europeans in 1804 and incorporated on December 18, 1837, with a 2020 population of 9688. It is known for its isolated belt of loblolly pines (the "Lost Pines") that exist miles to the west of the Piney Woods of East Texas and Louisiana; see Bastrop State Park below.
Top landmarks
- • Bastrop County Courthouse and Jail Complex — historic place in Bastrop, Bastrop County, Texas
- • Crocheron-McDowall House — historic place in Bastrop, Bastrop County, Texas
- • H. P. Luckett House — historic place in Bastrop, Bastrop County, Texas
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 4h 4m. Total distance: 230.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
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.
Yes — we found about 28 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 28 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 20.4 miles (TX 71 / East State Highway 71): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 58.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 163.3 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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Irving, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.
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, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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