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Trip from Kingsville, TX to Irving, 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
7h 49m
Distance
423.5 mi
682 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$58
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 41m
★
6 AM
7h 50m
8 AM
8h 8m
10 AM
7h 56m
12 PM
7h 55m
3 PM
7h 57m
5 PM
8h 7m
8 PM
7h 44m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Kingsville, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Irving, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 423.5-mile drive from Kingsville, TX to Irving, TX will take approximately 7 hours and 49 minutes of driving time. It's a feasible day trip, though you might consider an overnight stop to break up the 7 hours and 49 minutes. The route primarily uses Purple Heart Trail, Pickle Parkway, and US 281, with 57% of the journey on highways. Expect a fuel cost of around $64 for this trip. You'll pass through two stops, with the longest stretch covering 97.7 miles. Both your origin and destination are within the Great Plains region, so the landscape will remain consistent throughout your journey.
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
211.8 miles from Kingsville, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 10m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Purple Heart Trail | 97.7 mi | 1h 39m |
| Pickle Parkway | 58.5 mi | 54m |
| US 281 | 54.2 mi | 1h 1m |
| I 35E | 47.3 mi | 48m |
| King David Drive | 31.8 mi | 39m |
| State Highway 80 North | 30.8 mi | 35m |
| State Highway 80 | 23.6 mi | 25m |
| East King Avenue | 15.2 mi | 19m |
Longest stretch:
Purple Heart Trail
— 97.7 mi, about 1h 39m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 20 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 Kingsville, TX and Irving, TX.
1
Start on US 77 Business
54 ft
·
5 sec
·
South 14th Street
2
Turn right onto TX 141
15 mi
·
19 min
·
East King Avenue
3
Take the ramp
0.6 mi
·
1 min
4
Merge onto US 281
54 mi
·
1 hr 1 min
·
US 281
5
Keep slight left at fork onto US 281
11 mi
·
14 min
·
Nueces Street
6
Turn right onto TX 72
32 mi
·
39 min
·
King David Drive
7
Continue on TX 72; TX 239
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
West Main Street
8
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 72; TX 239
233 ft
·
3 sec
·
East Main Street
9
Continue on FM 792
8.4 mi
·
10 min
·
Helena Road
10
Turn straight onto TX 80
24 mi
·
25 min
·
State Highway 80
11
Continue on TX 80
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
South Nixon Avenue
12
Continue on TX 80; TX 97
31 mi
·
35 min
·
State Highway 80 North
13
Continue on US 183
10 mi
·
11 min
·
US 183
14
Continue on US 183
4.9 mi
·
8 min
·
South Colorado Street
15
Continue on US 183
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
United States Highway 183
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
35 sec
Toward TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco
17
Merge onto TX 130 Toll
59 mi
·
54 min
·
Pickle Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
Toward I 35 North: Waco
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
19
Merge onto I 35
65 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Continue on I 35
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on I 35; US 77
33 mi
·
33 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E
47 mi
·
48 min
·
I 35E
Toward I 35E: Dallas
Use the slight right lane.
23
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
2 min
Exit 418A
Toward I 20 West: Fort Worth
Use the slight right lane.
24
Merge onto I 20
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Exit 460
Toward Spur 408
Use the slight right lane.
26
Merge onto Spur 408
3.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Patriot Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Merge onto Loop 12
5.4 mi
·
5 min
·
South Walton Walker Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Take the exit
492 ft
·
12 sec
Toward TX 356: Irving Boulevard
Use the slight right lane.
29
Turn straight onto South Loop 12
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
·
South Loop 12
30
Turn left onto TX 356
0.4 mi
·
59 sec
·
East State Highway 356
Use the left / straight lanes.
31
Continue on TX 356
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
East Irving Boulevard
32
Continue on West Irving Boulevard
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
·
West Irving Boulevard
33
Turn right onto North Ohio Street
58 ft
·
2 sec
·
North Ohio Street
34
Arrive at destination
North Ohio Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 423.5-mile drive, consider an early morning departure from Kingsville to maximize daylight. With an estimated 7 hours and 49 minutes of driving, planning for two stops is a good idea for breaks and fuel. The longest stretch is 97.7 miles on Purple Heart Trail, so ensure you have adequate fuel before embarking on that segment. The $64 fuel cost is an estimate, so adjust based on current prices and your vehicle's efficiency. Given the duration, being flexible with your schedule is key.
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 211.8 miles from Kingsville, TX, or about 4h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 97.7 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 93 miles or 1h 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 211.8 miles or 4h 10m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Irving, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Kingsville, 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 Kingsville, TX
This is one driving day of about 423.5 miles and 7h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 93 miles from Kingsville, 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 Purple Heart Trail for about 97.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
212 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 93 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 211.8 miles from Kingsville, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Purple Heart Trail if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 97.7 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.
Hill County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Rest Area
0 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Hill County Southbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
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
Bell County Northbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Bell County Southbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Walburg Travel Center & Food Court
0.2 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
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
Love's Travel Stop
1.3 mi from route
QuikTrip
2.3 mi from route
Village of Salado Visitors Center
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Final third
1.9 mi from route
~5 min detour
Salado, Texas
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+12549478634
Visit websiteDick Kleberg Park
4.3
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the start, short detour
2.9 mi from route
~7 min detour
Kingsville, Texas
Hours: 8 am–10 pm
+13612218705
Visit websiteRipley's Believe It or Not!
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, ~12 min detour
Home stretch
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 end, ~12 min detour
Home stretch
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 195 decision points cluster between mile 192.8 and 411.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
192.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 52m in
Keep slight left at fork toward TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco
7
251.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 47m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35 North: Waco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35 North: Waco
7
356.5 mi into trip
|
~6h 35m in
|
I 35E
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E toward I 35E: Dallas
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 35E: Dallas
7
403.8 mi into trip
|
~7h 24m in
Take the exit toward I 20 West: Fort Worth
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 418A
Toward I 20 West: Fort Worth
7
411.3 mi into trip
|
~7h 33m in
Take the exit toward Spur 408
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 460
Toward Spur 408
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$58.01 one way
$116.01 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
148 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $64.79 | $129.58 |
| premium | $4.23 | $70.44 | $140.89 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $79.96 | $159.93 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$58
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$83–$108
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 148.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $44 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 127.1 | 1 | $44.47 | $20.33 |
| Efficient EV | 105.9 | 1 | $37.06 | $16.94 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 169.4 | 2 | $59.29 | $27.10 |
Gas CO2
148 kg
EV CO2
50 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
Kingsville, TX
Morning in Kingsville on Sunday
Local time
10:06 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Mostly Cloudy
SE 9 to 15 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 8:42PM CDT until July 17 at 6:38AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 8:37PM CDT until July 18 at 3:00PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Irving, TX
Morning in Irving on Sunday
Local time
10:06 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SSE 5 to 10 mph
33% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 8:42PM CDT until July 17 at 6:38AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 8:37PM CDT until July 18 at 3:00PM 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
3 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
7h 49m 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
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 321.3
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 offers a mixed driving experience, with 57% of it on highways. You'll encounter stretches of faster travel interspersed with other road types. The longest uninterrupted drive segment is 97.7 miles on Purple Heart Trail, so be prepared for a sustained period on this particular road. While the 'profile' is described as mixed, expect a significant portion to be on well-maintained highways, making for relatively straightforward navigation. The journey progresses through various Texas landscapes, typical of the Great Plains.
57% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 97.7 mi on Purple Heart Trail.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 192.8 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 19 significant decision points across 423.5 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 192.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 251.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 356.5 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
784 ft
58 ft
Total Climb
1,039 ft
Total Descent
613 ft
Highest Point
784 ft
~242 mi in
Elevation Range
726 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 Kingsville, TX to Irving, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Waco along the way.
Waco
192.8 mi in
|
~3h 52m
About the Cities
Starting in Kingsville, TX
Full guide →Founded 1904
Kingsville is a city in the South Barrier Coast region of Texas. Originally meant to be a supply/commerce center for the King Ranch when it was created as a planned city in 1904, Kingsville has evolved to incorporate a naval air station and a Texas A&M campus (TAMUK) as well. However, its identity will always probably be inseparable from the ranch.
Top landmarks
- • King Ranch — historic district in Kingsville, Kleberg, Kenedy County, Texas
Arriving 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 7h 49m. Total distance: 423.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 49m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 97.7 miles on Purple Heart Trail. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 31 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 Irving, 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 31 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 192.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 251.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 356.5 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 7.8 hours each way, a round trip means 15.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Irving, 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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