Grand Prairie, TX to Roma, TX is 523.1 miles and takes about 9h 26m via Purple Heart Trail and I 35, with a fuel budget near $82 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This long-haul drive spans across the Great Plains region of Texas. While both the departure and arrival points are in the same state, the nearly 523-mile stretch offers a significant cross-state experience. Plan for a solid day of driving, or consider breaking it up to enjoy the scenery more leisurely. The route is a good option if you're looking for a straightforward drive with a clear destination.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
261.6 miles from Grand Prairie, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 40m into the drive
.
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 68 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~2,881 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,353
Quietest
2 AM
~491 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Roma, 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 EastUse 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 467BToward I 35E South: WacoUse 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 StreetUse 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
10.0 mi·11 min·North Pan Am Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
6.4 mi·8 min·North Pan Am Expressway
Toward I 35 SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
2.1 mi·2 min·North Pan Am Expressway
Toward I 35 South: Lower Level, LaredoUse the slight left lane.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87
10 mi·12 min·South Pan Am Expressway
Toward I 10 East, US 87 South, Spur 536: Houston, South Alamo StreetUse the slight right lane.
19
Continue on I 35
144 mi·2 hr 26 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Continue on US 83
0.1 mi·16 sec·Santa Ursula Avenue
21
Turn left onto US 83
0.4 mi·53 sec·Matamoros Street
22
Continue on US 83
1.0 mi·2 min·Chihuahua Street
23
Turn right onto North Meadow Avenue
2.0 mi·4 min·North Meadow Avenue
24
Turn right onto US 83
5.4 mi·7 min·South Zapata Highway
25
Continue on US 83
14 mi·15 min·US Highway 83 South
26
Continue on US 83
54 mi·1 hr 1 min·United States Highway 83
27
Continue on US 83
12 mi·14 min·North Grant Street
28
Arrive at destination
US 83
Trip Plan
Given the 9.5-hour estimated drive time, it's best to start your day early to make good progress. With two recommended stops, you can easily break this 523.1-mile trip into manageable segments. Aim to cover around 244 miles on Purple Heart Trail in your first push. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longer stretches where services might be less frequent; the estimated fuel cost is $82. This drive is well-suited for a two-day trip, allowing for a relaxed pace and a full night's rest before completing the remaining miles to Roma.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 261.6 miles from Grand Prairie, TX, or about 4h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 244 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 115 miles or 2h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 261.6 miles or 4h 40m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 261.6 miles or 4h 40m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 8h 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Roma, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Grand Prairie, TX
Aim for roughly 262 miles and 4.7 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Roma, TX
Aim for roughly 262 miles and 4.7 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 115 miles from Grand Prairie, TX.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Purple Heart Trail for about 244 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 15.3 and 278.5 — 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
270 mi into trip|~4h 50m in|I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway toward I 35 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35 South
8
276.4 mi into trip|~4h 58m in|I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway toward I 35 South: Lower Level, Laredo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 35 South: Lower Level, Laredo
8
278.5 mi into trip|~5h 1m in|I 10; US 87 / South Pan Am Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87 / South Pan Am Expressway toward I 10 East, US 87 South, Spur 536: Houston, South Alamo Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 10 East, US 87 South, Spur 536: Housto...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$71.65 one way
$143.30 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg183 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$80.03
$160.06
premium
$4.23
$87.01
$174.02
diesel
$4.80
$98.77
$197.54
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$72
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$202–$312
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 183 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $55 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
156.9
1
$54.93
$25.11
Efficient EV
130.8
1
$45.77
$20.92
EV Truck/SUV
209.2
2
$73.23
$33.48
Gas CO2
183 kg
EV CO2
61 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 16, 2026
Origin
Grand Prairie, TX
Morning
in Grand Prairie on Sunday
Local time
7:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
90°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 10 mph47% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 16 at 5:05PM CDT until July 16 at 5:30PM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 5:00PM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA
Destination
Roma, TX
Morning
in Roma on Sunday
Local time
7:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
100°F
Partly Sunny
SE 13 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 16 at 5:05PM CDT until July 16 at 5:30PM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 5:00PM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA
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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
10 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
9h 26m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
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...
6 mi from route
~16 min detour
Free
near mile 90.2
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...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 288.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route involves 48% highway driving, meaning you'll spend roughly half the time on interstates and freeways. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 244 miles on Purple Heart Trail before transitioning to other roads. Expect a period of focused driving with fewer exits during this extended segment. The drive will shift between higher-speed cruising and potentially more local traffic as you move between major roadways.
48% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 244 mi on Purple Heart Trail.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
At 9h 26m, this is a long-haul route where pacing matters more than any single turn. 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 Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 523.1 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 270 miles (I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
850 ft209 ft
Total Climb
686 ft
Total Descent
996 ft
Highest Point
850 ft
~261.6 mi in
Elevation Range
641 ft
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 Roma, TX, road signs point toward Laredo and Spur 536: Houston.
Long-haul drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 244 miles on Purple Heart Trail. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 262 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 1 rest area or service plaza 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 Roma, 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 1 rest area 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 270 miles (I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 9.4 hours each way, a round trip means 18.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Roma, TX before the return drive.
