Hill County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Lago Vista, TX to Irving, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 49m
Distance
204.4 mi
329 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$28
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 37m
★
6 AM
3h 50m
8 AM
4h 15m
10 AM
3h 59m
12 PM
3h 56m
3 PM
4h 0m
5 PM
4h 14m
8 PM
3h 42m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lago Vista, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Irving, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Lago Vista to Irving is 204.4 miles and takes about 3h 49m via Purple Heart Trail and I-35E, with a fuel budget near $30 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Texas, transitioning from the Great Plains region near Lago Vista to another part of the Great Plains as you approach Irving. Expect a mixed driving experience with both highway cruising and surface streets. With a recommended one-day duration, this route is well-suited for a straightforward trip without the need for an overnight stop.
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
102.2 miles from Lago Vista, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 59m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Purple Heart Trail | 107 mi | 1h 49m |
| I 35E | 47.3 mi | 48m |
| East Whitestone Boulevard | 8.6 mi | 11m |
| RM 1431 | 7.5 mi | 10m |
| Lyndon B Johnson Freeway | 6.6 mi | 7m |
| South Jack Kultgen Expressway | 6.6 mi | 7m |
| South Walton Walker Boulevard | 5.4 mi | 5m |
| Patriot Parkway | 3.9 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
Purple Heart Trail
— 107 mi, about 1h 49m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 44 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~3,004 veh/hr typical · worst 3,707
Quietest
2 AM
~485 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 Lago Vista, TX and Irving, TX.
1
Start on Park Drive
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Park Drive
2
Continue on Park Drive
0.1 mi
·
29 sec
·
Park Drive
3
Continue on Park Drive
70 ft
·
6 sec
·
Park Drive
4
Turn left onto Lohman Ford Road
1.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Lohman Ford Road
5
Turn right onto RM 1431
7.5 mi
·
10 min
·
RM 1431
6
Continue on RM 1431
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
West Whitestone Boulevard
7
Turn left onto West New Hope Drive
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
West New Hope Drive
Use the left lane.
8
Turn right onto North Lakeline Boulevard
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
North Lakeline Boulevard
Use the right lane.
9
Turn left onto RM 1431
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
West Whitestone Boulevard
Use the left lane.
10
Continue on RM 1431
8.6 mi
·
11 min
·
East Whitestone Boulevard
Use the left lane.
11
Turn slight left
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Toward Interstate 35
12
Continue on North Interstate 35
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
North Interstate 35
13
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Toward I 35 North
14
Merge onto I 35
74 mi
·
1 hr 16 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I 35
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on I 35; US 77
33 mi
·
33 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E
47 mi
·
48 min
·
I 35E
Toward I 35E: Dallas
Use the slight right lane.
18
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
2 min
Exit 418A
Toward I 20 West: Fort Worth
Use the slight right lane.
19
Merge onto I 20
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Exit 460
Toward Spur 408
Use the slight right lane.
21
Merge onto Spur 408
3.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Patriot Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Merge onto Loop 12
5.4 mi
·
5 min
·
South Walton Walker Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
492 ft
·
12 sec
Toward TX 356: Irving Boulevard
Use the slight right lane.
24
Turn straight onto South Loop 12
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
·
South Loop 12
25
Turn left onto TX 356
0.4 mi
·
59 sec
·
East State Highway 356
Use the left / straight lanes.
26
Continue on TX 356
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
East Irving Boulevard
27
Continue on West Irving Boulevard
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
·
West Irving Boulevard
28
Turn right onto North Ohio Street
58 ft
·
2 sec
·
North Ohio Street
29
Arrive at destination
North Ohio Street
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 49m duration, leaving Lago Vista in the morning should allow you to reach Irving with plenty of daylight to spare. The single stop suggested is likely sufficient for a break, but feel free to adjust based on your needs. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $30, and it's always wise to top off before embarking on longer stretches. The 107-mile stretch on Purple Heart Trail means you'll want to be sure you have enough gas before starting that segment.
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 102.2 miles from Lago Vista, TX, or about 1h 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 107 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 45 miles or 1h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 102.2 miles or 1h 59m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 6m
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 Lago Vista, 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 Lago Vista, TX
This is one driving day of about 204.4 miles and 3h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Lago Vista, 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 Purple Heart Trail for about 107 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
102 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 45 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 102.2 miles from Lago Vista, 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 107 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.
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
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
Ascent Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Bell County Northbound Rest Area
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
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
QuikTrip
2.3 mi from route
Doris D Miller Park
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Halfway reset
0.6 mi from route
~2 min detour
Waco, Texas
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteLakeline Park
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
First break
2.6 mi from route
~6 min detour
Cedar Park, Texas
+15124015500
Visit websiteCultural Activities Center
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour
Early stretch
3.5 mi from route
~9 min detour
Temple, Texas
Hours: 8:30 am–4 pm
+12547739926
Visit websiteJim Hogg Park
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, ~12 min detour
First break
4.7 mi from route
~12 min detour
Georgetown, Texas
+15129305253
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 165 decision points cluster between mile 11.5 and 192.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
11.5 mi into trip
|
~20m in
|
North Lakeline Boulevard
Turn right onto North Lakeline Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
12.5 mi into trip
|
~22m in
|
RM 1431 / West Whitestone Boulevard
Turn left onto RM 1431 / West Whitestone Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
137.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 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
184.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 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
192.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 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
$28.00 one way
$55.99 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
72 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $31.27 | $62.54 |
| premium | $4.23 | $34.00 | $68.00 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $38.59 | $77.19 |
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: 71.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 61.3 | 0 | $21.46 | $9.81 |
| Efficient EV | 51.1 | 0 | $17.89 | $8.18 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 81.8 | 1 | $28.62 | $13.08 |
Gas CO2
72 kg
EV CO2
24 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.
Origin
Lago Vista, TX
Evening in Lago Vista on Monday
Local time
7:35 PM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Partly Cloudy
SSE 5 to 10 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 8:56PM CDT until July 19 at 7:13AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 7:55PM MDT until July 18 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa NM
Destination
Irving, TX
Evening in Irving on Monday
Local time
7:35 PM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Partly Cloudy
S 5 to 10 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 8:56PM CDT until July 19 at 7:13AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 7:55PM MDT until July 18 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa NM
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
3h 49m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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 105.7
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
About 36% of this trip is highway driving. You'll encounter your longest stretch of continuous driving, 107 miles, on Purple Heart Trail before merging onto I-35E. Expect urban merging and dense exits as you approach the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. The profile is mixed highway and surface, meaning you'll transition between faster-paced roads and slower, more localized streets.
36% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 107 mi on Purple Heart Trail.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 11.5 miles in near North Lakeline Boulevard.
Driving Effort
8/10
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 204.4 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 11.5 miles (North Lakeline Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 12.5 miles (RM 1431 / West Whitestone Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 137.3 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
925 ft
401 ft
Total Climb
740 ft
Total Descent
1,032 ft
Highest Point
925 ft
~14.6 mi in
Elevation Range
524 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 Lago Vista, TX to Irving, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Spur 408 along the way.
Spur 408
192.2 mi in
|
~3h 33m
About the Cities
Starting in Lago Vista, TX
Full guide →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 3h 49m. Total distance: 204.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 107 miles on Purple Heart Trail. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 24 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 1 meaningful breaks. There are 24 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 11.5 miles (North Lakeline Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 12.5 miles (RM 1431 / West Whitestone Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 137.3 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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Irving, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.
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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