Medina County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Crystal City, 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
7h 10m
Distance
397.5 mi
640 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$54
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 59m
★
6 AM
7h 10m
8 AM
7h 32m
10 AM
7h 18m
12 PM
7h 16m
3 PM
7h 19m
5 PM
7h 31m
8 PM
7h 4m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Crystal City, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Irving, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 397.5-mile drive from Crystal City, TX, to Irving, TX, will take approximately 7 hours and 10 minutes to complete. It's a feasible day trip, especially if you plan your stops strategically, with two recommended along the way. You'll be spending about 41% of your time on highways, with a significant portion of the journey on the Purple Heart Trail. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $60, making it a relatively budget-friendly excursion. Both Crystal City and Irving are situated within the Great Plains region, so expect a consistent landscape throughout your travel.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
198.7 miles from Crystal City, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 38m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Purple Heart Trail | 221.8 mi | 3h 52m |
| West US Highway 57 | 52 mi | 56m |
| I 35E | 47.3 mi | 48m |
| South Pan Am Expressway | 21.5 mi | 26m |
| North US Highway 83 | 16.9 mi | 19m |
| North Pan Am Expressway | 7.4 mi | 8m |
| Lyndon B Johnson Freeway | 6.6 mi | 7m |
| South Jack Kultgen Expressway | 6.6 mi | 7m |
Longest stretch:
Purple Heart Trail
— 221.8 mi, about 3h 52m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 56 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~3,296 veh/hr typical · worst 3,809
Quietest
2 AM
~560 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.9×
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 Crystal City, TX and Irving, TX.
1
Start on this road
42 ft
·
3 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto FM 582
0.5 mi
·
54 sec
·
East Lake Street
3
At end of road, turn left onto FM 582; FM 1433
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
North 7th Avenue
4
Merge onto US 83
17 mi
·
19 min
·
North US Highway 83
5
Turn right onto US 57; Loop 305
52 mi
·
56 min
·
West US Highway 57
6
At end of road, turn left onto Interstate 35 North
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
Interstate 35 North
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
8
Merge onto I 35
34 mi
·
33 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 35
9.3 mi
·
11 min
·
South Pan Am Expressway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
South Pan Am Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35
10 mi
·
13 min
·
South Pan Am Expressway
Toward I 37, US 281: Upper Level, Corpus Christi, Johnson City
Use the straight lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto North Pan Am Expressway
7.4 mi
·
8 min
·
North Pan Am Expressway
Toward I 35: Austin
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 35
12 mi
·
12 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 35
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Interstate Highway 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I 35
48 mi
·
52 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
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.
17
Continue on I 35
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on I 35; US 77
33 mi
·
33 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E
47 mi
·
48 min
·
I 35E
Toward I 35E: Dallas
Use the slight right lane.
20
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
2 min
Exit 418A
Toward I 20 West: Fort Worth
Use the slight right lane.
21
Merge onto I 20
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Exit 460
Toward Spur 408
Use the slight right lane.
23
Merge onto Spur 408
3.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Patriot Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Merge onto Loop 12
5.4 mi
·
5 min
·
South Walton Walker Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
492 ft
·
12 sec
Toward TX 356: Irving Boulevard
Use the slight right lane.
26
Turn straight onto South Loop 12
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
·
South Loop 12
27
Turn left onto TX 356
0.4 mi
·
59 sec
·
East State Highway 356
Use the left / straight lanes.
28
Continue on TX 356
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
East Irving Boulevard
29
Continue on West Irving Boulevard
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
·
West Irving Boulevard
30
Turn right onto North Ohio Street
58 ft
·
2 sec
·
North Ohio Street
31
Arrive at destination
North Ohio Street
Trip Plan
For this 7-hour drive, consider an early morning departure from Crystal City to maximize your daylight hours and allow for your two planned stops. The longest stretch of 221.8 miles on the Purple Heart Trail means you'll want to ensure you have sufficient fuel before embarking on that segment. With a fuel cost estimated at $60, keeping an eye on your gauge is always wise. Breaking up the drive with planned stops will make the 397.5-mile journey more comfortable, preventing fatigue and ensuring you arrive in Irving refreshed.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 198.7 miles from Crystal City, TX, or about 3h 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 221.8 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 87 miles or 1h 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 198.7 miles or 3h 38m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 3m
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 Crystal City, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Crystal City, TX
This is one driving day of about 397.5 miles and 7h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 87 miles from Crystal City, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Purple Heart Trail for about 221.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
199 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 87 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 198.7 miles from Crystal City, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Purple Heart Trail if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 221.8 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.
Medina County Southbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Hill County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Hill County Southbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Bell County Northbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Bell County Southbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Walburg Travel Center & Food Court
0.2 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Marlstone Retail Center
0.4 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
2.3 mi from route
QuikTrip
2.3 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
2.4 mi from route
Animal World & Snake Farm Zoo
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Early stretch
0.1 mi from route
New Braunfels, Texas
Hours: 10 am–6 pm
+18304024603
Visit websiteRoosevelt Park
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
1.5 mi from route
~4 min detour
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 5 am–11 pm
+12102077275
Visit websiteHemisfair
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 5 am–12 pm
+12107094750
Visit websiteGO RIO San Antonio River Cruises
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 10 am–10 pm
+12102274746
Visit websiteSpanish Governor's Palace
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
1.9 mi from route
~5 min detour
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+12102077527
Visit websiteSan Antonio Fire Museum
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
2.4 mi from route
~6 min detour
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 10 am–3:30 pm
+12103907236
Visit websiteSan Antonio | The Saga
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
1.9 mi from route
~5 min detour
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 9–9:30 pm
+12102259800
Visit websiteThe Amazing Mirror Maze
4.4
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
2.2 mi from route
~5 min detour
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 10:30 am–8 pm
+12102242288
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 205 decision points cluster between mile 115.7 and 385.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
115.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 6m in
|
I 35 / South Pan Am Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35 / South Pan Am Expressway toward I 37, US 281: Upper Level, Corpus Christi, Johnson City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 37, US 281: Upper Level, Corpus Christ...
7
126.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 19m in
|
North Pan Am Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto North Pan Am Expressway toward I 35: Austin
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35: Austin
7
330.4 mi into trip
|
~5h 56m 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
377.7 mi into trip
|
~6h 44m 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
385.3 mi into trip
|
~6h 54m 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
$54.44 one way
$108.89 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
139 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $60.81 | $121.63 |
| premium | $4.23 | $66.12 | $132.24 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $75.06 | $150.11 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$54
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$79–$104
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 139.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $42 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 119.3 | 1 | $41.74 | $19.08 |
| Efficient EV | 99.4 | 1 | $34.78 | $15.90 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 159 | 1 | $55.65 | $25.44 |
Gas CO2
139 kg
EV CO2
47 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.
Origin
Crystal City, TX
Morning in Crystal City on Sunday
Local time
10:06 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
ESE 5 to 10 mph
27% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 10:46PM CDT until July 17 at 3:45AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 9:36PM CDT until July 19 at 3:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Irving, TX
Morning in Irving on Sunday
Local time
10:06 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
S 5 mph
15% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 10:46PM CDT until July 17 at 3:45AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 9:36PM CDT until July 19 at 3:00AM 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
7h 10m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 301.5
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...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
Free
near mile 109.7
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route offers a mixed drive experience, blending highway speeds with more local road navigation. You'll cover 397.5 miles, with the longest uninterrupted stretch being 221.8 miles on the Purple Heart Trail. While 41% of the drive involves highways like I-35E, a substantial part will be on other primary roads. The character of the drive shifts from the initial stretches on West US Highway 57 to the more consistent flow of the Purple Heart Trail, eventually leading into the interstate system as you approach Irving.
41% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 221.8 mi on Purple Heart Trail.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 115.7 miles in near I 35 / South Pan Am Expressway.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 20 significant decision points across 397.5 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 115.7 miles (I 35 / South Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 126.2 miles (North Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 330.4 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
773 ft
484 ft
Total Climb
611 ft
Total Descent
687 ft
Highest Point
773 ft
~28.4 mi in
Elevation Range
289 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Crystal City, TX and Irving, TX, road signs point toward Corpus Christi and Johnson City.
Corpus Christi
115.7 mi in
|
~2h 6m
|
via I 35
Johnson City
115.7 mi in
|
~2h 6m
|
via I 35
About the Cities
Starting in Crystal City, TX
Full guide →Top landmarks
- • Crystal City Internment Camp — building in Crystal City, Zavala 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 7h 10m. Total distance: 397.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 10m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 221.8 miles on Purple Heart Trail. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 38 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 38 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 115.7 miles (I 35 / South Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 126.2 miles (North Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 330.4 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument and San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.2 hours each way, a round trip means 14.3 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.
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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