Gillespie County US 290 Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Irving, TX to Kerrville, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 35m
Distance
289.7 mi
466 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$40
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 22m
★
6 AM
5h 35m
8 AM
6h 2m
10 AM
5h 45m
12 PM
5h 42m
3 PM
5h 46m
5 PM
6h 1m
8 PM
5h 27m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Irving, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Kerrville, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 289.7-mile drive from Irving, TX, to Kerrville, TX, is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can comfortably be completed in about 5 hours and 35 minutes. With 77% of the route on highways, it's a practical option for a single-day trip, so you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. The estimated fuel cost is around $44, making it an economical choice. You'll primarily be navigating on South R L Thornton Freeway and South US Highway 281 as you travel south through the Great Plains region of Texas. This route offers a direct path, allowing you to get to your destination efficiently.
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
144.8 miles from Irving, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 35m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South R L Thornton Freeway | 80.5 mi | 1h 22m |
| Purple Heart Trail | 37.9 mi | 39m |
| South US Highway 281 | 33.5 mi | 40m |
| West US Highway 290 | 27.2 mi | 30m |
| FM 2843 | 14.6 mi | 18m |
| South State Highway 16 | 14.2 mi | 15m |
| East RM 243 | 12.1 mi | 15m |
| West State Highway 29 | 9 mi | 10m |
Longest stretch:
South R L Thornton Freeway
— 80.5 mi, about 1h 22m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 10 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~2,710 veh/hr typical · worst 3,817
Quietest
2 AM
~466 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 43 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 Kerrville, 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
5.3 mi
·
5 min
·
South Walton Walker Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
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.
9
Turn slight right onto Duncanville Road
3.2 mi
·
6 min
·
Duncanville Road
Use the left lane.
10
Turn left onto West Interstate 20
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
West Interstate 20
Use the left lane.
11
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Toward I 20 East
12
Merge onto I 20
4.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
44 sec
Exit 467B
Toward I 35E South: Waco
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto I 35E
81 mi
·
1 hr 22 min
·
South R L Thornton Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I 35; US 77
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on I 35
38 mi
·
39 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
8.9 mi
·
8 min
·
I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 283
Toward FM 2268, FM 2843: Holland, Florence
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Turn straight onto South Robertson Road
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
South Robertson Road
20
Continue on South I-35 Frontage Road
0.6 mi
·
53 sec
·
South I-35 Frontage Road
21
Turn slight right onto FM 2843
15 mi
·
18 min
·
FM 2843
22
At end of road, turn right onto FM 487
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
FM 487
23
Continue on FM 487
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
East Main Street
24
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward TX 195 North
25
Merge onto TX 195
0.3 mi
·
17 sec
·
TX 195
26
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
Toward TX 138: Lampasas
Use the slight right lane.
27
Turn left onto TX 138
6.9 mi
·
8 min
·
State Highway 138
28
At end of road, turn right onto US 183
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
North US Highway 183
29
Turn left onto RM 243
0.6 mi
·
41 sec
·
East Ranch Road 243
30
Continue on RM 243
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
East RM 243
31
Keep slight left at fork onto RM 243
11 mi
·
14 min
·
East RM 243
32
Turn right onto TX 29; RM 243
9.0 mi
·
10 min
·
West State Highway 29
33
Continue on TX 29
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
East Polk Street
34
Turn left onto US 281
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
South Water Street
Use the left lane.
35
Continue on US 281
34 mi
·
40 min
·
South US Highway 281
36
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
Toward Fredericksburg
37
Merge onto US 290
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
East Main Street
Toward Fredericksburg
38
Continue on US 290
27 mi
·
30 min
·
West US Highway 290
39
Continue on US 290
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
East Main Street
40
Turn left onto Friendship Lane
2.9 mi
·
5 min
·
Friendship Lane
41
Turn left onto TX 16
14 mi
·
15 min
·
South State Highway 16
42
Continue on TX 16
5.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Fredericksburg Road
43
Continue on TX 16
2.3 mi
·
5 min
·
Sidney Baker Street
44
Turn left onto TX 27
69 ft
·
1 sec
·
Main Street
45
Arrive at destination
TX 27
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour and 35-minute duration, departing from Irving, TX, in the morning will allow you to reach Kerrville, TX, with ample daylight. With only one recommended stop for this 289.7-mile journey, you have flexibility in pacing yourself. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 80.5-mile stretch on South R L Thornton Freeway, and plan your refueling accordingly. The $44 fuel cost is a good estimate, but always factor in a buffer. Consider starting your drive early to maximize your time at your destination.
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 144.8 miles from Irving, TX, or about 2h 35m 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 64 miles or 1h 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 144.8 miles or 2h 35m 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 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kerrville, 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 289.7 miles and 5h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 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
145 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 64 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 144.8 miles from Irving, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before South R L Thornton Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 80.5 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.
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Hill County Northbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Gillespie County Ranch Road 1 Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Hill County Southbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.3 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.4 mi from route
Bell County Southbound Rest Area
0.9 mi from route
Bell County Northbound Rest Area
1.7 mi from route
TXB Market
2.5 mi from route
QuikTrip
2.5 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 275 decision points cluster between mile 7.2 and 169.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
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
7
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
6
142.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 33m in
|
I 35
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
151.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 42m in
Take the exit toward FM 2268, FM 2843: Holland, Florence
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 283
Toward FM 2268, FM 2843: Holland, Florence
6
169.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 6m in
Take the exit toward TX 138: Lampasas
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward TX 138: Lampasas
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.68 one way
$79.36 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
101 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $44.32 | $88.64 |
| premium | $4.23 | $48.19 | $96.38 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $54.70 | $109.40 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 101.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 86.9 | 1 | $30.42 | $13.91 |
| Efficient EV | 72.4 | 0 | $25.35 | $11.59 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 115.9 | 1 | $40.56 | $18.54 |
Gas CO2
101 kg
EV CO2
34 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.
Origin
Irving, TX
Morning in Irving on Sunday
Local time
9:46 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Partly Cloudy
S 5 to 15 mph
2% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 6:44PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 17 at 6:41PM CDT until July 17 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Destination
Kerrville, TX
Morning in Kerrville on Sunday
Local time
9:46 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Mostly Cloudy
SE 10 mph
6% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 6:44PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 17 at 6:41PM CDT until July 17 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa 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
5 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 35m 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.
Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park tells the story of our 36th president beginning with his ancestors until his final resting place on his beloved LBJ Ranch. This entire "circle of life" gives...
1 mi from route
~4 min detour
Free
near mile 249.7
Park Closure: Texas White House Complex Closure
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
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 99.9
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 highway-focused drive for the majority of this 289.7-mile trip, with 77% of your travel time spent on main roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 80.5 miles on South R L Thornton Freeway, indicating periods of consistent speed. While the profile suggests a predominantly highway experience, be aware that segments on South US Highway 281 might offer a slightly different driving feel as you transition. Overall, this route prioritizes efficient travel over winding, scenic byways, keeping you moving steadily toward Kerrville.
77% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
45 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?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on South R L Thornton Freeway and Purple Heart Trail. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 7.2 miles in near Loop 12 / South Walton Walker Boulevard.
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 27 significant decision points across 289.7 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 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; at 142.3 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,660 ft
484 ft
Total Climb
1,612 ft
Total Descent
457 ft
Highest Point
1,660 ft
~269 mi in
Elevation Range
1,176 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 Irving, TX and Kerrville, TX, road signs point toward Fm 2268, Fm 2843: Holland, Florence and Fredericksburg.
Fm 2268
151.1 mi in
|
~2h 42m
Fm 2843: Holland
151.1 mi in
|
~2h 42m
Florence
151.1 mi in
|
~2h 42m
Fredericksburg
236 mi in
|
~4h 28m
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 Kerrville, TX
Full guide →Kerrville is a city of 24,000 people (2020) in the Texas Hill Country. It is known for its parks that line the Guadalupe River, which runs through the city.
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 35m. Total distance: 289.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (77%). 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 25 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 Kerrville, 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 25 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: 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; at 142.3 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park and Waco Mammoth National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.6 hours each way, a round trip means 11.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Kerrville, 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, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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