Rhode Island, TX to Dripping Springs, TX is 200.8 miles and takes about 3h 44m via I 35 and I 45, with a fuel budget near $30 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Great Plains region, offering a straightforward drive across Texas. Given the relatively short distance and duration, this route is well-suited for a single-day excursion. You'll primarily be on major highways, making it an efficient way to cover the ground. Consider this a practical transit rather than a destination-focused adventure.
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
100.4 miles from Rhode Island, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 51m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 35
42.1 mi
43m
Purple Heart Trail
37.9 mi
39m
I 45
19.9 mi
19m
West State Highway 31
18.8 mi
21m
State Highway 31
17.2 mi
17m
West US Highway 290
11.8 mi
16m
Express 1 Toll
10.5 mi
11m
North Mopac Expressway
8.6 mi
9m
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 42.1 mi, about 43m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 44 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,473 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,251
Quietest
2 AM
~535 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 104 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 Rhode Island, TX and Dripping Springs, TX.
1
Start on County Road 161
10 ft·7 sec·County Road 161
2
Turn left onto FM 833
0.9 mi·1 min·East FM 833
3
Turn right onto TX 75; FM 833
52 ft·2 sec·North State Highway 75
4
Turn left onto FM 833
0.7 mi·1 min·West FM 833
5
Continue on FM 833
0.4 mi·55 sec·Farm-to-Market Road 833
6
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·50 sec
7
Merge onto I 45
20 mi·19 min·I 45
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 227Toward TX 31: Athens, Waco
9
Turn left onto South Interstate 45
0.4 mi·50 sec·South Interstate 45
10
Turn left onto TX 31
5.6 mi·6 min·Corsicana Bypass
Use the straight lane.
11
At end of road, turn left onto TX 31
19 mi·21 min·West State Highway 31
12
Continue on TX 31
5.5 mi·5 min·Hubbard Bypass
13
Continue on TX 31
17 mi·17 min·State Highway 31
14
Continue on US 84
2.5 mi·2 min·East US Highway 84
15
Continue on US 84
2.6 mi·4 min·Bellmead Drive
16
Turn straight onto US 84
0.4 mi·1 min·East Waco Drive
17
Turn left onto North Jack Kultgen Expressway
519 ft·12 sec·North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the left / straight lanes.
18
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward I 35 South, US 77 South
19
Merge onto I 35; US 77
6.1 mi·6 min·North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Continue on I 35
38 mi·39 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
42 mi·43 min·I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 250Toward TX 45 Toll, TX 1 TollUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward TX 45 Toll West, TX 1 Toll South: Round Rock, AustinUse the slight right lane.
24
Merge onto TX 45 Toll
0.5 mi·30 sec·State Highway 45 North
25
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward Loop 1 Toll SouthUse the slight right lane.
26
Continue on Loop 1 Toll
4.2 mi·4 min·North Mopac Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Keep slight left at fork onto Express 1 Toll
10 mi·11 min·Express 1 Toll
Use the slight left lane.
28
Merge onto Loop 1
4.4 mi·5 min·North Mopac Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward US 290 West, TX 71 West: Johnson City, LlanoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Keep slight left at fork
319 ft·7 sec
Toward US 290 West, TX 71 West
31
Merge onto US 290; TX 71
3.7 mi·4 min·US 290; TX 71
Use the straight / right lanes.
32
Continue on West US Highway 290 Frontage Rd
447 ft·6 sec·West US Highway 290 Frontage Rd
33
Continue on West US 290 Frontage Rd
0.3 mi·23 sec·West US 290 Frontage Rd
34
Turn straight onto West US 290 Bypass Lanes
0.5 mi·33 sec·West US 290 Bypass Lanes
35
Continue on US 290
378 ft·4 sec·West US Highway 290
36
Continue on US 290
12 mi·15 min·West US Highway 290
Use the left lane.
37
Turn left onto RM 12
0.2 mi·18 sec·Ranch Road 12
Use the left lane.
38
Turn left
104 ft·13 sec
39
Turn left
332 ft·24 sec
40
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 3h 44m drive, aim for an early morning departure to avoid any potential traffic congestion, especially as you get closer to your destination. With only one recommended stop and a total distance of 200.8 miles, you have plenty of flexibility. The fuel cost is estimated at $30, so ensure your tank is full before you leave Rhode Island, TX. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach the end of the 42.1-mile stretch on I 35, as services can sometimes be spaced out on these longer highway segments.
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 100.4 miles from Rhode Island, TX, or about 1h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 42.1 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 44 miles or 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 100.4 miles or 1h 51m 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
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Dripping Springs, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Rhode Island, 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 Rhode Island, TX
This is one driving day of about 200.8 miles and 3h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 miles from Rhode Island, 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 I 35 for about 42.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 25
5 decision points cluster between mile 22.3 and 183.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
22.3 mi into trip|~24m in
Take the exit toward TX 31: Athens, Waco
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 227
Toward TX 31: Athens, Waco
6
23 mi into trip|~26m in|TX 31 / Corsicana Bypass
Turn left onto TX 31 / Corsicana Bypass
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
162 mi into trip|~2h 55m in
Take the exit toward TX 45 Toll, TX 1 Toll
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 250
Toward TX 45 Toll, TX 1 Toll
8
162.5 mi into trip|~2h 56m in
Keep slight right at fork toward TX 45 Toll West, TX 1 Toll South: Round Rock, Austin
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward TX 45 Toll West, TX 1 Toll South: Round...
7
183.5 mi into trip|~3h 20m in
Take the exit toward US 290 West, TX 71 West: Johnson City, Llano
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.
Toward US 290 West, TX 71 West: Johnson City, L...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.74 one way
$61.49 round trip
$3.89/gal25.4 MPG avg70 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.29
$33.93
$67.86
premium
$4.64
$36.67
$73.33
diesel
$6.18
$48.85
$97.70
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 70.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
60.2
0
$21.08
$9.64
Efficient EV
50.2
0
$17.57
$8.03
EV Truck/SUV
80.3
1
$28.11
$12.85
Gas CO2
70 kg
EV CO2
23 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.
Forecast as of Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Rhode Island, TX
Morning
in Rhode Island on Tuesday
Local time
7:50 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Mostly Cloudy
ESE 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Dripping Springs, TX
Morning
in Dripping Springs on Tuesday
Local time
7:50 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Mostly Sunny
E 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
86°F
Troy, TX
100 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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 44m 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 76.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly highway, with 67% of the 200.8 miles spent on major roads like I 35 and I 45. The longest continuous stretch on a single highway is 42.1 miles on I 35. You'll experience a good amount of rural cruising with some denser exit areas as you approach populated zones. Expect the highway portion to conclude and transition to surface roads as you get closer to Dripping Springs.
67% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
40 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 42.1 mi on I 35.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and Purple Heart Trail. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 22.3 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 25 significant decision points across 200.8 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 22.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 23 miles (TX 31 / Corsicana Bypass): Lane positioning matters here; at 162 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,154 ft347 ft
Total Climb
1,187 ft
Total Descent
426 ft
Highest Point
1,154 ft
~200.8 mi in
Elevation Range
806 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Rhode Island, TX and Dripping Springs, TX, road signs point toward Waco, Austin, Loop 1 Toll South and Llano.
Rhode Island (RI) is the smallest state of the United States of America, tucked between Massachusetts and Connecticut in New England. Nonetheless, it has over 400 mi (640 km) of coastline, courtesy of Narragansett Bay and islands such as Aquidneck Island, home to Newport, the "City by the Sea". While Rhode Island contains the name "island" in its name, most of its area is not on an island.
Top landmarks
•Block Island Southeast Light — lighthouse in Rhode Island, United States
•German corvette Hiddensee — Tarantul-class corvette in East German Navy ship, brought to US for analysis; no...
•Barrington Civic Center Historic District — historic district in Rhode Island, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 44m. Total distance: 200.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 42.1 miles on I 35. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Dripping Springs, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 22.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 23 miles (TX 31 / Corsicana Bypass): Lane positioning matters here; at 162 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Dripping Springs, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.
