Origin
Irving, TX
Late night in Irving on Tuesday
Local time
4:09 AM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Irving, TX to Hereford, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
7h 12m
Distance
399 mi
642 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$60
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 1m
★
6 AM
7h 12m
8 AM
7h 34m
10 AM
7h 20m
12 PM
7h 18m
3 PM
7h 21m
5 PM
7h 33m
8 PM
7h 6m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hereford, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 399-mile drive from Irving, TX to Hereford, TX will take approximately 7 hours and 12 minutes of driving time, making it a feasible day trip. You'll be primarily on US 81 and US Highway 287, with 82% of the route being highway driving. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $60. This route stays within the Great Plains region, offering a consistent landscape. With two planned stops, you'll have opportunities to break up the drive. It's a straightforward, highway-focused trip that's easy to plan for a single day.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
199.5 miles from Irving, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 33m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 81 | 103.4 mi | 1h 49m |
| US Highway 287 | 75.4 mi | 1h 17m |
| US Highway 287 East | 40.5 mi | 42m |
| US 60 | 30.4 mi | 33m |
| East 11th Street | 28.7 mi | 32m |
| Boykin Drive | 26.2 mi | 28m |
| US Highway 287 West | 25.7 mi | 26m |
| Canyon Expressway | 15.6 mi | 17m |
Longest stretch:
US 81
— 103.4 mi, about 1h 49m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Irving, TX and Hereford, TX.
1
Start on North Ohio Street
58 ft
·
4 sec
·
North Ohio Street
2
Turn right onto West Irving Boulevard
2.9 mi
·
5 min
·
West Irving Boulevard
Use the left lane.
3
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward TX 183: Fort Worth
4
Merge onto TX 183
6.5 mi
·
6 min
·
Airport Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit onto Airport Freeway TEXpress
0.3 mi
·
16 sec
·
Airport Freeway TEXpress
Toward TX 121 Express South, TX 183 Express West: Airport Freeway TEXpress West
Use the slight left lane.
6
Merge onto TX 183 TEXpress
2.5 mi
·
2 min
·
SH 183 TEXpress
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on TX 121 TEXpress; TX 183 TEXpress
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
SH 121/183 TEXpress
8
Continue on TX 183 TEXpress
0.1 mi
·
7 sec
·
SH 183 TEXpress
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on TX 121 TEXpress; TX 183 TEXpress
0.7 mi
·
42 sec
·
SH 121/183 TEXpress
10
Continue on I 820 TEXpress
6.2 mi
·
6 min
·
I 820 TEXpress
Toward I 820 Express West Toll
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward I 35W Express: Fort Worth, Denton
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.8 mi
·
50 sec
Toward I 35W Express North: Denton
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 35W TEXpress
2.3 mi
·
2 min
·
I 35W TEXpress
14
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 81 North, US 287 North: Decatur
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto US 81; US 287
1.7 mi
·
1 min
·
US 81; US 287
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on US 81; US 287
102 mi
·
1 hr 47 min
·
US 81; US 287
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on US 281; US 287
0.8 mi
·
58 sec
·
Lloyd Ruby Overpass
18
Continue on US 277; US 281; US 287
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Central Freeway
Use the straight lane.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto US 287
5.3 mi
·
5 min
·
Northwest Freeway
Exit 3A
Toward US 287 North: Vernon, Amarillo
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
20
Continue on US 287
40 mi
·
42 min
·
US Highway 287 East
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
21
Continue on US 70; US 183; US 287
4.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on US 287
26 mi
·
26 min
·
US Highway 287 West
Use the straight lane.
23
Continue on US 287
29 mi
·
32 min
·
East 11th Street
24
Continue on US 287
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Avenue F Northeast
25
Continue on US 287
14 mi
·
14 min
·
US Highway 287
26
Continue on US 287
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Burnett Street
27
Continue on US 287
14 mi
·
13 min
·
US Highway 287
28
Turn straight onto US 287
26 mi
·
28 min
·
Boykin Drive
29
Continue on US 287
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East 2nd Street
30
Continue on US 287
28 mi
·
28 min
·
US Highway 287
31
Continue on US 287; FM 1151
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
East 1st Street
32
Continue on US 287
20 mi
·
20 min
·
US Highway 287
33
Keep slight left at fork onto US 287
7.9 mi
·
10 min
·
US 287
Toward I 40 West, US 287 North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Take the exit onto US 287
470 ft
·
8 sec
·
US 287
Exit 70
Toward I 27 South, US 87, US 60, US 287 North: Canyon, Lubbock, Dumas, Pampa, Downtown
35
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 70
Toward I 27 South, US 87 South, US 60 West: Canyon, Lubbock
Use the slight left lane.
36
Merge onto I 27; US 60; US 87
13 mi
·
14 min
·
Canyon Expressway
37
Keep slight right at fork onto US 60; US 87
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Canyon Expressway
38
Keep slight right at fork onto US 60
30 mi
·
33 min
·
US 60
Toward US 60 West: Hereford
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
39
Turn right
242 ft
·
17 sec
40
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 7-hour driving duration, an early morning departure from Irving is recommended to comfortably reach Hereford within a single day. Plan for your two stops strategically to include at least one longer break for a meal. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 103.4-mile stretch on US 81, as services might be less frequent. This is a drive where flexibility is key; since it's manageable in one day, you can adjust your stop times based on how you feel. Ensure your vehicle is in good condition before setting out on this highway-centric journey.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 199.5 miles from Irving, TX, or about 3h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 103.4 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 88 miles or 1h 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 199.5 miles or 3h 33m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 3m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hereford, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Irving, TX
This is one driving day of about 399 miles and 7h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 88 miles from Irving, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US 81 for about 103.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
200 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 88 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 199.5 miles from Irving, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 81 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 103.4 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 195 decision points cluster between mile 9.9 and 352.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
9.9 mi into trip
|
~13m in
|
Airport Freeway TEXpress
Take the exit onto Airport Freeway TEXpress toward TX 121 Express South, TX 183 Express West: Airport Freeway TEXpress West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward TX 121 Express South, TX 183 Express Wes...
7
21.9 mi into trip
|
~25m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 35W Express North: Denton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35W Express North: Denton
9
132.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 24m in
|
US 287 / Northwest Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto US 287 / Northwest Freeway toward US 287 North: Vernon, Amarillo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 3A
Toward US 287 North: Vernon, Amarillo
8
344.4 mi into trip
|
~6h 9m in
|
US 287
Keep slight left at fork onto US 287 toward I 40 West, US 287 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 40 West, US 287 North
9
352.4 mi into trip
|
~6h 19m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 27 South, US 87 South, US 60 West: Canyon, Lubbock
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 70
Toward I 27 South, US 87 South, US 60 West: Can...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$60.29 one way
$120.58 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
140 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $65.99 | $131.98 |
| premium | $4.54 | $71.24 | $142.48 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $88.09 | $176.19 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$60
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$85–$110
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 139.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $42 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 119.7 | 1 | $41.89 | $19.15 |
| Efficient EV | 99.8 | 1 | $34.91 | $15.96 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 159.6 | 1 | $55.86 | $25.54 |
Gas CO2
140 kg
EV CO2
47 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Hereford, TX
Late night in Hereford on Tuesday
Local time
4:09 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
7 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
7h 12m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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.
Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument
National Monument
13,000 years ago, Alibates Flint was used by mammoth hunters as a source of flint for tools. Learn how important this site was to the survival, commerce, and culture of the people of the High Plains.
27 mi from route
~67 min detour
Free
near mile 344
View on nps.gov
Lake Meredith National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
Set within the wide‑open Texas Plains, Lake Meredith National Recreation Area offers a peaceful retreat in the heart of rugged grasslands. Over thousands of years, the Canadian River carved dramatic 2...
29 mi from route
~74 min detour
Free
near mile 344
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 largely highway-focused experience on this route, with 82% of your journey on major roadways like US 81 and US Highway 287. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 103.4 miles on US 81, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent driving. While predominantly highway, the route offers a blend of faster travel and the potential for more local road interactions as you approach your destination. The character of the drive is one of steady progress across the Texas landscape.
82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
40 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 103.4 mi on US 81.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 81 and US Highway 287. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 9.9 miles in near Airport Freeway TEXpress.
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 19 significant decision points across 399 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 9.9 miles (Airport Freeway TEXpress): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 132.3 miles (US 287 / Northwest Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Irving, TX and Hereford, TX, road signs point toward Denton, Amarillo, Lubbock, Dumas, Pampa and Downtown.
Denton
21.7 mi in
|
~25m
Amarillo
132.3 mi in
|
~2h 24m
|
via US 287
Lubbock
352.3 mi in
|
~6h 19m
|
via US 287
Dumas
352.3 mi in
|
~6h 19m
|
via US 287
Pampa
352.3 mi in
|
~6h 19m
|
via US 287
Downtown
352.3 mi in
|
~6h 19m
|
via US 287
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 Hereford, TX
Full guide →Hereford is a city of 14,600 people (2019) in the High Plains of the Texas Panhandle.
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 7h 12m. Total distance: 399 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 12m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 103.4 miles on US 81. 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 Hereford, 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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 9.9 miles (Airport Freeway TEXpress): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 132.3 miles (US 287 / Northwest Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument and Lake Meredith National Recreation Area. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.2 hours each way, a round trip means 14.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Hereford, 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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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