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Trip from Grand Prairie, TX to Wells Branch, TX

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 21m

Distance

186.8 mi

301 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$28

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min
4 AM
3h 9m ★
6 AM
3h 21m
8 AM
3h 45m
10 AM
3h 30m
12 PM
3h 27m
3 PM
3h 31m
5 PM
3h 44m
8 PM
3h 14m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in Dallas, Tarrant, and Ellis counties in Texas, United States

Grand Prairie, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Wells Branch, TX, TX

Wells Branch, TX

Mark Direen

Trip Overview

This 186.8-mile drive from Grand Prairie, TX, to Wells Branch, TX, is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in a single day. You'll spend approximately 3 hours and 21 minutes on the road, primarily utilizing the South R L Thornton Freeway and I 35, also known as Purple Heart Trail. With a fuel cost estimated at $28, this trip is quite budget-friendly. The route stays within the Great Plains region of Texas, offering a consistent landscape. It's an efficient option for a day trip, allowing for flexibility in your departure and arrival times.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

93.4 miles from Grand Prairie, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 41m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
South R L Thornton Freeway 80.5 mi 1h 22m
I 35 44 mi 45m
Purple Heart Trail 37.9 mi 39m
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway 9.3 mi 9m
North Jack Kultgen Expressway 6.6 mi 7m
South Belt Line Road 5.4 mi 9m
Wells Port Drive 0.9 mi 2m
Grand Avenue Parkway 0.5 mi <1m
Longest stretch: South R L Thornton Freeway — 80.5 mi, about 1h 22m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Grand Prairie, TX and Wells Branch, 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

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 467B Toward I 35E South: Waco Use 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

44 mi · 45 min · I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 18 sec
Exit 248 Toward Grand Avenue Parkway Use the right lane.
13

Continue on Interstate Highway 35 Service Road North

0.2 mi · 19 sec · Interstate Highway 35 Service Road North
14

Continue on North Interstate 35

0.2 mi · 24 sec · North Interstate 35
15

Turn right onto Grand Avenue Parkway

0.5 mi · 52 sec · Grand Avenue Parkway
16

Turn left onto Wells Port Drive

0.9 mi · 2 min · Wells Port Drive
17

Turn right onto Alpha Collier Drive

0.1 mi · 35 sec · Alpha Collier Drive
18

Turn right onto Quiet Wood Drive

310 ft · 13 sec · Quiet Wood Drive
19

Arrive at destination

Quiet Wood Drive

Trip Plan

For this 1-day, approximately 3-hour drive, you have the advantage of flexibility. Leaving Grand Prairie in the morning, perhaps after avoiding the peak rush hour, will set you up for a smooth arrival in Wells Branch. With only one recommended stop, you can decide based on your own needs whether to break up the 186.8 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $28, and plan for a refueling stop if needed, especially before embarking on the longest stretch of 80.5 miles. The Purple Heart Trail section of I 35 is a key artery, so be aware of typical interstate traffic patterns.

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 93.4 miles from Grand Prairie, TX, or about 1h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 80.5 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 41 miles or 47m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 93.4 miles or 1h 41m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 43m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Wells Branch, 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 186.8 miles and 3h 21m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 41 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 R L Thornton Freeway for about 80.5 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in McLennan County, Texas, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

West, TX

93 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

Waxahachie, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 41 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Bellmead, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 93.4 miles from Grand Prairie, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before South R L Thornton Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 80.5 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.

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 website

Louis 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 website

Cultural Activities Center

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 133.4

Temple, Texas

Hours: 8:30 am–4 pm

+12547739926

Visit website

Village of Salado Visitors Center

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 146.8

Salado, Texas

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+12549478634

Visit website

NTER - The Great Escape

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 26.7

Waxahachie, Texas

Hours: 5–9 pm

+12149801053

Visit website

Doris D Miller Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 93.4

Waco, Texas

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 13

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 184.7 — 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
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
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
6
140.7 mi into trip | ~2h 30m in | I 35

Keep slight left at fork onto I 35

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
184.7 mi into trip | ~3h 16m in

Take the exit toward Grand Avenue Parkway

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Exit 248 Toward Grand Avenue Parkway

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$28.23 one way

$56.45 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 65 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.20 $30.90 $61.79
premium $4.54 $33.35 $66.70
diesel $5.61 $41.24 $82.49

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$28

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$53–$78

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 65.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 56 0 $19.61 $8.97
Efficient EV 46.7 0 $16.35 $7.47
EV Truck/SUV 74.7 0 $26.15 $11.96

Gas CO2

65 kg

EV CO2

22 kg (66% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

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 Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Grand Prairie, TX

Late night in Grand Prairie on Sunday

Local time

5:28 AM

CDT

Current temp

61°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Wells Branch, TX

Late night in Wells Branch on Sunday

Local time

5:28 AM

CDT

Current temp

67°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

6 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

3h 21m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

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

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...

4 mi from route ~10 min detour Free near mile 96.6
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive, with 76% of the journey taking place on major roadways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 80.5 miles on the South R L Thornton Freeway. While much of the drive will be on these faster, more direct routes, the character of the road is designed for efficient travel rather than scenic exploration. You'll be navigating a well-established network of interstates, making for a predictable driving experience.

76% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 80.5 mi on South R L Thornton Freeway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

6/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on South R L Thornton Freeway and I 35. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Northeast 5th Street.

Driving Effort 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 186.8 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (Northeast 5th Street): Navigation decision point; at 5.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 15.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

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 Wells Branch, 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 3h 21m. Total distance: 186.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (76%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 80.5 miles on South R L Thornton 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 Wells Branch, 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 5.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 15.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Wells Branch, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.

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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