Trip from Selma, TX to Irving, TX

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 43m

Distance

264.1 mi

425 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$36

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

4h 30m ★

6 AM

4h 43m

8 AM

5h 10m

10 AM

4h 53m

12 PM

4h 50m

3 PM

4h 54m

5 PM

5h 9m

8 PM

4h 35m

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

Best Time

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Selma, TX

Heber Vazquez

Irving, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Selma, TX to Irving, TX is 264.1 miles and takes about 4h 43m via Purple Heart Trail and I 35E, with a fuel budget near $42 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Texas, transitioning from the Great Plains region to another part of the same region. Expect a route that primarily uses surface roads, offering a more grounded travel experience than a pure interstate trip. With only one recommended stop and a single-day duration, this is a straightforward option for getting between these two points.

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

132 miles from Selma, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 21m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Purple Heart Trail	187.4 mi	3h 17m
I 35E	47.3 mi	48m
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway	6.6 mi	7m
South Jack Kultgen Expressway	6.6 mi	7m
South Walton Walker Boulevard	5.4 mi	5m
Patriot Parkway	3.9 mi	4m
Interstate Highway 35	1.9 mi	2m
East Irving Boulevard	1.2 mi	2m

Longest stretch: Purple Heart Trail — 187.4 mi, about 3h 17m

Traffic on I-35

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 88 FHWA count stations on your route.

Peak

5 PM

~3,763 veh/hr typical · worst 4,358

Quietest

2 AM

~649 veh/hr

Peak-to-quiet ratio

5.8×

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 Selma, TX and Irving, TX.

Start on North Evans Road

267 ft · 13 sec · North Evans Road

Turn left onto Interstate 35 North

0.8 mi · 1 min · Interstate 35 North

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 20 sec

Toward I 35 North

Merge onto I 35

11 mi · 11 min · Purple Heart Trail

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 35

1.9 mi · 2 min · Interstate Highway 35

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 35

48 mi · 52 min · Purple Heart Trail

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 35; US 290

96 mi · 1 hr 40 min · Purple Heart Trail

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 35

6.6 mi · 7 min · South Jack Kultgen Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 35; US 77

33 mi · 33 min · Purple Heart Trail

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E

47 mi · 48 min · I 35E

Toward I 35E: Dallas Use the slight right lane.

Take the exit

0.9 mi · 2 min

Exit 418A Toward I 20 West: Fort Worth Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto I 20

6.6 mi · 7 min · Lyndon B Johnson Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.8 mi · 1 min

Exit 460 Toward Spur 408 Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto Spur 408

3.9 mi · 4 min · Patriot Parkway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto Loop 12

5.4 mi · 5 min · South Walton Walker Boulevard

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

492 ft · 12 sec

Toward TX 356: Irving Boulevard Use the slight right lane.

Turn straight onto South Loop 12

0.3 mi · 32 sec · South Loop 12

Turn left onto TX 356

0.4 mi · 59 sec · East State Highway 356

Use the left / straight lanes.

Continue on TX 356

1.2 mi · 2 min · East Irving Boulevard

Continue on West Irving Boulevard

0.1 mi · 26 sec · West Irving Boulevard

Turn right onto North Ohio Street

58 ft · 2 sec · North Ohio Street

Arrive at destination

North Ohio Street

Trip Plan

Given this is a single-day drive of under 5 hours, you have flexibility with your departure time. Leaving in the morning will allow you to complete the trip with ample daylight. Plan for your single recommended stop to be around the halfway point or when you need a break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $42, and it’s always wise to top off before entering the denser traffic of the Dallas-Fort Worth area, particularly as you transition onto I 35E. The 187.4-mile stretch on Purple Heart Trail means you'll be on surface roads for a significant portion, so stay mindful of local speed limits.

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 132 miles from Selma, TX, or about 2h 21m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 187.4 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 58 miles or 1h 3m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 132 miles or 2h 21m 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 49m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Irving, TX than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Selma, 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 Selma, TX

This is one driving day of about 264.1 miles and 4h 43m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Selma, 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 Purple Heart Trail for about 187.4 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Troy, TX

132 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

Austin, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 58 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Troy, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 132 miles from Selma, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour

Waxahachie, Texas

Hours: 5–9 pm

+12149801053

Visit website

Cultural Activities Center

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour

Temple, Texas

Hours: 8:30 am–4 pm

+12547739926

Visit website

Village of Salado Visitors Center

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour

Salado, Texas

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+12549478634

Visit website

Austin Bat Tours

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, ~10 min detour

Early stretch 3.8 mi from route ~10 min detour

Austin, Texas

Hours: 9 am–10 pm

Visit website

Barton Creek Greenbelt

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~11 min detour

Early stretch 4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour

Austin, Texas

Hours: 5 am–10 pm

+15129746700

Visit website

Tube Chute

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

First break 4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour

New Braunfels, Texas

+18302214000

Visit website

Ripley's Believe It or Not!

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

Home stretch 4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour

Grand Prairie, Texas

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+19722632391

Visit website

Louis Tussaud's Palace of Wax

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

Home stretch 4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour

Grand Prairie, Texas

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+19722632391

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 13

5 decision points cluster between mile 61.8 and 261.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

61.8 mi into trip | ~1h 8m in | I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail

Keep slight right at fork onto I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

197 mi into trip | ~3h 29m 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

244.3 mi into trip | ~4h 17m 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

251.8 mi into trip | ~4h 27m in

Take the exit toward Spur 408

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 460 Toward Spur 408

261.9 mi into trip | ~4h 38m in

Take the exit toward TX 356: Irving Boulevard

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward TX 356: Irving Boulevard

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$36.17 one way

$72.35 round trip

$3.48/gal 25.4 MPG avg 92 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$3.89	$40.41	$80.81
premium	$4.23	$43.93	$87.86
diesel	$4.80	$49.87	$99.73

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: 92.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.

Driving Electric?

About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	79.2	0	$27.73	$12.68
Efficient EV	66	0	$23.11	$10.56
EV Truck/SUV	105.6	1	$36.97	$16.90

Gas CO2

92 kg

EV CO2

31 kg (66% 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 Jul 18, 2026

Origin

Selma, TX

Night in Selma on Monday

Local time

9:17 PM

CDT

Current temp

76°F

Mostly Cloudy

SSE 10 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued July 18 at 1:41AM CDT until July 21 at 11:48PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued July 18 at 1:40AM CDT until July 22 at 9:50AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX

Destination

Irving, TX

Night in Irving on Monday

Local time

9:17 PM

CDT

Current temp

77°F

Partly Cloudy

S 5 to 10 mph 1% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued July 18 at 1:41AM CDT until July 21 at 11:48PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued July 18 at 1:40AM CDT until July 22 at 9:50AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX

96°F

Troy, TX

132 mi in

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

1 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

4h 43m 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.

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...

4 mi from route ~10 min detour Free near mile 163.9

View on nps.gov

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Welcome to San Antonio Missions, a National Park Service site and the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Texas. Each mission in the park is a center of community and has been since the early 1700s. Th...

20 mi from route ~50 min detour Free

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

This route involves 26% highway driving, with the longest stretch on surface roads covering 187.4 miles along the Purple Heart Trail. You'll transition from surface roads to I 35E, so be prepared for merging traffic and more frequent exits as you approach the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. The majority of your miles will be on surface streets, which generally means observing posted speed limits and navigating through various towns.

Only 26% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.

22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 187.4 mi on Purple Heart Trail.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 61.8 miles in near I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail.

Driving Effort 9/10

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 13 significant decision points across 264.1 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 61.8 miles (I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 197 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 244.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

842 ft 484 ft

Total Climb

444 ft

Total Descent

715 ft

Highest Point

842 ft

~75.4 mi in

Elevation Range

359 ft

Detours Along the Way

Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.

Starbucks

Cafe

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour

Georgetown, TX

Cuisine: coffee_shop

Hours: Mo-Fr 05:00-21:00; Sa-Su 05:30-21:00

Visit website

Mochas & Javas

Cafe

Near the start, right off the route

First break 0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour

Cuisine: coffee

Bennu Coffee Shop

Cafe

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour

Austin

Hours: Mo-Su 06:00-01:00

Visit website

Tantra Coffee House

Cafe

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour

San Marcos

Cuisine: coffee_shop

Hours: 08:00-22:00

Visit website

Once Over Coffee Bar

Cafe

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour

Fair Bean Coffee

Cafe

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour

Tandoori Bistro

Restaurant

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch 0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

Cuisine: indian

Visit website

Hai Ky

Restaurant

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Cuisine: vietnamese

Visit website

WhipIn

Restaurant

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch 0.1 mi from route

Cuisine: indian

The Greek Bar

Restaurant

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch 0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour

Cuisine: greek

June's All Day

Restaurant

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch 1 mi from route ~2 min detour

Austin, TX

Cuisine: american

Hours: Mo-Fr 11:00-22:00; Sa-Su 09:00-15:00,16:...

Visit website

Java Noodles

Restaurant

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch 0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour

Cuisine: indonesian

Learning Tree

Attraction

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour

San Marcos

South Congress Bat Colony

Attraction

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour

Doug Sahm Hill

Viewpoint

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2 mi from route ~5 min detour

McBrayer Park

Park

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour

Purgatory Creek Overlook

Viewpoint

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour

Lou Neff Point

Viewpoint

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour

Irving Veterans Memorial

Memorial

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

Dick's Classic Garage

Museum

Near the start, right off the route

First break 1 mi from route ~2 min detour

San Marcos, TX

Visit website

Moses Harrell House

House

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour

Parsons' Cavalry C.S.A.

Memorial

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour

Ellis County

Memorial

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour

M S Hewitt House

House

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch 1 mi from route ~2 min detour

Baymont Inn and Suites

Hotel

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour

Omni Hotel & Resorts

Hotel

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour

Points of interest from OpenStreetMap contributors. Listings may not reflect current hours or availability.

About the Cities

Starting in Selma, TX

Full guide →

Founded 1964

Arriving in Irving, TX

Full guide →

Founded 1903

Irving is a city in the Prairies and Lakes region of Texas. Part of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, Irving has experienced exponential growth over the past fifty years, and is home to a multitude of attractions of all types, from modern art to major sporting events. Founded in 1902 out of the remnants of the small community of Kit, Irving is now a bustling city of approximately 197,000 residents. Rather like Dallas, it is divided into a highly affluent northern half and less affluent but highly diverse southern half. It is bounded to the east by the northern fork (Elm Fork) of the Trinity River and to the northwest by the sprawling D/FW International Airport.

Top landmarks

• Ruth Paine Home — house in Irving, Texas, United States

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 43m. Total distance: 264.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 187.4 miles on Purple Heart Trail. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — we found about 29 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 Irving, 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 29 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument and San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

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 Irving, 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, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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