Breckenridge, TX to Rhode Island, TX is 202.9 miles and takes about 3h 57m via US 287, I 45, and US Highway 180 East, with a fuel budget near $29 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Great Plains region, offering a straightforward path across Texas. With a high percentage of highway driving, expect a consistent pace for most of the trip. This route is best suited for a single-day drive, making it a convenient option for local travel.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
101.4 miles from Breckenridge, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 5m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 287
50.7 mi
56m
I 45
40.9 mi
40m
US Highway 180 East
36.8 mi
44m
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
22.6 mi
24m
I 20
15.5 mi
16m
Mineral Wells Highway
12.9 mi
15m
Palo Pinto Highway
8.1 mi
12m
Highway 180 East
2.9 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
US 287
— 50.7 mi, about 56m
Traffic on I-20
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 24 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~3,982 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~278 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
14.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
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 Breckenridge, TX and Rhode Island, TX.
1
Start on this road
90 ft·12 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto US 183
142 ft·9 sec·North Breckenridge Avenue
3
Turn left onto US 180
1.2 mi·2 min·East Walker Street
4
Continue on US 180
37 mi·44 min·US Highway 180 East
5
Continue on US 180
1.1 mi·1 min·Cedar Street
6
Continue on US 180; BH
8.1 mi·12 min·Palo Pinto Highway
7
Continue on US 180; BH
2.0 mi·3 min·US Highway 180 West
8
Continue on US 180; BH
1.0 mi·1 min·Southwest 1st Street
9
Continue on US 180; BH
1.2 mi·1 min·Southeast 1st Street
10
Continue on US 180
2.9 mi·4 min·Highway 180 East
11
Continue on US 180
13 mi·15 min·Mineral Wells Highway
12
Turn right onto Southwest Ric Williamson Memorial Highway
2.4 mi·3 min·Southwest Ric Williamson Memorial Highway
13
Turn left onto West Interstate 20
0.2 mi·24 sec·West Interstate 20
14
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward I 20 East
15
Merge onto I 20
15 mi·16 min·I 20
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 20
23 mi·24 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Toward I 20 East: Dallas, ShreveportUse the slight right lane.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto US 287
51 mi·56 min·US 287
Exit 444Toward US 287 South: Little Road, WaxahachieUse the slight right lane.
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 45 South: Corsicana
19
Merge onto I 45; US 287
41 mi·40 min·I 45; US 287
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 206Toward FM 833Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Turn left onto North Interstate 45
307 ft·10 sec·North Interstate 45
22
Turn left onto FM 833
1.3 mi·3 min·FM 833
23
At end of road, turn right onto TX 75; FM 833
52 ft·1 sec·North State Highway 75
24
Turn left onto FM 833
0.9 mi·1 min·East FM 833
25
Turn right onto County Road 161
10 ft·0 sec·County Road 161
26
Arrive at destination
County Road 161
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of under 4 hours, you can easily complete this drive in a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to take advantage of daylight and allow for any unexpected delays. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in how you pace yourself. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 50.7-mile stretch on US 287, as services may be less frequent. The estimated fuel cost of $29 is a good baseline for your budget.
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 101.4 miles from Breckenridge, TX, or about 2h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 50.7 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 45 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 101.4 miles or 2h 5m 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 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Rhode Island, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Breckenridge, 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 Breckenridge, TX
This is one driving day of about 202.9 miles and 3h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Breckenridge, 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 US 287 for about 50.7 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 200.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|US 183 / North Breckenridge Avenue
Turn left onto US 183 / North Breckenridge Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
70 mi into trip|~1h 32m in|I 20
Merge onto I 20
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
85.5 mi into trip|~1h 48m in|I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway toward I 20 East: Dallas, Shreveport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 20 East: Dallas, Shreveport
9
108.1 mi into trip|~2h 12m in|US 287
Keep slight right at fork onto US 287 toward US 287 South: Little Road, Waxahachie
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 444
Toward US 287 South: Little Road, Waxahachie
7
200.3 mi into trip|~3h 51m in
Take the exit toward FM 833
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 206
Toward FM 833
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.79 one way
$55.58 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg71 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$31.04
$62.08
premium
$4.23
$33.75
$67.50
diesel
$4.80
$38.31
$76.62
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 71 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
60.9
0
$21.30
$9.74
Efficient EV
50.7
0
$17.75
$8.12
EV Truck/SUV
81.2
1
$28.41
$12.99
Gas CO2
71 kg
EV CO2
24 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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 19, 2026
Origin
Breckenridge, TX
Late night
in Breckenridge on Tuesday
Local time
5:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Mostly Clear
S 5 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 9:33PM CDT until July 18 at 10:45PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 9:30PM CDT until July 18 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Lubbock TX
Destination
Rhode Island, TX
Late night
in Rhode Island on Tuesday
Local time
5:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Partly Cloudy
S 5 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 9:33PM CDT until July 18 at 10:45PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 9:30PM CDT until July 18 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Lubbock 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
1 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
3h 57m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 75% of this 202.9-mile drive on highways. Expect a longest stretch of 50.7 miles on US 287 before transitioning to I 45 and then US Highway 180 East. This route profile suggests mostly highway cruising, with the potential for more varied surface road driving as you get closer to Rhode Island, TX. The transition away from major highways will likely bring a change in traffic density and speed.
75% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 50.7 mi on US 287.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 287 and I 45. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 183 / North Breckenridge Avenue.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 202.9 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: near the start (US 183 / North Breckenridge Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 70 miles (I 20): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 85.5 miles (I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,276 ft349 ft
Total Climb
323 ft
Total Descent
1,135 ft
Highest Point
1,276 ft
~14.5 mi in
Elevation Range
927 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Breckenridge, TX and Rhode Island, TX, road signs point toward Shreveport and Waxahachie.
Rhode Island (RI) is the smallest state of the United States of America, tucked between Massachusetts and Connecticut in New England. Nonetheless, it has over 400 mi (640 km) of coastline, courtesy of Narragansett Bay and islands such as Aquidneck Island, home to Newport, the "City by the Sea". While Rhode Island contains the name "island" in its name, most of its area is not on an island.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 57m. Total distance: 202.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (75%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 50.7 miles on US 287. 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 Rhode Island, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 183 / North Breckenridge Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 70 miles (I 20): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 85.5 miles (I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Rhode Island, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.
