Rhode Island, TX to Sparks, TX is 688.5 miles and takes about 11h 33m via Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway and I 10, with a fuel budget near $101 and enough daylight to finish in a day if you start early, though it's best split over two days. This is a long-haul drive entirely within Texas, taking you across the Great Plains. You'll be covering a significant distance, so planning your overnight stop will be key to making this trip comfortable. It's a straightforward route if you're looking to cover ground efficiently.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
3 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
344.2 miles from Rhode Island, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 5h 55m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
432.8 mi
7h 12m
I 10
148 mi
2h 20m
US 287
62.8 mi
1h 11m
I 45
40.7 mi
40m
East FM 833
0.9 mi
1m
Peyton Road
0.8 mi
1m
West FM 833
0.7 mi
1m
Gateway Boulevard West
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
— 432.8 mi, about 7h 12m
Traffic on I-20
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 112 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~1,504 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,862
Quietest
2 AM
~213 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 Sparks, 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
429 mi·7 hr 8 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Toward I 20 West: AbileneUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 10
148 mi·2 hr 20 min·I 10
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward FM 1281: Horizon City, Socorro
13
Continue on Gateway Boulevard West
0.2 mi·21 sec·Gateway Boulevard West
14
Keep slight right at fork onto Gateway Boulevard West
0.2 mi·27 sec·Gateway Boulevard West
15
Turn right onto FM 1281
0.2 mi·28 sec·Horizon Boulevard
16
Turn left onto Peyton Road
0.8 mi·1 min·Peyton Road
17
Turn right onto Grand River Drive
392 ft·16 sec·Grand River Drive
18
Turn left onto Wake Forest Lane
184 ft·8 sec·Wake Forest Lane
19
Arrive at destination
Wake Forest Lane
Trip Plan
Given the 11h 33m estimated drive time, this trip is best broken into two days. Aim to leave early in the morning to maximize daylight for your first day of driving. Plan your overnight stop around the halfway point, or slightly before, to avoid an excessively long second day. With 3 planned stops, ensure at least one is a more substantial rest break. Pay attention to fuel levels, especially during the 432.8-mile stretch on the Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway, as services can be spread out.
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.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 3 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 344.2 miles from Rhode Island, TX, or about 5h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 432.8 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 151 miles or 2h 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 344.2 miles or 5h 55m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 344.2 miles or 5h 55m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 10h 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sparks, 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.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Rhode Island, TX
Aim for roughly 344 miles and 5.8 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Sparks, TX
Aim for roughly 344 miles and 5.8 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 151 miles from Rhode Island, TX.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 3 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway for about 432.8 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.4 and 686.8 — 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
686.8 mi into trip|~11h 29m in
Take the exit toward FM 1281: Horizon City, Socorro
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward FM 1281: Horizon City, Socorro
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$99.89 one way
$199.77 round trip
$3.69/gal25.4 MPG avg241 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.08
$110.68
$221.35
premium
$4.43
$120.14
$240.27
diesel
$5.60
$151.77
$303.54
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$100
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$230–$340
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 240.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $72 in charging
· 2 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
206.6
2
$72.29
$33.05
Efficient EV
172.1
1
$60.24
$27.54
EV Truck/SUV
275.4
3
$96.39
$44.06
Gas CO2
241 kg
EV CO2
81 kg (66% less)
Plan for 2 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.
Forecast as of Aug 20, 2026
Origin
Rhode Island, TX
Late night
in Rhode Island on Wednesday
Local time
1:37 AM
CDT
Current temp
103°F
Sunny
SSE 0 to 5 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued August 20 at 5:18PM CDT until August 20 at 6:15PM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued August 20 at 4:50PM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX
Destination
Sparks, TX
Late night
in Sparks on Wednesday
Local time
12:37 AM
MDT
Current temp
102°F
Sunny
S 6 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued August 20 at 5:18PM CDT until August 20 at 6:15PM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued August 20 at 4:50PM CDT by NWS Amarillo 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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
Time zone
1 hour earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
1 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
11h 33m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
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 is a long-haul drive where 37% of the route is on highways. You'll experience a stretch of 432.8 miles on the Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway before transitioning to other roads. Expect a mix of highway cruising and potentially more varied terrain as you move between major roadways. The vast majority of your time will be spent on well-traveled routes designed for distance travel.
37% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 432.8 mi on Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
At 11h 33m, this is a long-haul route where pacing matters more than any single turn. 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 Effort7/10
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 688.5 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
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
4,424 ft393 ft
Total Climb
4,493 ft
Total Descent
1,075 ft
Highest Point
4,424 ft
~590.1 mi in
Elevation Range
4,031 ft
Notable High Points
4,424 ft at ~590.1 miles+349 ft prominence
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 Sparks, 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.
The longest stretch is about 432.8 miles on Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 344 miles on day one.
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 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 Sparks, 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 3 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 11.6 hours each way, a round trip means 23.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Sparks, TX before the return drive.
