Origin
Grand Prairie, TX
Morning in Grand Prairie on Sunday
Local time
9:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Grand Prairie, TX to Kerrville, 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 31m
Distance
278.7 mi
448 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$42
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 19m
★
6 AM
5h 32m
8 AM
5h 59m
10 AM
5h 41m
12 PM
5h 39m
3 PM
5h 43m
5 PM
5h 57m
8 PM
5h 24m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Grand Prairie, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Kerrville, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 278.7-mile drive from Grand Prairie, Texas, to Kerrville, Texas, is a straightforward journey that can comfortably be completed in about 5 hours and 31 minutes. Primarily utilizing South US Highway 281, US 67, and West US Highway 290, this route is heavily highway-focused, with 83% of it being on major roads. Given its manageable duration, it's an ideal candidate for a single-day trip, and you can expect a fuel cost of around $42. The drive will take you from the Great Plains region of Texas to another part of the same region, offering a consistent landscape for the most part. It's a practical choice 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 44m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South US Highway 281 | 96.7 mi | 1h 50m |
| US 67 | 36.2 mi | 41m |
| West US Highway 290 | 27.2 mi | 30m |
| Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway | 21.7 mi | 23m |
| Chisholm Trail Parkway | 21.3 mi | 23m |
| North US Highway 281 | 19 mi | 20m |
| South State Highway 16 | 14.2 mi | 15m |
| TX 220 | 13.6 mi | 19m |
Longest stretch:
South US Highway 281
— 96.7 mi, about 1h 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Grand Prairie, TX and Kerrville, 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
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
West Main Street
5
Turn left onto TX 161
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South State Highway 161
Use the left lane.
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Toward PGBT Toll South
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
7
Merge onto PGBT
3.4 mi
·
3 min
·
President George Bush Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 20 West: Fort Worth
Use the right lane.
9
Merge onto I 20
22 mi
·
23 min
·
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
1.3 mi
·
2 min
Exit 432B
Toward CTP Toll South: Chisholm Trail Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto CTP
21 mi
·
23 min
·
Chisholm Trail Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Turn right onto West Katherine P Raines Drive
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
West Katherine P Raines Drive
13
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Toward US 67 South
14
Merge onto US 67
36 mi
·
41 min
·
US 67
15
Turn slight left onto TX 220
14 mi
·
19 min
·
TX 220
16
Turn right onto TX 6
0.1 mi
·
8 sec
·
East 2nd Street
17
Continue on TX 6
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
West 2nd Street
18
Turn left onto US 281
0.6 mi
·
38 sec
·
North Walnut Street
Use the left lane.
19
Turn straight onto US 281
19 mi
·
20 min
·
North US Highway 281
20
Continue on US 281
2.3 mi
·
2 min
·
North Rice Street
21
Continue on US 281
43 mi
·
49 min
·
South US Highway 281
22
Continue on US 183; US 190; US 281
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
North Key Avenue
23
Turn right onto US 281 Bus
20 mi
·
21 min
·
South US Highway 281
24
Continue on US 281
3.6 mi
·
5 min
·
North Water Street
25
Continue on US 281
34 mi
·
40 min
·
South US Highway 281
26
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
Toward Fredericksburg
27
Merge onto US 290
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
East Main Street
Toward Fredericksburg
28
Continue on US 290
27 mi
·
30 min
·
West US Highway 290
29
Continue on US 290
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
East Main Street
30
Turn left onto Friendship Lane
2.9 mi
·
5 min
·
Friendship Lane
31
Turn left onto TX 16
14 mi
·
15 min
·
South State Highway 16
32
Continue on TX 16
5.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Fredericksburg Road
33
Continue on TX 16
2.3 mi
·
5 min
·
Sidney Baker Street
34
Turn left onto TX 27
69 ft
·
1 sec
·
Main Street
35
Arrive at destination
TX 27
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5-hour and 31-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Grand Prairie to maximize daylight and minimize traffic. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing your journey. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially during the longest stretch of 96.7 miles on South US Highway 281, as services might be less frequent. The estimated fuel cost is $42, so factor that into your budget. This is a drive best suited for a single day, allowing you to arrive in Kerrville without needing an overnight stay.
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 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 96.7 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 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 44m 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 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kerrville, 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 278.7 miles and 5h 31m.
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 South US Highway 281 for about 96.7 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 South US Highway 281 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 96.7 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 205 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 101.4 — 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
6
1.4 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
TX 161 / South State Highway 161
Turn left onto TX 161 / South State Highway 161
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
5.7 mi into trip
|
~8m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 20 West: Fort Worth
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 20 West: Fort Worth
7
28.3 mi into trip
|
~33m in
Take the exit toward CTP Toll South: Chisholm Trail Parkway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 432B
Toward CTP Toll South: Chisholm Trail Parkway
6
101.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 1m in
|
US 281 / North Walnut Street
Turn left onto US 281 / North Walnut Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.11 one way
$84.22 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
98 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $46.10 | $92.19 |
| premium | $4.54 | $49.76 | $99.52 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $61.53 | $123.07 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.28
President George Bush Turnpike
(3.4 mi)
$0.28
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
$42
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
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, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 83.6 | 1 | $29.26 | $13.38 |
| Efficient EV | 69.7 | 0 | $24.39 | $11.15 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 111.5 | 1 | $39.02 | $17.84 |
Gas CO2
98 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.
Destination
Kerrville, TX
Morning in Kerrville on Sunday
Local time
9:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
2 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 31m 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.
Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park tells the story of our 36th president beginning with his ancestors until his final resting place on his beloved LBJ Ranch. This entire "circle of life" gives...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 240.2
Park Closure: Texas White House Complex Closure
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience for most of this 278.7-mile trip, as indicated by the 83% highway share. You'll encounter a significant uninterrupted stretch of 96.7 miles on South US Highway 281, which means you can settle into a rhythm for a good portion of the drive. While the primary roads are major highways, the overall profile suggests a steady, predictable journey rather than a winding, scenic byway. This route is designed for efficient travel, prioritizing getting you to Kerrville from Grand Prairie with minimal detours or complex road conditions.
83% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 96.7 mi on South US Highway 281.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on South US Highway 281 and US 67. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Northeast 5th Street.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 278.7 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: near the start (Northeast 5th Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.4 miles (TX 161 / South State Highway 161): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.7 miles: 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.
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 Kerrville, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Fredericksburg along the way.
Fredericksburg
225 mi in
|
~4h 25m
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 Kerrville, TX
Full guide →Kerrville is a city of 24,000 people (2020) in the Texas Hill Country. It is known for its parks that line the Guadalupe River, which runs through the city.
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 31m. Total distance: 278.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (83%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 96.7 miles on South US Highway 281. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.28 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.
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 Kerrville, 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: near the start (Northeast 5th Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.4 miles (TX 161 / South State Highway 161): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 11.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Kerrville, 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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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