Trip from Irving, TX to Freeport, TX

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 20, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 43m

Distance

311.3 mi

501 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$43

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min

4 AM

5h 30m ★

6 AM

5h 43m

8 AM

6h 9m

10 AM

5h 52m

12 PM

5h 50m

3 PM

5h 54m

5 PM

6h 8m

8 PM

5h 35m

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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Irving, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Freeport, TX

Tom Tran

Trip Overview

This 311.3-mile drive from Irving, TX to Freeport, TX is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in a single day, taking approximately 5 hours and 43 minutes. The route primarily utilizes the Julius Schepps Freeway, Nolan Ryan Expressway, and TX 288 Toll, with a significant 97% of the drive on highways. Expect a fuel cost of around $47 for this trip. Given its manageable duration and highway-centric profile, it's well-suited as a day trip, allowing for flexibility in your departure and arrival times. You'll remain within the Great Plains region throughout this Texas-to-Texas excursion.

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

155.6 miles from Irving, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 48m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Julius Schepps Freeway	235.8 mi	4h 7m
Nolan Ryan Expressway	38.9 mi	46m
TX 288 Toll	14.4 mi	16m
Tom Landry Freeway	6.3 mi	7m
South Walton Walker Boulevard	2.8 mi	3m
Gulf Freeway	2.6 mi	3m
North Brazosport Boulevard	1.9 mi	2m
West 2nd Street	1.6 mi	2m

Longest stretch: Julius Schepps Freeway — 235.8 mi, about 4h 7m

Traffic on I-45

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 48 FHWA count stations on your route.

Peak

4 PM

~3,256 veh/hr typical · worst 3,806

Quietest

2 AM

~407 veh/hr

Peak-to-quiet ratio

8×

busier at peak than in the quiet hours

12a 6a noon 6p 11p

Averaged across 48 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 Irving, TX and Freeport, TX.

Start on North Ohio Street

436 ft · 24 sec · North Ohio Street

Turn left onto West 2nd Street

0.7 mi · 1 min · West 2nd Street

Turn straight onto TX 356

0.9 mi · 1 min · East Irving Boulevard

Turn slight right

393 ft · 17 sec

Turn slight right onto South Loop 12

187 ft · 3 sec · South Loop 12

Take the ramp

410 ft · 10 sec

Toward Loop 12 South

Merge onto Loop 12

2.8 mi · 3 min · South Walton Walker Boulevard

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min

Toward I 30: Dallas, Fort Worth Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 44 sec

Toward I 30 East: Dallas Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto I 30

6.3 mi · 7 min · Tom Landry Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 30; US 67

0.8 mi · 1 min · East R L Thornton Freeway

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 45 sec

Exit 46 Toward I 45, US 75: Houston, McKinney Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 54 sec

Toward I 45 South: Houston Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto I 45

1.6 mi · 1 min · Julius Schepps Freeway

Use the straight / right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 45

234 mi · 4 hr 5 min · Julius Schepps Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 45

2.6 mi · 3 min · Gulf Freeway

Use the straight / left lanes.

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min

Exit 46B Toward US 59 South, TX 288 South, I 69 South: Lake Jackson, Freeport, Victoria Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min

Toward TX 288 South: Lake Jackson, Freeport

Continue on TX 288

0.6 mi · 46 sec · South Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto TX 288 Toll

14 mi · 16 min · TX 288 Toll

Use the slight left / straight lanes.

Merge onto TX 288

0.2 mi · 17 sec · South Freeway

Continue on TX 288

39 mi · 46 min · Nolan Ryan Expressway

Continue on TX 288

1.3 mi · 1 min · State Highway 288

Continue on TX 288

1.9 mi · 2 min · North Brazosport Boulevard

Turn left onto West 2nd Street

0.9 mi · 1 min · West 2nd Street

Arrive at destination

West 2nd Street

Trip Plan

For this 5-hour, 43-minute drive, starting your trip in the morning is advisable to maximize daylight and allow ample time for any unexpected delays. With only one recommended stop, you have the flexibility to decide when and where you'd like to stretch your legs. The total distance is 311.3 miles, and the fuel cost is estimated at $47, so ensure your tank is full before you depart to avoid unnecessary stops. A specific tip for this route: keep an eye on your GPS for the transition onto the TX 288 Toll, as it's a key part of the latter half of your journey.

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 155.6 miles from Irving, TX, or about 2h 48m 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 68 miles or 1h 16m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 155.6 miles or 2h 48m 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 34m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Freeport, 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 311.3 miles and 5h 43m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 68 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.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Houston, TX

156 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 68 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Houston, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 155.6 miles from Irving, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

Home stretch 4 mi from route ~10 min detour

Surfside Beach, Texas

+19798641541

Visit website

Dennis Johnston Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~12 min detour

Final third 4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour

Spring, Texas

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+17132740930

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

Brazoria County Historical Museum

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~10 min detour

Home stretch 4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour

Angleton, Texas

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+19798641208

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 14

5 decision points cluster between mile 4.7 and 251.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

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

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

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

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

251.8 mi into trip | ~4h 29m in

Take the exit toward US 59 South, TX 288 South, I 69 South: Lake Jackson, Freeport, Victoria

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. Exit 46B Toward US 59 South, TX 288 South, I 69 South: L...

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$42.64 one way

$85.28 round trip

$3.48/gal 25.4 MPG avg 109 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$3.89	$47.63	$95.25
premium	$4.23	$51.78	$103.56
diesel	$4.80	$58.78	$117.56

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$43

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$68–$93

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 108.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.

Driving Electric?

About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	93.4	1	$32.69	$14.94
Efficient EV	77.8	0	$27.24	$12.45
EV Truck/SUV	124.5	1	$43.58	$19.92

Gas CO2

109 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 19, 2026

Origin

Irving, TX

Late night in Irving on Monday

Local time

1:57 AM

CDT

Current temp

99°F

Sunny

S 5 to 10 mph 5% chance Live forecast

Flash Flood Warning

Flash Flood Warning issued July 19 at 12:39PM CDT until July 19 at 3:45PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued July 19 at 8:33AM CDT until July 19 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX

Destination

Freeport, TX

Late night in Freeport on Monday

Local time

1:57 AM

CDT

Current temp

91°F

Sunny

S 10 mph 1% chance Live forecast

Flash Flood Warning

Flash Flood Warning issued July 19 at 12:39PM CDT until July 19 at 3:45PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued July 19 at 8:33AM CDT until July 19 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio 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

8 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 43m 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 route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, designed for efficient travel. You'll experience a 97% highway share, meaning you'll spend most of your time on faster-paced roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 235.8 miles on the Julius Schepps Freeway, offering a sustained period of highway driving. While the profile is largely consistent, the transition between the initial freeways and the TX 288 Toll signifies the progression of your journey south towards the coast. Expect a smooth, predictable driving experience for the majority of the trip.

97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

26 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?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Julius Schepps Freeway and Nolan Ryan Expressway. 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 10/10

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 14 significant decision points across 311.3 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.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

522 ft 2 ft

Total Climb

209 ft

Total Descent

690 ft

Highest Point

522 ft

~44.5 mi in

Elevation Range

520 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 Irving, TX to Freeport, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Victoria along the way.

Victoria

251.8 mi in | ~4h 29m

About the Cities

Starting in Irving, TX

Full guide →

Founded 1903

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.

Top landmarks

• Ruth Paine Home — house in Irving, Texas, United States

Arriving in Freeport, TX

Full guide →

Founded 1912

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 43m. Total distance: 311.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 43m 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.

Yes — we found about 31 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 Freeport, 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 31 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

Not recommended in a single day. At 5.7 hours each way, a round trip means 11.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Freeport, 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, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Trip from Irving, TX to Freeport, TX

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Traffic on I-45

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

Navarro County Northbound Rest Area

Love's Travel Stop

Love's Travel Stop

Love's Travel Stop

Flying J Travel Center

Navarro County Southbound Rest Area

Buc-ee's

Love's Travel Stop

Road Ranger

Service Plaza

TA Express

Buc-ee's

Buc-ee's

QuikTrip

Love's Travel Stop

Pilot Travel Center

Walker County Southbound Rest Area

Walker County Northbound Rest Area

Love's Travel Stop

Pilot Travel Center

TA Express

Buc-ee's

QuikTrip

QuikTrip

QuikTrip

Service Plaza

Flying J Travel Center

Service Plaza

TA

Service Plaza

QuikTrip

The Woodlands Waterway

Freeport Historical Museum

Crocodile Encounter

Freedom Park

Surfside Jetty County Park

Dennis Johnston Park

Ripley's Believe It or Not!

Brazoria County Historical Museum

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Irving, TX

Freeport, TX

Same local time

8 degrees cooler at arrival

5h 43m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Elevation Profile

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Starting in Irving, TX

Arriving in Freeport, TX

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

Continue From Freeport, TX

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