Picnic Area
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Irving, TX to Port Arthur, 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 57m
Distance
306.9 mi
494 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$42
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 45m
★
6 AM
5h 58m
8 AM
6h 24m
10 AM
6h 7m
12 PM
6h 4m
3 PM
6h 8m
5 PM
6h 22m
8 PM
5h 50m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Irving, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Port Arthur, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Irving, TX to Port Arthur, TX is 306.9 miles and takes about 5h 57m via US Highway 69 South, with a fuel budget near $45 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Great Plains region, offering a straightforward path across Texas. You'll spend most of your time on highways, making it a relatively efficient trip. It's a good option if you need to get from the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex down to the Gulf Coast area without a lot of fuss. Plan for a single day of travel to cover the 306.9 miles.
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
153.5 miles from Irving, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 57m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| C F Hawn Freeway | 68.7 mi | 1h 14m |
| US Highway 69 South | 63.3 mi | 1h 11m |
| East Denman Avenue | 38.5 mi | 43m |
| US 69 | 25.4 mi | 27m |
| US Highway 175 East | 20.8 mi | 22m |
| US Highway 69 North | 16.2 mi | 18m |
| Rusk Street | 15.1 mi | 19m |
| US Highway 175 | 13.3 mi | 14m |
Longest stretch:
C F Hawn Freeway
— 68.7 mi, about 1h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Irving, TX and Port Arthur, 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 right at fork onto US 175
69 mi
·
1 hr 14 min
·
C F Hawn Freeway
Toward US 175 South: Kaufman
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on US 175 Bus
151 ft
·
9 sec
·
US Highway 175 West
17
Turn left onto US 175 Bus; TX 31 Bus
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
West Corsicana Street
18
Continue on US 175 Bus
21 mi
·
22 min
·
US Highway 175 East
19
Continue on US 175
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
West Pine Street
20
Continue on US 175
13 mi
·
14 min
·
US Highway 175
21
Continue on US 175
0.6 mi
·
58 sec
·
Frankston Highway
22
Continue on US 175
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
Alexander Boulevard
23
At end of road, turn right onto US 69
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
North Jackson Street
24
Continue on US 69
9.5 mi
·
10 min
·
US Highway 69 North
25
Continue on US 69
3.4 mi
·
3 min
·
North Dickinson Drive
26
Continue on US 69
9.3 mi
·
10 min
·
US Highway 69 South
27
Continue on US 69
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
North Marcus Street
28
Continue on US 69
11 mi
·
13 min
·
US Highway 69 South
29
Continue on US 69
15 mi
·
19 min
·
Rusk Street
30
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
31
Continue on Loop 287 Frontage Road
0.5 mi
·
49 sec
·
Loop 287 Frontage Road
32
Continue on Loop 287
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
Loop 287 Frontage Road
33
Turn right onto US 69 Bus
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Kurth Drive
34
Turn straight onto US 59 Bus; US 69 Bus; TX 103
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
North Timberland Drive
35
Turn left onto US 69 Bus
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Chestnut Street
36
Turn left onto US 69 Bus
39 mi
·
43 min
·
East Denman Avenue
37
Continue on US 69
3.0 mi
·
3 min
·
North Wheeler Avenue
38
Continue on US 69
6.7 mi
·
7 min
·
US Highway 69 North
39
Continue on US 69
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
North Magnolia Street
40
Continue on US 69; US 287
42 mi
·
48 min
·
US Highway 69 South
41
Merge onto US 69; US 96; US 287
9.5 mi
·
10 min
·
US 69; US 96; US 287
42
Keep slight right at fork onto US 69; US 96; US 287
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Eastex Freeway
Toward Houston, Port Arthur
43
Take the exit onto US 69; US 96; US 287
16 mi
·
17 min
·
US 69; US 96; US 287
Exit 849
Toward US 69 South, US 96 South, US 287 South: Port Arthur
44
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Toward TX 73 West: Winnie
45
Merge onto TX 73
0.6 mi
·
44 sec
·
TX 73
46
Turn slight right onto H O Mills Boulevard
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
·
H O Mills Boulevard
47
Turn left onto Spur 215
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Savannah Avenue
48
Turn right onto 17th Street
369 ft
·
15 sec
·
17th Street
49
Turn left onto Augusta Avenue
162 ft
·
4 sec
·
Augusta Avenue
50
Arrive at destination
Augusta Avenue
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5h 57m drive, consider departing in the morning to ensure you have ample daylight. Since the trip is manageable in a single day, you have flexibility with your departure time. The fuel cost is estimated at $45, so factor that into your budget. With only one recommended stop, you can choose a convenient point along US Highway 69 South for a quick break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you get closer to Port Arthur, as services can become less frequent in some stretches.
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 153.5 miles from Irving, TX, or about 2h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 68.7 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 68 miles or 1h 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 153.5 miles or 2h 57m 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 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Port Arthur, 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 306.9 miles and 5h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 68 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 C F Hawn Freeway for about 68.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
153 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 68 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 153.5 miles from Irving, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before C F Hawn Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 68.7 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.
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.4 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.8 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.9 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
1.1 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 245 decision points cluster between mile 4.7 and 15 — 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
7
13 mi into trip
|
~18m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 45 South: Houston
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 45 South: Houston
7
15 mi into trip
|
~20m in
|
US 175 / C F Hawn Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 175 / C F Hawn Freeway toward US 175 South: Kaufman
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 175 South: Kaufman
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.04 one way
$84.07 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
107 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $46.95 | $93.91 |
| premium | $4.23 | $51.05 | $102.10 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $57.95 | $115.90 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 107.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 92.1 | 1 | $32.22 | $14.73 |
| Efficient EV | 76.7 | 0 | $26.85 | $12.28 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 122.8 | 1 | $42.97 | $19.64 |
Gas CO2
107 kg
EV CO2
36 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
10:25 AM
CDT
Current temp
93°F
Partly Sunny
S 10 to 15 mph
17% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 2:31PM CDT until July 19 at 1:30PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 2:31PM CDT until July 19 at 6:30AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Port Arthur, TX
Morning in Port Arthur on Sunday
Local time
10:25 AM
CDT
Current temp
92°F
Mostly Sunny
S 5 to 10 mph
4% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 2:31PM CDT until July 19 at 1:30PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 2:31PM CDT until July 19 at 6:30AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
99°F
Jacksonville, TX
153 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
1 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 57m 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 predominantly highway driving, with 72% of the 306.9 miles on high-speed roads. Your longest continuous stretch on a highway will be 68.7 miles on the C F Hawn Freeway. You can expect to transition from freeway conditions to surface roads like East Denman Avenue as you approach your destination. Pay attention as you navigate areas with more frequent exits and intersections.
72% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
50 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 68.7 mi on C F Hawn Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on C F Hawn Freeway and US Highway 69 South. 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 24 significant decision points across 306.9 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
609 ft
1 ft
Total Climb
575 ft
Total Descent
1,058 ft
Highest Point
609 ft
~131.5 mi in
Elevation Range
609 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.
On the drive from Irving, TX to Port Arthur, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Houston along the way.
Houston
284.4 mi in
|
~5h 30m
|
via US 69; US 96; 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 Port Arthur, TX
Full guide →Port Arthur is in the Gulf Coast region of 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 5h 57m. Total distance: 306.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (72%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 68.7 miles on C F Hawn Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 7 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 Port Arthur, 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 7 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.0 hours each way, a round trip means 11.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Port Arthur, 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 USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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