Trip from Prairie View, 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

4h 17m

Distance

236.2 mi

380 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$32

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

4h 4m ★

6 AM

4h 17m

8 AM

4h 44m

10 AM

4h 26m

12 PM

4h 24m

3 PM

4h 28m

5 PM

4h 42m

8 PM

4h 9m

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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Prairie View, TX

Sam McCool

Irving, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Embarking on this 236.2-mile journey from Prairie View, TX, to Irving, TX, will take approximately 4 hours and 17 minutes of driving time. This route is designed for a single day of travel, so you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You can expect to spend around $36 on fuel for this trip. The drive primarily takes place within the Great Plains region, offering a consistent landscape. With 78% of the drive on highways, this route is focused on efficient travel, making it a straightforward option for getting from point A to point B.

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

118.1 miles from Prairie View, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 8m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
TX 6	69 mi	1h 15m
I 35E	47.3 mi	48m
North State Highway 6	43.3 mi	43m
Purple Heart Trail	31.5 mi	31m
East State Highway 6	9.1 mi	9m
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway	6.6 mi	7m
South Walton Walker Boulevard	5.4 mi	5m
US 290	5 mi	5m

Longest stretch: TX 6 — 69 mi, about 1h 15m

Traffic on I-35

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 4 FHWA count stations on your route.

Peak

2 PM

~2,710 veh/hr typical · worst 3,817

Quietest

2 AM

~466 veh/hr

Peak-to-quiet ratio

5.8×

busier at peak than in the quiet hours

12a 6a noon 6p 11p

Averaged across 43 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 Prairie View, TX and Irving, TX.

Start on L. W. Minor Street

10 ft · 2 sec · L. W. Minor Street

Turn right onto University Drive

0.3 mi · 1 min · University Drive

Continue on Sandra Bland Parkway

0.5 mi · 1 min · Sandra Bland Parkway

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 56 sec

Toward US 290 West

Merge onto US 290; TX 6

5.0 mi · 5 min · US 290; TX 6

Take the exit onto TX 6

0.3 mi · 36 sec · TX 6

Toward College Station, Bryan Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 19 sec

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn right

0.2 mi · 12 sec

Use the straight / right lanes.

Continue on TX 6

11 mi · 12 min · TX 6

Use the straight / right lanes.

Turn straight onto TX 6

58 mi · 1 hr 1 min · TX 6

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto TX 6

5.8 mi · 5 min · North State Highway 6

Continue on TX 6

2.2 mi · 3 min · South Main Street

Continue on TX 6

37 mi · 37 min · North State Highway 6

Continue on TX 6

2.2 mi · 2 min · South Memorial Street

Continue on TX 6

9.1 mi · 9 min · East State Highway 6

Take the exit onto TX 6

0.3 mi · 33 sec · TX 6

Turn right onto Loop 340

4.9 mi · 6 min · East Loop 340

Take the exit

354 ft · 10 sec

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 23 sec

Toward I 35 North

Merge onto I 35; US 77

31 mi · 31 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 4-hour 17-minute duration, starting your drive in the morning is advisable to avoid potential afternoon traffic as you approach Irving. With only one indicated stop, you'll want to plan your break strategically, perhaps during the longest stretch on TX 6. The estimated fuel cost of $36 should be factored into your budget. Since this is a manageable day trip, you have flexibility in your departure time, but a prompt start ensures a relaxed arrival. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before entering longer stretches of highway where services might be less frequent.

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 118.1 miles from Prairie View, TX, or about 2h 8m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 69 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 52 miles or 59m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 118.1 miles or 2h 8m 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 28m

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 Prairie View, 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 Prairie View, TX

This is one driving day of about 236.2 miles and 4h 17m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 miles from Prairie View, 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 TX 6 for about 69 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Troy, TX

118 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

Houston, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 52 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Groesbeck, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 118.1 miles from Prairie View, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour

Waxahachie, Texas

Hours: 5–9 pm

+12149801053

Visit website

Doris D Miller Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour

Waco, Texas

Hours: Open 24 hours

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 22

5 decision points cluster between mile 6.2 and 224 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6.2 mi into trip | ~9m in | TX 6

Take the exit onto TX 6 toward College Station, Bryan

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward College Station, Bryan

6.5 mi into trip | ~9m in

Keep slight left at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

169.2 mi into trip | ~3h 2m 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

216.4 mi into trip | ~3h 51m 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

224 mi into trip | ~4h 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

$32.35 one way

$64.70 round trip

$3.48/gal 25.4 MPG avg 83 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$3.89	$36.14	$72.27
premium	$4.23	$39.29	$78.58
diesel	$4.80	$44.60	$89.20

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$32

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$57–$82

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 82.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.

Driving Electric?

About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	70.9	0	$24.80	$11.34
Efficient EV	59.1	0	$20.67	$9.45
EV Truck/SUV	94.5	1	$33.07	$15.12

Gas CO2

83 kg

EV CO2

28 kg (66% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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 18, 2026

Origin

Prairie View, TX

Afternoon in Prairie View on Sunday

Local time

12:30 PM

CDT

Current temp

93°F

Partly Sunny

S 5 to 10 mph 1% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued July 18 at 9:55AM CDT until July 19 at 11:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued July 18 at 9:53AM CDT until July 19 at 7:15PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX

Destination

Irving, TX

Afternoon in Irving on Sunday

Local time

12:30 PM

CDT

Current temp

96°F

Mostly Sunny

SSW 10 mph 3% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued July 18 at 9:55AM CDT until July 19 at 11:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued July 18 at 9:53AM CDT until July 19 at 7:15PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX

96°F

Troy, TX

118 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

3 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

4h 17m 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.

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 138.5

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

This drive is predominantly a highway-focused experience, with 78% of the route utilizing major roadways. You'll encounter a significant stretch of TX 6, including a continuous segment of 69 miles on this road. While the exact transitions aren't detailed, the profile suggests a consistent pace, likely involving interstate travel for much of the journey. Expect a practical and efficient drive rather than one filled with winding backroads or frequent changes in scenery.

78% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 69 mi on TX 6.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on TX 6 and I 35E. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 6.2 miles in near TX 6.

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 22 significant decision points across 236.2 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 6.2 miles (TX 6): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 169.2 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

684 ft 201 ft

Total Climb

634 ft

Total Descent

418 ft

Highest Point

684 ft

~168.7 mi in

Elevation Range

483 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 Prairie View, TX to Irving, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Spur 408 along the way.

Spur 408

224 mi in | ~4h

About the Cities

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 4h 17m. Total distance: 236.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 17m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (78%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 69 miles on TX 6. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — we found about 17 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 17 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.

Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.6 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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Explore more options from Prairie View, TX or browse trips ending in Irving, TX.

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Trip from Prairie View, 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

Hill County Northbound Rest Area

Love's Travel Stop

Love's Travel Stop

Hill County Southbound Rest Area

Pilot Travel Center

Love's Travel Stop

Love's Travel Stop

Petro Stopping Centers

Service Plaza

QuikTrip

Road Ranger

QuikTrip

Buc-ee's

TA

QuikTrip

Pilot Travel Center

Service Plaza

NTER - The Great Escape

Doris D Miller Park

Ripley's Believe It or Not!

Louis Tussaud's Palace of Wax

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Prairie View, TX

Irving, TX

Same local time

3 degrees warmer at arrival

4h 17m 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

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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