Navarro County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Irving, TX to Mission Bend, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 53m
Distance
269.2 mi
433 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$37
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 40m
★
6 AM
4h 53m
8 AM
5h 20m
10 AM
5h 3m
12 PM
5h 0m
3 PM
5h 4m
5 PM
5h 19m
8 PM
4h 45m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Irving, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Mission Bend, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Irving, TX to Mission Bend, TX is 269.2 miles and takes about 4h 53m via Julius Schepps Freeway, with a fuel budget near $39 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Texas, traversing the Great Plains region for its entirety. Expect a predominantly highway experience for this trip. With a recommended one-day drive time and manageable distance, it’s a straightforward option for connecting these two Texas locales.
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
134.6 miles from Irving, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 24m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Julius Schepps Freeway | 223 mi | 3h 51m |
| North Sam Houston Tollway West | 20.1 mi | 23m |
| Tom Landry Freeway | 6.3 mi | 7m |
| Westpark Tollway | 6.2 mi | 7m |
| South Walton Walker Boulevard | 2.8 mi | 3m |
| West Sam Houston Tollway South | 2.1 mi | 2m |
| Addicks Clodine Road | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| East Irving Boulevard | 0.9 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Julius Schepps Freeway
— 223 mi, about 3h 51m
Traffic on I-45
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 44 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 Mission Bend, 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
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
South Walton Walker Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 30: Dallas, Fort Worth
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
Toward I 30 East: Dallas
Use the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto I 30
6.3 mi
·
7 min
·
Tom Landry Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 30; US 67
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
East R L Thornton Freeway
12
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
45 sec
Exit 46
Toward I 45, US 75: Houston, McKinney
Use the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
Toward I 45 South: Houston
Use the slight right lane.
14
Merge onto I 45
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Julius Schepps Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 45
221 mi
·
3 hr 49 min
·
Julius Schepps Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 60B
Toward BW 8 East, SHT West: Bush Intercontinental Airport, Sam Houston Tollway West
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward SHT West: Sam Houston Tollway
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
18
Merge onto BW 8
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
·
North Sam Houston Parkway West
19
Continue on SHT
2.3 mi
·
2 min
·
North Sam Houston Tollway West
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto SHT
18 mi
·
20 min
·
North Sam Houston Tollway West
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto SHT
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
West Sam Houston Tollway South
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward TBT West: Westpark Tollway West
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Turn straight onto BW 8
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
·
West Sam Houston Parkway South
Use the straight / left lanes.
24
Take the ramp
154 ft
·
3 sec
Toward WPT West, SHT South
Use the right lane.
25
Keep slight left at fork
334 ft
·
10 sec
Toward WPT West
26
Continue on this road
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
this road
Toward WPT Toll West
27
Merge onto WPT
6.2 mi
·
7 min
·
Westpark Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Toward Westpark Drive
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Turn straight onto Westpark Drive
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
Westpark Drive
30
Turn right onto Timbergate Drive
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
Timbergate Drive
31
Turn right onto Addicks Clodine Road
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Addicks Clodine Road
32
Turn right onto Los Altos Drive
277 ft
·
17 sec
·
Los Altos Drive
33
Turn left onto Marisol Drive
0.1 mi
·
27 sec
·
Marisol Drive
34
Arrive at destination
Marisol Drive
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 53m estimated drive time, leaving Irving, TX in the morning should allow you to reach Mission Bend, TX with plenty of daylight to spare. The $39 fuel cost is a reasonable estimate, but it's always wise to have a little extra buffer. Since this is a single-day trip, you can be flexible with your departure time. Keep an eye on traffic conditions, especially as you get closer to the Houston metropolitan area. A single stop is recommended, so plan for a break midway to stretch your legs and refuel if needed.
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 134.6 miles from Irving, TX, or about 2h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 223 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 59 miles or 1h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 134.6 miles or 2h 24m 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 54m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mission Bend, 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 269.2 miles and 4h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 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 223 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
135 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 59 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 134.6 miles from Irving, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Julius Schepps Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 223 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
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Navarro County Southbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.1 mi from route
TA Express
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
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
Walker County Southbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Walker County Northbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
TA Express
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Rest Area
0.8 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.9 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
1.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.4 mi from route
TA
1.6 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.7 mi from route
QuikTrip
2.5 mi from route
Candy Cane Park
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Conroe, Texas
Hours: 9 am–11 pm
+19365223804
Visit websiteJumping World
4.2
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2.3 mi from route
~6 min detour
Houston, Texas
Hours: 1–9 pm
+17139967811
Visit websiteCarl Barton Jr Park
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Later in the drive, ~9 min detour
Final third
3.4 mi from route
~9 min detour
Conroe, Texas
Hours: 6 am–8:30 pm
+19365223000
Visit websiteCullinan Park
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, ~10 min detour
Home stretch
4.1 mi from route
~10 min detour
Sugar Land, Texas
Hours: 6 am–8 pm
+12812752825
Visit websiteDennis Johnston Park
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, ~11 min detour
Home stretch
4.2 mi from route
~11 min detour
Spring, Texas
Hours: 7 am–10 pm
+17132740930
Visit websiteRipley'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 websiteLouis 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 websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 255 decision points cluster between mile 4.7 and 260.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
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
7
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
8
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
8
236.4 mi into trip
|
~4h 10m in
Take the exit toward BW 8 East, SHT West: Bush Intercontinental Airport, Sam Houston Tollway West
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 60B
Toward BW 8 East, SHT West: Bush Intercontinent...
8
260.5 mi into trip
|
~4h 40m in
Take the ramp toward WPT West, SHT South
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward WPT West, SHT South
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.87 one way
$73.74 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
94 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $41.19 | $82.37 |
| premium | $4.23 | $44.78 | $89.56 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $50.83 | $101.66 |
Estimated Tolls: $2.21
Sam Houston Tollway
(22.2 mi)
$1.77
Westpark Tollway
(6.2 mi)
$0.44
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 94.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 80.8 | 0 | $28.27 | $12.92 |
| Efficient EV | 67.3 | 0 | $23.56 | $10.77 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 107.7 | 1 | $37.69 | $17.23 |
Gas CO2
94 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% 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.
Origin
Irving, TX
Late night in Irving on Monday
Local time
5:16 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Partly Cloudy
S 10 mph
2% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 10:45PM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:59PM CDT until July 19 at 6:17PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Mission Bend, TX
Late night in Mission Bend on Monday
Local time
5:16 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 5 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 10:45PM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:59PM CDT until July 19 at 6:17PM 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
1 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 53m 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 largely highway-based, with 86% of the drive on major roads. You'll spend the longest stretch, 223 miles, on the Julius Schepps Freeway. After that, expect a transition to surface roads as you approach your destination. The high percentage of highway driving means you'll encounter consistent speeds and a steady flow of traffic for most of the trip.
86% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 223 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 North Sam Houston Tollway West. 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 25 significant decision points across 269.2 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
484 ft
90 ft
Total Climb
227 ft
Total Descent
621 ft
Highest Point
484 ft
Elevation Range
395 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 Mission Bend, TX, road signs point toward Bw 8 East, Sht West: Bush Intercontinental Airport, Sam Houston Tollway West and Sht West: Sam Houston Tollway.
Bw 8 East
236.4 mi in
|
~4h 10m
Sht West: Bush Intercontinental Airport
236.4 mi in
|
~4h 10m
Sam Houston Tollway West
236.4 mi in
|
~4h 10m
Sht West: Sam Houston Tollway
236.9 mi in
|
~4h 11m
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
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 53m. Total distance: 269.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 223 miles on Julius Schepps Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.21 in tolls one way, starting with Sam Houston Tollway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
Yes — we found about 28 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 Mission Bend, 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 28 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Mission Bend, 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, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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