Trip from Portland, TX to Irving, TX

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

7h 5m

Distance

390.4 mi

628 km

Drive Score

10/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$53

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min

4 AM

6h 54m ★

6 AM

7h 5m

8 AM

7h 28m

10 AM

7h 13m

12 PM

7h 11m

3 PM

7h 14m

5 PM

7h 26m

8 PM

6h 59m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time

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Download GPX

Portland, TX

Thomas balabaud

Irving, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 390.4-mile drive from Portland, TX, to Irving, TX, is best tackled in a single day, taking approximately 7 hours and 5 minutes. You'll primarily be on highways, with 68% of the route utilizing major roadways like the Purple Heart Trail, Pickle Parkway, and I-35E. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $59. Passing through the Great Plains region in both Texas, this route offers a straightforward highway-focused experience, making it a manageable day trip for most travelers. With two planned stops, you can break up the drive comfortably.

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

195.2 miles from Portland, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 41m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Purple Heart Trail	97.7 mi	1h 39m
Pickle Parkway	58.5 mi	54m
I 35E	47.3 mi	48m
US Highway 181 South	40.2 mi	45m
State Highway 80 North	30.8 mi	35m
State Highway 80	23.6 mi	25m
US Highway 181	17 mi	20m
US 181	15.8 mi	17m

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 Portland, TX and Irving, TX.

Start on this road

0.1 mi · 16 sec · this road

Toward Wildcat Drive

Turn straight onto US Highway 181

1.0 mi · 1 min · US Highway 181

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 41 sec

Merge onto US 181; TX 35

1.2 mi · 1 min · US 181; TX 35

Keep slight right at fork onto US 181

1.0 mi · 1 min · US 181

Keep slight left at fork onto US 181

14 mi · 15 min · US 181

Continue on TX 89

4.1 mi · 4 min · State Highway 89

Continue on US 181

16 mi · 18 min · US Highway 181

Continue on US 181

0.8 mi · 55 sec · South 8th Street

Continue on US 181

40 mi · 45 min · US Highway 181 South

Continue on US 181

1.2 mi · 1 min · South Sunset Strip Drive

Turn right onto TX 72; TX 239

0.8 mi · 1 min · West Main Street

Keep slight left at fork onto TX 72; TX 239

233 ft · 3 sec · East Main Street

Continue on FM 792

8.4 mi · 10 min · Helena Road

Turn straight onto TX 80

24 mi · 25 min · State Highway 80

Continue on TX 80

1.0 mi · 2 min · South Nixon Avenue

Continue on TX 80; TX 97

31 mi · 35 min · State Highway 80 North

Continue on US 183

10 mi · 11 min · US 183

Continue on US 183

4.9 mi · 8 min · South Colorado Street

Continue on US 183

0.2 mi · 16 sec · United States Highway 183

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 35 sec

Toward TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco

Merge onto TX 130 Toll

59 mi · 54 min · Pickle Parkway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 49 sec

Toward I 35 North: Waco Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 35

65 mi · 1 hr 6 min · Purple Heart Trail

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 35

6.6 mi · 7 min · South Jack Kultgen Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 35; US 77

33 mi · 33 min · Purple Heart Trail

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E

47 mi · 48 min · I 35E

Toward I 35E: Dallas Use the slight right lane.

Take the exit

0.9 mi · 2 min

Exit 418A Toward I 20 West: Fort Worth Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto I 20

6.6 mi · 7 min · Lyndon B Johnson Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.8 mi · 1 min

Exit 460 Toward Spur 408 Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto Spur 408

3.9 mi · 4 min · Patriot Parkway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto Loop 12

5.4 mi · 5 min · South Walton Walker Boulevard

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

492 ft · 12 sec

Toward TX 356: Irving Boulevard Use the slight right lane.

Turn straight onto South Loop 12

0.3 mi · 32 sec · South Loop 12

Turn left onto TX 356

0.4 mi · 59 sec · East State Highway 356

Use the left / straight lanes.

Continue on TX 356

1.2 mi · 2 min · East Irving Boulevard

Continue on West Irving Boulevard

0.1 mi · 26 sec · West Irving Boulevard

Turn right onto North Ohio Street

58 ft · 2 sec · North Ohio Street

Arrive at destination

North Ohio Street

Trip Plan

Given the 7-hour duration, starting your drive from Portland, TX, early in the morning will allow you to reach Irving, TX, with daylight to spare. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 97.7-mile stretch on the Purple Heart Trail, as it's the longest continuous segment. Plan your two stops strategically to allow for rest and refueling, perhaps around the halfway mark or where services are readily available. This 390.4-mile trip is well-suited for a single day, offering flexibility in departure time but remember to factor in potential traffic as you approach the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.

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 195.2 miles from Portland, TX, or about 3h 41m 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 86 miles or 1h 40m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 195.2 miles or 3h 41m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 5h 58m

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 Portland, 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 Portland, TX

This is one driving day of about 390.4 miles and 7h 5m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 86 miles from Portland, 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

Montopolis, TX

195 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

George West, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 86 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Montopolis, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 195.2 miles from Portland, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

Final third 4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour

Temple, Texas

Hours: 8:30 am–4 pm

+12547739926

Visit website

Pioneer Farms

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

Halfway reset 4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour

Austin, Texas

Hours: 10 am–2 pm

+15128371215

Visit website

Ripley'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 website

Louis 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 website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 18

5 decision points cluster between mile 159.6 and 378.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

159.6 mi into trip | ~3h 7m 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

218.6 mi into trip | ~4h 3m 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

323.3 mi into trip | ~5h 51m 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

370.6 mi into trip | ~6h 39m 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

378.2 mi into trip | ~6h 48m 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

$53.47 one way

$106.95 round trip

$3.48/gal 25.4 MPG avg 137 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$3.89	$59.73	$119.46
premium	$4.23	$64.94	$129.88
diesel	$4.80	$73.71	$147.43

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$53

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$78–$103

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 136.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.

Driving Electric?

About $41 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	117.1	1	$40.99	$18.74
Efficient EV	97.6	1	$34.16	$15.62
EV Truck/SUV	156.2	1	$54.66	$24.99

Gas CO2

137 kg

EV CO2

46 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.

Forecast as of Jul 17, 2026

Origin

Portland, TX

Morning in Portland on Sunday

Local time

10:24 AM

CDT

Current temp

82°F

Mostly Cloudy

SSE 15 mph 3% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 11:12PM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX

Flash Flood Warning

Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 10:46PM CDT until July 17 at 3:45AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX

Destination

Irving, TX

Morning in Irving on Sunday

Local time

10:24 AM

CDT

Current temp

75°F

Slight Chance Rain Showers

S 5 mph 15% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 11:12PM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX

Flash Flood Warning

Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 10:46PM CDT until July 17 at 3:45AM 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

7 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 5m 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...

6 mi from route ~16 min detour Free near mile 296.1

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 predominantly highway-focused drive for this 7-hour journey. With 68% of the route on major highways, much of your time will be spent on roads like the Purple Heart Trail and I-35E. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 97.7 miles on the Purple Heart Trail, so be prepared for sustained driving. While the profile suggests a highway focus, the transition between these main roads will offer some variety in the driving experience as you progress north.

68% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

39 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 is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Purple Heart Trail and Pickle Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 159.6 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 18 significant decision points across 390.4 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 159.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 218.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 323.3 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

880 ft 28 ft

Total Climb

923 ft

Total Descent

467 ft

Highest Point

880 ft

~223.1 mi in

Elevation Range

851 ft

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 Portland, TX to Irving, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Waco along the way.

Waco

159.6 mi in | ~3h 7m

About the Cities

Starting in Portland, 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 7h 5m. Total distance: 390.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

7h 5m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

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 29 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 29 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Not recommended in a single day. At 7.1 hours each way, a round trip means 14.2 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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Explore more options from Portland, TX or browse trips ending in Irving, TX.

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Trip from Portland, TX to Irving, TX

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Traffic on I-35

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

Quality Services Towing & Tires

Hill County Northbound Rest Area

Love's Travel Stop

Flying J Travel Plaza

Pilot Travel Center

Hill County Southbound Rest Area

Flying J Travel Center

Love's Travel Stop

Love's Travel Stop

Petro Stopping Centers

Buc-ee's

Service Plaza

QuikTrip

QuikTrip

Circle K

Ascent Travel Center

Bell County Northbound Rest Area

Pilot Travel Center

Bell County Southbound Rest Area

QuikTrip

Walburg Travel Center & Food Court

Road Ranger

Love's Travel Stop

QuikTrip

QuikTrip

Buc-ee's

TA

Service Plaza

QuikTrip

Cultural Activities Center

Pioneer Farms

Ripley's Believe It or Not!

Louis Tussaud's Palace of Wax

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Portland, TX

Irving, TX

Same local time

7 degrees cooler at arrival

7h 5m on the road

National Parks Near This Route

Waco Mammoth National Monument

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Elevation Profile

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Starting in Portland, TX

Arriving in Irving, TX

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Are there national parks near this route?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

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