Texas City, TX to Grand Prairie, TX is 292.3 miles and takes about 5h 17m via North Freeway/Gulf Freeway/Tom Landry Freeway, with a fuel budget near $42 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Great Plains region, making for a straightforward trip across Texas. Given its mostly highway profile and single-day recommendation, it’s a practical route for getting between these two points efficiently. You'll find this trip is mostly about covering ground, with minimal scenic detours needed if you're just looking to reach your destination.
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
146.2 miles from Texas City, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 40m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
North Freeway
235.8 mi
4h 7m
Gulf Freeway
33 mi
38m
Tom Landry Freeway
10.7 mi
11m
Emmett F Lowry Expressway
5.8 mi
7m
Palmer Highway
1.6 mi
2m
9th Avenue North
1.4 mi
2m
North Belt Line Road
0.8 mi
1m
East R L Thornton Freeway
0.8 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
North Freeway
— 235.8 mi, about 4h 7m
Traffic on I-45
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 48 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,256 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,806
Quietest
2 AM
~407 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 48 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 Texas City, TX and Grand Prairie, TX.
1
Start on this road
48 ft·8 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto Spur 197
0.7 mi·1 min·6th Street
3
Turn left onto 9th Avenue North
1.4 mi·2 min·9th Avenue North
Use the left lane.
4
Continue on FM 1764
1.6 mi·2 min·Palmer Highway
5
Continue on FM 1764
5.8 mi·7 min·Emmett F Lowry Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Merge onto I 45
33 mi·38 min·Gulf Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 45
236 mi·4 hr 7 min·North Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Exit 284AToward I 30Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 30 WestUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·25 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 30; US 67
0.8 mi·1 min·East R L Thornton Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 30
11 mi·11 min·Tom Landry Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·23 sec
Exit 34Toward Belt Line RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Turn straight onto East Interstate 30
0.5 mi·50 sec·East Interstate 30
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
15
Turn left onto North Belt Line Road
0.7 mi·1 min·North Belt Line Road
16
Continue on FM 1382
0.1 mi·13 sec·North Belt Line Road
17
Turn right onto Davis Street
0.2 mi·26 sec·Davis Street
18
Turn slight right onto TX 180
15 ft·2 sec·East Main Street
19
Turn right
74 ft·5 sec
20
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Starting your drive from Texas City early in the morning is a good idea to avoid the heaviest traffic heading north. With a total duration of just over 5 hours, this route is easily manageable in a single day. Plan for one stop to refuel and stretch your legs, which should be sufficient given the drive's length. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before the longest stretch of 235.8 miles on the North Freeway, as services can be spaced out on some highway segments.
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 146.2 miles from Texas City, TX, or about 2h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 235.8 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 64 miles or 1h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 146.2 miles or 2h 40m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 18m
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 Texas City, 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 Texas City, TX
This is one driving day of about 292.3 miles and 5h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 miles from Texas City, 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 North Freeway for about 235.8 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.7 and 290.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.7 mi into trip|~1m in|9th Avenue North
Turn left onto 9th Avenue North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
278.2 mi into trip|~4h 58m in
Take the exit toward I 30
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 284A
Toward I 30
7
278.3 mi into trip|~4h 59m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 30 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 30 West
6
278.9 mi into trip|~5h in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
290.6 mi into trip|~5h 13m in
Take the exit toward Belt Line Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 34
Toward Belt Line Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.04 one way
$80.07 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg102 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$44.72
$89.44
premium
$4.23
$48.62
$97.24
diesel
$4.80
$55.19
$110.38
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 102.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
87.7
1
$30.69
$14.03
Efficient EV
73.1
0
$25.58
$11.69
EV Truck/SUV
116.9
1
$40.92
$18.71
Gas CO2
102 kg
EV CO2
34 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.
Forecast as of Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Texas City, TX
Late night
in Texas City on Monday
Local time
4:34 AM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Partly Cloudy
S 5 to 10 mph5% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 4:47PM MDT until July 17 at 6:15PM MDT by NWS El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa NM
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 5:43PM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA
Destination
Grand Prairie, TX
Late night
in Grand Prairie on Monday
Local time
4:34 AM
CDT
Current temp
93°F
Partly Sunny
S 10 to 15 mph14% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 4:47PM MDT until July 17 at 6:15PM MDT by NWS El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa NM
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 5:43PM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA
100°F
Italy, TX
146 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
11 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
5h 17m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is almost entirely on the highway, with a 98% highway share. You'll experience a long stretch of 235.8 miles on the North Freeway. Surface roads will only become a factor in the final miles. Expect frequent exits and merging traffic as you pass through urban and suburban areas.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 235.8 mi on North Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on North Freeway and Gulf Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.7 miles in near 9th Avenue North.
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 12 significant decision points across 292.3 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 0.7 miles (9th Avenue North): Lane positioning matters here; at 278.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 278.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 17m. Total distance: 292.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 17m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 235.8 miles on North Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 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 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.7 miles (9th Avenue North): Lane positioning matters here; at 278.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 278.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.3 hours each way, a round trip means 10.6 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.
