Hill County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Rockport, TX to Grand Prairie, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
7h 2m
Distance
387.5 mi
624 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$53
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 51m
★
6 AM
7h 2m
8 AM
7h 25m
10 AM
7h 10m
12 PM
7h 8m
3 PM
7h 11m
5 PM
7h 23m
8 PM
6h 55m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Rockport, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Grand Prairie, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Rockport, TX to Grand Prairie, TX is 387.5 miles and takes about 7h 2m via Purple Heart Trail, with a fuel budget near $56 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Texas, traversing the Great Plains region for its entirety. You'll find it's a straightforward, mostly highway trip, making it a convenient option for a single-day transit. With only 2 planned stops and a manageable duration, this route is well-suited for those looking to get from point A to point B efficiently.
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
193.7 miles from Rockport, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 38m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Purple Heart Trail | 97.7 mi | 1h 39m |
| Pickle Parkway | 58.5 mi | 54m |
| North US Highway 183 | 51.4 mi | 56m |
| I 35E | 47.3 mi | 48m |
| US 183 | 35.9 mi | 41m |
| US Highway 183 | 22.6 mi | 24m |
| Farm to Market Road 136 | 10 mi | 11m |
| FM 2678 | 9.6 mi | 9m |
Longest stretch:
Purple Heart Trail
— 97.7 mi, about 1h 39m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 20 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,987 veh/hr typical · worst 3,782
Quietest
2 AM
~483 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 51 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 Rockport, TX and Grand Prairie, TX.
1
Start on Loop 70
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
East Market Street
2
Continue on FM 1069
5.0 mi
·
6 min
·
FM 1069 North
3
Turn right onto TX 188
7.2 mi
·
7 min
·
State Highway 188
4
Turn right onto FM 136
10.0 mi
·
11 min
·
Farm to Market Road 136
5
Continue on FM 2678
9.6 mi
·
9 min
·
FM 2678
6
At end of road, turn left onto FM 774
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
FM 774
7
Turn right onto US 77
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
South Alamo Street
8
Continue on US 77 Alt; US 183
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
North Alamo Street
9
Continue on US 77 Alt; US 183
23 mi
·
24 min
·
US Highway 183
10
Continue on US 77 Alt; US 183; TX 239
3.7 mi
·
5 min
·
South Jefferson Street
11
Continue on US 77 Alt; US 183
29 mi
·
31 min
·
North US Highway 183
12
Continue on US 77 Alt; US 87; US 183
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
South Esplanade Street
13
Continue on US 77 Alt; US 183
23 mi
·
24 min
·
North US Highway 183
14
Continue on US 183; TX 111
6.0 mi
·
6 min
·
US 183; TX 111
15
Continue on US 183; TX 97
20 mi
·
23 min
·
US 183; TX 97
16
Turn right onto US 183; TX 80
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
South Magnolia Avenue
17
Continue on US 183
10 mi
·
11 min
·
US 183
18
Continue on US 183
4.9 mi
·
8 min
·
South Colorado Street
19
Continue on US 183
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
United States Highway 183
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
35 sec
Toward TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco
21
Merge onto TX 130 Toll
59 mi
·
54 min
·
Pickle Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
Toward I 35 North: Waco
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
23
Merge onto I 35
65 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Continue on I 35
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Continue on I 35; US 77
33 mi
·
33 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E
47 mi
·
48 min
·
I 35E
Toward I 35E: Dallas
Use the slight right lane.
27
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
2 min
Exit 418A
Toward I 20 West: Fort Worth
Use the slight right lane.
28
Merge onto I 20
9.0 mi
·
9 min
·
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
Exit 457
Toward FM 1382
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Turn right onto FM 1382
5.0 mi
·
8 min
·
South Belt Line Road
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
31
Turn slight right onto Southeast 9th Street
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
Southeast 9th Street
32
Turn left onto TX 180
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
·
East Main Street
33
Turn right
74 ft
·
5 sec
34
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 7-hour driving time, departing early in the morning from Rockport is recommended to maximize daylight and avoid potential traffic as you near Grand Prairie. The route allows for flexibility with only 2 stops, so you can adjust them based on your needs. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 97.7-mile stretch on Purple Heart Trail, as services might be less frequent. The $56 fuel cost estimate should help you budget accordingly for this 387.5-mile trip.
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 193.7 miles from Rockport, TX, or about 3h 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 97.7 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 85 miles or 1h 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 193.7 miles or 3h 38m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Grand Prairie, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Rockport, 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 Rockport, TX
This is one driving day of about 387.5 miles and 7h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 85 miles from Rockport, 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 Purple Heart Trail for about 97.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
194 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 85 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 193.7 miles from Rockport, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Purple Heart Trail if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 97.7 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.
Love's Travel Stop
0 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Hill County Southbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Circle K
0.1 mi from route
Bell County Northbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Bell County Southbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Walburg Travel Center & Food Court
0.2 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Texas Maritime Museum
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, right off the route
0.6 mi from route
~1 min detour
Rockport, Texas
Hours: 10 am–4 pm
+13617291271
Visit websiteRipley's Believe It or Not!
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Grand Prairie, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+19722632391
Visit websiteLouis Tussaud's Palace of Wax
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Grand Prairie, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+19722632391
Visit websiteNTER - The Great Escape
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, ~9 min detour
Home stretch
3.8 mi from route
~9 min detour
Waxahachie, Texas
Hours: 5–9 pm
+12149801053
Visit websitePioneer Farms
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour
Halfway reset
4.1 mi from route
~10 min detour
Austin, Texas
Hours: 10 am–2 pm
+15128371215
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 165 decision points cluster between mile 160.7 and 381.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
160.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 7m in
Keep slight left at fork toward TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco
7
219.6 mi into trip
|
~4h 2m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35 North: Waco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35 North: Waco
7
324.4 mi into trip
|
~5h 50m in
|
I 35E
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E toward I 35E: Dallas
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 35E: Dallas
7
371.6 mi into trip
|
~6h 39m in
Take the exit toward I 20 West: Fort Worth
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 418A
Toward I 20 West: Fort Worth
7
381.6 mi into trip
|
~6h 51m in
Take the exit toward FM 1382
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 457
Toward FM 1382
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$53.08 one way
$106.15 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
136 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $59.28 | $118.57 |
| premium | $4.23 | $64.46 | $128.91 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $73.17 | $146.33 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$53
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$78–$103
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 135.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $41 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 116.3 | 1 | $40.69 | $18.60 |
| Efficient EV | 96.9 | 1 | $33.91 | $15.50 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 155 | 1 | $54.25 | $24.80 |
Gas CO2
136 kg
EV CO2
45 kg (67% 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
Rockport, TX
Morning in Rockport on Sunday
Local time
9:54 AM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Partly Cloudy
SSE 12 mph
8% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 11:42PM CDT until July 17 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 10:46PM CDT until July 17 at 3:45AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Grand Prairie, TX
Morning in Grand Prairie on Sunday
Local time
9:54 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
S 5 mph
16% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 11:42PM CDT until July 17 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 10:46PM CDT until July 17 at 3:45AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio 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
7 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 2m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Waco Mammoth National Monument
National Monument
Standing as tall as 14 feet and weighing 20,000 pounds, Columbian mammoths roamed across what is present-day Texas thousands of years ago. Today, the fossil specimens represent the nation's first and...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 294
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly on highways, with 66% of the 387.5 miles on these faster roads. You'll experience a longest stretch of 97.7 miles on Purple Heart Trail before transitioning to other main roads like Pickle Parkway and North US Highway 183. Expect a mix of cruising and some increased traffic density as you approach the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, indicated by the highway share and the need for multiple main roads.
66% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 97.7 mi on Purple Heart Trail.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Purple Heart Trail and Pickle Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 160.7 miles in.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 387.5 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 160.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 219.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 324.4 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
747 ft
8 ft
Total Climb
1,041 ft
Total Descent
530 ft
Highest Point
747 ft
~221.4 mi in
Elevation Range
739 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 Rockport, TX to Grand Prairie, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Waco along the way.
Waco
160.7 mi in
|
~3h 7m
About the Cities
Starting in Rockport, TX
Full guide →Founded 1870
Rockport is a small city in the South Barrier Coast region of Texas, about 45 minutes north up the Gulf of Mexico coast from Corpus Christi. It's right between Copano Bay to the west, on the coast of Aransas Bay. Aransas Bay is around 4 miles wide at this point, with the Gulf of Mexico beyond.
Top landmarks
- • T. H. Mathis House — historic place in Rockport, Aransas County, Texas
Arriving in Grand Prairie, TX
Full guide →Founded 1863
Grand Prairie is a city in the Prairies and Lakes region of Texas.
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 2m. Total distance: 387.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 2m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 97.7 miles on Purple Heart Trail. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 28 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 Grand Prairie, 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 28 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 160.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 219.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 324.4 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.0 hours each way, a round trip means 14.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Grand Prairie, 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, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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