If you are planning a trip from Rhode Island to Jacksboro, Texas, expect a straightforward 175.3-mile journey that typically takes about 3 hours and 13 minutes. This highway-focused drive is well-suited for a single-day trip, as it keeps you within the Great Plains region for the duration of the ride. You should budget approximately $27 for fuel to cover the distance. Since the route is manageable in one go, you likely won't need to book an overnight stay unless you prefer a slower pace. The trip relies heavily on major infrastructure, making it a functional choice for travelers who prioritize efficiency over winding backroads.
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
87.6 miles from Rhode Island, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 34m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 45
79.5 mi
1h 22m
Northwest Parkway
43.3 mi
50m
SH 183 TEXpress
16.5 mi
16m
Jacksboro Highway
9.1 mi
9m
I 820 TEXpress
6.9 mi
6m
Jim Wright Freeway
5.7 mi
6m
North Stemmons Freeway
4.1 mi
5m
SH 121/183 TEXpress
2.7 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 45
— 79.5 mi, about 1h 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rhode Island, TX and Jacksboro, 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
80 mi·1 hr 22 min·I 45
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 286AToward Waco, DentonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on Spur 366
0.9 mi·1 min·Woodall Rodgers Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi·48 sec
Toward I 35E North: DentonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 35E
4.1 mi·5 min·North Stemmons Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 183
0.8 mi·48 sec·John W Carpenter Freeway
Exit 433AToward TX 183: Irving, DFW AirportUse the slight left / straight lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 183 TEXpress
1.5 mi·1 min·SH 183 TEXpress
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 183 TEXpress
15 mi·14 min·SH 183 TEXpress
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on TX 121 TEXpress; TX 183 TEXpress
2.0 mi·2 min·SH 121/183 TEXpress
16
Continue on TX 183 TEXpress
0.1 mi·7 sec·SH 183 TEXpress
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on TX 121 TEXpress; TX 183 TEXpress
0.7 mi·42 sec·SH 121/183 TEXpress
18
Continue on I 820 TEXpress
6.9 mi·6 min·I 820 TEXpress
Toward I 820 Express West TollUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Merge onto I 820
0.4 mi·24 sec·Northeast Loop
20
Continue on I 820
5.7 mi·6 min·Jim Wright Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.4 mi·50 sec
Exit 10AToward TX 199: Jacksboro Highway, Quebec StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·18 sec
Toward TX 199 West: Jacksboro HighwayUse the slight right lane.
23
Turn slight left onto Northwest Loop 820
337 ft·7 sec·Northwest Loop 820
24
Turn right onto TX 199
1.3 mi·2 min·Lake Worth Boulevard
Use the right lane.
25
Take the exit onto TX 199
9.1 mi·9 min·Jacksboro Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Continue on TX 199
43 mi·50 min·Northwest Parkway
27
Turn right onto TX 59
116 ft·9 sec·East Belknap Street
28
Take the ramp
113 ft·3 sec
29
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To keep your drive smooth, plan for at least one stop to break up the three-hour duration. Because the route is quite short, you have the flexibility to depart whenever suits your schedule, though checking traffic patterns on the major interstates is always a smart move. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before merging onto the longer stretches of I-45 to ensure you aren't caught needing a station during the 79.5-mile segment. Since this entire trip is easily completed in one day, focus your energy on timing your departure to avoid peak congestion on the Northwest Parkway and SH 183 TEXpress.
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 87.6 miles from Rhode Island, TX, or about 1h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 79.5 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 39 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 87.6 miles or 1h 34m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jacksboro, 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 175.3 miles and 3h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 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 79.5 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 81.9 and 121.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
81.9 mi into trip|~1h 26m in
Take the exit toward Waco, Denton
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 286A
Toward Waco, Denton
6
83.4 mi into trip|~1h 29m in
Take the exit toward I 35E North: Denton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35E North: Denton
9
87.8 mi into trip|~1h 35m in|TX 183 / John W Carpenter Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 183 / John W Carpenter Freeway toward TX 183: Irving, DFW Airport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 433A
Toward TX 183: Irving, DFW Airport
8
120.8 mi into trip|~2h 9m in
Take the exit toward TX 199: Jacksboro Highway, Quebec Street
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 10A
Toward TX 199: Jacksboro Highway, Quebec Street
7
121.3 mi into trip|~2h 9m in
Keep slight right at fork toward TX 199 West: Jacksboro Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward TX 199 West: Jacksboro Highway
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.49 one way
$52.98 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg61 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$28.99
$57.99
premium
$4.54
$31.30
$62.60
diesel
$5.61
$38.70
$77.41
Estimated Tolls: $5.20
Northwest Parkway
(43.3 mi)$5.20
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
$26
Tolls
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 61.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
52.6
0
$18.41
$8.41
Efficient EV
43.8
0
$15.34
$7.01
EV Truck/SUV
70.1
0
$24.54
$11.22
Gas CO2
61 kg
EV CO2
21 kg (66% 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 Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Rhode Island, TX
Late night
in Rhode Island on Tuesday
Local time
3:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Jacksboro, TX
Late night
in Jacksboro on Tuesday
Local time
3:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
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
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 13m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a high-speed experience, as 92% of this route consists of highway driving. You will spend a significant portion of your time on I-45, Northwest Parkway, and SH 183 TEXpress. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 79.5-mile run on I-45, which demands steady focus behind the wheel. Because this is a highway-focused drive, the character of the road remains consistent and fast-paced throughout. You can anticipate a predictable journey that favors direct travel over technical, local terrain.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 79.5 mi on I 45.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 45 and Northwest Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 81.9 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
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 19 significant decision points across 175.3 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 81.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 83.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 87.8 miles (TX 183 / John W Carpenter Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Jacksboro, TX, road signs point toward Waco, Denton and Dfw Airport.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 13m. Total distance: 175.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 79.5 miles on I 45. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $5.20 in tolls one way, starting with Northwest Parkway. 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.
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 Jacksboro, 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 81.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 83.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 87.8 miles (TX 183 / John W Carpenter Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Jacksboro, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.
