Hill County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Pleasanton, TX to Grand Prairie, 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
5h 34m
Distance
322.8 mi
520 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$44
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 21m
★
6 AM
5h 35m
8 AM
6h 1m
10 AM
5h 44m
12 PM
5h 41m
3 PM
5h 45m
5 PM
6h 0m
8 PM
5h 27m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Pleasanton, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Grand Prairie, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 322.8-mile drive from Pleasanton, TX to Grand Prairie, TX will take approximately 5 hours and 34 minutes of driving time. It's a feasible one-day trip, though you could break it up if you prefer a more leisurely pace. You'll be navigating a mix of highways, with 58% of the journey on interstates. Budget around $49 for fuel, and be aware that you'll encounter one designated stop along the way. The drive primarily traverses the Great Plains region of Texas, offering a consistent landscape throughout.
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
161.4 miles from Pleasanton, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 42m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Purple Heart Trail | 97.7 mi | 1h 39m |
| Pickle Parkway | 86 mi | 1h 19m |
| I 35E | 47.3 mi | 48m |
| I 37 | 23.2 mi | 23m |
| 90th Infantry Division Highway | 21.7 mi | 22m |
| I 10 | 10.9 mi | 10m |
| Lyndon B Johnson Freeway | 9 mi | 9m |
| Connally Loop | 7 mi | 7m |
Longest stretch:
Purple Heart Trail
— 97.7 mi, about 1h 39m
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 Pleasanton, TX and Grand Prairie, TX.
1
Start on TX 97
3.6 mi
·
5 min
·
TX 97
2
Turn left onto I-37 Frontage Road
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
·
I-37 Frontage Road
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Toward I 37 North
4
Merge onto I 37
23 mi
·
23 min
·
I 37
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Exit 133
Toward I 410, TX 130, US 281 South
Use the slight right lane.
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
Toward I 410 North, TX 130 North
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 410; TX 130
7.0 mi
·
7 min
·
Connally Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit onto TX 130
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
TX 130
Exit 33
Toward I 10, US 90, TX 130: San Antonio, Houston
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 130
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
·
TX 130
Toward I 10 East, US 90 East, TX 130 North: Houston, Seguin
10
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 130
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
TX 130
Toward I 10 East, US 90 East
11
Merge onto I 10; US 90; TX 130
22 mi
·
22 min
·
90th Infantry Division Highway
Use the slight right lane.
12
Continue on I 10; TX 130
11 mi
·
10 min
·
I 10; TX 130
Toward I 10 East: Houston, Austin, Waco
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
1.0 mi
·
2 min
Exit 614
Toward TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on TX 130 Toll
86 mi
·
1 hr 19 min
·
Pickle Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
Toward I 35 North: Waco
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto I 35
65 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on I 35
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on I 35; US 77
33 mi
·
33 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E
47 mi
·
48 min
·
I 35E
Toward I 35E: Dallas
Use the slight right lane.
20
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
2 min
Exit 418A
Toward I 20 West: Fort Worth
Use the slight right lane.
21
Merge onto I 20
9.0 mi
·
9 min
·
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
Exit 457
Toward FM 1382
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Turn right onto FM 1382
5.0 mi
·
8 min
·
South Belt Line Road
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
24
Turn slight right onto Southeast 9th Street
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
Southeast 9th Street
25
Turn left onto TX 180
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
·
East Main Street
26
Turn right
74 ft
·
5 sec
27
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Consider an early morning departure from Pleasanton to maximize your daylight driving and arrive in Grand Prairie with plenty of time. While this 5-hour, 34-minute trip is manageable in one day, the longest stretch of 97.7 miles on the Purple Heart Trail means you'll want to fuel up before embarking on that segment. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility to schedule breaks when needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you approach that longer stretch, to ensure a smooth journey.
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 161.4 miles from Pleasanton, TX, or about 2h 42m 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 71 miles or 1h 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 161.4 miles or 2h 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 4h 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Grand Prairie, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Pleasanton, 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 Pleasanton, TX
This is one driving day of about 322.8 miles and 5h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 71 miles from Pleasanton, 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 97.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
161 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 71 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 161.4 miles from Pleasanton, 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.
Picnic Area
0 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.1 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
Picnic Area
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
TA
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
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Circle K
0.1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.1 mi from route
Bell County Northbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Jud's Travel Center
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
Pilot Travel Center
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
Ripley's Believe It or Not!
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Grand Prairie, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+19722632391
Visit websiteLouis Tussaud's Palace of Wax
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.1 mi from route
~3 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 215 decision points cluster between mile 27.1 and 155 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
27.1 mi into trip
|
~30m in
Take the exit toward I 410, TX 130, US 281 South
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 133
Toward I 410, TX 130, US 281 South
8
27.3 mi into trip
|
~30m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 410 North, TX 130 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 410 North, TX 130 North
8
34.7 mi into trip
|
~38m in
|
TX 130
Take the exit onto TX 130 toward I 10, US 90, TX 130: San Antonio, Houston
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.
Exit 33
Toward I 10, US 90, TX 130: San Antonio, Housto...
8
68 mi into trip
|
~1h 13m in
Take the exit toward TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco
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.
Exit 614
Toward TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco
7
155 mi into trip
|
~2h 35m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$44.21 one way
$88.43 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
113 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $49.39 | $98.77 |
| premium | $4.23 | $53.69 | $107.39 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $60.95 | $121.90 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 112.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 96.8 | 1 | $33.89 | $15.49 |
| Efficient EV | 80.7 | 0 | $28.25 | $12.91 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 129.1 | 1 | $45.19 | $20.66 |
Gas CO2
113 kg
EV CO2
38 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
Pleasanton, TX
Late night in Pleasanton on Monday
Local time
1:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
92°F
Partly Sunny
SSE 5 to 15 mph
3% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 11:03AM CDT until July 17 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 11:01AM CDT until July 17 at 12:45PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Destination
Grand Prairie, TX
Late night in Grand Prairie on Monday
Local time
1:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
93°F
Partly Sunny
S 10 to 15 mph
7% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 11:03AM CDT until July 17 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 11:01AM CDT until July 17 at 12:45PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
96°F
Troy, TX
161 mi in
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
1 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
5h 34m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Welcome to San Antonio Missions, a National Park Service site and the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Texas. Each mission in the park is a center of community and has been since the early 1700s. Th...
4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 22.3
View on nps.gov
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...
6 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 222.6
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a mixed drive on this route, blending interstate cruising with other road types. The majority of your time will be spent on highways, but there are also sections of other roads to consider. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 97.7 miles on the Purple Heart Trail, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly. With 58% of the route being on highways, you'll experience varying speeds and road conditions as you travel north.
58% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
27 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 27.1 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 21 significant decision points across 322.8 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 27.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 27.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 34.7 miles (TX 130): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
915 ft
361 ft
Total Climb
953 ft
Total Descent
795 ft
Highest Point
915 ft
~161.4 mi in
Elevation Range
554 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.
Between Pleasanton, TX and Grand Prairie, TX, road signs point toward Houston, Seguin, Austin and Waco.
Houston
34.7 mi in
|
~38m
|
via TX 130
Seguin
34.8 mi in
|
~39m
|
via TX 130
Austin
57.1 mi in
|
~1h 3m
|
via I 10; TX 130
Waco
57.1 mi in
|
~1h 3m
|
via I 10; TX 130
About the Cities
Arriving in Grand Prairie, TX
Full guide →Founded 1863
Grand Prairie is a city in the Prairies and Lakes region of Texas.
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 5h 34m. Total distance: 322.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.
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 38 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 Grand Prairie, 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 38 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 27.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 27.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 34.7 miles (TX 130): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — San Antonio Missions National Historical Park and Waco Mammoth National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.6 hours each way, a round trip means 11.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Grand Prairie, 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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