Brenham, TX to Irving, TX is 226.1 miles and takes about 4h 16m via North State Highway 6 and I-35E, with a fuel budget near $34 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Great Plains region of Texas, offering a straightforward journey. You'll primarily be on well-maintained highways, making it a practical choice for a single-day trip. Expect a consistent driving experience without significant elevation changes or complex navigation. Consider this route if you need an efficient way to travel between these two points with minimal fuss.
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
113 miles from Brenham, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 13m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
North State Highway 6
57.3 mi
58m
I 35E
47.3 mi
48m
Purple Heart Trail
31.5 mi
31m
TX 36
16.5 mi
24m
Farm to Market Road 60 East
15.2 mi
17m
East State Highway 6
9.1 mi
9m
North Harvey Mitchell Parkway
7.4 mi
10m
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
6.6 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
North State Highway 6
— 57.3 mi, about 58m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Brenham, TX and Irving, TX.
1
Start on US 290 Bus
162 ft·8 sec·East Alamo Street
2
Turn left onto South Baylor Street
231 ft·15 sec·South Baylor Street
3
Turn left onto US 290 Bus
0.2 mi·20 sec·East Main Street
4
Turn right onto TX 36 Bus
0.2 mi·25 sec·North Austin Parkway
Use the right lane.
5
Continue on TX 36 Bus
1.7 mi·3 min·North Park Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Continue on TX 36
11 mi·17 min·TX 36
7
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 36
5.1 mi·7 min·TX 36
8
Turn right onto FM 60
15 mi·17 min·Farm to Market Road 60 East
9
Continue on FM 60
4.7 mi·5 min·Raymond Stotzer Parkway
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·49 sec
Toward FM 2818Use the left lane.
11
Merge onto FM 2818
2.4 mi·2 min·Harvey Mitchell Parkway South
12
Keep slight right at fork onto FM 2818
7.4 mi·10 min·North Harvey Mitchell Parkway
13
At end of road, turn left onto North Earl Rudder Freeway
459 ft·9 sec·North Earl Rudder Freeway
14
Continue on this road
0.3 mi·38 sec·this road
15
Merge onto US 190; TX 6
14 mi·14 min·North State Highway 6
16
Continue on US 190; TX 6
2.1 mi·2 min·South Market Street
17
Continue on US 79; TX 6
0.3 mi·22 sec·North State Highway 6
18
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 6
5.8 mi·5 min·North State Highway 6
19
Continue on TX 6
2.2 mi·3 min·South Main Street
20
Continue on TX 6
37 mi·37 min·North State Highway 6
21
Continue on TX 6
2.2 mi·2 min·South Memorial Street
22
Continue on TX 6
9.1 mi·9 min·East State Highway 6
23
Take the exit onto TX 6
0.3 mi·33 sec·TX 6
24
Turn right onto Loop 340
4.9 mi·6 min·East Loop 340
25
Take the exit
354 ft·10 sec
26
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·23 sec
Toward I 35 North
27
Merge onto I 35; US 77
31 mi·31 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E
47 mi·48 min·I 35E
Toward I 35E: DallasUse the slight right lane.
29
Take the exit
0.9 mi·2 min
Exit 418AToward I 20 West: Fort WorthUse the slight right lane.
30
Merge onto I 20
6.6 mi·7 min·Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 460Toward Spur 408Use the slight right lane.
32
Merge onto Spur 408
3.9 mi·4 min·Patriot Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Merge onto Loop 12
5.4 mi·5 min·South Walton Walker Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Take the exit
492 ft·12 sec
Toward TX 356: Irving BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
35
Turn straight onto South Loop 12
0.3 mi·32 sec·South Loop 12
36
Turn left onto TX 356
0.4 mi·59 sec·East State Highway 356
Use the left / straight lanes.
37
Continue on TX 356
1.2 mi·2 min·East Irving Boulevard
38
Continue on West Irving Boulevard
0.1 mi·26 sec·West Irving Boulevard
39
Turn right onto North Ohio Street
58 ft·2 sec·North Ohio Street
40
Arrive at destination
North Ohio Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 16m duration, starting in the morning allows ample time to reach Irving before evening. With only one recommended stop and a highway-focused profile, you can manage your breaks efficiently. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the longest stretch without a planned stop is over 57 miles on North State Highway 6. Planning your fuel stops around this longer segment will ensure a smooth journey. This is a manageable one-day drive, so you have the flexibility to depart when it suits you best.
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 113 miles from Brenham, TX, or about 2h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 57.3 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 50 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 113 miles or 2h 13m 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 29m
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 Brenham, 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 Brenham, TX
This is one driving day of about 226.1 miles and 4h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 miles from Brenham, 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 State Highway 6 for about 57.3 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 25
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 213.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|TX 36 Bus / North Austin Parkway
Turn right onto TX 36 Bus / North Austin Parkway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
38.6 mi into trip|~51m in
Take the exit toward FM 2818
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward FM 2818
7
159 mi into trip|~3h 2m 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
206.3 mi into trip|~3h 51m 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
213.9 mi into trip|~4h 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
$34.16 one way
$68.33 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg79 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$37.40
$74.79
premium
$4.54
$40.37
$80.74
diesel
$5.61
$49.92
$99.84
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 79.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
67.8
0
$23.74
$10.85
Efficient EV
56.5
0
$19.78
$9.04
EV Truck/SUV
90.4
1
$31.65
$14.47
Gas CO2
79 kg
EV CO2
26 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Brenham, TX
Late night
in Brenham on Sunday
Local time
1:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Irving, TX
Late night
in Irving on Sunday
Local time
1:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
13 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
4h 16m 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...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 124.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is a highway-focused drive, with 69% of the route utilizing major highways. You'll experience a substantial stretch of 57.3 miles on North State Highway 6 before transitioning to the interstate. The Purple Heart Trail is also a part of your journey. Expect a mix of steady highway cruising and potentially some faster-paced interstate driving as you approach Irving. The character remains largely consistent, prioritizing direct travel over highly varied scenery.
69% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
40 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 57.3 mi on North State Highway 6.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on North State Highway 6 and I 35E. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near TX 36 Bus / North Austin Parkway.
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 25 significant decision points across 226.1 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 0.2 miles (TX 36 Bus / North Austin Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 38.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 159 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Brenham, TX and Irving, TX, road signs point toward Fm 2818 and Spur 408.
Brenham is a city in the Post Oak Savannah region of Texas. It is the county seat of Washington, County and is about halfway between Houston and Austin on U.S. Highway 290. Brenham is largely known throughout Texas for its proximity to the Birthplace of Texas (Washington, Texas) and its largest employer, Blue Bell Creameries.
Brenham has a humid subtropical climate so expect very hot, humid summers. Conversely, the winters are very mild, and the coldest temperatures of the year rarely get below freezing.
Top landmarks
•F. W. Schuerenberg House — historic place in Brenham, Washington County, Texas
•Washington County Courthouse — historic courthouse in Brenham, Washington County, Texas
•Brenham Downtown Historic District — historic district in Brenham, Washington County, Texas
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 16m. Total distance: 226.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 16m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 57.3 miles on North State Highway 6. 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 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (TX 36 Bus / North Austin Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 38.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 159 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 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Irving, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.
