Irving, TX to Seabrook, TX is 282 miles and takes about 5 hours 7 minutes via Julius Schepps Freeway, with a fuel budget near $41 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Texas, moving from the Great Plains region towards the coast. It's primarily a highway route, making it a straightforward, no-frills trip. With a recommended single day of driving, you'll spend most of your time on the road, so planning for comfort and efficiency is key. Consider this a practical option when you need to get from point A to point B without extensive detours.
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
141 miles from Irving, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 30m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Julius Schepps Freeway
211.8 mi
3h 38m
HTR
21.9 mi
25m
North Loop East
10.5 mi
13m
La Porte Freeway
8.9 mi
10m
TX 146
7.8 mi
9m
Tom Landry Freeway
6.3 mi
7m
Pasadena Freeway
5.1 mi
5m
South Walton Walker Boulevard
2.8 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Julius Schepps Freeway
— 211.8 mi, about 3h 38m
Traffic on I-45
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 36 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,927 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,389
Quietest
2 AM
~288 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 45 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 Seabrook, 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 WorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward I 30 East: DallasUse 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 46Toward I 45, US 75: Houston, McKinneyUse the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·54 sec
Toward I 45 South: HoustonUse 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
210 mi·3 hr 36 min·Julius Schepps Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit onto HTR
22 mi·25 min·HTR
Exit 72BToward Hardy Toll Road SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 610 East
18
Merge onto I 610
11 mi·13 min·North Loop East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 30BToward TX 225 East: Pasadena, La PorteUse the straight / right lanes.
20
Merge onto TX 225
2.1 mi·2 min·La Porte Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on TX 225
5.1 mi·5 min·Pasadena Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on TX 225
6.8 mi·7 min·La Porte Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward TX 146 South: La PorteUse the slight right lane.
24
Merge onto TX 146
7.8 mi·9 min·TX 146
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
26
Turn straight onto TX 146
104 ft·5 sec·Bayport Boulevard
27
Turn left onto NASA 1
280 ft·14 sec·East NASA Parkway
28
Turn left onto Anders Avenue
120 ft·10 sec·Anders Avenue
29
Turn left
109 ft·8 sec
30
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour drive time, leaving Irving, TX early in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight and avoid potential traffic congestion. With only one recommended stop, you can choose to break up the 282 miles as you see fit, perhaps around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 211.8-mile stretch on Julius Schepps Freeway, as services might be less frequent. This route is well-suited for a single-day trip, offering flexibility in your timing. Aim to check traffic conditions before you depart to ensure a smooth start.
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 141 miles from Irving, TX, or about 2h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 211.8 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 62 miles or 1h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 141 miles or 2h 30m 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 4m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Seabrook, 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 282 miles and 5h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 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 211.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 4.7 and 258.5 — 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
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
8
258.5 mi into trip|~4h 37m in
Take the exit toward TX 225 East: Pasadena, La Porte
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Exit 30B
Toward TX 225 East: Pasadena, La Porte
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.63 one way
$77.25 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg99 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$43.14
$86.29
premium
$4.23
$46.91
$93.81
diesel
$4.80
$53.25
$106.49
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 98.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
84.6
1
$29.61
$13.54
Efficient EV
70.5
0
$24.68
$11.28
EV Truck/SUV
112.8
1
$39.48
$18.05
Gas CO2
99 kg
EV CO2
33 kg (67% 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.
Forecast as of Jul 19, 2026
Origin
Irving, TX
Evening
in Irving on Monday
Local time
7:28 PM
CDT
Current temp
99°F
Sunny
S 5 mph8% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 19 at 4:22PM CDT until July 19 at 5:00PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 19 at 4:22PM CDT by NWS Fort Worth TX
Destination
Seabrook, TX
Evening
in Seabrook on Monday
Local time
7:28 PM
CDT
Current temp
94°F
Sunny
SE 10 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 19 at 4:22PM CDT until July 19 at 5:00PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 19 at 4:22PM CDT by NWS Fort Worth 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 7m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is mostly highway, with 85% of the 282 miles on high-speed roads. You'll experience a long stretch of 211.8 miles on Julius Schepps Freeway before transitioning. Expect a consistent cruising experience for the majority of the drive. The density of exits will likely increase as you approach your destination, signaling the shift from highway to more local roads.
85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 211.8 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 HTR. 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 Effort10/10
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 21 significant decision points across 282 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
489 ft9 ft
Total Climb
285 ft
Total Descent
760 ft
Highest Point
489 ft
~100.7 mi in
Elevation Range
479 ft
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 Seabrook, TX, road signs point toward Hardy Toll Road South and La Porte.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 7m. Total distance: 282 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 211.8 miles on Julius Schepps Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Seabrook, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
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 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Seabrook, TX before the return drive.
