Trip from Irving, TX to Hempstead, TX

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

Drive Time

4h 8m

Distance

228.9 mi

368 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$35

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

3h 55m ★

6 AM

4h 9m

8 AM

4h 35m

10 AM

4h 18m

12 PM

4h 15m

3 PM

4h 19m

5 PM

4h 33m

8 PM

4h 1m

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

Best Time

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Irving, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Hempstead, TX

Jeff Stapleton

Trip Overview

Irving, TX to Hempstead, TX is 228.9 miles and takes about 4 hours 8 minutes via South R L Thornton Freeway, with a fuel budget near $33 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Texas, beginning and ending in the Great Plains region. With 90% of the drive on highways, expect a straightforward and efficient transit between these two points. It's a manageable distance for a single-day drive, making it a good option if you want to get to your destination without an overnight stop.

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

114.5 miles from Irving, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 6m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
South R L Thornton Freeway	80.5 mi	1h 22m
East State Highway 6	46.6 mi	46m
North Earl Rudder Freeway	30.1 mi	31m
State Highway 6	22.4 mi	25m
South State Highway 6	13.7 mi	14m
South Walton Walker Boulevard	6.7 mi	7m
North State Highway 6	6.2 mi	6m
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway	4.6 mi	4m

Longest stretch: South R L Thornton Freeway — 80.5 mi, about 1h 22m

Traffic on I-35

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.

Peak

2 PM

~2,720 veh/hr typical · worst 3,868

Quietest

2 AM

~468 veh/hr

Peak-to-quiet ratio

5.8×

busier at peak than in the quiet hours

12a 6a noon 6p 11p

Averaged across 78 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 Hempstead, 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

5.3 mi · 5 min · South Walton Walker Boulevard

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto Loop 12

1.4 mi · 1 min · South Walton Walker Boulevard

Toward Loop 12 South Use the slight left lane.

Turn slight right onto Duncanville Road

3.2 mi · 6 min · Duncanville Road

Use the left lane.

Turn left onto West Interstate 20

0.2 mi · 21 sec · West Interstate 20

Use the left lane.

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 35 sec

Toward I 20 East

Merge onto I 20

4.6 mi · 4 min · Lyndon B Johnson Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 44 sec

Exit 467B Toward I 35E South: Waco Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 35E

81 mi · 1 hr 22 min · South R L Thornton Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 35; US 77

0.1 mi · 8 sec · North Jack Kultgen Expressway

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 53 sec

Exit 337 Toward US 77 Business: Elm Avenue Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn straight onto North Jack Kultgen Expressway

0.1 mi · 16 sec · North Jack Kultgen Expressway

Turn left onto US 77 Bus

1.0 mi · 1 min · North Loop Drive

Continue on Loop 484

2.7 mi · 3 min · Marlin Highway

Continue on TX 6

9.1 mi · 9 min · East State Highway 6

Continue on TX 6

2.1 mi · 2 min · North Memorial Street

Continue on TX 6

37 mi · 37 min · East State Highway 6

Continue on TX 6

2.2 mi · 3 min · North Main Street

Continue on TX 6

6.2 mi · 6 min · North State Highway 6

Continue on US 79; TX 6

2.1 mi · 2 min · North Market Street

Continue on US 190; TX 6

14 mi · 14 min · South State Highway 6

Continue on US 190; TX 6

30 mi · 31 min · North Earl Rudder Freeway

Continue on TX 6

22 mi · 25 min · State Highway 6

Use the straight / right lanes.

Continue on US 290 Business

1.3 mi · 2 min · US 290 Business

Toward US 290 East, TX 6 South Use the straight lane.

Turn left onto US 290 Bus

63 ft · 1 sec · Austin Street

Use the left / straight / right lanes.

Arrive at destination

US 290 Bus

Trip Plan

Given the 4-hour 8-minute drive time, leaving Irving, TX in the morning is ideal to maximize daylight and arrive in Hempstead with plenty of time. The fuel cost is estimated at $33, so ensure your tank is full before you depart. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in how you pace yourself; consider a brief break around the halfway point. Pay attention to the transition from highway to local roads as you get closer to Hempstead, as this is where speeds will decrease and traffic patterns may change.

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 114.5 miles from Irving, TX, or about 2h 6m 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 50 miles or 57m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 114.5 miles or 2h 6m 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 22m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hempstead, 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 228.9 miles and 4h 8m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 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 South R L Thornton Freeway for about 80.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Troy, TX

114 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

Italy, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 50 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Waco, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 114.5 miles from Irving, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

2.5 mi from route

NTER - The Great Escape

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour

Waxahachie, Texas

Hours: 5–9 pm

+12149801053

Visit website

Doris D Miller Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour

Waco, Texas

Hours: Open 24 hours

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 1.9 and 228.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

1.9 mi into trip | ~3m in | Loop 12 / South Walton Walker Boulevard

Merge onto Loop 12 / South Walton Walker Boulevard

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

7.2 mi into trip | ~9m in | Loop 12 / South Walton Walker Boulevard

Keep slight left at fork onto Loop 12 / South Walton Walker Boulevard toward Loop 12 South

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Toward Loop 12 South

16.8 mi into trip | ~23m 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

97.9 mi into trip | ~1h 46m in

Take the exit toward US 77 Business: Elm Avenue

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 337 Toward US 77 Business: Elm Avenue

228.9 mi into trip | ~4h 8m in | US 290 Bus / Austin Street

Turn left onto US 290 Bus / Austin Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left / straight / right lanes.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$35.05 one way

$70.09 round trip

$3.89/gal 25.4 MPG avg 80 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.29	$38.68	$77.36
premium	$4.64	$41.80	$83.59
diesel	$6.18	$55.68	$111.37

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$35

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$60–$85

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 80.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.

Driving Electric?

About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	68.7	0	$24.03	$10.99
Efficient EV	57.2	0	$20.03	$9.16
EV Truck/SUV	91.6	1	$32.05	$14.65

Gas CO2

80 kg

EV CO2

27 kg (66% 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.

Forecast as of Oct 18, 2026

Origin

Irving, TX

Morning in Irving on Monday

Local time

7:51 AM

CDT

Current temp

49°F

Mostly Cloudy

0 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued October 18 at 2:18AM CDT until October 20 at 7:32PM CDT by NWS Norman OK

Destination

Hempstead, TX

Morning in Hempstead on Monday

Local time

7:51 AM

CDT

Current temp

72°F

Sunny

NE 5 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued October 18 at 2:18AM CDT until October 20 at 7:32PM CDT by NWS Norman OK

86°F

Troy, TX

114 mi in

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

23 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

4h 8m 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.

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...

5 mi from route ~13 min detour Free near mile 94.7

View on nps.gov

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

What kind of drive is this?

This route is predominantly highway driving, with 90% of the 228.9 miles on major roads like South R L Thornton Freeway and East State Highway 6. You'll encounter a substantial stretch of 80.5 miles on South R L Thornton Freeway, offering a consistent cruising experience. The transition to surface roads will likely occur as you approach your destination in Hempstead, offering a change of pace from the high-speed transit.

90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

31 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 East State Highway 6. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.9 miles in near Loop 12 / South Walton Walker Boulevard.

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 228.9 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: at 1.9 miles (Loop 12 / South Walton Walker Boulevard): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 7.2 miles (Loop 12 / South Walton Walker Boulevard): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 16.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

679 ft 210 ft

Total Climb

419 ft

Total Descent

661 ft

Highest Point

679 ft

~65.4 mi in

Elevation Range

469 ft

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 Hempstead, TX

Full guide →

Top landmarks

• Liendo Plantation — historic place in Hempstead, Waller County, Texas

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 8m. Total distance: 228.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 8m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (90%). 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.

Yes — we found about 16 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 Hempstead, 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 16 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

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

Possible but tiring. At 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Hempstead, 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Explore more options from Irving, TX or browse trips ending in Hempstead, TX.

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Trip from Irving, TX to Hempstead, TX

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Traffic on I-35

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

Love's Travel Stop

Love's Travel Stop

Hill County Northbound Rest Area

Love's Travel Stop

Petro Stopping Centers

Service Plaza

QuikTrip

Hill County Southbound Rest Area

Road Ranger

Love's Travel Stop

QuikTrip

Buc-ee's

TA

Pilot Travel Center

Service Plaza

QuikTrip

NTER - The Great Escape

Doris D Miller Park

Ripley's Believe It or Not!

Louis Tussaud's Palace of Wax

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Irving, TX

Hempstead, TX

Same local time

23 degrees warmer at arrival

4h 8m on the road

National Parks Near This Route

Waco Mammoth National Monument

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Elevation Profile

About the Cities

Starting in Irving, TX

Arriving in Hempstead, 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?

Are there national parks near this route?

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

How this page is built

Explore More

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