Howard County Eastbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Big Spring, TX to Irving, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 55m
Distance
284.8 mi
458 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$39
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 42m
★
6 AM
4h 56m
8 AM
5h 23m
10 AM
5h 5m
12 PM
5h 3m
3 PM
5h 7m
5 PM
5h 22m
8 PM
4h 48m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Big Spring, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Irving, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 284.8-mile drive from Big Spring, TX to Irving, TX is designed for a single day, taking approximately 4 hours and 55 minutes. You'll primarily be on I 20, with brief stints on the Jim Wright Freeway and I 820 TEXpress. With a fuel cost estimated at $43, this is a straightforward journey across the Great Plains region of Texas. The route is predominantly highway, making it an efficient option if you need to get from point A to point B without many detours. Consider an early start to maximize daylight and allow for any unforeseen delays on this direct path.
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
142.4 miles from Big Spring, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 25m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 20 | 240.9 mi | 4h 3m |
| Jim Wright Freeway | 12.6 mi | 14m |
| I 820 TEXpress | 6.9 mi | 6m |
| West Freeway | 5.6 mi | 5m |
| Airport Freeway | 5 mi | 5m |
| SH 121/183 TEXpress | 4.4 mi | 4m |
| West Irving Boulevard | 2.7 mi | 4m |
| SH 183 TEXpress | 2.5 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 240.9 mi, about 4h 3m
Traffic on I-20
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 36 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,369 veh/hr typical · worst 1,769
Quietest
2 AM
~188 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 52 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 Big Spring, TX and Irving, TX.
1
Start on I 20 Bus
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
West 4th Street
2
Continue on this road
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
this road
Toward I 20 East: Abilene
3
Merge onto I 20
241 mi
·
4 hr 3 min
·
I 20
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Keep slight left at fork onto I 30
5.6 mi
·
5 min
·
West Freeway
Exit 421
Toward I 30 East: Downtown Fort Worth
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Exit 5B
Toward I 820 North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Merge onto I 820
13 mi
·
14 min
·
Jim Wright Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 820
0.3 mi
·
18 sec
·
Northeast Loop
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 820 TEXpress
6.9 mi
·
6 min
·
I 820 TEXpress
Toward I 820 Express East: DFW Airport Dallas Entrance
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
9
Continue on TX 121 TEXpress; TX 183 TEXpress
4.4 mi
·
4 min
·
SH 121/183 TEXpress
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on TX 183 TEXpress
2.5 mi
·
2 min
·
SH 183 TEXpress
Toward TX 183 Express East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
262 ft
·
6 sec
Use the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto TX 183
5.0 mi
·
5 min
·
Airport Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Toward TX 356: Irving Boulevard, Belt Line Road South
Use the right lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
Toward TX 356: Irving Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on TX 356
2.7 mi
·
4 min
·
West Irving Boulevard
Use the left lane.
16
Continue on TX 356
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
·
West 2nd Street
17
Turn left onto South Ohio Street
436 ft
·
19 sec
·
South Ohio Street
18
Arrive at destination
North Ohio Street
Trip Plan
For this 4 hour and 55 minute drive, starting early is your best bet to ensure a smooth arrival in Irving. With only one designated stop suggested, you have flexibility in pacing yourself. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the longest stretch without a major exit is 240.9 miles on I 20. A useful tip for this route: plan your single stop strategically, perhaps around the halfway point of your I 20 travel, to break up the longest segment and refuel both yourself and your vehicle. The estimated fuel cost of $43 should help with budgeting.
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 142.4 miles from Big Spring, TX, or about 2h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 240.9 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 63 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 142.4 miles or 2h 25m 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 57m
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 Big Spring, 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 Big Spring, TX
This is one driving day of about 284.8 miles and 4h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 miles from Big Spring, 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 I 20 for about 240.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
142 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 63 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 142.4 miles from Big Spring, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 20 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 240.9 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.
Mitchell County Westbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Picnic Area
0 mi from route
I-20 Westbound Picnic Area
0 mi from route
I-20 Eastbound Picnic Area
0 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Eastland County Eastbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Eastland County Westbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Nolan County Eastbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.2 mi from route
Callahan County Eastbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Callahan County Westbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.2 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.8 mi from route
TA
1.3 mi from route
Mr. Fuel Travel Center
2.4 mi from route
iFLY Indoor Skydiving - Fort Worth
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, ~11 min detour
Home stretch
4.4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Hurst, Texas
Hours: 10:30 am–6:30 pm
+18178184359
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 115 decision points cluster between mile 243 and 281.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
243 mi into trip
|
~4h 7m in
|
I 30 / West Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 30 / West Freeway toward I 30 East: Downtown Fort Worth
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 421
Toward I 30 East: Downtown Fort Worth
7
248.5 mi into trip
|
~4h 13m in
Take the exit toward I 820 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 5B
Toward I 820 North
7
262.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 29m in
|
I 820 TEXpress
Keep slight left at fork onto I 820 TEXpress toward I 820 Express East: DFW Airport Dallas Entrance
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward I 820 Express East: DFW Airport Dallas E...
7
281.1 mi into trip
|
~4h 48m in
Take the exit toward TX 356: Irving Boulevard, Belt Line Road South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward TX 356: Irving Boulevard, Belt Line Road...
7
281.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 49m in
Keep slight left at fork toward TX 356: Irving Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward TX 356: Irving Boulevard
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.01 one way
$78.02 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
100 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $43.57 | $87.14 |
| premium | $4.23 | $47.37 | $94.75 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $53.78 | $107.55 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 99.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 85.4 | 1 | $29.90 | $13.67 |
| Efficient EV | 71.2 | 0 | $24.92 | $11.39 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 113.9 | 1 | $39.87 | $18.23 |
Gas CO2
100 kg
EV CO2
33 kg (67% 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
Big Spring, TX
Afternoon in Big Spring on Sunday
Local time
12:21 PM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy
S 5 to 10 mph
16% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 8:18PM CDT until July 20 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 8:15PM CDT until July 19 at 12:24PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Irving, TX
Afternoon in Irving on Sunday
Local time
12:21 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 5 to 10 mph
2% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 8:18PM CDT until July 20 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 8:15PM CDT until July 19 at 12:24PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
98°F
Dublin, TX
142 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
9 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 55m 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?
Expect a highway-focused experience for 98% of this 284.8-mile trip. The bulk of your travel will be along I 20, featuring a significant uninterrupted stretch of 240.9 miles. This means you'll spend most of your time on well-maintained interstate, with potential for higher speeds and less varied scenery. While it's a direct route, be prepared for the consistent nature of interstate driving. The transition onto the Jim Wright Freeway and I 820 TEXpress will offer a slightly different, though still highway-oriented, feel as you approach your destination.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 240.9 mi on I 20.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and Jim Wright Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 243 miles in near I 30 / West Freeway.
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 11 significant decision points across 284.8 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 243 miles (I 30 / West Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 248.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 262.3 miles (I 820 TEXpress): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,434 ft
484 ft
Total Climb
534 ft
Total Descent
2,485 ft
Highest Point
2,434 ft
Elevation Range
1,951 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Big Spring, TX
Full guide →Big Spring is a city on the Edwards Plateau in Texas.
Top landmarks
- • Settles Hotel — historic place in Big Spring, Howard County, Texas
- • Hangar 25 Air Museum — air museum in Big Spring, Texas, U.S.
- • Potton-Hayden House — historic place in Big Spring, Howard 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 55m. Total distance: 284.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 240.9 miles on I 20. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 31 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 31 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 243 miles (I 30 / West Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 248.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 262.3 miles (I 820 TEXpress): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.9 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, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Irving, TX
More trips to Irving, TX
Explore more options from Big Spring, TX or browse trips ending in Irving, TX.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TX road trips.