Spanning 276.7 miles, this journey from Brownwood to Irving takes approximately 4 hours and 25 minutes of driving time. Since the entire trip stays within the Great Plains region of Texas, you can easily complete this route in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to budget about $42 for fuel to cover the distance. Navigating this path involves traveling along Bayshore Drive, West Schreck Street, and Bayway Drive rather than sticking to major interstates. It is a straightforward trek, perfect for those looking to reach the Dallas-Fort Worth area directly from the heart of the state.
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
136.2 miles from Brownwood, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 41m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 45
212 mi
3h 38m
Hardy Toll Road
21.8 mi
25m
East Freeway
12.3 mi
14m
Tom Landry Freeway
6.2 mi
7m
East Loop North
5.9 mi
7m
North Walton Walker Boulevard
2.3 mi
2m
Decker Drive
1.5 mi
1m
Bayway Drive
1.5 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 45
— 212 mi, about 3h 38m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Brownwood, TX and Irving, TX.
1
Start on Mapleton Avenue
0.2 mi·1 min·Mapleton Avenue
2
Turn right onto Bayshore Drive
0.8 mi·5 min·Bayshore Drive
3
Keep slight right at fork onto Bayshore Drive
0.5 mi·3 min·Bayshore Drive
4
Turn left onto West Schreck Street
0.7 mi·3 min·West Schreck Street
5
Turn left onto Bayway Drive
1.5 mi·2 min·Bayway Drive
6
Turn left onto Decker Drive
0.9 mi·1 min·Decker Drive
7
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·14 sec
Toward I 10 West
8
Merge onto Spur 330
0.7 mi·46 sec·Decker Drive
Use the straight lane.
9
Merge onto I 10
12 mi·14 min·East Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Exit 775AToward I 610 South, I 610 NorthUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 610 NorthUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 610
5.9 mi·7 min·East Loop North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 19BToward Hardy Toll Road NorthUse the slight right lane.
14
Continue on HTR
22 mi·25 min·Hardy Toll Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto I 45
212 mi·3 hr 38 min·I 45
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Exit 284AToward I 30Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 30 WestUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·25 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Merge onto I 30; US 67
0.8 mi·1 min·East R L Thornton Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Continue on I 30
6.2 mi·7 min·Tom Landry Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 38Toward LOOP 12Use the right lane.
22
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·14 sec
Toward Loop 12 NorthUse the slight right lane.
23
Turn straight onto North Walton Walker Service Road West
0.2 mi·21 sec·North Walton Walker Service Road West
24
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward Loop 12 North
25
Merge onto Loop 12
2.3 mi·2 min·North Walton Walker Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Take the exit
492 ft·12 sec
Toward TX 356: Irving BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
27
Turn straight onto South Loop 12
0.3 mi·32 sec·South Loop 12
28
Turn left onto TX 356
0.4 mi·59 sec·East State Highway 356
Use the left / straight lanes.
29
Continue on TX 356
1.2 mi·2 min·East Irving Boulevard
30
Continue on West Irving Boulevard
0.1 mi·26 sec·West Irving Boulevard
31
Turn right onto North Ohio Street
58 ft·2 sec·North Ohio Street
32
Arrive at destination
North Ohio Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4 hour and 25 minute duration, planning for at least one scheduled stop will make the journey much more manageable. Since this is a turn-heavy route, try to depart early in the day to ensure you are navigating the more complex sections during daylight hours. Keep your $42 fuel budget in mind when planning your refueling stops, as local roads may offer fewer options than major corridors. Because the route is categorized as a one-day trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace based on traffic or personal preference. Focus on staying alert through the turns, as the local road structure requires more concentration than a standard highway drive.
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 136.2 miles from Brownwood, TX, or about 2h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 212 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 60 miles or 1h 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 136.2 miles or 2h 41m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 11m
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 Brownwood, 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 Brownwood, TX
This is one driving day of about 272.4 miles and 5h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 miles from Brownwood, 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 45 for about 212 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 24
5 decision points cluster between mile 17.7 and 259.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
17.7 mi into trip|~33m in
Take the exit toward I 610 South, I 610 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 775A
Toward I 610 South, I 610 North
7
17.9 mi into trip|~34m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 610 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 610 North
7
24.4 mi into trip|~42m in
Take the exit toward Hardy Toll Road North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 19B
Toward Hardy Toll Road North
7
258.9 mi into trip|~4h 48m in
Take the exit toward I 30
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 284A
Toward I 30
7
259.1 mi into trip|~4h 48m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 30 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 30 West
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.16 one way
$82.32 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg95 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$45.05
$90.11
premium
$4.54
$48.64
$97.27
diesel
$5.61
$60.14
$120.28
Estimated Tolls: $1.74
Hardy Toll Road
(21.8 mi)$1.74
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 95.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
81.7
1
$28.60
$13.08
Efficient EV
68.1
0
$23.83
$10.90
EV Truck/SUV
109
1
$38.14
$17.43
Gas CO2
95 kg
EV CO2
32 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Brownwood, TX
Late night
in Brownwood on Sunday
Local time
5:22 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Irving, TX
Late night
in Irving on Sunday
Local time
5:22 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
14 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
5h 8m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive that keeps you engaged behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous interstate slog, this route features zero highway miles, meaning your pace will be dictated by local roads rather than high-speed lanes. You will find yourself navigating through a variety of turns as you progress through the 276.7-mile distance. Because the profile is technical and local in nature, you should anticipate constant adjustments rather than long, uninterrupted stretches of cruising. It is an ideal route for drivers who prefer a hands-on experience over the predictability of a typical highway corridor.
85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 212 mi on I 45.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 45 and Hardy Toll Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 17.7 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 24 significant decision points across 272.4 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 17.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 17.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 24.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
On the drive from Brownwood, TX to Irving, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Hardy Toll Road North 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 5h 8m. Total distance: 272.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 8m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 212 miles on I 45. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.74 in tolls one way, starting with Hardy Toll Road. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
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 17.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 17.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 24.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.3 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.
