Road Ranger
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Rhode Island, TX to Orange, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 35m
Distance
248.1 mi
399 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$38
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 22m
★
6 AM
4h 36m
8 AM
5h 2m
10 AM
4h 45m
12 PM
4h 42m
3 PM
4h 46m
5 PM
5h 1m
8 PM
4h 28m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Rhode Island, TX
Beth Fitzpatrick
Orange, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Rhode Island, TX to Orange, TX is 248.1 miles and takes about 4h 35m via I 45 and US Highway 69 South, with a fuel budget near $35 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within the Great Plains region, offering a relatively straightforward drive across Texas. With a recommended one-day trip, you'll spend most of your time on highways, making it an efficient option for getting from point A to point B. Plan for a comfortable pace, as the duration suggests minimal delays.
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
124.1 miles from Rhode Island, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 13m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 45 | 88.3 mi | 1h 28m |
| Phelps Drive | 67.3 mi | 1h 16m |
| US Highway 69 South | 42.5 mi | 48m |
| I 10 | 19.8 mi | 20m |
| US 69 | 9.5 mi | 10m |
| US Highway 190 West | 7.8 mi | 8m |
| 11th Street | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| West Park Avenue | 1.6 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 45
— 88.3 mi, about 1h 28m
Traffic on I-10
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 28 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,134 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~356 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 7 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 Orange, 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
88 mi
·
1 hr 28 min
·
I 45
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit onto US 190
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
US 190
Toward Texas 30, US 190 East: 11th Street
10
Turn left onto US 190; TX 30
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
11th Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
11
Continue on US 190; TX 30
67 mi
·
1 hr 16 min
·
Phelps Drive
12
Continue on US 190
7.8 mi
·
8 min
·
US Highway 190 West
13
Turn right onto US 69; US 287
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South Magnolia Street
14
Continue on US 69; US 287
42 mi
·
48 min
·
US Highway 69 South
15
Merge onto US 69; US 96; US 287
9.5 mi
·
10 min
·
US 69; US 96; US 287
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 10 East, US 90 East: Lake Charles
17
Merge onto I 10; US 90
20 mi
·
20 min
·
I 10; US 90
Toward Lake Charles
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Exit 874A
Toward US 90 Business: Pinehurst
19
Turn straight onto West I-10 Service Road
0.5 mi
·
56 sec
·
West I-10 Service Road
20
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90 Bus
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
West Park Avenue
21
Continue on US 90 Bus
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Strickland Drive
22
Turn left onto US 90 Bus; TX 87
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Macarthur Drive
23
Continue on US 90 Bus
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Green Avenue
24
Turn right onto 7th Street
45 ft
·
2 sec
·
7th Street
25
Arrive at destination
7th Street
Trip Plan
Given the manageable 4h 35m duration, leaving Rhode Island, TX anytime in the morning should allow you to reach Orange, TX with plenty of daylight to spare. Since this is a one-day trip, you won't need to worry about overnight stops, giving you flexibility. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 88.3-mile stretch on I 45 where services might be less frequent. The estimated fuel cost of $35 is a good baseline, but always factor in potential price variations. A single stop is planned, so make it count for a stretch and any necessities.
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 124.1 miles from Rhode Island, TX, or about 2h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 88.3 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 55 miles or 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 124.1 miles or 2h 13m 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 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Orange, 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 248.1 miles and 4h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 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 88.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
124 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 55 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 124.1 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 88.3 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
Road Ranger
0.1 mi from route
TA Express
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
Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Rest Area
0.8 mi from route
Stark Museum of Art
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0 mi from route
Orange, Texas
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+14098862787
Visit websiteShangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Orange, Texas
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+14096709113
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 165 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 242.7 — 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
2.6 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
I 45
Merge onto I 45
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
90.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 33m in
|
US 190
Take the exit onto US 190 toward Texas 30, US 190 East: 11th Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Texas 30, US 190 East: 11th Street
6
222.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 4m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 10 East, US 90 East: Lake Charles
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 10 East, US 90 East: Lake Charles
5
242.7 mi into trip
|
~4h 25m in
Take the exit toward US 90 Business: Pinehurst
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 874A
Toward US 90 Business: Pinehurst
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.99 one way
$75.97 round trip
$3.89/gal
25.4 MPG avg
87 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.29 | $41.92 | $83.85 |
| premium | $4.64 | $45.30 | $90.61 |
| diesel | $6.18 | $60.35 | $120.71 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 86.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 74.4 | 0 | $26.05 | $11.91 |
| Efficient EV | 62 | 0 | $21.71 | $9.92 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 99.2 | 1 | $34.73 | $15.88 |
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 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
2:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Partly Sunny
E 0 to 5 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued October 18 at 2:18AM CDT until October 20 at 7:32PM CDT by NWS Norman OK
Destination
Orange, TX
Late night in Orange on Monday
Local time
2:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Sunny
NE 5 to 10 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued October 18 at 2:18AM CDT until October 20 at 7:32PM CDT by NWS Norman OK
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 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 35m 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?
This drive is mostly highway, with 69% of the 248.1 miles on freeways like I 45. You'll encounter your longest stretch without a major highway change at 88.3 miles on I 45. The transition to surface roads, including Phelps Drive and US Highway 69 South, will likely involve navigating more local traffic and a denser pattern of exits as you approach your destination. Expect a steady cruising experience for the majority of the trip.
69% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 88.3 mi on I 45.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 45 and Phelps Drive. You will hit about 16 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 Effort
5/10
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 248.1 miles you will encounter 16 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 2.6 miles (I 45): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 90.9 miles (US 190): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
448 ft
6 ft
Total Climb
293 ft
Total Descent
679 ft
Highest Point
448 ft
~17.7 mi in
Elevation Range
441 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 Orange, TX, road signs point toward Texas 30 and Lake Charles.
Texas 30
90.9 mi in
|
~1h 33m
|
via US 190
Lake Charles
222.8 mi in
|
~4h 5m
|
via I 10; US 90
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 Orange, TX
Full guide →Founded 1830
Orange is in the Bayous region of East Texas. It is on the Sabine River, which is the border between Texas and Louisiana.
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 35m. Total distance: 248.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (69%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 88.3 miles on I 45. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 14 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (FM 833 / East FM 833): Navigation decision point; at 2.6 miles (I 45): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 90.9 miles (US 190): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Orange, 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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