Trip from Bulverde, TX to Rhode Island, TX

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 44m

Distance

248.7 mi

400 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$34

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

4h 31m ★

6 AM

4h 44m

8 AM

5h 11m

10 AM

4h 53m

12 PM

4h 51m

3 PM

4h 55m

5 PM

5h 10m

8 PM

4h 36m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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city in Comal County, Texas, United States

Bulverde, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Rhode Island, TX

Beth Fitzpatrick

Trip Overview

If you are planning a trip from Bulverde to Rhode Island, Texas, prepare for a 248.7-mile journey that takes approximately 4 hours and 44 minutes. This drive stays entirely within the Great Plains region, making it a straightforward trek across the state. Because the duration is under five hours, you can easily complete this as a single-day trip without needing an overnight stop. Budgeting about $38 for fuel should cover your needs, though it is always wise to keep a little extra on hand. Since the route requires only one planned stop, it is a manageable haul for most drivers. Ultimately, this itinerary is perfect for those who prefer a single-day commitment over a multi-day slog.

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

124.4 miles from Bulverde, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 26m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Purple Heart Trail	143.3 mi	2h 32m
State Highway 31	35.8 mi	38m
I 45	19.8 mi	19m
Farm-to-Market Road 1863	17.1 mi	25m
South Jack Kultgen Expressway	6 mi	6m
Corsicana Bypass	5.5 mi	6m
Hubbard Bypass	5.3 mi	5m
North Walnut Avenue	2.8 mi	6m

Longest stretch: Purple Heart Trail — 143.3 mi, about 2h 32m

Traffic on I-35

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 80 FHWA count stations on your route.

Peak

5 PM

~3,916 veh/hr typical

Quietest

2 AM

~672 veh/hr

Peak-to-quiet ratio

5.8×

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 Bulverde, TX and Rhode Island, TX.

Start on Bulverde Road

1.1 mi · 2 min · Bulverde Road

Continue on FM 1863

17 mi · 25 min · Farm-to-Market Road 1863

Use the left lane.

Turn right onto TX 46

1.5 mi · 2 min · State Highway 46 West

Continue on TX 46 Bus

2.8 mi · 6 min · North Walnut Avenue

Turn left onto Interstate 35 South

0.7 mi · 1 min · Interstate 35 South

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 26 sec

Toward I 35 North Use the slight left lane.

Merge onto I 35

363 ft · 4 sec · Interstate Highway 35

Continue on I 35

48 mi · 52 min · Purple Heart Trail

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 35; US 290

96 mi · 1 hr 40 min · Purple Heart Trail

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 35

6.0 mi · 6 min · South Jack Kultgen Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 28 sec

Exit 338 Toward US 84: Waco Drive, Bellmead Drive Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn straight onto North Jack Kultgen Expressway

0.3 mi · 30 sec · North Jack Kultgen Expressway

Turn right onto US 84

0.3 mi · 52 sec · East Waco Drive

Continue on US 84

2.6 mi · 4 min · Bellmead Drive

Continue on US 84

2.7 mi · 3 min · East US Highway 84

Continue on TX 31

17 mi · 17 min · State Highway 31

Continue on TX 31

5.3 mi · 5 min · Hubbard Bypass

Continue on TX 31

19 mi · 21 min · State Highway 31

Turn right onto TX 31

5.5 mi · 6 min · Corsicana Bypass

Use the straight lane.

Turn right onto South Interstate 45

0.5 mi · 50 sec · South Interstate 45

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 32 sec

Merge onto I 45

20 mi · 19 min · I 45

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 41 sec

Exit 206 Toward FM 833 Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn left onto North Interstate 45

307 ft · 10 sec · North Interstate 45

Turn left onto FM 833

1.3 mi · 3 min · FM 833

At end of road, turn right onto TX 75; FM 833

52 ft · 1 sec · North State Highway 75

Turn left onto FM 833

0.9 mi · 1 min · East FM 833

Turn right onto County Road 161

10 ft · 0 sec · County Road 161

Arrive at destination

County Road 161

Trip Plan

To make the most of your 248.7-mile trek, try to get an early start to avoid any potential congestion on the highway portions of your route. Since the drive is quite manageable, you have the flexibility to choose your own pace, though planning at least one solid rest stop is essential to stay fresh. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge when navigating the turn-heavy local stretches, as service options may vary compared to the main interstate corridors. Because the Purple Heart Trail makes up such a large part of your travel, stay alert for changes in speed limits and road conditions along that specific 143.3-mile section. This intentional approach ensures you arrive in Rhode Island feeling energized rather than exhausted.

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 124.4 miles from Bulverde, TX, or about 2h 26m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 143.3 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 55 miles or 1h 13m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 124.4 miles or 2h 26m 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 53m

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 Bulverde, 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 Bulverde, TX

This is one driving day of about 248.7 miles and 4h 44m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 miles from Bulverde, 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 143.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Williamson County, Texas, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Jarrell, TX

124 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

San Marcos, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 55 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Troy, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 124.4 miles from Bulverde, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

1.8 mi from route

QuikTrip

2.3 mi from route

Austin Bat Tours

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour

Austin, Texas

Hours: 9 am–10 pm

Visit website

Botanical Gates of Paradise

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour

Austin, Texas

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

Cultural Activities Center

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

Halfway reset 3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour

Temple, Texas

Hours: 8:30 am–4 pm

+12547739926

Visit website

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, ~11 min detour

Early stretch 4.6 mi from route ~11 min detour

Austin, Texas

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+15124343927

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 15

5 decision points cluster between mile 23.2 and 246.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

23.2 mi into trip | ~38m in

Take the ramp toward I 35 North

Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Toward I 35 North

71.2 mi into trip | ~1h 30m in | I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail

Keep slight right at fork onto I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

172.8 mi into trip | ~3h 17m in

Take the exit toward US 84: Waco Drive, Bellmead Drive

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. Exit 338 Toward US 84: Waco Drive, Bellmead Drive

220.1 mi into trip | ~4h 11m in | TX 31 / Corsicana Bypass

Turn right onto TX 31 / Corsicana Bypass

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.

246.1 mi into trip | ~4h 38m 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

$34.06 one way

$68.13 round trip

$3.48/gal 25.4 MPG avg 87 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$3.89	$38.05	$76.10
premium	$4.23	$41.37	$82.74
diesel	$4.80	$46.96	$93.92

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: 87 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.

Driving Electric?

About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	74.6	0	$26.11	$11.94
Efficient EV	62.2	0	$21.76	$9.95
EV Truck/SUV	99.5	1	$34.82	$15.92

Gas CO2

87 kg

EV CO2

29 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 Jul 18, 2026

Origin

Bulverde, TX

Evening in Bulverde on Monday

Local time

8:01 PM

CDT

Current temp

91°F

Partly Sunny

S 10 mph 1% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued July 18 at 5:39AM CDT until July 19 at 6:12AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued July 18 at 5:38AM CDT until July 19 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX

Destination

Rhode Island, TX

Evening in Rhode Island on Monday

Local time

8:01 PM

CDT

Current temp

92°F

Partly Sunny

SSW 5 mph 1% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued July 18 at 5:39AM CDT until July 19 at 6:12AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued July 18 at 5:38AM CDT until July 19 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio 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

4h 44m 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 ~12 min detour Free near mile 171.5

View on nps.gov

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Welcome to San Antonio Missions, a National Park Service site and the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Texas. Each mission in the park is a center of community and has been since the early 1700s. Th...

29 mi from route ~73 min detour Free near mile 8.6

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. While you will spend 28% of the trip on major highways like I-45 and State Highway 31, much of the journey relies on navigating the Purple Heart Trail. You will spend a significant chunk of the drive on this stretch, which accounts for your longest uninterrupted segment at 143.3 miles. The personality of the road shifts as you transition from local turn-heavy sections to the more predictable flow of the interstate. It is a diverse driving experience that keeps you engaged rather than lulling you into the monotony of a purely highway-based grind.

Only 28% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.

29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 143.3 mi on Purple Heart Trail.

How Hard Is This Drive?

6/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 23.2 miles in.

Driving Effort 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 248.7 miles you will encounter 15 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 23.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 71.2 miles (I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 172.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

1,093 ft 373 ft

Total Climb

745 ft

Total Descent

1,445 ft

Cafe

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour

Austin, TX

Cuisine: coffee_shop

Hours: 05:00-22:00

Visit website

Fire Street Roasters

Cafe

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2 mi from route ~5 min detour

Temple, TX

Cuisine: coffee_shop

Hours: Mo,Su 07:00-15:00; Tu-Sa 07:00-19:00

Visit website

Dutch Bros. Coffee

Cafe

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour

Corsicana, TX

Cuisine: coffee_shop

Hours: Su-Th 05:00-22:00; Fr-Sa 05:00-23:00

Restaurant

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch 0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

Austin, TX

Cuisine: indian

Masala Wok

Restaurant

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour

Austin, TX

Cuisine: asian;indian

Hours: Su-Th 11:00-21:00; Fr-Sa 11:00-22:00

Visit website

Santa Fe Kids Stop

Park

Museum

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour

Temple, TX

Hours: Th-Sa 10:00-16:00

Visit website

Claudia Potter, M.D.

Memorial

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1 mi from route ~3 min detour

WoodSpring Suites

Hotel

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour

Kyle Hotel

Hotel

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour

Days Inn

Hotel

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour

Waco, TX

Visit website

Lucky's RV Park

Caravan_site

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour

Temple, TX

Points of interest from OpenStreetMap contributors. Listings may not reflect current hours or availability.

About the Cities

Starting in Bulverde, TX

Full guide →

Founded 1850

Arriving in Rhode Island, TX

Full guide →

“The Ocean State” · Founded 1790

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.

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 44m. Total distance: 248.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 143.3 miles on Purple Heart Trail. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — we found about 20 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 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. There are 20 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument and San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Rhode Island, 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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