Gillespie County US 290 Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Rhode Island, TX to Harper, 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 12m
Distance
267.5 mi
430 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$37
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 59m
★
6 AM
5h 13m
8 AM
5h 40m
10 AM
5h 22m
12 PM
5h 20m
3 PM
5h 24m
5 PM
5h 38m
8 PM
5h 5m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Rhode Island, TX
Beth Fitzpatrick
Harper, TX
Mark Direen
Trip Overview
This 267.5-mile drive from Rhode Island, TX to Harper, TX is a solid day trip, estimated to take about 5 hours and 12 minutes. You'll primarily be on West US Highway 290 and South US Highway 281, with 76% of the journey on highways. With a fuel cost estimated at $40, it's an economical option for a single-day excursion. This route stays within the Great Plains region, offering a consistent landscape throughout your journey. It's a straightforward drive that's perfect for getting from point A to point B efficiently.
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
133.7 miles from Rhode Island, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 27m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| West US Highway 290 | 49.3 mi | 55m |
| Purple Heart Trail | 37.9 mi | 39m |
| South US Highway 281 | 33.5 mi | 40m |
| I 45 | 19.9 mi | 19m |
| West State Highway 31 | 18.8 mi | 21m |
| State Highway 31 | 17.2 mi | 17m |
| FM 2843 | 14.6 mi | 18m |
| East RM 243 | 12.1 mi | 15m |
Longest stretch:
West US Highway 290
— 49.3 mi, about 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rhode Island, TX and Harper, 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 227
Toward 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
8.9 mi
·
8 min
·
I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 283
Toward FM 2268, FM 2843: Holland, Florence
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Turn straight onto South Robertson Road
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
South Robertson Road
24
Continue on South I-35 Frontage Road
0.6 mi
·
53 sec
·
South I-35 Frontage Road
25
Turn slight right onto FM 2843
15 mi
·
18 min
·
FM 2843
26
At end of road, turn right onto FM 487
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
FM 487
27
Continue on FM 487
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
East Main Street
28
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward TX 195 North
29
Merge onto TX 195
0.3 mi
·
17 sec
·
TX 195
30
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
Toward TX 138: Lampasas
Use the slight right lane.
31
Turn left onto TX 138
6.9 mi
·
8 min
·
State Highway 138
32
At end of road, turn right onto US 183
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
North US Highway 183
33
Turn left onto RM 243
0.6 mi
·
41 sec
·
East Ranch Road 243
34
Continue on RM 243
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
East RM 243
35
Keep slight left at fork onto RM 243
11 mi
·
14 min
·
East RM 243
36
Turn right onto TX 29; RM 243
9.0 mi
·
10 min
·
West State Highway 29
37
Continue on TX 29
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
East Polk Street
38
Turn left onto US 281
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
South Water Street
Use the left lane.
39
Continue on US 281
34 mi
·
40 min
·
South US Highway 281
40
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
Toward Fredericksburg
41
Merge onto US 290
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
East Main Street
Toward Fredericksburg
42
Continue on US 290
27 mi
·
30 min
·
West US Highway 290
43
Continue on US 290
3.5 mi
·
7 min
·
East Main Street
44
Continue on US 290
22 mi
·
24 min
·
West US Highway 290
45
Arrive at destination
US 290; RM 783
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour duration, starting your drive from Rhode Island in the morning is advisable to ensure you reach Harper with daylight to spare. Plan for one stop to break up the journey; the longest stretch without services is 49.3 miles, so be mindful of your fuel gauge. The highway-focused nature of this route means you can maintain a consistent speed, but always be aware of your surroundings. A fuel cost estimate of $40 makes this an affordable trip, so topping off before you leave Rhode Island is a good strategy to avoid an unnecessary stop later.
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 133.7 miles from Rhode Island, TX, or about 2h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 49.3 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 59 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 133.7 miles or 2h 27m 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 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Harper, 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 267.5 miles and 5h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 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 West US Highway 290 for about 49.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
134 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 59 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 133.7 miles from Rhode Island, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Gillespie County Ranch Road 1 Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Navarro County Northbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.3 mi from route
Navarro County Southbound Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.4 mi from route
Bell County Southbound Rest Area
0.9 mi from route
Bell County Northbound Rest Area
1.7 mi from route
QuikTrip
2.3 mi from route
TXB Market
2.5 mi from route
Marble Falls Walkway of Lights
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Later in the drive, right off the route
Final third
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
Marble Falls, Texas
Hours: 6–10 pm
+18446354448
Visit websiteDoris D Miller Park
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, right off the route
Early stretch
1 mi from route
~2 min detour
Waco, Texas
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteLyndon B. Johnson State Park & Historic Site
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.5 mi from route
~4 min detour
Stonewall, Texas
Hours: 8:30 am–4 pm
+18306442252
Visit websitePioneer Museum
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
3.4 mi from route
~8 min detour
Fredericksburg, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+18309908441
Visit websiteDead Man's Hole Historical Landmark
4.4
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Later in the drive, ~9 min detour
Final third
3.4 mi from route
~9 min detour
Marble Falls, Texas
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18306932815
Visit websiteCultural Activities Center
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour
Halfway reset
4.3 mi from route
~11 min detour
Temple, Texas
Hours: 8:30 am–4 pm
+12547739926
Visit websiteVillage of Salado Visitors Center
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour
Halfway reset
4.4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Salado, Texas
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+12549478634
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 265 decision points cluster between mile 22.3 and 147.5 — 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.
6
119.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 11m in
|
I 35
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
128.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 20m in
Take the exit toward FM 2268, FM 2843: Holland, Florence
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 283
Toward FM 2268, FM 2843: Holland, Florence
6
147.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 45m in
Take the exit toward TX 138: Lampasas
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward TX 138: Lampasas
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.64 one way
$73.28 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
94 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $40.93 | $81.85 |
| premium | $4.23 | $44.50 | $88.99 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $50.51 | $101.02 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 93.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 80.3 | 0 | $28.09 | $12.84 |
| Efficient EV | 66.9 | 0 | $23.41 | $10.70 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 107 | 1 | $37.45 | $17.12 |
Gas CO2
94 kg
EV CO2
31 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
Late night in Rhode Island on Monday
Local time
12:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 5 mph
3% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 10:45PM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:59PM CDT until July 19 at 6:17PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Harper, TX
Late night in Harper on Monday
Local time
12:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Mostly Cloudy
SSE 15 mph
4% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 10:45PM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:59PM CDT until July 19 at 6:17PM 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
3 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
5h 12m 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.
Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park tells the story of our 36th president beginning with his ancestors until his final resting place on his beloved LBJ Ranch. This entire "circle of life" gives...
4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 230.6
Park Closure: Texas White House Complex Closure
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
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 73.8
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 highway-focused experience on this 5-hour trek, with 76% of your travel occurring on major roadways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 49.3 miles along West US Highway 290, meaning you can settle in for a good period. While largely a highway drive, the inclusion of Purple Heart Trail and South US Highway 281 suggests potential for varied scenery and road types as you progress. It’s designed for steady progress rather than winding, technical driving.
76% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
45 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 49.3 mi on West US Highway 290.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on West US Highway 290 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 Effort
9/10
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 26 significant decision points across 267.5 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 119.9 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,047 ft
393 ft
Total Climb
2,470 ft
Total Descent
816 ft
Highest Point
2,047 ft
~267.5 mi in
Elevation Range
1,654 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 Harper, TX, road signs point toward Waco, Fm 2268, Fm 2843: Holland, Florence and Fredericksburg.
Waco
22.3 mi in
|
~24m
Fm 2268
128.7 mi in
|
~2h 20m
Fm 2843: Holland
128.7 mi in
|
~2h 20m
Florence
128.7 mi in
|
~2h 20m
Fredericksburg
213.6 mi in
|
~4h 7m
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.
Arriving in Harper, TX
Full guide →Fredericksburg is a city of 10,500 people (2010) in Texas, west of Austin and north of San Antonio.
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 12m. Total distance: 267.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (76%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 49.3 miles on West US Highway 290. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 15 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 Harper, 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 15 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 119.9 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Lyndon B Johnson 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 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Harper, 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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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