Picnic Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Rhode Island, TX to Potosi, 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
4h 40m
Distance
259.3 mi
417 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$36
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 27m
★
6 AM
4h 41m
8 AM
5h 7m
10 AM
4h 50m
12 PM
4h 47m
3 PM
4h 51m
5 PM
5h 6m
8 PM
4h 32m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Rhode Island, TX
Beth Fitzpatrick
Potosi, TX
Mark Direen
Trip Overview
Rhode Island, TX to Potosi, TX is 259.3 miles and takes about 4h 40m via Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway and US 287, with a fuel budget near $39 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays entirely within the Great Plains region of Texas, offering a straightforward drive across the state. With a recommended single day for completion, it's a manageable journey perfect for those looking to cover ground efficiently. The drive is primarily on major highways, making it a practical choice for transit rather than a destination in itself.
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
129.7 miles from Rhode Island, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 20m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway | 140.4 mi | 2h 23m |
| US 287 | 62.8 mi | 1h 11m |
| I 45 | 40.7 mi | 40m |
| State Highway 36 | 8.1 mi | 12m |
| East Highway 80 | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| FM 1750 | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| East FM 833 | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| West FM 833 | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
— 140.4 mi, about 2h 23m
Traffic on I-20
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 60 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,819 veh/hr typical · worst 2,291
Quietest
2 AM
~200 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 52 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 Potosi, 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 247
Toward US 287 North: Waxahachie, Fort Worth
Use 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 West
Use the straight lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 20
136 mi
·
2 hr 19 min
·
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Toward I 20 West: Abilene
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
Exit 292A
Toward I 20 Business: Abilene
12
Turn straight onto I 20 Bus
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
East Highway 80
13
Turn left
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
14
Merge onto Loop 322
0.4 mi
·
22 sec
·
Jake Roberts Freeway
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Toward TX 36: Cross Plains
16
Continue on this road
483 ft
·
13 sec
·
this road
Toward TX 36: Cross Plains
17
Turn left onto TX 36
456 ft
·
19 sec
·
East South 11th Street
18
Continue on TX 36
8.1 mi
·
12 min
·
State Highway 36
19
Turn right onto FM 1750
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
FM 1750
20
Turn right onto Potosi Road
319 ft
·
13 sec
·
Potosi Road
21
Arrive at destination
Potosi Road
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 40m duration, starting your drive in Rhode Island, TX in the morning will allow ample time to reach Potosi, TX before evening. With only one recommended stop, it's wise to plan this break strategically, perhaps around the halfway point or when you feel the need to stretch. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 140.4-mile stretch on the Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway, as services might be spaced out. This is a drive where you can be quite flexible with your timing due to its manageable length.
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 129.7 miles from Rhode Island, TX, or about 2h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 140.4 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 57 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 129.7 miles or 2h 20m 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 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Potosi, 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 259.3 miles and 4h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 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 140.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
130 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 57 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 129.7 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 Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 140.4 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.
Picnic Area
0 mi from route
I-20 Westbound Picnic Area
0 mi from route
I-20 Eastbound Picnic Area
0 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Eastland County Eastbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Eastland County Westbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.2 mi from route
Callahan County Eastbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Callahan County Westbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Navarro County Northbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Navarro County Southbound Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.3 mi from route
Buc-ee's
2.4 mi from route
Play Street Museum - Fort Worth
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour
Halfway reset
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Fort Worth, Texas
Hours: 8:30 am–8 pm
+18179302577
Visit websiteWhite Settlement Museum
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour
Halfway reset
4.4 mi from route
~11 min detour
White Settlement, Texas
Hours: 10 am–3 pm
+18172469719
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 155 decision points cluster between mile 2.4 and 246.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
5
246.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 19m in
Take the exit toward I 20 Business: Abilene
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 292A
Toward I 20 Business: Abilene
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.52 one way
$71.03 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
91 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $39.67 | $79.34 |
| premium | $4.23 | $43.13 | $86.26 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $48.96 | $97.92 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 90.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 77.8 | 0 | $27.23 | $12.45 |
| Efficient EV | 64.8 | 0 | $22.69 | $10.37 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 103.7 | 1 | $36.30 | $16.60 |
Gas CO2
91 kg
EV CO2
30 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
5:24 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 5 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 3:19AM CDT until July 22 at 7:46AM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 3:19AM CDT until July 21 at 3:48AM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX
Destination
Potosi, TX
Late night in Potosi on Monday
Local time
5:24 AM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Partly Cloudy
S 10 mph
6% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 3:19AM CDT until July 22 at 7:46AM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 3:19AM CDT until July 21 at 3:48AM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi 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
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
4h 40m 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 route offers a mixed drive experience, with 45% of it on highways. You'll encounter stretches on the Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway, including the longest uninterrupted segment of 140.4 miles, which likely means consistent speed limits and less frequent turns. The journey transitions to US 287 and I-45, suggesting a blend of efficient highway travel with potentially more varied road conditions as you approach your destination. Expect a drive characterized by open Texas landscapes, typical of the Great Plains region.
45% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 140.4 mi on Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.4 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 15 significant decision points across 259.3 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 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; at 105.9 miles (I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,944 ft
393 ft
Total Climb
2,011 ft
Total Descent
575 ft
Highest Point
1,944 ft
~240.8 mi in
Elevation Range
1,551 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.
On the drive from Rhode Island, TX to Potosi, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Fort Worth along the way.
Fort Worth
43.1 mi in
|
~45m
|
via US 287
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 Potosi, 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 40m. Total distance: 259.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 140.4 miles on Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 24 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 Potosi, 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 24 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: 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; at 105.9 miles (I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Potosi, 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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Potosi, TX
More trips to Potosi, TX
Explore more options from Rhode Island, TX or browse trips ending in Potosi, TX.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TX road trips.