This 188.4-mile drive from Irving, TX to Wells Branch, TX is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 23 minutes. You'll primarily be on major highways, with about 73% of the route utilizing them. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $28. Given its relatively short duration and highway-focused profile, this route is perfect for a spontaneous road trip or a quick relocation. Both your starting and ending points are within the Great Plains region, so expect a consistent landscape throughout your travels.
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
94.2 miles from Irving, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 42m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
South R L Thornton Freeway
80.5 mi
1h 22m
I 35
44 mi
45m
Purple Heart Trail
37.9 mi
39m
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
East Irving Boulevard
0.9 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
South R L Thornton Freeway
— 80.5 mi, about 1h 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Irving, TX and Wells Branch, 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 SouthUse 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 467BToward I 35E South: WacoUse 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
44 mi·45 min·I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.1 mi·18 sec
Exit 248Toward Grand Avenue ParkwayUse the right lane.
19
Continue on Interstate Highway 35 Service Road North
0.2 mi·19 sec·Interstate Highway 35 Service Road North
20
Continue on North Interstate 35
0.2 mi·24 sec·North Interstate 35
21
Turn right onto Grand Avenue Parkway
0.5 mi·52 sec·Grand Avenue Parkway
22
Turn left onto Wells Port Drive
0.9 mi·2 min·Wells Port Drive
23
Turn right onto Alpha Collier Drive
0.1 mi·35 sec·Alpha Collier Drive
24
Turn right onto Quiet Wood Drive
310 ft·13 sec·Quiet Wood Drive
25
Arrive at destination
Quiet Wood Drive
Trip Plan
For this 3-hour and 23-minute trip covering 188.4 miles, you have the flexibility to leave whenever suits you best. Given the manageable distance and the fact that it's a single-day trip, you likely won't need to plan for extensive stops beyond one recommended rest. The estimated fuel cost is $28, so ensure your tank is full before departing to avoid any unnecessary detours for gas. A specific tip for this route: be mindful of potential congestion on I-35, especially during peak commute hours in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.
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 94.2 miles from Irving, TX, or about 1h 42m 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 41 miles or 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 94.2 miles or 1h 42m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Wells Branch, 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 188.4 miles and 3h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 41 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.9 and 186.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
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
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
6
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.
7
186.3 mi into trip|~3h 18m in
Take the exit toward Grand Avenue Parkway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 248
Toward Grand Avenue Parkway
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.47 one way
$56.94 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg66 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$31.16
$62.32
premium
$4.54
$33.64
$67.28
diesel
$5.61
$41.60
$83.19
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: 65.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
56.5
0
$19.78
$9.04
Efficient EV
47.1
0
$16.49
$7.54
EV Truck/SUV
75.4
0
$26.38
$12.06
Gas CO2
66 kg
EV CO2
22 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Irving, TX
Late night
in Irving on Sunday
Local time
2:53 AM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Wells Branch, TX
Late night
in Wells Branch on Sunday
Local time
2:53 AM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
6 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
3h 23m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 97.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive, with 73% of the 188.4 miles spent on major interstates like I-35 and South R L Thornton Freeway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 80.5 miles on South R L Thornton Freeway, offering a chance to settle into a steady pace. While the majority of the journey is on high-speed roads, be prepared for potential traffic as you approach and depart urban areas. This route offers a straightforward driving experience, prioritizing efficiency over winding scenic byways.
73% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 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?
7/10
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 Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 188.4 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.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 23m. Total distance: 188.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (73%). 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.
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 Wells Branch, 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 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.
Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Wells Branch, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.
