Rhode Island, TX to Midland, TX is 401.3 miles and takes about 6h 58m via Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway and US 287, with a fuel budget near $59 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Texas, traversing the Great Plains region from start to finish. You'll primarily be on surface roads, making for a more relaxed pace compared to an interstate-only trip. With just one recommended stop and a duration under seven hours, this is a straightforward, same-day option for getting between these two Texas locations.
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
200.6 miles from Rhode Island, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 32m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
288.2 mi
4h 52m
US 287
62.8 mi
1h 11m
I 45
40.7 mi
40m
East Highway 80
4.6 mi
5m
East Front Street
1.4 mi
2m
East FM 833
0.9 mi
1m
West FM 833
0.7 mi
1m
East Wall Street
0.4 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
— 288.2 mi, about 4h 52m
Traffic on I-20
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 88 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,333 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,751
Quietest
2 AM
~187 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 105 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 Midland, 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
41 mi·40 min·I 45
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit onto US 287
63 mi·1 hr 11 min·US 287
Exit 247Toward US 287 North: Waxahachie, Fort WorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 20
4.0 mi·4 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Toward I 20 WestUse the straight lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 20
284 mi·4 hr 48 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Toward I 20 West: AbileneUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.7 mi·48 sec
Toward I 20 Business West: Midland
12
Continue on I 20 Bus
4.6 mi·5 min·East Highway 80
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on I 20 Bus
1.4 mi·2 min·East Front Street
14
Turn slight right onto Loop 269
0.4 mi·1 min·East Wall Street
15
Arrive at destination
Loop 269
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 58m estimated duration, starting in the morning will allow you to comfortably complete this drive in a single day. The route has a fuel cost estimate of $59, so plan accordingly before you depart. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing. Consider breaking up the 288.2-mile stretch on Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway if you prefer more frequent breaks. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the transition to surface roads might mean fewer immediate services compared to continuous interstate driving.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 200.6 miles from Rhode Island, TX, or about 3h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 288.2 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 88 miles or 1h 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 200.6 miles or 3h 32m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 55m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Midland, 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 401.3 miles and 6h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 88 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 Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway for about 288.2 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 109.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip|~0m in|FM 833 / East FM 833
Turn left onto FM 833 / East FM 833
Navigation decision point
5
2.4 mi into trip|~4m in|I 45
Merge onto I 45
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
43.1 mi into trip|~45m in|US 287
Take the exit onto US 287 toward US 287 North: Waxahachie, Fort Worth
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 247
Toward US 287 North: Waxahachie, Fort Worth
7
105.9 mi into trip|~1h 56m in|I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway toward I 20 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 20 West
7
109.9 mi into trip|~2h in|I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway toward I 20 West: Abilene
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 20 West: Abilene
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$58.22 one way
$116.44 round trip
$3.69/gal25.4 MPG avg140 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.08
$64.51
$129.02
premium
$4.43
$70.02
$140.04
diesel
$5.60
$88.46
$176.92
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$58
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$83–$108
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 140.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $42 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
120.4
1
$42.14
$19.26
Efficient EV
100.3
1
$35.11
$16.05
EV Truck/SUV
160.5
2
$56.18
$25.68
Gas CO2
140 kg
EV CO2
47 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 Aug 23, 2026
Origin
Rhode Island, TX
Afternoon
in Rhode Island on Friday
Local time
4:09 PM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Partly Cloudy
SSW 5 to 10 mph11% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued August 23 at 1:11AM CDT until August 23 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued August 23 at 12:50AM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA
Destination
Midland, TX
Afternoon
in Midland on Friday
Local time
4:09 PM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Mostly Clear
S 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued August 23 at 1:11AM CDT until August 23 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued August 23 at 12:50AM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA
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
2 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
6h 58m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route features a highway share of 27%, meaning a significant portion will be on surface roads. You'll encounter the longest continuous stretch of highway at 288.2 miles on Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway. Expect the transition from highway cruising to surface roads to occur around mile 288, offering a change in scenery and driving pace. The profile is mostly surface roads, so you'll likely notice more local traffic and varying speed limits as you approach towns.
Only 27% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 288.2 mi on Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near FM 833 / East FM 833.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 401.3 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (FM 833 / East FM 833): Navigation decision point; at 2.4 miles (I 45): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 43.1 miles (US 287): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,780 ft393 ft
Total Climb
2,487 ft
Total Descent
100 ft
Highest Point
2,780 ft
~401.3 mi in
Elevation Range
2,387 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 Rhode Island, TX to Midland, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Fort Worth along the way.
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.
Midland is a city in the Permian Basin region of Texas. Its warm climate, friendly people, and central location are the primary reasons for the city's popularity. It is home to about 133,000 people (census, 1 April 2020) Twenty minutes to the west is Odessa, with a population of about 100,000. Nearly a quarter of a million people reside in the Midland/Odessa metropolitan area.
Top landmarks
•George W. Bush Childhood Home — historic place in Midland, Midland County, Texas
•Tower Petroleum Building — historic place in Midland, Midland County, Texas
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 58m. Total distance: 401.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 58m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 288.2 miles on Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway. 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 is a long drive, so arriving tired and in the dark compounds. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Midland, 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: near the start (FM 833 / East FM 833): Navigation decision point; at 2.4 miles (I 45): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 43.1 miles (US 287): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.0 hours each way, a round trip means 14.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Midland, TX before the return drive.
