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Trip from Irving, TX to Robstown, 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
7h 8m
Distance
390 mi
628 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$53
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 58m
★
6 AM
7h 9m
8 AM
7h 31m
10 AM
7h 17m
12 PM
7h 14m
3 PM
7h 18m
5 PM
7h 30m
8 PM
7h 2m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Irving, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Robstown, TX
Thomas balabaud
Trip Overview
Irving, TX to Robstown, TX is 390 miles and takes about 7h 8m via South R L Thornton Freeway, TX 130 Toll, and TX 80, with a fuel budget near $57 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Texas, moving from the Great Plains region to another part of the Great Plains. Expect a straightforward drive with minimal complexity, making it a solid choice for a single-day transit. Given the relatively short duration for the distance, it's a practical option if you need to get from the Dallas-Fort Worth area down to the South Texas region 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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
195 miles from Irving, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 25m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South R L Thornton Freeway | 80.5 mi | 1h 22m |
| TX 130 Toll | 58.5 mi | 54m |
| TX 80 | 51.2 mi | 56m |
| South US Highway 181 | 40.2 mi | 45m |
| Purple Heart Trail | 37.9 mi | 39m |
| I 35 | 26.5 mi | 26m |
| US Highway 181 South | 16.1 mi | 18m |
| US 77 | 12 mi | 13m |
Longest stretch:
South R L Thornton Freeway
— 80.5 mi, about 1h 22m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 40 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,987 veh/hr typical · worst 3,782
Quietest
2 AM
~483 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 Robstown, 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
26 mi
·
26 min
·
I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
55 sec
Exit 265
Toward TX 130 Toll South: San Antonio
Use the slight right lane.
19
Continue on TX 130 Toll
59 mi
·
54 min
·
TX 130 Toll
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Exit 470
Toward US 183 South: Lockhart
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on US 183
0.5 mi
·
35 sec
·
United States Highway 183
22
Continue on US 183
4.9 mi
·
8 min
·
North Colorado Street
23
Continue on US 183
10 mi
·
11 min
·
US 183
24
Continue on US 183
4.2 mi
·
6 min
·
North Magnolia Avenue
25
Continue on TX 80
51 mi
·
56 min
·
TX 80
26
Turn slight left onto FM 792
8.4 mi
·
10 min
·
Farm-to-Market Road 792
27
Continue on TX 72; TX 239
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
East Main Street
28
Turn left onto US 181
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
South Sunset Strip Drive
29
Continue on US 181
40 mi
·
45 min
·
South US Highway 181
30
Continue on US 181
0.8 mi
·
55 sec
·
North 8th Street
31
Continue on US 181
16 mi
·
18 min
·
US Highway 181 South
32
Take the exit onto US 181
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
·
US 181
33
Keep slight right at fork onto US 181
213 ft
·
5 sec
·
US Route 181
34
Turn straight onto US 181
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
US Highway 181
35
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
36
Merge onto US 77
12 mi
·
13 min
·
US 77
37
Take the exit onto US 77
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
US 77
Toward I 37, US 77, I 69E
38
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
39
Merge onto I 37; US 77; I 69E
2.5 mi
·
2 min
·
I 37; US 77; I 69E
Use the straight lane.
40
Take the exit onto I 69E; US 77
5.1 mi
·
5 min
·
I 69E; US 77
Toward I 69E, US 77: Kingsville, Brownsville
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
41
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Toward TX 44 East: Corpus Christi
42
Turn straight onto North US Highway 77
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
North US Highway 77
43
Turn right onto TX 44 Business
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
East Avenue A
44
Turn right onto South 1st Street
372 ft
·
12 sec
·
South 1st Street
45
Turn right onto East Main Avenue
81 ft
·
3 sec
·
East Main Avenue
46
Arrive at destination
East Main Avenue
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 7-hour drive, consider leaving Irving early in the morning, around 7 or 8 AM, to avoid peak traffic and ensure you have ample daylight. With only two recommended stops, you can plan for a longer break midway and a shorter one as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially as you transition from the TX 130 Toll onto TX 80, as services can be more spread out in some sections. The $57 fuel estimate is a good baseline, but always factor in potential price variations. Since this is a one-day trip, you have flexibility with your stop timing.
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 195 miles from Irving, TX, or about 3h 25m 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 86 miles or 1h 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 195 miles or 3h 25m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 57m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Robstown, 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 390 miles and 7h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 86 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 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
195 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 86 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 195 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.
Bell County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Hill County Northbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Walburg Travel Center & Food Court
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
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
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Circle K
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
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
TA
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.3 mi from route
Bell County Southbound Rest Area
0.4 mi from route
San Patricio County Northbound Rest Area
2.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
2.5 mi from route
Pioneer Farms
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour
Halfway reset
4.1 mi from route
~10 min detour
Austin, Texas
Hours: 10 am–2 pm
+15128371215
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 265 decision points cluster between mile 7.2 and 383 — 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
7
168.8 mi into trip
|
~3h in
Take the exit toward TX 130 Toll South: San Antonio
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 265
Toward TX 130 Toll South: San Antonio
7
228 mi into trip
|
~3h 56m in
Take the exit toward US 183 South: Lockhart
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 470
Toward US 183 South: Lockhart
7
383 mi into trip
|
~6h 59m in
|
I 69E; US 77
Take the exit onto I 69E; US 77 toward I 69E, US 77: Kingsville, Brownsville
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 69E, US 77: Kingsville, Brownsville
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$53.42 one way
$106.84 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
137 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $59.67 | $119.33 |
| premium | $4.23 | $64.87 | $129.74 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $73.64 | $147.28 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$53
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$78–$103
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 136.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $41 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 117 | 1 | $40.95 | $18.72 |
| Efficient EV | 97.5 | 1 | $34.13 | $15.60 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 156 | 1 | $54.60 | $24.96 |
Gas CO2
136 kg
EV CO2
46 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
Late night in Irving on Monday
Local time
4:11 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
S 5 mph
15% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 11:12PM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 10:46PM CDT until July 17 at 3:45AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Robstown, TX
Late night in Robstown on Monday
Local time
4:11 AM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Mostly Cloudy
SE 12 to 15 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 11:12PM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 10:46PM CDT until July 17 at 3:45AM 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
4 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
7h 8m 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.
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
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 94.1
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway, with 81% of the drive on major roadways. You'll encounter an 80.5-mile stretch on South R L Thornton Freeway, which should give you a good sense of the driving conditions. The remaining portion will involve surface roads, likely with more frequent intersections and changes in speed limits as you transition away from the high-speed segments. Expect a mix of open highway cruising and more localized driving as you approach your destination.
81% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
46 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 TX 130 Toll. 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 26 significant decision points across 390 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 168.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
772 ft
73 ft
Total Climb
510 ft
Total Descent
921 ft
Highest Point
772 ft
~167.1 mi in
Elevation Range
699 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 Robstown, TX
Full guide →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 8m. Total distance: 390 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 8m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
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 30 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 Robstown, 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. There are 30 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 168.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.1 hours each way, a round trip means 14.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Robstown, 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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