Trip from Irving, TX to Lakeway, 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

3h 53m

Distance

207.3 mi

334 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$28

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min

4 AM

3h 40m ★

6 AM

3h 53m

8 AM

4h 19m

10 AM

4h 2m

12 PM

4h 0m

3 PM

4h 3m

5 PM

4h 17m

8 PM

3h 45m

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

Lakeway, TX

Danny Meneses

Trip Overview

Traveling from Irving to Lakeway covers 207.3 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 53 minutes. Because this is a turn-heavy local drive, you can easily complete the journey in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $31 on fuel for the trip. Both cities are located within the Great Plains region of Texas, keeping the landscape consistent throughout your transit. This route relies on local roads rather than major interstates, so plan for a slower, more engaged driving experience. It serves as a straightforward, practical connection between these two Texas hubs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

103.6 miles from Irving, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 53m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
South R L Thornton Freeway	80.5 mi	1h 22m
I 35	40.2 mi	41m
Purple Heart Trail	37.9 mi	39m
RM 620	17.6 mi	26m
South Walton Walker Boulevard	6.7 mi	7m
North Jack Kultgen Expressway	6.6 mi	7m
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway	4.6 mi	4m
Duncanville Road	3.2 mi	6m

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

Traffic on I-35

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 44 FHWA count stations on your route.

Peak

5 PM

~3,004 veh/hr typical · worst 3,707

Quietest

2 AM

~485 veh/hr

Peak-to-quiet ratio

6.2×

busier at peak than in the quiet hours

12a 6a noon 6p 11p

Averaged across 51 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 Lakeway, 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

6.6 mi · 7 min · North Jack Kultgen Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 35

38 mi · 39 min · Purple Heart Trail

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 35

40 mi · 41 min · I 35

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 27 sec

Exit 252B-A Toward RM 620: McNeil Road Use the right lane.

Turn straight onto North Interstate 35

0.2 mi · 18 sec · North Interstate 35

Turn right onto RM 620

1.8 mi · 3 min · RM 620

Continue on RM 620

2.6 mi · 3 min · RM 620

Use the left lane.

Turn right onto TX 45

184 ft · 3 sec · State Highway 45 Frontage Road

Continue on TX 45; RM 620

0.6 mi · 51 sec · North Ranch Road 620

Use the straight / left lanes.

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 31 sec

Toward TX 45 Toll West: Lake Creek Parkway

Merge onto TX 45 Toll

2.8 mi · 3 min · State Highway 45 North

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on RM 620

1.4 mi · 2 min · North Ranch Road 620

Use the left lane.

Continue on RM 620

13 mi · 19 min · RM 620

Turn right onto Lakeway Boulevard

1.2 mi · 3 min · Lakeway Boulevard

Turn right onto Lohmans Crossing Road

0.4 mi · 1 min · Lohmans Crossing Road

Turn right

112 ft · 8 sec

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Since the route is a manageable 3 hours and 53 minutes, you have the flexibility to depart whenever suits your schedule best. I recommend planning for at least one stop to break up the frequent turns and keep your energy levels high. Keep your $31 fuel budget in mind, as local roads can sometimes lead to more stop-and-go driving that impacts efficiency. Given the turn-heavy nature of the route, double-check your GPS directions before heading out to ensure you stay on the correct path through the local streets. Embracing the pace of this drive will make the 207.3-mile journey feel much more productive and less taxing.

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 103.6 miles from Irving, TX, or about 1h 53m 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 46 miles or 53m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 103.6 miles or 1h 53m 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 1m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lakeway, 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 207.3 miles and 3h 53m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 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

Woodway, TX

104 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 46 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Waco, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 103.6 miles from Irving, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Final third 1 mi from route ~2 min detour

Temple, Texas

Hours: 8:30 am–4 pm

+12547739926

Visit website

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

Halfway reset 3.9 mi from route ~10 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 18

5 decision points cluster between mile 1.9 and 182.5 — 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

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.

182.5 mi into trip | ~3h 14m in

Take the exit toward RM 620: McNeil Road

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

Use the right lane. Exit 252B-A Toward RM 620: McNeil Road

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$28.39 one way

$56.79 round trip

$3.48/gal 25.4 MPG avg 73 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$3.89	$31.72	$63.43
premium	$4.23	$34.48	$68.96
diesel	$4.80	$39.14	$78.28

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$28

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$53–$78

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 72.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.

Driving Electric?

About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	62.2	0	$21.77	$9.95
Efficient EV	51.8	0	$18.14	$8.29
EV Truck/SUV	82.9	1	$29.02	$13.27

Gas CO2

73 kg

EV CO2

24 kg (67% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

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

2:22 AM

CDT

Current temp

79°F

Partly Cloudy

S 5 to 10 mph 1% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued July 18 at 7:52PM CDT until July 20 at 1:40AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX

Flash Flood Warning

Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 7:48PM CDT until July 18 at 8:45PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX

Destination

Lakeway, TX

Late night in Lakeway on Monday

Local time

2:22 AM

CDT

Current temp

75°F

Partly Cloudy

SSE 5 to 10 mph 1% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued July 18 at 7:52PM CDT until July 20 at 1:40AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX

Flash Flood Warning

Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 7:48PM CDT until July 18 at 8:45PM 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

4 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

3h 53m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

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 ~12 min detour Free near mile 100.1

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 very different experience than your typical interstate cruise, as this entire route consists of local roads with 0% highway share. You will navigate through West 2nd Street, East Irving Boulevard, and South Loop 12, which creates a highly technical and turn-heavy environment. Because there is no major highway time, your longest uninterrupted stretch is 0 miles on West 2nd Street. Staying focused is essential, as the constant navigation of local turns requires more attention than a standard high-speed commute. This drive rewards drivers who prefer local exploration over the monotony of high-speed lanes.

74% 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?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on South R L Thornton Freeway and I 35. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.9 miles in near Loop 12 / South Walton Walker Boulevard.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 207.3 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 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

Gently rolling terrain

1,024 ft 484 ft

Total Climb

1,044 ft

Total Descent

771 ft

Highest Point

1,024 ft

~192.5 mi in

Elevation Range

540 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 Lakeway, TX

Full guide →

Lakeway is a city in the Hill Country region of Texas. It is just outside of Austin.

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 3h 53m. Total distance: 207.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (74%). 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 29 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 Lakeway, 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 29 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 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Lakeway, 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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Trip from Irving, TX to Lakeway, 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

Bell County Northbound Rest Area

Love's Travel Stop

Hill County Northbound Rest Area

Flying J Travel Center

Walburg Travel Center & Food Court

Love's Travel Stop

Petro Stopping Centers

Buc-ee's

Service Plaza

QuikTrip

Ascent Travel Center

Flying J Travel Plaza

Pilot Travel Center

Hill County Southbound Rest Area

QuikTrip

Road Ranger

Love's Travel Stop

Love's Travel Stop

QuikTrip

Buc-ee's

TA

Service Plaza

Bell County Southbound Rest Area

Rest Area

Rest Area

Rest Area

Rest Area

Rest Area

QuikTrip

Cultural Activities Center

Lakeline Park

NTER - The Great Escape

Village of Salado Visitors Center

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

Lakeway, TX

Same local time

4 degrees cooler at arrival

3h 53m 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 Lakeway, 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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