Bell County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Grand Prairie, TX to Boerne, 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
5h 21m
Distance
296.3 mi
477 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$41
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 8m
★
6 AM
5h 22m
8 AM
5h 48m
10 AM
5h 31m
12 PM
5h 28m
3 PM
5h 32m
5 PM
5h 47m
8 PM
5h 14m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Grand Prairie, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Boerne, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 296.3-mile drive from Grand Prairie, TX, to Boerne, TX, is a manageable one-day trip, estimated to take about 5 hours and 21 minutes. You'll primarily be on the Purple Heart Trail and I-35, with about 58% of the journey on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this route is around $45. As you travel from the Great Plains region within Texas to another part of the Great Plains, expect a mixed driving experience. It's a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in a single day, allowing for flexibility in your schedule.
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
148.2 miles from Grand Prairie, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 38m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Purple Heart Trail | 99.6 mi | 1h 46m |
| South R L Thornton Freeway | 80.5 mi | 1h 22m |
| I 35 | 55.8 mi | 58m |
| Anderson Loop | 16.7 mi | 18m |
| I 10 | 14.5 mi | 15m |
| Lyndon B Johnson Freeway | 9.3 mi | 9m |
| North Jack Kultgen Expressway | 6.6 mi | 7m |
| South Belt Line Road | 5.4 mi | 9m |
Longest stretch:
Purple Heart Trail
— 99.6 mi, about 1h 46m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 44 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~3,763 veh/hr typical · worst 4,358
Quietest
2 AM
~649 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 Grand Prairie, TX and Boerne, TX.
1
Start on this road
219 ft
·
21 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto Northeast 5th Street
189 ft
·
14 sec
·
Northeast 5th Street
3
Turn left onto TX 180
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
East Main Street
4
Turn right onto FM 1382
5.4 mi
·
9 min
·
South Belt Line Road
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward I 20 East
Use the left lane.
6
Merge onto I 20
9.3 mi
·
9 min
·
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
44 sec
Exit 467B
Toward I 35E South: Waco
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 35E
81 mi
·
1 hr 22 min
·
South R L Thornton Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 35; US 77
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 35
38 mi
·
39 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
56 mi
·
58 min
·
I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35; US 290
50 mi
·
54 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Toward 32nd Street, Dean Keeton Street
Use the slight left lane.
13
Continue on I 35
1.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Interstate Highway 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 35
12 mi
·
12 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I 35
1.8 mi
·
1 min
·
North Pan Am Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
Exit 172
Toward Loop 1604: Anderson Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
Toward Loop 1604 West: Anderson Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
Toward Loop 1604 West
19
Merge onto Loop 1604
17 mi
·
18 min
·
Anderson Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Toward Frontage Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Turn straight onto North Loop 1604 West
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
North Loop 1604 West
22
Turn right onto Interstate 10 West
0.3 mi
·
24 sec
·
Interstate 10 West
23
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
Toward I 10 West, US 87 North
24
Merge onto I 10; US 87
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
I 10; US 87
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87
13 mi
·
14 min
·
I 10; US 87
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
26
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
Exit 540
Toward TX 46: New Braunfels, Bandera
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Turn straight onto Interstate 10 West
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
Interstate 10 West
28
Turn right onto Christus Parkway
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
·
Christus Parkway
29
Turn left onto US 87 Bus
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
South Main Street
30
Turn right onto RM 474
66 ft
·
1 sec
·
East Blanco Road
31
Arrive at destination
RM 474
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour, 21-minute drive, starting in the morning is ideal to maximize daylight and allow for a relaxed pace. With only one recommended stop, you have significant flexibility in planning your breaks. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 99.6-mile stretch on the Purple Heart Trail. Since this is a one-day trip, you can depart when it suits you best, but aim to be on the road early to avoid any potential traffic delays entering or exiting major thoroughfares like I-35.
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 148.2 miles from Grand Prairie, TX, or about 2h 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.6 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 65 miles or 1h 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 148.2 miles or 2h 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 4h 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Boerne, 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 296.3 miles and 5h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 65 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 Purple Heart Trail for about 99.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
148 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 65 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 148.2 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 Purple Heart Trail if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 99.6 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.
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Hill County Northbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Walburg Travel Center & Food Court
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
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
Flying J Travel Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Hill County Southbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.2 mi from route
Marlstone Retail Center
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
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
Bell County Southbound Rest Area
0.4 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.5 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.6 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.6 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.6 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.6 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.6 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.7 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.7 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.7 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.7 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 websitePioneer Farms
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Final third
1.3 mi from route
~3 min detour
Austin, Texas
Hours: 10 am–2 pm
+15128371215
Visit websiteVillage of Salado Visitors Center
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
1.2 mi from route
~3 min detour
Salado, Texas
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+12549478634
Visit websiteMaui Maui Kids Play Island
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2.5 mi from route
~6 min detour
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 9 am–6 pm
+12102578118
Visit websiteAnimal World & Snake Farm Zoo
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2.6 mi from route
~6 min detour
New Braunfels, Texas
Hours: 10 am–6 pm
+18304024603
Visit websiteGet Out of My Escape Room
5.0
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, ~9 min detour
Home stretch
3.5 mi from route
~9 min detour
Hill Country Village, Texas
Hours: Closed
+12104753174
Visit websiteChildren's Park
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Later in the drive, ~9 min detour
Final third
3.7 mi from route
~9 min detour
San Marcos, Texas
Hours: 6 am–11 pm
+15123938400
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 225 decision points cluster between mile 15.3 and 294.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
15.3 mi into trip
|
~21m in
Take the exit toward I 35E South: Waco
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 467B
Toward I 35E South: Waco
8
196.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 29m in
|
I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail toward 32nd Street, Dean Keeton Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward 32nd Street, Dean Keeton Street
7
261.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 41m in
Take the exit toward Loop 1604: Anderson Loop
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 172
Toward Loop 1604: Anderson Loop
7
261.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 41m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Loop 1604 West: Anderson Loop
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Loop 1604 West: Anderson Loop
8
294.4 mi into trip
|
~5h 17m in
Take the exit toward TX 46: New Braunfels, Bandera
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 540
Toward TX 46: New Braunfels, Bandera
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.58 one way
$81.17 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
104 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $45.33 | $90.66 |
| premium | $4.23 | $49.29 | $98.57 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $55.95 | $111.89 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 103.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 88.9 | 1 | $31.11 | $14.22 |
| Efficient EV | 74.1 | 0 | $25.93 | $11.85 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 118.5 | 1 | $41.48 | $18.96 |
Gas CO2
104 kg
EV CO2
35 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
Morning in Grand Prairie on Sunday
Local time
9:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
93°F
Partly Sunny
S 10 to 15 mph
14% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 4:56PM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 2:38PM CDT until July 20 at 4:15PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Boerne, TX
Morning in Boerne on Sunday
Local time
9:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
87°F
Partly Sunny
SSE 10 mph
4% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 4:56PM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 2:38PM CDT until July 20 at 4:15PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
96°F
Troy, TX
148 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
6 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
5h 21m 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
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 92
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...
20 mi from route
~51 min detour
Free
near mile 265.7
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
The drive is characterized as a 'Mixed drive,' meaning you'll encounter a variety of road types. With 58% of the route being on highways, expect some stretches of faster travel. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll experience is 99.6 miles on the Purple Heart Trail, offering a good opportunity to settle in. This blend of highway and potentially other road types provides a dynamic driving experience without being overly monotonous.
58% 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: 99.6 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 15.3 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 22 significant decision points across 296.3 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 15.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 196.5 miles (I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 261.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,406 ft
519 ft
Total Climb
1,249 ft
Total Descent
362 ft
Highest Point
1,406 ft
~296.3 mi in
Elevation Range
887 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.
On the drive from Grand Prairie, TX to Boerne, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Loop 1604 West along the way.
Loop 1604 West
262.3 mi in
|
~4h 42m
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 Boerne, TX
Full guide →Founded 1849
Top landmarks
- • Kendall Inn — historic place in Boerne, Kendall County, Texas
- • Herff-Rozelle Farm — historic district in Boerne, Kendall County, Texas
- • Kendall County Courthouse and Jail — historic place in Boerne, Kendall 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 5h 21m. Total distance: 296.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 99.6 miles on Purple Heart Trail. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Boerne, 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: at 15.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 196.5 miles (I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 261.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 5.4 hours each way, a round trip means 10.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Boerne, 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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