Picnic Area
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Grand Prairie, TX to Groves, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 59m
Distance
308.3 mi
496 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$47
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 46m
★
6 AM
5h 59m
8 AM
6h 25m
10 AM
6h 8m
12 PM
6h 6m
3 PM
6h 10m
5 PM
6h 24m
8 PM
5h 52m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Grand Prairie, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Groves, TX
Mark Direen
Trip Overview
Grand Prairie, TX to Groves, TX is 308.3 miles and takes about 5h 59m via C F Hawn Freeway and US Highway 69 South, with a fuel budget near $45 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Great Plains region, offering a straightforward drive across Texas. It's a single-day excursion, ideal if you're looking for an efficient way to cover ground without an overnight stay. You'll primarily be on highways, making it a practical choice for getting from point A to point B.
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
154.2 miles from Grand Prairie, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 56m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| C F Hawn Freeway | 68.7 mi | 1h 14m |
| US Highway 69 South | 63.3 mi | 1h 11m |
| East Denman Avenue | 38.5 mi | 43m |
| US 69 | 26.1 mi | 28m |
| US Highway 175 East | 20.8 mi | 22m |
| US Highway 69 North | 16.2 mi | 18m |
| Rusk Street | 15.1 mi | 19m |
| US Highway 175 | 13.3 mi | 14m |
Longest stretch:
C F Hawn Freeway
— 68.7 mi, about 1h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Grand Prairie, TX and Groves, TX.
1
Start on this road
219 ft
·
18 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto Northeast 5th Street
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
·
Northeast 5th Street
3
Turn right onto Small Hill Street
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
Small Hill Street
4
Turn left onto North Belt Line Road
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North Belt Line Road
5
Turn right
176 ft
·
6 sec
6
Turn straight onto East Interstate 30
0.4 mi
·
31 sec
·
East Interstate 30
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
Toward I 30 East
8
Merge onto I 30
11 mi
·
12 min
·
Tom Landry Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 30; US 67
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
East R L Thornton Freeway
10
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
45 sec
Exit 46
Toward I 45, US 75: Houston, McKinney
Use the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
Toward I 45 South: Houston
Use the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto I 45
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Julius Schepps Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto US 175
69 mi
·
1 hr 14 min
·
C F Hawn Freeway
Toward US 175 South: Kaufman
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on US 175 Bus
151 ft
·
9 sec
·
US Highway 175 West
15
Turn left onto US 175 Bus; TX 31 Bus
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
West Corsicana Street
16
Continue on US 175 Bus
21 mi
·
22 min
·
US Highway 175 East
17
Continue on US 175
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
West Pine Street
18
Continue on US 175
13 mi
·
14 min
·
US Highway 175
19
Continue on US 175
0.6 mi
·
58 sec
·
Frankston Highway
20
Continue on US 175
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
Alexander Boulevard
21
At end of road, turn right onto US 69
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
North Jackson Street
22
Continue on US 69
9.5 mi
·
10 min
·
US Highway 69 North
23
Continue on US 69
3.4 mi
·
3 min
·
North Dickinson Drive
24
Continue on US 69
9.3 mi
·
10 min
·
US Highway 69 South
25
Continue on US 69
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
North Marcus Street
26
Continue on US 69
11 mi
·
13 min
·
US Highway 69 South
27
Continue on US 69
15 mi
·
19 min
·
Rusk Street
28
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
29
Continue on Loop 287 Frontage Road
0.5 mi
·
49 sec
·
Loop 287 Frontage Road
30
Continue on Loop 287
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
Loop 287 Frontage Road
31
Turn right onto US 69 Bus
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Kurth Drive
32
Turn straight onto US 59 Bus; US 69 Bus; TX 103
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
North Timberland Drive
33
Turn left onto US 69 Bus
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Chestnut Street
34
Turn left onto US 69 Bus
39 mi
·
43 min
·
East Denman Avenue
35
Continue on US 69
3.0 mi
·
3 min
·
North Wheeler Avenue
36
Continue on US 69
6.7 mi
·
7 min
·
US Highway 69 North
37
Continue on US 69
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
North Magnolia Street
38
Continue on US 69; US 287
42 mi
·
48 min
·
US Highway 69 South
39
Merge onto US 69; US 96; US 287
9.5 mi
·
10 min
·
US 69; US 96; US 287
40
Keep slight right at fork onto US 69; US 96; US 287
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Eastex Freeway
Toward Houston, Port Arthur
41
Take the exit onto US 69; US 96; US 287
17 mi
·
18 min
·
US 69; US 96; US 287
Exit 849
Toward US 69 South, US 96 South, US 287 South: Port Arthur
42
Turn left onto 39th Street
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
39th Street
43
Turn left onto 9th Avenue
0.3 mi
·
47 sec
·
9th Avenue
44
Turn right onto Highway 73
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
Highway 73
45
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
Toward TX 73 East
46
Merge onto TX 73
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
TX 73
47
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
Toward Groves
48
Turn straight onto West Parkway Street
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
West Parkway Street
49
Turn slight left onto 39th Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
39th Street
50
Arrive at destination
39th Street
Trip Plan
Given the nearly 6-hour drive time, departing Grand Prairie in the morning is recommended to make the most of daylight. With only one recommended stop, you can choose to break up the drive strategically, perhaps around the halfway point, or push through if you prefer. The fuel cost is estimated at $45, so ensure your tank is full before you leave Grand Prairie. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach Groves, as service availability can vary in some stretches.
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 154.2 miles from Grand Prairie, TX, or about 2h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 68.7 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 68 miles or 1h 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 154.2 miles or 2h 56m 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 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Groves, 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 308.3 miles and 5h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 68 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 C F Hawn Freeway for about 68.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
154 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 68 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 154.2 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 C F Hawn Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 68.7 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.
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.4 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.8 mi from route
QuikTrip
1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
1.1 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 websiteImagination Station
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.3 mi from route
~3 min detour
Beaumont, Texas
Hours: 7 am–10 pm
+14098611929
Visit websiteRoger's Park
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2.3 mi from route
~6 min detour
Beaumont, Texas
Hours: 7 am–9 pm
+14098611929
Visit websiteBeaumont Children's Museum
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2.4 mi from route
~6 min detour
Beaumont, Texas
Hours: 9 am–4 pm
+14093477919
Visit websiteWorld’s Largest Working Fire Hydrant
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2.2 mi from route
~6 min detour
Beaumont, Texas
Hours: Open 24 hours
+14098803927
Visit websiteBeaumont Escape Room
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2.2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Beaumont, Texas
Hours: 12–7 pm
+14097293300
Visit websiteColorado Canyon
4.4
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
3.2 mi from route
~8 min detour
Beaumont, Texas
Hours: 12–9 pm
+14093474386
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 235 decision points cluster between mile 13.3 and 288.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
13.3 mi into trip
|
~16m in
Take the exit toward I 45, US 75: Houston, McKinney
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 46
Toward I 45, US 75: Houston, McKinney
7
13.8 mi into trip
|
~17m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 45 South: Houston
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 45 South: Houston
7
15.8 mi into trip
|
~20m in
|
US 175 / C F Hawn Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 175 / C F Hawn Freeway toward US 175 South: Kaufman
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 175 South: Kaufman
6
285.1 mi into trip
|
~5h 29m in
|
US 69; US 96; US 287 / Eastex Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 69; US 96; US 287 / Eastex Freeway toward Houston, Port Arthur
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Houston, Port Arthur
6
288.3 mi into trip
|
~5h 33m in
|
US 69; US 96; US 287
Take the exit onto US 69; US 96; US 287 toward US 69 South, US 96 South, US 287 South: Port Arthur
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 849
Toward US 69 South, US 96 South, US 287 South:...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$47.20 one way
$94.41 round trip
$3.89/gal
25.4 MPG avg
108 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.29 | $52.10 | $104.19 |
| premium | $4.64 | $56.30 | $112.59 |
| diesel | $6.18 | $75.00 | $150.00 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$47
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$72–$97
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 107.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 92.5 | 1 | $32.37 | $14.80 |
| Efficient EV | 77.1 | 0 | $26.98 | $12.33 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 123.3 | 1 | $43.16 | $19.73 |
Gas CO2
108 kg
EV CO2
36 kg (67% 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 Saturday
Local time
11:33 AM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Clear
N 10 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 17 at 3:25AM CDT until October 18 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued October 17 at 2:37AM CDT until October 20 at 4:00AM CDT by NWS Norman OK
Destination
Groves, TX
Morning in Groves on Saturday
Local time
11:33 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Mostly Clear
N 15 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 17 at 3:25AM CDT until October 18 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued October 17 at 2:37AM CDT until October 20 at 4:00AM CDT by NWS Norman OK
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
8 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 59m 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 mostly highway, with 73% of the 308.3 miles on freeways. You'll encounter your longest continuous stretch on C F Hawn Freeway, covering 68.7 miles. The drive transitions to surface roads around East Denman Avenue, indicating a shift from high-speed cruising to more local traffic. Expect to navigate a mix of highway speeds and potentially more frequent stops as you approach your destination.
73% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
50 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 68.7 mi on C F Hawn Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on C F Hawn Freeway and US Highway 69 South. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 13.3 miles in.
Driving Effort
9/10
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 23 significant decision points across 308.3 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 13.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 15.8 miles (US 175 / C F Hawn Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
626 ft
10 ft
Total Climb
551 ft
Total Descent
1,060 ft
Highest Point
626 ft
~132.1 mi in
Elevation Range
616 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.
Between Grand Prairie, TX and Groves, TX, road signs point toward Houston and Port Arthur.
Houston
285.1 mi in
|
~5h 29m
|
via US 69; US 96; US 287
Port Arthur
285.1 mi in
|
~5h 29m
|
via US 69; US 96; US 287
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 Groves, TX
Full guide →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 59m. Total distance: 308.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (73%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 68.7 miles on C F Hawn Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 6 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 Groves, 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 6 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 13.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 15.8 miles (US 175 / C F Hawn Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.0 hours each way, a round trip means 12.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Groves, 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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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