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Trip from Gonzales, TX to Irving, TX

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

Drive Time

4h 42m

Distance

265.5 mi

427 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$40

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 29m ★
6 AM
4h 42m
8 AM
5h 9m
10 AM
4h 52m
12 PM
4h 49m
3 PM
4h 53m
5 PM
5h 8m
8 PM
4h 34m

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 Texas, United States

Gonzales, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Embarking on a journey from Gonzales, TX, to Irving, TX, covers a distance of 265.5 miles and will take approximately 4 hours and 42 minutes of driving time. This trip is perfectly manageable as a single-day adventure, with a projected fuel cost of around $40. You'll navigate primarily via the Purple Heart Trail, Pickle Parkway, and I-35E, experiencing a mixed drive profile. This route stays within the Great Plains region, offering a consistent landscape throughout your travels. Consider this a straightforward and efficient drive, ideal for those looking to reach their destination without an overnight stop.

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 Gonzales, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 20m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Purple Heart Trail 97.7 mi 1h 39m
Pickle Parkway 58.5 mi 54m
I 35E 47.3 mi 48m
Water Street 12.8 mi 13m
US 183 10.1 mi 11m
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway 6.6 mi 7m
South Jack Kultgen Expressway 6.6 mi 7m
South Walton Walker Boulevard 5.4 mi 5m
Longest stretch: Purple Heart Trail — 97.7 mi, about 1h 39m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Gonzales, TX and Irving, TX.

1

Start on Saint Lawrence Street

112 ft · 12 sec · Saint Lawrence Street
2

Turn left onto US 183 Business

399 ft · 12 sec · North Saint Joseph Street
3

Turn right onto Spur 146

0.2 mi · 26 sec · Saint Louis Street
4

At end of road, turn right onto US 183; TX 97

13 mi · 13 min · Water Street
5

Continue on US 183

5.0 mi · 7 min · East Pierce Street
6

Turn right onto US 183; TX 80

1.2 mi · 2 min · South Magnolia Avenue
7

Continue on US 183

10 mi · 11 min · US 183
8

Continue on US 183

4.9 mi · 8 min · South Colorado Street
9

Continue on US 183

0.2 mi · 16 sec · United States Highway 183
10

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 35 sec
Toward TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco
11

Merge onto TX 130 Toll

59 mi · 54 min · Pickle Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 49 sec
Toward I 35 North: Waco Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
13

Merge onto I 35

65 mi · 1 hr 6 min · Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Continue on I 35

6.6 mi · 7 min · South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Continue on I 35; US 77

33 mi · 33 min · Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E

47 mi · 48 min · I 35E
Toward I 35E: Dallas Use the slight right lane.
17

Take the exit

0.9 mi · 2 min
Exit 418A Toward I 20 West: Fort Worth Use the slight right lane.
18

Merge onto I 20

6.6 mi · 7 min · Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Take the exit

0.8 mi · 1 min
Exit 460 Toward Spur 408 Use the slight right lane.
20

Merge onto Spur 408

3.9 mi · 4 min · Patriot Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21

Merge onto Loop 12

5.4 mi · 5 min · South Walton Walker Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22

Take the exit

492 ft · 12 sec
Toward TX 356: Irving Boulevard Use the slight right lane.
23

Turn straight onto South Loop 12

0.3 mi · 32 sec · South Loop 12
24

Turn left onto TX 356

0.4 mi · 59 sec · East State Highway 356
Use the left / straight lanes.
25

Continue on TX 356

1.2 mi · 2 min · East Irving Boulevard
26

Continue on West Irving Boulevard

0.1 mi · 26 sec · West Irving Boulevard
27

Turn right onto North Ohio Street

58 ft · 2 sec · North Ohio Street
28

Arrive at destination

North Ohio Street

Trip Plan

For this 4-hour and 42-minute drive, leaving in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight and avoid late-night travel. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in how you pace yourself. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 97.7-mile stretch on the Purple Heart Trail, as fuel availability can vary. The $40 fuel cost is a good estimate, but it’s always wise to have a little extra buffer. Given the manageable duration, you can easily complete this trip in one day without feeling rushed.

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 Gonzales, TX, or about 2h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 97.7 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 6m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 132.7 miles or 2h 20m 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 47m

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 Gonzales, 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 Gonzales, TX

This is one driving day of about 265.5 miles and 4h 42m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Gonzales, 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 97.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in Bell County, Texas

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Troy, 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

Montopolis, TX

Fuel and coffee

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

Troy, TX

Meal break

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

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Purple Heart Trail if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 97.7 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.

Cultural Activities Center

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour

Temple, Texas

Hours: 8:30 am–4 pm

+12547739926

Visit website

NTER - The Great Escape

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour

Waxahachie, Texas

Hours: 5–9 pm

+12149801053

Visit website

Village of Salado Visitors Center

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour

Salado, Texas

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+12549478634

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 17

5 decision points cluster between mile 34.7 and 253.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
34.7 mi into trip | ~44m in

Keep slight left at fork toward TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco
7
93.7 mi into trip | ~1h 39m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 35 North: Waco

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward I 35 North: Waco
7
198.4 mi into trip | ~3h 27m 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
245.7 mi into trip | ~4h 16m 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
253.3 mi into trip | ~4h 25m 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

$40.12 one way

$80.24 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 93 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.20 $43.91 $87.82
premium $4.54 $47.40 $94.81
diesel $5.61 $58.62 $117.24

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$40

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$65–$90

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, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

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

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 79.6 0 $27.88 $12.74
Efficient EV 66.4 0 $23.23 $10.62
EV Truck/SUV 106.2 1 $37.17 $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 Apr 17, 2026

Origin

Gonzales, TX

Late night in Gonzales on Tuesday

Local time

5:56 AM

CDT

Current temp

89°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Irving, TX

Late night in Irving on Tuesday

Local time

5:56 AM

CDT

Current temp

85°F

Partly Sunny

S 10 to 20 mph 6% chance Live forecast

Fire Weather Watch

The Fire Weather Watch has been replaced. Please see the latest information from NWS Midland/Odessa TX on this developin...

Red Flag Warning

Red Flag Warning issued April 17 at 2:01AM CDT until April 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX

84°F

Troy, 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

4 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 42m 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

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...

4 mi from route ~11 min detour Free near mile 164.8
View on nps.gov

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

What kind of drive is this?

This drive offers a balanced experience, with about 50% of the route utilizing highway speeds. You'll encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 97.7 miles on the Purple Heart Trail, providing a good segment of consistent travel. The profile is described as a 'Mixed drive,' suggesting a combination of faster highway sections and potentially some slower or more varied road types as you progress. Expect a dynamic driving experience rather than a monotonous interstate cruise.

50% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 97.7 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 34.7 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 17 significant decision points across 265.5 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 34.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 93.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 198.4 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.

On the drive from Gonzales, TX to Irving, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Waco along the way.

Waco

34.7 mi in | ~44m

About the Cities

Starting in Gonzales, TX

Full guide →

Founded 1825

Gonzales is the county seat of Gonzales County, Texas, and one of the oldest cities in Texas.

Top landmarks

  • • Gonzales County Courthouse — historic place in Gonzales, Gonzales 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 4h 42m. Total distance: 265.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 97.7 miles on Purple Heart Trail. 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 34.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 93.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 198.4 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 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.4 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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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