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Trip from Rhode Island, TX to West Orange, TX

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 22, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 37m

Distance

248.4 mi

400 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$37

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 24m ★
6 AM
4h 37m
8 AM
5h 4m
10 AM
4h 46m
12 PM
4h 44m
3 PM
4h 48m
5 PM
5h 3m
8 PM
4h 29m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Rhode Island, TX, TX

Rhode Island, TX

Beth Fitzpatrick

Downtown West Orange, TX, TX

West Orange, TX

Jeff Stapleton

Trip Overview

Rhode Island, TX to West Orange, TX is 248.4 miles and takes about 4h 37m via I 45 and US Highway 69 South, with a fuel budget near $36 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Great Plains region of Texas, offering a straightforward trip. Expect a mostly highway experience that makes for efficient travel. With a recommended one-day drive, you can easily complete this route without needing an overnight stay.

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

124.2 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 West 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

0.6 mi · 1 min · Macarthur Drive
23

Turn right onto Broad Street

0.2 mi · 1 min · Broad Street
24

At end of road, turn left onto South Avenue

0.1 mi · 18 sec · South Avenue
25

Turn right onto Dayton Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · Dayton Street
26

Turn right onto Western Avenue

0.4 mi · 1 min · Western Avenue
27

Turn left onto FM 2177

0.1 mi · 15 sec · Irving Street
28

Arrive at destination

FM 2177

Trip Plan

Given this is a one-day, 4.5-hour drive, leaving in the morning allows ample time to reach West Orange, TX, with daylight to spare. You'll have one recommended stop, which you can use for a break or to top off fuel. The fuel cost is estimated at $36, so plan accordingly. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 88.3-mile stretch on I 45, as services can be spaced out in some sections. The flexibility of a single-day trip means you can adjust your departure time based on your schedule.

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 124.2 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 124.2 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 West 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 248.4 miles and 4h 37m.

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.

Downtown houston-tx

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Houston, TX

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

Buffalo, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 55 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Houston, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 124.2 miles from Rhode Island, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top 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.

Road Ranger

0.1 mi from route

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

Pilot Travel Center

0.3 mi from route

Rest Area

0.8 mi from route

Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour

Orange, Texas

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+14096709113

Visit website

Stark Museum of Art

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour

Orange, Texas

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+14098862787

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 20

5 decision points cluster between mile 2.6 and 247.3 — 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.
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
5
247.3 mi into trip | ~4h 34m in | South Avenue

At end of road, turn left onto South Avenue

Navigation decision point

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$37.29 one way

$74.58 round trip

$3.81/gal 25.4 MPG avg 87 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.22 $41.26 $82.52
premium $4.57 $44.64 $89.29
diesel $6.28 $61.38 $122.75

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$37

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$62–$87

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 86.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.

Driving Electric?

About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 74.5 0 $26.08 $11.92
Efficient EV 62.1 0 $21.74 $9.94
EV Truck/SUV 99.4 1 $34.78 $15.90

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.

Forecast as of Oct 19, 2026

Origin

Rhode Island, TX

Morning in Rhode Island on Thursday

Local time

6:10 AM

CDT

Current temp

78°F

Mostly Cloudy

ESE 0 to 5 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Destination

West Orange, TX

Morning in West Orange on Thursday

Local time

6:10 AM

CDT

Current temp

78°F

Mostly Sunny

NE 5 mph 0% chance Live forecast

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

Very similar conditions

Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.

Road read

4h 37m 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?

You'll spend about 69% of this 248.4-mile drive on highways, primarily I 45. The longest stretch without a significant change in road type will be 88.3 miles on I 45. Expect to transition from highway driving to surface roads, like Phelps Drive and US Highway 69 South, as you approach your destination. The highway portions will likely feature consistent traffic flow with frequent exits.

69% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 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 20 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2.6 miles in near I 45.

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 248.4 miles you will encounter 20 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: 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; at 222.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

448 ft 7 ft

Total Climb

345 ft

Total Descent

731 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.

Between Rhode Island, TX and West 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 West Orange, 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 37m. Total distance: 248.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 37m 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 13 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: 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; at 222.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 West 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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