Trip from Dayton, TX to Irving, TX

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 12, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 45m

Distance

265.4 mi

427 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$42

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min

4 AM

4h 32m ★

6 AM

4h 46m

8 AM

5h 13m

10 AM

4h 55m

12 PM

4h 53m

3 PM

4h 57m

5 PM

5h 12m

8 PM

4h 38m

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

Best Time

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Dayton, TX

Jeff Stapleton

Irving, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Dayton to Irving is 265.4 miles and takes about 4h 45m via I 45, with a fuel budget near $39 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Texas, moving from the Great Plains region to another part of the Great Plains. The drive is almost entirely on major highways, making for a straightforward trip. With a recommended one-day duration and a relatively short driving time, this route is ideal for a quick transit between these two Texas locations. Expect a consistent pace for most of your drive.

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

132.7 miles from Dayton, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 23m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 45	211 mi	3h 37m
East Grand Parkway North	32.5 mi	34m
Tom Landry Freeway	6.2 mi	7m
West Clayton Street	5.1 mi	6m
North Walton Walker Boulevard	2.3 mi	2m
Interstate 45 North Frontage Road	2 mi	3m
East Irving Boulevard	1.2 mi	2m
East R L Thornton Freeway	0.8 mi	1m

Longest stretch: I 45 — 211 mi, about 3h 37m

Traffic on I-45

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 36 FHWA count stations on your route.

Peak

4 PM

~1,985 veh/hr typical · worst 2,601

Quietest

2 AM

~289 veh/hr

Peak-to-quiet ratio

6.9×

busier at peak than in the quiet hours

12a 6a noon 6p 11p

Averaged across 88 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 Dayton, TX and Irving, TX.

Start on this road

87 ft · 8 sec · this road

Turn right

155 ft · 16 sec

Turn left

225 ft · 19 sec

Turn right onto FM 1409

142 ft · 11 sec · South Winfree Street

Turn left onto US 90; TX 146

0.3 mi · 25 sec · United States Highway 90 East

Turn right onto TX 321

0.2 mi · 23 sec · North Cleveland Street

Turn left onto FM 1960

5.1 mi · 6 min · West Clayton Street

Turn right onto East Grand Parkway North

0.1 mi · 14 sec · East Grand Parkway North

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 35 sec

Merge onto TX 99 Toll

32 mi · 34 min · East Grand Parkway North

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 45 sec

Toward Houston, Dallas Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn right onto Interstate 45 North Frontage Road

2.0 mi · 3 min · Interstate 45 North Frontage Road

Use the right lane.

Take the ramp

0.1 mi · 8 sec

Toward I 45 North

Merge onto I 45

211 mi · 3 hr 37 min · I 45

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 23 sec

Exit 284A Toward I 30 Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min

Toward I 30 West Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 25 sec

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 30; US 67

0.8 mi · 1 min · East R L Thornton Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 30

6.2 mi · 7 min · Tom Landry Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min

Exit 38 Toward LOOP 12 Use the right lane.

Keep slight right at fork

0.1 mi · 14 sec

Toward Loop 12 North Use the slight right lane.

Turn straight onto North Walton Walker Service Road West

0.2 mi · 21 sec · North Walton Walker Service Road West

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 30 sec

Toward Loop 12 North

Merge onto Loop 12

2.3 mi · 2 min · North Walton Walker Boulevard

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

492 ft · 12 sec

Toward TX 356: Irving Boulevard Use the slight right lane.

Turn straight onto South Loop 12

0.3 mi · 32 sec · South Loop 12

Turn left onto TX 356

0.4 mi · 59 sec · East State Highway 356

Use the left / straight lanes.

Continue on TX 356

1.2 mi · 2 min · East Irving Boulevard

Continue on West Irving Boulevard

0.1 mi · 26 sec · West Irving Boulevard

Turn right onto North Ohio Street

58 ft · 2 sec · North Ohio Street

Arrive at destination

North Ohio Street

Trip Plan

Given the 4h 45m estimated drive time, leaving Dayton in the morning will allow you to reach Irving with plenty of daylight. The fuel cost is estimated at $39, so plan accordingly. With only one recommended stop and a mostly highway profile, you can be flexible with your timing. Keep an eye on traffic conditions as you approach Irving, as urban merging can slow things down. Since this is a single-day trip, you have the advantage of not needing to book overnight accommodations.

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 132.7 miles from Dayton, TX, or about 2h 23m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 211 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 58 miles or 1h 5m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 132.7 miles or 2h 23m 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 50m

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 Dayton, 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 Dayton, TX

This is one driving day of about 265.4 miles and 4h 45m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Dayton, 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 211 miles.

Where to Stop

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

town in Ellis County, Texas, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Italy, TX

133 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

Houston, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 58 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Italy, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 132.7 miles from Dayton, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

1.6 mi from route

QuikTrip

2.3 mi from route

Dennis Johnston Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

First break 0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour

Spring, Texas

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+17132740930

Visit website

Candy Cane Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour

Conroe, Texas

Hours: 9 am–11 pm

+19365223804

Visit website

Ripley's Believe It or Not!

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

Home stretch 4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour

Grand Prairie, Texas

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+19722632391

Visit website

Louis Tussaud's Palace of Wax

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

Home stretch 4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour

Grand Prairie, Texas

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+19722632391

Visit website

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 38.5 and 260.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

38.5 mi into trip | ~43m in

Take the exit toward Houston, Dallas

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. Toward Houston, Dallas

251.9 mi into trip | ~4h 26m 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

252.1 mi into trip | ~4h 26m 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

259.8 mi into trip | ~4h 36m in

Take the exit toward LOOP 12

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Exit 38 Toward LOOP 12

260.4 mi into trip | ~4h 37m in

Keep slight right at fork toward Loop 12 North

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward Loop 12 North

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$41.62 one way

$83.24 round trip

$3.98/gal 25.4 MPG avg 93 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.38	$45.78	$91.55
premium	$4.72	$49.35	$98.70
diesel	$6.20	$64.77	$129.54

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$42

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$67–$92

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 92.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-05.

Driving Electric?

About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	79.6	0	$27.87	$12.74
Efficient EV	66.4	0	$23.22	$10.62
EV Truck/SUV	106.2	1	$37.16	$16.99

Gas CO2

93 kg

EV CO2

31 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 Oct 11, 2026

Origin

Dayton, TX

Morning in Dayton on Monday

Local time

6:15 AM

CDT

Current temp

88°F

Sunny

SE 0 to 10 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Rip Current Statement

Rip Current Statement issued October 11 at 12:54AM CDT until October 11 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued October 10 at 9:53PM CDT by NWS Lake Charles LA

Destination

Irving, TX

Morning in Irving on Monday

Local time

6:15 AM

CDT

Current temp

69°F

Mostly Clear

S 5 to 10 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Rip Current Statement

Rip Current Statement issued October 11 at 12:54AM CDT until October 11 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued October 10 at 9:53PM CDT by NWS Lake Charles LA

75°F

Italy, TX

133 mi in

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

19 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 45m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

This route is 95% highway, meaning you'll spend nearly all of your 4h 45m on high-speed roads. The longest stretch without exiting is 211 miles on I 45. You'll transition from highway cruising to surface roads only in the final miles approaching Irving. Expect a significant amount of merging and exiting activity as you get closer to the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.

95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

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

Longest single stretch: 211 mi on I 45.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 45 and East Grand Parkway North. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 38.5 miles in.

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 24 significant decision points across 265.4 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 38.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 251.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 252.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

484 ft 81 ft

Total Climb

523 ft

Total Descent

119 ft

Highest Point

484 ft

~265.4 mi in

Elevation Range

403 ft

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Dayton, TX and Irving, TX, road signs point toward Houston and Dallas.

Houston

38.5 mi in | ~43m

Dallas

38.5 mi in | ~43m

About the Cities

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 4h 45m. Total distance: 265.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 211 miles on I 45. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — we found about 24 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 1 meaningful breaks. There are 24 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

Possible but tiring. At 4.8 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 Irving, 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, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Trip from Dayton, TX to Irving, TX

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Traffic on I-45

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

Love's Travel Stop

Love's Travel Stop

Buc-ee's

Love's Travel Stop

Road Ranger

TA Express

QuikTrip

Love's Travel Stop

Pilot Travel Center

Navarro County Northbound Rest Area

TA Express

Buc-ee's

QuikTrip

Walker County Southbound Rest Area

Walker County Northbound Rest Area

Navarro County Southbound Rest Area

Pilot Travel Center

QuikTrip

Rest Area

QuikTrip

Flying J Travel Center

Service Plaza

TA

QuikTrip

Dennis Johnston Park

Candy Cane Park

Ripley's Believe It or Not!

Louis Tussaud's Palace of Wax

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Dayton, TX

Irving, TX

Same local time

19 degrees cooler at arrival

4h 45m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Elevation Profile

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Arriving in Irving, TX

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

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