Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Rhode Island, TX to El Campo, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 24, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 21m
Distance
231.7 mi
373 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$35
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 8m
★
6 AM
4h 21m
8 AM
4h 48m
10 AM
4h 31m
12 PM
4h 28m
3 PM
4h 32m
5 PM
4h 47m
8 PM
4h 14m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Rhode Island, TX
Beth Fitzpatrick
El Campo, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Rhode Island, TX to El Campo, TX is 231.7 miles and takes about 4h 21m via I 45, with a fuel budget near $34 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Great Plains region, offering a straightforward drive across Texas. With 87% of the route on highways, you'll spend most of your time on major roads, making for a predictable and efficient transit. Plan for about 4.5 hours of pure driving time, leaving you ample opportunity to add stops or enjoy a leisurely pace. This is a solid choice for a single-day transit between these two points.
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
115.8 miles from Rhode Island, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 3m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 45 | 144.3 mi | 2h 30m |
| Southwest Freeway | 20.2 mi | 22m |
| North Sam Houston Tollway West | 20.1 mi | 23m |
| US 59 | 15.8 mi | 18m |
| US Highway 59 | 13 mi | 14m |
| West Sam Houston Tollway South | 5.6 mi | 6m |
| US 59 Business | 2.8 mi | 6m |
| Southwest Freeway Frontage Road | 1.4 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 45
— 144.3 mi, about 2h 30m
Traffic on I-45
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 24 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,875 veh/hr typical · worst 4,525
Quietest
2 AM
~459 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 100 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 El Campo, 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
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Farm-to-Market Road 833
6
Turn left onto North Interstate 45
159 ft
·
6 sec
·
North Interstate 45
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
8
Merge onto I 45
144 mi
·
2 hr 30 min
·
I 45
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 60B
Toward BW 8 East, SHT West: Bush Intercontinental Airport, Sam Houston Tollway West
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward SHT West: Sam Houston Tollway
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto BW 8
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
·
North Sam Houston Parkway West
12
Continue on SHT
2.3 mi
·
2 min
·
North Sam Houston Tollway West
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto SHT
18 mi
·
20 min
·
North Sam Houston Tollway West
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto SHT
5.6 mi
·
6 min
·
West Sam Houston Tollway South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on BW 8
0.6 mi
·
40 sec
·
West Sam Houston Parkway South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward US 59 North, US 59 South: Downtown, Victoria
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 69 South, US 59 South: Victoria
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
18
Merge onto I 69; US 59
20 mi
·
22 min
·
Southwest Freeway
Use the straight lane.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Exit 94
Toward Spur 10: Cottonwood, Church Road, Hartledge Road
20
Turn straight onto Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
21
Continue on Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
22
Continue on US 59 Southbound Frontage Road
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
US 59 Southbound Frontage Road
23
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
24
Merge onto US 59
9.2 mi
·
10 min
·
US 59
25
Keep slight left at fork onto US 59
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
US 59
26
Take the exit
1.5 mi
·
2 min
27
Continue on US 59
13 mi
·
14 min
·
US Highway 59
28
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
29
Continue on US 59 Business
2.8 mi
·
6 min
·
US 59 Business
30
Turn left onto TX 71
63 ft
·
1 sec
·
North Mechanic Street
31
Arrive at destination
TX 71
Trip Plan
For this 4h 21m drive, leaving Rhode Island, TX in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight. With a total distance of 231.7 miles and a fuel cost estimated at $34, you won't need extensive planning for fuel stops. The longest stretch without a significant change in major road is 144.3 miles on I 45, so plan your break before or after this segment. Given the relatively short duration, consider a single stop for a quick break or meal. The flexibility of a single-day trip means you can depart later if needed, but arriving in El Campo with plenty of daylight is advisable.
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 115.8 miles from Rhode Island, TX, or about 2h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 144.3 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 51 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 115.8 miles or 2h 3m 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 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near El Campo, 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 231.7 miles and 4h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 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 45 for about 144.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
116 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 51 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 115.8 miles from Rhode Island, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 45 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 144.3 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 Center
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.1 mi from route
TA Express
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Walker County Southbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Walker County Northbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
TA Express
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.7 mi from route
The Woodlands Waterway
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Halfway reset
0.7 mi from route
~2 min detour
The Woodlands, Texas
Visit websiteFriendship Park
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.9 mi from route
~2 min detour
El Campo, Texas
Hours: 6 am–10 pm
+19795415000
Visit websiteLegacy Park
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.4 mi from route
~4 min detour
El Campo, Texas
Hours: 8 am–10 pm
Brazos River Park
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
1.9 mi from route
~5 min detour
Sugar Land, Texas
Hours: 7 am–9 pm
+12812752825
Visit websiteEl Campo Lost Lagoon
4.4
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.8 mi from route
~5 min detour
El Campo, Texas
+19792751600
Visit websiteZlotnik Park at Legacy Fields
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.5 mi from route
~4 min detour
El Campo, Texas
Visit websiteEscape Again Rooms
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
2.3 mi from route
~6 min detour
Sugar Land, Texas
Hours: 4–10 pm
+18329994572
Visit websiteFort Bend Children's Discovery Center
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
2.3 mi from route
~6 min detour
Sugar Land, Texas
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+18327422800
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 205 decision points cluster between mile 146.9 and 174.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
146.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 35m in
Take the exit toward BW 8 East, SHT West: Bush Intercontinental Airport, Sam Houston Tollway West
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 60B
Toward BW 8 East, SHT West: Bush Intercontinent...
7
147.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 37m in
Keep slight right at fork toward SHT West: Sam Houston Tollway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward SHT West: Sam Houston Tollway
6
150.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 41m in
|
SHT / North Sam Houston Tollway West
Keep slight left at fork onto SHT / North Sam Houston Tollway West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
174.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 8m in
Take the exit toward US 59 North, US 59 South: Downtown, Victoria
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 59 North, US 59 South: Downtown, Vict...
8
174.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 9m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 69 South, US 59 South: Victoria
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward I 69 South, US 59 South: Victoria
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.78 one way
$69.56 round trip
$3.81/gal
25.4 MPG avg
81 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.22 | $38.49 | $76.97 |
| premium | $4.57 | $41.64 | $83.28 |
| diesel | $6.28 | $57.25 | $114.50 |
Estimated Tolls: $2.05
Sam Houston Tollway
(25.6 mi)
$2.05
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 81.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 69.5 | 0 | $24.33 | $11.12 |
| Efficient EV | 57.9 | 0 | $20.27 | $9.27 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 92.7 | 1 | $32.44 | $14.83 |
Gas CO2
81 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (67% 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.
Origin
Rhode Island, TX
Morning in Rhode Island on Saturday
Local time
6:36 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Mostly Cloudy
ESE 0 to 5 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Destination
El Campo, TX
Morning in El Campo on Saturday
Local time
6:36 AM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Partly Sunny
NE 5 to 10 mph
3% chance
Live forecast
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 21m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect to be on highways for 87% of this 231.7-mile trip, primarily on I 45. The longest continuous stretch on this highway is 144.3 miles. You'll transition from the main highway to surface roads as you approach your destination. Given the high percentage of highway driving, anticipate periods of consistent speed and potentially dense exit traffic as you enter more urbanized areas before reaching El Campo.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 144.3 mi on I 45.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 45 and Southwest Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 146.9 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 20 significant decision points across 231.7 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 146.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 147.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 150.5 miles (SHT / North Sam Houston Tollway West): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
410 ft
77 ft
Total Climb
133 ft
Total Descent
422 ft
Highest Point
410 ft
~16.5 mi in
Elevation Range
334 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 Rhode Island, TX and El Campo, TX, road signs point toward Bw 8 East, Sht West: Bush Intercontinental Airport, Sam Houston Tollway West, Sht West: Sam Houston Tollway, Victoria and Spur 10: Cottonwood.
Bw 8 East
146.9 mi in
|
~2h 35m
Sht West: Bush Intercontinental Airport
146.9 mi in
|
~2h 35m
Sam Houston Tollway West
146.9 mi in
|
~2h 35m
Sht West: Sam Houston Tollway
147.4 mi in
|
~2h 37m
Victoria
174.5 mi in
|
~3h 8m
Spur 10: Cottonwood
195.6 mi in
|
~3h 33m
About the Cities
Starting in Rhode Island, TX
Full guide →“The Ocean State” · Founded 1790
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
Arriving in El Campo, TX
Full guide →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 21m. Total distance: 231.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 144.3 miles on I 45. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.05 in tolls one way, starting with Sam Houston Tollway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
Yes — we found about 20 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 El Campo, 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 20 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 146.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 147.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 150.5 miles (SHT / North Sam Houston Tollway West): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.7 hours — manageable with a long break at El Campo, 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, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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