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Trip from Irving, TX to Alvin, 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 7m

Distance

276.9 mi

446 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$42

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min
4 AM
4h 54m ★
6 AM
5h 8m
8 AM
5h 35m
10 AM
5h 17m
12 PM
5h 15m
3 PM
5h 19m
5 PM
5h 33m
8 PM
5h 0m

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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Downtown Alvin, TX, TX

Alvin, TX

Thomas balabaud

Trip Overview

This 276.9-mile drive from Irving, TX to Alvin, TX is a straightforward, highway-focused trip that can easily be completed in a single day. Expect to spend approximately 5 hours and 7 minutes on the road, primarily utilizing the Julius Schepps Freeway and TX 35, eventually merging onto the Gulf Freeway. With a fuel cost estimated at $42, this route offers an economical option for a quick journey. Since both locations are within the Great Plains region of Texas, you won't experience significant regional landscape shifts. This drive is well-suited 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 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

138.5 miles from Irving, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 30m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Julius Schepps Freeway 235.8 mi 4h 7m
TX 35 17.7 mi 27m
Gulf Freeway 7.8 mi 9m
Tom Landry Freeway 6.3 mi 7m
South Walton Walker Boulevard 2.8 mi 3m
North Gordon Street 2.2 mi 4m
East Irving Boulevard 0.9 mi 1m
East R L Thornton Freeway 0.8 mi 1m
Longest stretch: Julius Schepps Freeway — 235.8 mi, about 4h 7m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Irving, TX and Alvin, TX.

1

Start on North Ohio Street

436 ft · 24 sec · North Ohio Street
2

Turn left onto West 2nd Street

0.7 mi · 1 min · West 2nd Street
3

Turn straight onto TX 356

0.9 mi · 1 min · East Irving Boulevard
4

Turn slight right

393 ft · 17 sec
5

Turn slight right onto South Loop 12

187 ft · 3 sec · South Loop 12
6

Take the ramp

410 ft · 10 sec
Toward Loop 12 South
7

Merge onto Loop 12

2.8 mi · 3 min · South Walton Walker Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward I 30: Dallas, Fort Worth Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 44 sec
Toward I 30 East: Dallas Use the slight right lane.
10

Merge onto I 30

6.3 mi · 7 min · Tom Landry Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Continue on I 30; US 67

0.8 mi · 1 min · East R L Thornton Freeway
12

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 45 sec
Exit 46 Toward I 45, US 75: Houston, McKinney Use the slight right lane.
13

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 54 sec
Toward I 45 South: Houston Use the slight right lane.
14

Merge onto I 45

1.6 mi · 1 min · Julius Schepps Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
15

Keep slight left at fork onto I 45

234 mi · 4 hr 5 min · Julius Schepps Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Continue on I 45

7.8 mi · 9 min · Gulf Freeway
Use the straight / left lanes.
17

Take the exit onto TX 35

0.3 mi · 32 sec · TX 35
Exit 40C Toward TX 35 South, I 610 West: Pearland, Alvin Use the slight right lane.
18

Keep slight left at fork onto TX 35

17 mi · 27 min · TX 35
Toward TX 35 South: Alvin Use the slight left lane.
19

Turn slight right onto TX 35 Bus

2.2 mi · 4 min · North Gordon Street
20

Turn right onto West Sealy Street

8 ft · 0 sec · West Sealy Street
21

Arrive at destination

West Sealy Street

Trip Plan

For this 5-hour, 7-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Irving, TX, to maximize your daylight hours and potentially avoid heavier traffic, especially as you approach the Houston area on the Gulf Freeway. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in how you pace your journey; however, it's wise to plan for a fuel and stretch break before you hit that long 235.8-mile stretch on the Julius Schepps Freeway. The estimated fuel cost of $42 makes budgeting straightforward, but always keep an eye on your gauge, particularly during the extended highway segments.

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 138.5 miles from Irving, TX, or about 2h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 235.8 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 9m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 138.5 miles or 2h 30m 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 3m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Alvin, TX than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Irving, 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 Irving, TX

This is one driving day of about 276.9 miles and 5h 7m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 miles from Irving, 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 Julius Schepps Freeway for about 235.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in Brazos County, Texas, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

College Station, TX

138 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

Corsicana, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 61 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Palestine, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 138.5 miles from Irving, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Julius Schepps Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 235.8 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.

The Orange Show Center for Visionary Art

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 257.1

Houston, Texas

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+17139266368

Visit website

The Woodlands Waterway

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~10 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 217.6

The Woodlands, Texas

Visit website

Ripley's Believe It or Not!

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour

Grand Prairie, Texas

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+19722632391

Visit website

Louis Tussaud's Palace of Wax

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour

Grand Prairie, Texas

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+19722632391

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 4.7 and 257 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
4.7 mi into trip | ~6m in

Take the exit toward I 30: Dallas, Fort Worth

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 I 30: Dallas, Fort Worth
7
5.2 mi into trip | ~8m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 30 East: Dallas

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 30 East: Dallas
8
12.5 mi into trip | ~17m 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 mi into trip | ~18m 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
8
257 mi into trip | ~4h 36m in | TX 35

Take the exit onto TX 35 toward TX 35 South, I 610 West: Pearland, Alvin

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 40C Toward TX 35 South, I 610 West: Pearland, Alvin

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$41.84 one way

$83.68 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 97 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.20 $45.80 $91.60
premium $4.54 $49.44 $98.88
diesel $5.61 $61.14 $122.27

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: 96.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 83.1 1 $29.07 $13.29
Efficient EV 69.2 0 $24.23 $11.08
EV Truck/SUV 110.8 1 $38.77 $17.72

Gas CO2

97 kg

EV CO2

32 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 Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Irving, TX

Late night in Irving on Sunday

Local time

12:58 AM

CDT

Current temp

61°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Alvin, TX

Late night in Alvin on Sunday

Local time

12:58 AM

CDT

Current temp

77°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

16 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

5h 7m 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?

This journey is characterized by a 97% highway share, meaning you'll be on high-speed roads for the vast majority of the 276.9 miles. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is a significant 235.8 miles on the Julius Schepps Freeway, indicating extended periods of consistent driving. The profile is distinctly highway-focused, suggesting a consistent pace with minimal diversions onto slower local roads. You can anticipate a steady flow, making it ideal for covering distance efficiently.

97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 235.8 mi on Julius Schepps Freeway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Julius Schepps Freeway and TX 35. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.7 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 13 significant decision points across 276.9 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 4.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

About the Cities

Starting in Irving, TX

Full guide →

Irving is a city in the Prairies and Lakes region of Texas. Part of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, Irving has experienced exponential growth over the past fifty years, and is home to a multitude of attractions of all types, from modern art to major sporting events. Founded in 1902 out of the remnants of the small community of Kit, Irving is now a bustling city of approximately 197,000 residents. Rather like Dallas, it is divided into a highly affluent northern half and less affluent but highly diverse southern half. It is bounded to the east by the northern fork (Elm Fork) of the Trinity River and to the northwest by the sprawling D/FW International Airport.

Arriving in Alvin, TX

Full guide →

Founded 1893

Alvin is in the Gulf Coast of Texas. Home of the Pitcher Nolan Ryan. It's about 20 miles southeast of Houston, at the intersections of SH-35 and SH-6.

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 7m. Total distance: 276.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 235.8 miles on Julius Schepps 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 Alvin, 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 4.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Not recommended in a single day. At 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Alvin, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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