Hill County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Universal City, TX to Irving, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 51m
Distance
268.9 mi
433 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$41
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 38m
★
6 AM
4h 51m
8 AM
5h 18m
10 AM
5h 1m
12 PM
4h 58m
3 PM
5h 2m
5 PM
5h 17m
8 PM
4h 43m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Universal City, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Universal City, TX to Irving, TX is 268.9 miles and takes about 4h 51m via Purple Heart Trail and I 35E, with a fuel budget near $41 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Great Plains region, traversing Texas the entire way. Expect a drive that begins on surface roads and transitions to highway cruising. With a single recommended day, it's a manageable drive for most travelers looking to cover ground efficiently between these two Texas cities.
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
134.4 miles from Universal City, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 27m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Purple Heart Trail | 188.3 mi | 3h 18m |
| 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 |
| Pat Booker Road | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| Interstate Highway 35 | 1.9 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Purple Heart Trail
— 188.3 mi, about 3h 18m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Universal City, TX and Irving, TX.
1
Start on this road
40 ft
·
9 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto TX 218
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Pat Booker Road
3
Turn slight right onto East Loop 1604 North
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
East Loop 1604 North
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Toward Loop 1604 West
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
5
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 35 North: Austin
Use the slight right lane.
6
Merge onto I 35
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North Pan Am Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 35
12 mi
·
12 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 35
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Interstate Highway 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 35
48 mi
·
52 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
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.
11
Continue on I 35
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 35; US 77
33 mi
·
33 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E
47 mi
·
48 min
·
I 35E
Toward I 35E: Dallas
Use the slight right lane.
14
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
2 min
Exit 418A
Toward I 20 West: Fort Worth
Use the slight right lane.
15
Merge onto I 20
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Exit 460
Toward Spur 408
Use the slight right lane.
17
Merge onto Spur 408
3.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Patriot Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Merge onto Loop 12
5.4 mi
·
5 min
·
South Walton Walker Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
492 ft
·
12 sec
Toward TX 356: Irving Boulevard
Use the slight right lane.
20
Turn straight onto South Loop 12
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
·
South Loop 12
21
Turn left onto TX 356
0.4 mi
·
59 sec
·
East State Highway 356
Use the left / straight lanes.
22
Continue on TX 356
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
East Irving Boulevard
23
Continue on West Irving Boulevard
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
·
West Irving Boulevard
24
Turn right onto North Ohio Street
58 ft
·
2 sec
·
North Ohio Street
25
Arrive at destination
North Ohio Street
Trip Plan
Aim to leave Universal City in the morning to take advantage of the 4h 51m duration and complete the 268.9-mile trip before evening. Since this route is easily doable in one day, you have flexibility with your departure time. The longest stretch on surface roads is substantial, so plan for a fuel and rest stop before you hit the 188.3-mile mark on Purple Heart Trail. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $41, and services can vary on the longer surface road 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 134.4 miles from Universal City, TX, or about 2h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 188.3 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 59 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 134.4 miles or 2h 27m 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 56m
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 Universal 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 Universal City, TX
This is one driving day of about 268.9 miles and 4h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from Universal 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 Purple Heart Trail for about 188.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
134 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 59 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 134.4 miles from Universal City, 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 188.3 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.
Service Plaza
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
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
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
TA
0.2 mi from route
Bell County Northbound Rest Area
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
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Marlstone Retail Center
0.4 mi from route
QuikTrip
2.3 mi from route
Cultural Activities Center
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Halfway reset
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
Temple, Texas
Hours: 8:30 am–4 pm
+12547739926
Visit websiteThe Sophienburg Museum & Archives
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
First break
1.2 mi from route
~3 min detour
New Braunfels, Texas
Hours: 10 am–4 pm
+18306291572
Visit websiteVillage of Salado Visitors Center
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Halfway reset
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
Salado, Texas
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+12549478634
Visit websiteTube Chute
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
First break
1.4 mi from route
~4 min detour
New Braunfels, Texas
+18302214000
Visit websiteChildren's Park
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
First break
2.6 mi from route
~7 min detour
San Marcos, Texas
Hours: 6 am–11 pm
+15123938400
Visit websiteNTER - The Great Escape
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2.8 mi from route
~7 min detour
Waxahachie, Texas
Hours: 5–9 pm
+12149801053
Visit websitePioneer Farms
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
3.3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Austin, Texas
Hours: 10 am–2 pm
+15128371215
Visit websiteCalaboose African American History Museum
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
First break
2.9 mi from route
~7 min detour
San Marcos, Texas
Hours: 10 am–2 pm
+15123938421
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 145 decision points cluster between mile 2.5 and 256.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
2.5 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Take the ramp toward Loop 1604 West
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward Loop 1604 West
7
2.7 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 35 North: Austin
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 35 North: Austin
7
201.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 36m 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
249.1 mi into trip
|
~4h 25m 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
256.7 mi into trip
|
~4h 34m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.63 one way
$81.26 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
94 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $44.47 | $88.95 |
| premium | $4.54 | $48.01 | $96.02 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $59.37 | $118.74 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 94.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 80.7 | 0 | $28.23 | $12.91 |
| Efficient EV | 67.2 | 0 | $23.53 | $10.76 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 107.6 | 1 | $37.65 | $17.21 |
Gas CO2
94 kg
EV CO2
31 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.
Origin
Universal City, TX
Morning in Universal City on Tuesday
Local time
8:48 AM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Irving, TX
Morning in Irving on Tuesday
Local time
8:48 AM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
84°F
Troy, TX
134 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
15 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 51m 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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 166.9
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...
18 mi from route
~46 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 drive is mostly surface roads, with only 25% on highways like I 35E. You'll experience a long stretch of 188.3 miles on the Purple Heart Trail before reaching the freeway. Be prepared for more frequent intersections and varied speed limits on the initial portion of the route. The transition to the interstate will offer a change in pace and traffic patterns.
Only 25% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 188.3 mi on Purple Heart Trail.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 2.5 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 14 significant decision points across 268.9 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 2.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 2.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 201.8 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Starting in Universal City, TX
Full guide →Top landmarks
- • Administration Building (Randolph Air Force Base) — building in Randolph AFB, Bexar County, Texas
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 51m. Total distance: 268.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 188.3 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 2.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 201.8 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.7 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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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