Knox County Westbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Rhode Island, TX to Ralls, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 3, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
7h 9m
Distance
400.4 mi
644 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$61
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 58m
★
6 AM
7h 9m
8 AM
7h 31m
10 AM
7h 17m
12 PM
7h 15m
3 PM
7h 18m
5 PM
7h 30m
8 PM
7h 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
Ralls, TX
Thomas balabaud
Trip Overview
Rhode Island, TX to Ralls, TX is 400.4 miles and takes about 7h 9m via US 81 and US Highway 82 West, with a fuel budget near $63 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Texas, traversing the Great Plains region for its entirety. It's a straightforward, largely highway-based route that should be manageable for a single day of driving. The main roads are well-established, making it a practical choice for getting from point A to point B without extensive planning.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
200.2 miles from Rhode Island, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 33m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 81 | 102.7 mi | 1h 48m |
| US Highway 82 West | 93.5 mi | 1h 38m |
| I 45 | 79.5 mi | 1h 22m |
| US 82 | 49.1 mi | 55m |
| West Highway 82 | 24.4 mi | 25m |
| SH 183 TEXpress | 16.5 mi | 16m |
| US Highway 82 | 8.7 mi | 8m |
| I 820 TEXpress | 6.2 mi | 6m |
Longest stretch:
US 81
— 102.7 mi, about 1h 48m
Traffic on I-45
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 10 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,268 veh/hr typical · worst 2,709
Quietest
2 AM
~314 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 12 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 Ralls, 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 286A
Toward Waco, Denton
Use 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: Denton
Use 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 433A
Toward TX 183: Irving, DFW Airport
Use 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
6.2 mi
·
6 min
·
I 820 TEXpress
Toward I 820 Express West Toll
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward I 35W Express: Fort Worth, Denton
20
Keep slight right at fork
0.8 mi
·
50 sec
Toward I 35W Express North: Denton
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
21
Merge onto I 35W TEXpress
2.3 mi
·
2 min
·
I 35W TEXpress
22
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 81 North, US 287 North: Decatur
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Merge onto US 81; US 287
1.7 mi
·
1 min
·
US 81; US 287
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Continue on US 81; US 287
101 mi
·
1 hr 47 min
·
US 81; US 287
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit onto US 82
49 mi
·
54 min
·
US 82
Toward US 82 West, US 277 South: Lubbock, Abilene
26
Take the exit onto US 82
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
·
US 82
Toward US 82, US 183 Business: Seymour, Lubbock
27
Turn right onto US 82; US 183 Business; US 277 Business; US 283 Business
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
US Highway 82
28
Continue on US 82; US 183 Business; US 277 Business; US 283 Business
0.6 mi
·
45 sec
·
North Main Street
29
Turn right onto US 82; TX 114
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East California Street
30
Continue on US 82; TX 114
93 mi
·
1 hr 38 min
·
US Highway 82 West
31
Continue on US 82; TX 114
24 mi
·
25 min
·
West Highway 82
32
Continue on US 82; TX 114
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
East Main Street
33
Continue on US 82; TX 114
7.3 mi
·
7 min
·
US Highway 82
34
Continue on US 82; TX 114
0.7 mi
·
47 sec
·
4th Street
35
Arrive at destination
US 82; TX 114
Trip Plan
Given the 7-hour duration, consider an early morning departure from Rhode Island, TX, to ensure you arrive in Ralls, TX, with plenty of daylight. With two planned stops, you can comfortably break up the 400.4-mile drive. The longest continuous stretch is over 100 miles on US 81, so plan your fuel accordingly, especially since the estimated fuel cost is $63. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before that 102.7-mile segment on US 81 to avoid any issues.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 200.2 miles from Rhode Island, TX, or about 3h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 102.7 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 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 200.2 miles or 3h 33m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ralls, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Rhode Island, TX
This is one driving day of about 400.4 miles and 7h 9m.
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 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US 81 for about 102.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
200 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 88 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 200.2 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 US 81 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 102.7 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.
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Crosby County Eastbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Wise County Northbound
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Navarro County Northbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.3 mi from route
Navarro County Southbound Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.3 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
1.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.4 mi from route
TA
1.6 mi from route
Texas Travel Information Center at Wichita Falls
2.1 mi from route
Mr. Fuel Travel Center
2.4 mi from route
City Park
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, ~9 min detour
Early stretch
3.4 mi from route
~9 min detour
Dallas, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+19724823055
Visit websiteFort Worth Herd
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, ~10 min detour
Early stretch
4.1 mi from route
~10 min detour
Fort Worth, Texas
Hours: 11:30 am–4 pm
+18173364373
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 215 decision points cluster between mile 81.9 and 117.4 — 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
7
114.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 1m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 35W Express North: Denton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35W Express North: Denton
7
117.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 5m in
Take the exit toward US 81 North, US 287 North: Decatur
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.
Toward US 81 North, US 287 North: Decatur
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$60.79 one way
$121.57 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
140 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $67.00 | $133.99 |
| premium | $4.58 | $72.20 | $144.40 |
| diesel | $5.35 | $84.34 | $168.67 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$61
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$86–$111
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 140.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $42 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 120.1 | 1 | $42.04 | $19.22 |
| Efficient EV | 100.1 | 1 | $35.04 | $16.02 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 160.2 | 2 | $56.06 | $25.63 |
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.
Origin
Rhode Island, TX
Afternoon in Rhode Island on Wednesday
Local time
2:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
83°F
Partly Sunny
ENE 0 to 5 mph
9% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued May 20 at 1:33PM CDT by NWS Lubbock TX
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued May 20 at 1:26PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Destination
Ralls, TX
Afternoon in Ralls on Wednesday
Local time
2:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
E 10 mph
49% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued May 20 at 1:33PM CDT by NWS Lubbock TX
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued May 20 at 1:26PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa 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
16 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
7h 9m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is almost entirely on highways, with 98% of the 400.4 miles covered on major roads. You'll experience a long stretch of 102.7 miles on US 81, offering a consistent cruising experience. The transition to surface roads will likely occur near the end of your trip, with only a small portion of the route not on the highway system. Expect a consistent pace for most of the drive, with minimal slowdowns due to urban merging.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 102.7 mi on US 81.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 81 and US Highway 82 West. 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 Effort
10/10
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 21 significant decision points across 400.4 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.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
3,110 ft
393 ft
Total Climb
2,864 ft
Total Descent
147 ft
Highest Point
3,110 ft
~400.4 mi in
Elevation Range
2,717 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 Ralls, TX, road signs point toward Waco, Denton, Dfw Airport, Abilene and Lubbock.
Waco
81.9 mi in
|
~1h 26m
Denton
81.9 mi in
|
~1h 26m
Dfw Airport
87.8 mi in
|
~1h 35m
|
via TX 183
Abilene
220.8 mi in
|
~3h 55m
|
via US 82
Lubbock
269.5 mi in
|
~4h 50m
|
via US 82
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.
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 7h 9m. Total distance: 400.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 9m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 102.7 miles on US 81. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 25 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 Ralls, 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 25 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.2 hours each way, a round trip means 14.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Ralls, TX before the return drive.
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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