Grand Prairie, TX to Port Arthur, TX is 307.7 miles and takes about 5h 57m 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. Given the relatively short duration, it's easily manageable as a single-day excursion. You'll be covering a good amount of ground with consistent highway driving, making it a practical option for getting from point A to point B efficiently.
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
153.8 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
25.4 mi
27m
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 Port Arthur, 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 46Toward I 45, US 75: Houston, McKinneyUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·54 sec
Toward I 45 South: HoustonUse 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: KaufmanUse 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
16 mi·17 min·US 69; US 96; US 287
Exit 849Toward US 69 South, US 96 South, US 287 South: Port Arthur
42
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
Toward TX 73 West: Winnie
43
Merge onto TX 73
0.6 mi·44 sec·TX 73
44
Turn slight right onto H O Mills Boulevard
0.4 mi·46 sec·H O Mills Boulevard
45
Turn left onto Spur 215
2.0 mi·3 min·Savannah Avenue
46
Turn right onto 17th Street
369 ft·15 sec·17th Street
47
Turn left onto Augusta Avenue
162 ft·4 sec·Augusta Avenue
48
Arrive at destination
Augusta Avenue
Trip Plan
For this 5h 57m drive, leaving Grand Prairie in the morning is ideal to maximize daylight. With 307.7 miles to cover, you'll want to plan for at least one quick stop. Consider packing snacks and drinks, as the longest stretch without a significant break is nearly 69 miles. The estimated fuel cost is around $45, so ensure your tank is full before departing. You'll be driving through Texas the entire time, so road conditions should be generally predictable and well-maintained.
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 153.8 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 153.8 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 Port Arthur, 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 307.7 miles and 5h 57m.
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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 23
5 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
$42.15 one way
$84.29 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg108 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$47.08
$94.15
premium
$4.23
$51.18
$102.36
diesel
$4.80
$58.10
$116.20
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 107.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
92.3
1
$32.31
$14.77
Efficient EV
76.9
0
$26.92
$12.31
EV Truck/SUV
123.1
1
$43.08
$19.69
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.
Forecast as of Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Grand Prairie, TX
Late night
in Grand Prairie on Sunday
Local time
4:41 AM
CDT
Current temp
93°F
Partly Sunny
S 10 to 15 mph14% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 2:31PM CDT until July 19 at 1:30PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 2:31PM CDT until July 19 at 6:30AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Port Arthur, TX
Late night
in Port Arthur on Sunday
Local time
4:41 AM
CDT
Current temp
92°F
Mostly Sunny
S 5 to 10 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 2:31PM CDT until July 19 at 1:30PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 2:31PM CDT until July 19 at 6:30AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
99°F
Jacksonville, TX
154 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
1 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 57m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
The majority of this 307.7-mile drive, about 73%, is on highways. You'll encounter the longest uninterrupted stretch of highway at 68.7 miles on C F Hawn Freeway. The route transitions from highway to surface roads like East Denman Avenue, marking the point where the driving pace will likely slow. Expect a consistent driving experience with fewer urban merges and more open road cruising for much of the trip.
73% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
48 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 Effort9/10
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 307.7 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: 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
657 ft1 ft
Total Climb
495 ft
Total Descent
1,013 ft
Highest Point
657 ft
~131.9 mi in
Elevation Range
657 ft
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 Port Arthur, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Houston along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 57m. Total distance: 307.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 57m 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.
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 Port Arthur, 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 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 11.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Port Arthur, TX before the return drive.
