Mitchell County Westbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Grand Prairie, TX to Big Spring, 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
4h 53m
Distance
278.6 mi
448 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$38
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 40m
★
6 AM
4h 53m
8 AM
5h 20m
10 AM
5h 3m
12 PM
5h 0m
3 PM
5h 4m
5 PM
5h 19m
8 PM
4h 45m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Grand Prairie, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Big Spring, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Grand Prairie, TX to Big Spring, TX is 278.6 miles and takes about 4h 53m via I 20, with a fuel budget near $41 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily stays within the Great Plains region, offering a straightforward trip across Texas. With 99% of the route on highways, expect a consistent and efficient travel experience. This is a classic one-day road trip, ideal for getting from point A to point B without much fuss.
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
139.3 miles from Grand Prairie, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 30m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 20 | 240.6 mi | 4h 3m |
| Tom Landry Freeway | 17 mi | 21m |
| West Freeway | 15.5 mi | 17m |
| I 20 Bus | 2.2 mi | 4m |
| Dalworth Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| West Main Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| President George Bush Turnpike | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| East Main Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 240.6 mi, about 4h 3m
Traffic on I-20
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 36 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,369 veh/hr typical · worst 1,769
Quietest
2 AM
~188 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.3×
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 Grand Prairie, TX and Big Spring, TX.
1
Start on this road
219 ft
·
21 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto Northeast 5th Street
189 ft
·
10 sec
·
Northeast 5th Street
3
Turn right onto TX 180
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
East Main Street
4
Continue on TX 180
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
·
West Main Street
5
Turn slight right onto Dalworth Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Dalworth Street
6
Turn right onto TX 161
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
North State Highway 161
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Toward PGBT Toll North
8
Merge onto PGBT
0.4 mi
·
23 sec
·
President George Bush Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Toward I 30: Dallas, Fort Worth
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 30 West: Forth Worth
Use the slight left lane.
11
Merge onto I 30
17 mi
·
21 min
·
Tom Landry Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 30; US 377
15 mi
·
17 min
·
West Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 20
241 mi
·
4 hr 3 min
·
I 20
Use the slight right lane.
14
Take the exit
510 ft
·
9 sec
Exit 179
Toward I 20 Business West: Big Spring
15
Continue on I 20 Bus
2.2 mi
·
4 min
·
I 20 Bus
16
Turn left onto South Lancaster Street
377 ft
·
21 sec
·
South Lancaster Street
17
Turn left onto I 20 Bus
301 ft
·
6 sec
·
West 4th Street
18
Arrive at destination
I 20 Bus
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 53m estimated drive time, leaving Grand Prairie in the morning will comfortably get you to Big Spring before evening. With only one recommended stop and a short overall duration, you have flexibility in when and where you choose to pause. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch on I 20 is over 240 miles, and ensure you refuel before hitting that segment if needed. The estimated fuel cost of $41 is a good benchmark for budgeting this one-day trip.
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 139.3 miles from Grand Prairie, TX, or about 2h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 240.6 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 61 miles or 1h 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 139.3 miles or 2h 30m 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
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Big Spring, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Grand Prairie, 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 Grand Prairie, TX
This is one driving day of about 278.6 miles and 4h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 miles from Grand Prairie, 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 20 for about 240.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
139 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 61 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 139.3 miles from Grand Prairie, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 20 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 240.6 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.
Picnic Area
0 mi from route
Picnic Area
0 mi from route
I-20 Westbound Picnic Area
0 mi from route
I-20 Eastbound Picnic Area
0 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Howard County Eastbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Eastland County Eastbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Eastland County Westbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Nolan County Eastbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.2 mi from route
Callahan County Eastbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Callahan County Westbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.2 mi from route
Waterfall Overlook
0.2 mi from route
Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Hill Arbor
0.3 mi from route
Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.8 mi from route
TA
1.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.5 mi from route
Ripley's Believe It or Not!
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
1.1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Grand Prairie, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+19722632391
Visit websiteLouis Tussaud's Palace of Wax
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
1.1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Grand Prairie, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+19722632391
Visit websiteForest Park Miniature Railroad
4.4
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the start, short detour
First break
2.4 mi from route
~6 min detour
Fort Worth, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+18179665509
Visit websiteFort Worth Herd
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
First break
3.3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Fort Worth, Texas
Hours: 11:30 am–4 pm
+18173364373
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 125 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 3.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Northeast 5th Street
Turn left onto Northeast 5th Street
Navigation decision point
5
1.8 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
PGBT / President George Bush Turnpike
Merge onto PGBT / President George Bush Turnpike
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
2.1 mi into trip
|
~4m in
Take the exit toward I 30: Dallas, Fort Worth
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 I 30: Dallas, Fort Worth
7
2.5 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 30 West: Forth Worth
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 30 West: Forth Worth
5
3.1 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
I 30 / Tom Landry Freeway
Merge onto I 30 / Tom Landry Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.16 one way
$76.32 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
98 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $42.62 | $85.25 |
| premium | $4.23 | $46.34 | $92.68 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $52.60 | $105.21 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.03
President George Bush Turnpike
(0.4 mi)
$0.03
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
$38
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 97.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 83.6 | 1 | $29.25 | $13.37 |
| Efficient EV | 69.7 | 0 | $24.38 | $11.14 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 111.4 | 1 | $39.00 | $17.83 |
Gas CO2
97 kg
EV CO2
33 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
Grand Prairie, TX
Late night in Grand Prairie on Sunday
Local time
3:15 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Partly Cloudy
S 5 to 10 mph
2% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:47PM CDT until July 18 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:34PM CDT until July 19 at 9:45AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Big Spring, TX
Late night in Big Spring on Sunday
Local time
3:15 AM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Mostly Clear
S 5 to 10 mph
6% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:47PM CDT until July 18 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:34PM CDT until July 19 at 9:45AM 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
9 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 53m 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?
You'll spend nearly all your time on the interstate, with 99% of the 278.6 miles covered on highways, predominantly I 20. The longest continuous stretch on I 20 spans 240.6 miles, meaning you'll have long periods of consistent cruising before encountering major changes. Expect dense exits and merging traffic as you initially navigate out of the Grand Prairie area via Tom Landry Freeway and West Freeway before transitioning to the open highway.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 240.6 mi on I 20.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and Tom Landry Freeway. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Northeast 5th Street.
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 278.6 miles you will encounter 12 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: near the start (Northeast 5th Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.8 miles (PGBT / President George Bush Turnpike): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 2.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,434 ft
519 ft
Total Climb
2,314 ft
Total Descent
398 ft
Highest Point
2,434 ft
~278.6 mi in
Elevation Range
1,915 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Grand Prairie, TX
Full guide →Founded 1863
Grand Prairie is a city in the Prairies and Lakes region of Texas.
Arriving in Big Spring, TX
Full guide →Big Spring is a city on the Edwards Plateau in Texas.
Top landmarks
- • Settles Hotel — historic place in Big Spring, Howard County, Texas
- • Hangar 25 Air Museum — air museum in Big Spring, Texas, U.S.
- • Potton-Hayden House — historic place in Big Spring, Howard County, Texas
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 53m. Total distance: 278.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 240.6 miles on I 20. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.03 in tolls one way, starting with President George Bush Turnpike. 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.
Yes — we found about 37 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 Big Spring, 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 37 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Northeast 5th Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.8 miles (PGBT / President George Bush Turnpike): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 2.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Big Spring, 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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