Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Rhode Island, TX to Oyster Creek, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 10m
Distance
222.9 mi
359 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$31
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 57m
★
6 AM
4h 11m
8 AM
4h 37m
10 AM
4h 20m
12 PM
4h 17m
3 PM
4h 21m
5 PM
4h 36m
8 PM
4h 3m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Rhode Island, TX
Beth Fitzpatrick
Oyster Creek, TX
Mark Stebnicki
Trip Overview
Rhode Island, TX to Oyster Creek, TX is 222.9 miles and takes about 4h 10m via I 45 and TX 288 Toll, with a fuel budget near $35 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route primarily stays within Texas, traversing the Great Plains region. Expect a mostly highway experience, making it a straightforward drive. With only one recommended stop and a duration under five hours, this trip is ideal for a single-day excursion, allowing for plenty of flexibility in your departure time.
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
111.4 miles from Rhode Island, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 45 | 157.1 mi | 2h 46m |
| Nolan Ryan Expressway | 38.1 mi | 45m |
| TX 288 Toll | 14.4 mi | 16m |
| TX 332 | 4.1 mi | 6m |
| Gulf Freeway | 2.6 mi | 3m |
| FM 523 | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| East FM 833 | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| South Freeway | 0.9 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 45
— 157.1 mi, about 2h 46m
Traffic on I-45
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 28 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~4,244 veh/hr typical · worst 4,903
Quietest
2 AM
~501 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 48 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 Oyster Creek, 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
157 mi
·
2 hr 46 min
·
I 45
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 45
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Gulf Freeway
Use the straight / left lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 46B
Toward US 59 South, TX 288 South, I 69 South: Lake Jackson, Freeport, Victoria
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward TX 288 South: Lake Jackson, Freeport
12
Continue on TX 288
0.6 mi
·
46 sec
·
South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 288 Toll
14 mi
·
16 min
·
TX 288 Toll
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
14
Merge onto TX 288
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
South Freeway
15
Continue on TX 288
38 mi
·
45 min
·
Nolan Ryan Expressway
16
Take the exit onto TX 332
4.1 mi
·
6 min
·
TX 332
17
Turn left onto FM 523
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
FM 523
Use the left lane.
18
Turn left onto Oyster Creek Bend Road
389 ft
·
17 sec
·
Oyster Creek Bend Road
19
Turn slight right onto Allen Road
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
·
Allen Road
20
Arrive at destination
Allen Road
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 10m estimated drive time, starting your trip in the morning is your best bet to arrive with ample daylight. You'll only need about one stop for the entire 222.9 miles, so plan this strategically along I 45. The fuel cost is estimated at $35, so ensure your tank is adequately filled before departing Rhode Island, TX. Since this is a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time based on traffic or weather conditions. Pay attention to signage for the TX 288 Toll as you near your destination.
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 111.4 miles from Rhode Island, TX, or about 2h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 157.1 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 49 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 111.4 miles or 2h 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 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Oyster Creek, 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 222.9 miles and 4h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 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 157.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
111 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 49 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 111.4 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 157.1 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
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
TA Express
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 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
Love's Travel Stop
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
0.8 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
2.4 mi from route
Downtown Aquarium
4.1
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
1.3 mi from route
~3 min detour
Houston, Texas
Hours: 10 am–8:30 pm
+17132233474
Visit websiteUnion Station
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
1.9 mi from route
~5 min detour
Houston, Texas
+17132598070
Visit websiteBarbara Fish Daniel Nature Play Area and Picnic Pavilion
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
1.5 mi from route
~4 min detour
Houston, Texas
Hours: 7 am–8 pm
+17137520314
Visit websiteCidercade Houston
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
2.2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Houston, Texas
Hours: 10 am–12 pm
+13462417524
Visit websiteWaugh Drive Bat Colony
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
2.3 mi from route
~6 min detour
Houston, Texas
Hours: Open 24 hours
+17137520314
Visit websiteMidtown Park
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
2.7 mi from route
~7 min detour
Houston, Texas
Hours: 8 am–10 pm
+17135267577
Visit websiteFreeport Historical Museum
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, ~10 min detour
Home stretch
3.8 mi from route
~10 min detour
Freeport, Texas
Hours: 10 am–4 pm
+19792330066
Visit websiteChildren's Museum Houston
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Later in the drive, ~11 min detour
Final third
4.2 mi from route
~11 min detour
Houston, Texas
Hours: 9 am–8 pm
+17135221138
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 135 decision points cluster between mile 2.6 and 221 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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.
8
162.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 55m in
Take the exit toward US 59 South, TX 288 South, I 69 South: Lake Jackson, Freeport, 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.
Exit 46B
Toward US 59 South, TX 288 South, I 69 South: L...
6
163 mi into trip
|
~2h 56m in
Keep slight left at fork toward TX 288 South: Lake Jackson, Freeport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward TX 288 South: Lake Jackson, Freeport
6
164.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 58m in
|
TX 288 Toll
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 288 Toll
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
6
221 mi into trip
|
~4h 7m in
|
FM 523
Turn left onto FM 523
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.53 one way
$61.06 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
78 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $34.10 | $68.20 |
| premium | $4.23 | $37.08 | $74.15 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $42.09 | $84.18 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 78 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 66.9 | 0 | $23.40 | $10.70 |
| Efficient EV | 55.7 | 0 | $19.50 | $8.92 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 89.2 | 1 | $31.21 | $14.27 |
Gas CO2
78 kg
EV CO2
26 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
Evening in Rhode Island on Monday
Local time
7:41 PM
CDT
Current temp
93°F
Mostly Sunny
SSW 10 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 2:52PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 2:11PM CDT until July 20 at 7:21AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Destination
Oyster Creek, TX
Evening in Oyster Creek on Monday
Local time
7:41 PM
CDT
Current temp
90°F
Mostly Sunny
S 10 mph
12% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 2:52PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 2:11PM CDT until July 20 at 7:21AM CDT by NWS San Angelo 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
4h 10m 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 trip is almost entirely highway driving, with 99% of the 222.9 miles on major roads like I 45 and TX 288 Toll. You'll encounter a significant stretch of 157.1 miles on I 45 without needing to exit. The transition to surface roads will occur near the end of your drive, as you approach Oyster Creek. Expect a consistent cruising experience with minimal changes in road type for most of the journey.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 157.1 mi on I 45.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 45 and Nolan Ryan Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.6 miles in near I 45.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 222.9 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 2.6 miles (I 45): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 162.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 163 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
431 ft
6 ft
Total Climb
250 ft
Total Descent
636 ft
Highest Point
431 ft
~15.9 mi in
Elevation Range
424 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 Oyster Creek, TX, road signs point toward Freeport and Victoria.
Freeport
162.3 mi in
|
~2h 55m
Victoria
162.3 mi in
|
~2h 55m
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 Oyster Creek, 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 10m. Total distance: 222.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 157.1 miles on I 45. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Oyster Creek, 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 2.6 miles (I 45): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 162.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 163 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Oyster Creek, 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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