Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Groves, TX to Rhode Island, 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
4h 26m
Distance
241.1 mi
388 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$36
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 13m
★
6 AM
4h 26m
8 AM
4h 53m
10 AM
4h 35m
12 PM
4h 33m
3 PM
4h 37m
5 PM
4h 51m
8 PM
4h 18m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Groves, TX
Mark Direen
Rhode Island, TX
Beth Fitzpatrick
Trip Overview
Groves, TX to Rhode Island, TX is 241.1 miles and takes about 4h 26m via I 45, US 90, and East Grand Parkway North, with a fuel budget near $35 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within the Great Plains region, offering a fairly straightforward drive that's well-suited for a single day. With a high percentage of highway driving, you'll cover ground efficiently. The majority of this trip is planned on major roadways, making it a practical choice if you're looking to get from Point A to Point B without too many detours.
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
120.5 miles from Groves, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 19m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 45 | 132.2 mi | 2h 16m |
| US 90 | 39.6 mi | 45m |
| East Grand Parkway North | 32.5 mi | 34m |
| Memorial Freeway | 15.2 mi | 16m |
| College Street | 6.4 mi | 8m |
| West Clayton Street | 5.1 mi | 6m |
| Interstate 45 North Frontage Road | 2 mi | 3m |
| TX 73 | 1.7 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 45
— 132.2 mi, about 2h 16m
Traffic on I-45
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 16 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
1 PM
~1,715 veh/hr typical · worst 2,362
Quietest
1 AM
~251 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 88 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 Groves, TX and Rhode Island, TX.
1
Start on 39th Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
39th Street
2
Turn slight right onto East Parkway Street
0.4 mi
·
44 sec
·
East Parkway Street
3
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
Toward TX 73 West
4
Merge onto TX 73
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
TX 73
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
Toward US 69 South, US 96 South, US 287 South: Beaumont
6
Merge onto US 69; US 96; US 287
15 mi
·
16 min
·
Memorial Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto US 69; US 96; US 287
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
US 69; US 96; US 287
Toward I 10 East, US 69 North, US 96 North, US 287 North: Lake Charles, Lufkin
8
Keep slight left at fork onto US 69; US 96; US 287
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
US 69; US 96; US 287
Toward I 10 East, US 69 North, US 96 North, US 287 North: Lake Charles, Lufkin
9
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
Exit 851
Toward US 90: Liberty
10
Turn straight onto Interstate 10 South Frontage Road
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
Interstate 10 South Frontage Road
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
11
Turn left onto College Street
6.4 mi
·
8 min
·
College Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
12
Continue on US 90
40 mi
·
45 min
·
US 90
13
Turn right onto TX 321
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
North Cleveland Street
14
Turn left onto FM 1960
5.1 mi
·
6 min
·
West Clayton Street
15
Turn right onto East Grand Parkway North
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
East Grand Parkway North
16
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
17
Merge onto TX 99 Toll
32 mi
·
34 min
·
East Grand Parkway North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
Toward Houston, Dallas
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Turn right onto Interstate 45 North Frontage Road
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Interstate 45 North Frontage Road
Use the right lane.
20
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
8 sec
Toward I 45 North
21
Merge onto I 45
132 mi
·
2 hr 16 min
·
I 45
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward FM 833
23
Turn right onto FM 833
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
FM 833
24
At end of road, turn right onto TX 75; FM 833
52 ft
·
1 sec
·
North State Highway 75
25
Turn left onto FM 833
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
East FM 833
26
Turn right onto County Road 161
10 ft
·
0 sec
·
County Road 161
27
Arrive at destination
County Road 161
Trip Plan
For this 4h 26m drive, leaving in the morning is ideal to maximize daylight and avoid any potential evening traffic. Since the total distance is just over 241 miles, it's easily manageable in one day, giving you flexibility with stops. Plan for one stop, perhaps midway, to stretch your legs and refuel if needed, though your estimated fuel cost of $35 suggests efficient mileage. Pay attention to signage as you transition from I 45 to US 90 and then East Grand Parkway North to ensure you stay on the most direct path.
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 120.5 miles from Groves, TX, or about 2h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 132.2 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 53 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 120.5 miles or 2h 19m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Rhode Island, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Groves, 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 Groves, TX
This is one driving day of about 241.1 miles and 4h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 miles from Groves, 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 I 45 for about 132.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
121 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 53 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 120.5 miles from Groves, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 45 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 132.2 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.
Road Ranger
0.1 mi from route
TA Express
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
TA Express
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
Walker County Southbound Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Walker County Northbound Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Rest Area
0.8 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
1.2 mi from route
Candy Cane Park
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Halfway reset
0.2 mi from route
~1 min detour
Conroe, Texas
Hours: 9 am–11 pm
+19365223804
Visit websiteDennis Johnston Park
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Halfway reset
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Spring, Texas
Hours: 7 am–10 pm
+17132740930
Visit websiteTyrrell Park
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
First break
1.8 mi from route
~5 min detour
Beaumont, Texas
Hours: 6 am–9 pm
+14098383613
Visit websiteCattail Marsh Scenic Wetlands & Boardwalk
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
First break
2.6 mi from route
~7 min detour
Beaumont, Texas
Hours: 6 am–7 pm
+14095542447
Visit websiteImagination Station
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
First break
2.1 mi from route
~5 min detour
Beaumont, Texas
Hours: 7 am–10 pm
+14098611929
Visit websiteSpindletop Gladys-City Boomtown Museum
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
First break
2.7 mi from route
~7 min detour
Beaumont, Texas
Hours: 10 am–4 pm
+14098801750
Visit websiteBeaumont Children's Museum
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
First break
3.3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Beaumont, Texas
Hours: 9 am–4 pm
+14093477919
Visit websiteBeaumont Escape Room
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
First break
3.2 mi from route
~8 min detour
Beaumont, Texas
Hours: 12–7 pm
+14097293300
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 2.9 and 104.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
2.9 mi into trip
|
~4m in
Take the exit toward US 69 South, US 96 South, US 287 South: Beaumont
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 69 South, US 96 South, US 287 South:...
5
3.2 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
US 69; US 96; US 287 / Memorial Freeway
Merge onto US 69; US 96; US 287 / Memorial Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
18.5 mi into trip
|
~21m in
|
US 69; US 96; US 287
Keep slight right at fork onto US 69; US 96; US 287 toward I 10 East, US 69 North, US 96 North, US 287 North: Lake Charles, Lufkin
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 10 East, US 69 North, US 96 North, US...
6
18.7 mi into trip
|
~21m in
|
US 69; US 96; US 287
Keep slight left at fork onto US 69; US 96; US 287 toward I 10 East, US 69 North, US 96 North, US 287 North: Lake Charles, Lufkin
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 10 East, US 69 North, US 96 North, US...
7
104.1 mi into trip
|
~2h in
Take the exit toward Houston, Dallas
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Houston, Dallas
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.37 one way
$72.75 round trip
$3.83/gal
25.4 MPG avg
84 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $41.16 | $82.32 |
| premium | $4.72 | $44.76 | $89.51 |
| diesel | $5.80 | $55.03 | $110.05 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 84.4 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 72.3 | 0 | $25.32 | $11.57 |
| Efficient EV | 60.3 | 0 | $21.10 | $9.64 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 96.4 | 1 | $33.75 | $15.43 |
Gas CO2
84 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Groves, TX
Morning in Groves on Saturday
Local time
7:26 AM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny
N 5 to 20 mph
16% chance
Live forecast
Freeze Watch
Freeze Watch issued October 16 at 6:22AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 16 at 6:11AM CDT until October 17 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX
Destination
Rhode Island, TX
Morning in Rhode Island on Saturday
Local time
7:26 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny
N 20 mph
24% chance
Live forecast
Freeze Watch
Freeze Watch issued October 16 at 6:22AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 16 at 6:11AM CDT until October 17 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX
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
16 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
4h 26m 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?
Expect this drive to be almost entirely on highways, with 94% of the 241.1 miles utilizing major roads like I 45 and US 90. You'll experience a long stretch of 132.2 miles on I 45, which means consistent cruising. Surface roads will likely begin near the end of your trip, after the main highway sections conclude. Given the highway profile, you can anticipate frequent exits and potential for merging traffic as you approach populated areas.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 132.2 mi on I 45.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 45 and US 90. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.9 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 241.1 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 2.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.2 miles (US 69; US 96; US 287 / Memorial Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 18.5 miles (US 69; US 96; US 287): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
443 ft
10 ft
Total Climb
519 ft
Total Descent
136 ft
Highest Point
443 ft
~214.2 mi in
Elevation Range
433 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 Groves, TX and Rhode Island, TX, road signs point toward Lufkin, Houston and Dallas.
Lufkin
18.5 mi in
|
~21m
|
via US 69; US 96; US 287
Houston
104.1 mi in
|
~2h
Dallas
104.1 mi in
|
~2h
About the Cities
Starting in Groves, TX
Full guide →Arriving in Rhode Island, TX
Full guide →“The Ocean State” · Founded 1790
Rhode Island (RI) is the smallest state of the United States of America, tucked between Massachusetts and Connecticut in New England. Nonetheless, it has over 400 mi (640 km) of coastline, courtesy of Narragansett Bay and islands such as Aquidneck Island, home to Newport, the "City by the Sea". While Rhode Island contains the name "island" in its name, most of its area is not on an island.
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 4h 26m. Total distance: 241.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 132.2 miles on I 45. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 13 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 Rhode Island, 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 13 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.2 miles (US 69; US 96; US 287 / Memorial Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 18.5 miles (US 69; US 96; US 287): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Rhode Island, 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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