Navarro County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Grand Prairie, TX to Brownwood, TX
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 7m
Distance
271.9 mi
438 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$41
one way
EV Charging
Excellent
37 DC fast
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 54m
★
6 AM
5h 7m
8 AM
5h 34m
10 AM
5h 17m
12 PM
5h 14m
3 PM
5h 18m
5 PM
5h 33m
8 PM
4h 59m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Grand Prairie, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Brownwood, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 271.9-mile drive from Grand Prairie, TX to Brownwood, TX is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in a single day, taking approximately 5 hours and 7 minutes. You'll spend about 85% of your time on major highways, including stretches of the Julius Schepps Freeway, HTR, and the Lyndon B Johnson Freeway. With an estimated fuel cost of $41, this route is budget-friendly for a day trip. The drive remains within the Great Plains region, offering a consistent landscape. Consider this a practical option if you need to get from point A to point B efficiently without extensive detours.
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
135.9 miles from Grand Prairie, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 25m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Julius Schepps Freeway | 203.2 mi | 3h 28m |
| HTR | 21.9 mi | 25m |
| Lyndon B Johnson Freeway | 15.2 mi | 16m |
| East Freeway | 12.7 mi | 15m |
| North Loop East | 5.9 mi | 7m |
| South Belt Line Road | 5.4 mi | 9m |
| Bayway Drive | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Bayshore Drive | 1.3 mi | 8m |
Longest stretch:
Julius Schepps Freeway
— 203.2 mi, about 3h 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Grand Prairie, TX and Brownwood, 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
15 mi
·
16 min
·
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Exit 473C
Toward I 45 South: Houston
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 45
203 mi
·
3 hr 28 min
·
Julius Schepps Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit onto HTR
22 mi
·
25 min
·
HTR
Exit 72B
Toward Hardy Toll Road South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 610 East
11
Merge onto I 610
5.9 mi
·
7 min
·
North Loop East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Exit 26A
Toward I 10: Beaumont, Downtown
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 10 East: Beaumont
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto I 10
13 mi
·
15 min
·
East Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto Spur 330
0.4 mi
·
26 sec
·
Decker Drive
Toward Spur 330: Baytown
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
Toward Bayway Drive
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Turn straight onto Decker Drive
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Decker Drive
18
Turn right onto Bayway Drive
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Bayway Drive
Use the right lane.
19
Turn right onto West Schreck Street
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
West Schreck Street
20
Continue on West Schreck Street
0.4 mi
·
2 min
·
West Schreck Street
21
Turn right onto Bayshore Drive
0.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Bayshore Drive
22
Continue on Bayshore Drive
0.9 mi
·
5 min
·
Bayshore Drive
23
At end of road, turn left onto Mapleton Avenue
0.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Mapleton Avenue
24
Arrive at destination
Mapleton Avenue
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour drive from Grand Prairie to Brownwood, departing earlier in the morning is recommended to avoid potential traffic, especially when navigating the initial freeway segments. Since it's a single-day trip, you have flexibility with stops; plan for one main stop to break up the 271.9 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the longest stretch without a significant change in road type is over 200 miles. A practical tip is to ensure your vehicle is fully fueled before departing Grand Prairie, as services might be more spaced out once you're further into the drive and on the longer highway sections.
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 135.9 miles from Grand Prairie, TX, or about 2h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 203.2 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 60 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 135.9 miles or 2h 25m 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 55m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Brownwood, 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 271.9 miles and 5h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 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 Julius Schepps Freeway for about 203.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
136 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 60 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 135.9 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 Julius Schepps Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 203.2 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Nearby Places
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Navarro County Southbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.1 mi from route
TA Express
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Walker County Southbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Walker County Northbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
TA Express
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.4 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.4 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.5 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.7 mi from route
TA
0.9 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
1.6 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
1.6 mi from route
Buc-ee's
2.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
2.4 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 websiteCarl Barton Jr Park
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Later in the drive, short detour
2.9 mi from route
~7 min detour
mile 213.6
Conroe, Texas
Hours: 6 am–8:30 pm
+19365223000
Visit websiteCandy Cane Park
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Later in the drive, ~9 min detour
3.7 mi from route
~9 min detour
mile 213.6
Conroe, Texas
Hours: 9 am–11 pm
+19365223804
Visit websiteBicentennial Park
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, ~11 min detour
4.3 mi from route
~11 min detour
mile 271.9
Baytown, Texas
Hours: 5 am–10 pm
+12814206597
Visit websiteARs Entertainment Hub Baytown
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, ~11 min detour
4.5 mi from route
~11 min detour
mile 271.9
Baytown, Texas
Hours: 4–10 pm
+18889999440
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 195 decision points cluster between mile 5.6 and 253.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
5.6 mi into trip
|
~10m in
Take the ramp toward I 20 East
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 20 East
7
21.2 mi into trip
|
~27m in
Take the exit toward I 45 South: Houston
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 473C
Toward I 45 South: Houston
7
224.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 56m in
|
HTR
Take the exit onto HTR toward Hardy Toll Road South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 72B
Toward Hardy Toll Road South
8
253.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 31m in
Take the exit toward I 10: Beaumont, Downtown
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 26A
Toward I 10: Beaumont, Downtown
7
253.5 mi into trip
|
~4h 31m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 10 East: Beaumont
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 10 East: Beaumont
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.08 one way
$82.17 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
95 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $44.97 | $89.94 |
| premium | $4.54 | $48.55 | $97.09 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $60.03 | $120.06 |
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: 95.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
37 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent
Buc-ee's - Tesla Supercharger
Ennis, TX
Tesla
24 DCFC
Buc-ee's - Tesla Supercharger
Madisonville, TX
Tesla
24 DCFC
TA Express Fairfield - Tesla Supercharger
Fairfield, TX
Tesla
15 DCFC
Woody's Smokehouse - Tesla Supercharger
Centerville, TX
Tesla
12 DCFC
Hitchin' Post - Tesla Supercharger
Huntsville, TX
Tesla
12 DCFC
Grand Prairie, TX Rechargery Relay - N Hwy 360
Grand Prairie, TX
IONNA
10 DCFC
City of Arlington Convention Center - Tesla Supercharger
Arlington, TX
Tesla
10 DCFC
Grand Prairie, TX Rechargery Relay - S Carrier Pkwy
Grand Prairie, TX
IONNA
10 DCFC
Tesla: 9
Electrify America: 6
eVgo Network: 5
IONNA: 3
Non-Networked: 3
Blink Network: 2
SHELL_RECHARGE: 2
WALMART: 1
RACETRAC: 1
ChargePoint Network: 1
EV Connect: 1
HYPERFUEL: 1
RIVIAN_ADVENTURE: 1
CIRCLE_K: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 81.6 | 1 | $28.55 | $13.05 |
| Efficient EV | 68 | 0 | $23.79 | $10.88 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 108.8 | 1 | $38.07 | $17.40 |
Gas CO2
95 kg
EV CO2
32 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
Night in Grand Prairie on Saturday
Local time
11:48 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Clear
NNE 0 to 10 mph
16% chance
Live forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued April 18 at 8:31PM CDT until April 19 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 18 at 8:28PM CDT until April 19 at 12:00PM CDT by NWS Houston/Galveston TX
Destination
Brownwood, TX
Night in Brownwood on Saturday
Local time
11:48 PM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
76°F
Madisonville, TX
136 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
29 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
5h 7m 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?
Expect a highway-centric experience for the majority of this 5-hour trip, with 85% of the route utilizing major roadways. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers an impressive 203.2 miles on the Julius Schepps Freeway, indicating a significant portion of continuous driving. While primarily highway, the route's progression may involve transitions between different freeway systems as you navigate out of the urban area and towards your destination. This profile suggests a drive where maintaining steady speeds is key, with fewer opportunities for scenic, winding roads.
85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 203.2 mi on Julius Schepps Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Julius Schepps Freeway and HTR. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5.6 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 19 significant decision points across 271.9 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 5.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 21.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 224.7 miles (HTR): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Grand Prairie, TX and Brownwood, TX, road signs point toward Hardy Toll Road South and Downtown.
Hardy Toll Road South
224.7 mi in
|
~3h 56m
|
via HTR
Downtown
253.3 mi in
|
~4h 31m
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.
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 7m. Total distance: 271.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 203.2 miles on Julius Schepps Freeway. 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 Brownwood, 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 5.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 21.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 224.7 miles (HTR): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Brownwood, 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, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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