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Trip from Waller, TX to Rhode Island, TX

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

Drive Time

2h 51m

Distance

139.4 mi

224 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$21

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 33 min
4 AM
2h 40m ★
6 AM
2h 51m
8 AM
3h 13m
10 AM
2h 59m
12 PM
2h 57m
3 PM
3h 0m
5 PM
3h 12m
8 PM
2h 45m

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

city in Waller and Harris counties in Texas, United States

Waller, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Rhode Island, TX, TX

Rhode Island, TX

Beth Fitzpatrick

Trip Overview

Waller, TX to Rhode Island, TX is 139.4 miles and takes about 2h 51m via I 45, with a fuel budget near $21 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Great Plains region, entirely within Texas. Expect mostly highway driving, making it a straightforward option for a quick transit. With only one recommended stop and a short duration, it's an easy day trip. Consider this route if you need a no-fuss connection between these two points.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

69.7 miles from Waller, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 35m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 45 59.2 mi 59m
State Highway 90 41.5 mi 1h 1m
TX 6 19.5 mi 22m
US 290 8.5 mi 9m
State Highway 75 North 3.3 mi 4m
South May Street 1.7 mi 2m
FM 833 1 mi 2m
East FM 833 0.9 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 45 — 59.2 mi, about 59m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Waller, TX and Rhode Island, TX.

1

Start on US 290 Bus

0.4 mi · 41 sec · Hempstead Highway
2

Turn right onto FM 362

0.9 mi · 1 min · FM 362
3

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 54 sec
Toward US 290 West, TX 6 North Use the left lane.
4

Merge onto US 290; TX 6

8.5 mi · 9 min · US 290; TX 6
5

Take the exit onto TX 6

0.3 mi · 36 sec · TX 6
Toward College Station, Bryan Use the slight right lane.
6

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 19 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Turn right

0.2 mi · 12 sec
Use the straight / right lanes.
8

Continue on TX 6

11 mi · 12 min · TX 6
Use the straight / right lanes.
9

Turn straight onto TX 6

8.5 mi · 9 min · TX 6
10

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 23 sec
Toward TX 90, TX 105 West: Anderson, Brenham
11

Turn straight onto TX 105

0.4 mi · 47 sec · State Highway 6
12

Turn right onto TX 90

0.3 mi · 33 sec · East Washington Avenue
13

Continue on TX 90

41 mi · 1 hr 1 min · State Highway 90
14

Turn right onto TX 90

0.2 mi · 19 sec · East South Street
15

Turn left onto TX 75

1.7 mi · 2 min · South May Street
16

Continue on TX 75

3.3 mi · 4 min · State Highway 75 North
17

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 39 sec
18

Merge onto I 45

59 mi · 59 min · I 45
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 37 sec
Toward FM 833
20

Turn right onto FM 833

1.0 mi · 2 min · FM 833
21

At end of road, turn right onto TX 75; FM 833

52 ft · 1 sec · North State Highway 75
22

Turn left onto FM 833

0.9 mi · 1 min · East FM 833
23

Turn right onto County Road 161

10 ft · 0 sec · County Road 161
24

Arrive at destination

County Road 161

Trip Plan

Given the short 2h 51m duration, this route is best tackled in a single day. Aim for an early morning departure to maximize daylight and minimize traffic, especially if you encounter any urban merging near the start or end. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing. Plan your fuel stops accordingly; the estimated cost is around $21, but it's always wise to top off before leaving Waller, TX. Keep an eye on the mileage, as the longest stretch without a major change is 59.2 miles.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 69.7 miles from Waller, TX, or about 1h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 59.2 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 31 miles or 37m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 69.7 miles or 1h 35m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 24m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Waller, 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 Waller, TX

This is one driving day of about 139.4 miles and 2h 51m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 miles from Waller, 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 59.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in and county seat of Madison County, Texas, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Madisonville, TX

70 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

Navasota, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 31 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Madisonville, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 69.7 miles from Waller, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 16

5 decision points cluster between mile 1.3 and 30 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
1.3 mi into trip | ~2m in

Take the ramp toward US 290 West, TX 6 North

Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the left lane. Toward US 290 West, TX 6 North
7
10.2 mi into trip | ~13m in | TX 6

Take the exit onto TX 6 toward College Station, Bryan

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward College Station, Bryan
7
10.5 mi into trip | ~13m in

Keep slight left at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
10.6 mi into trip | ~13m in

Turn right

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.
5
30 mi into trip | ~35m in

Take the exit toward TX 90, TX 105 West: Anderson, Brenham

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward TX 90, TX 105 West: Anderson, Brenham

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$21.06 one way

$42.13 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 49 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.20 $23.06 $46.11
premium $4.54 $24.89 $49.78
diesel $5.61 $30.78 $61.56

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$21

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$46–$71

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 48.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 41.8 0 $14.64 $6.69
Efficient EV 34.9 0 $12.20 $5.58
EV Truck/SUV 55.8 0 $19.52 $8.92

Gas CO2

49 kg

EV CO2

16 kg (67% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

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 Apr 20, 2026

Origin

Waller, TX

Morning in Waller on Tuesday

Local time

8:26 AM

CDT

Current temp

70°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Rhode Island, TX

Morning in Rhode Island on Tuesday

Local time

8:26 AM

CDT

Current temp

79°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

80°F

Madisonville, TX

70 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

9 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

2h 51m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

You'll be on the highway for 97% of this 139.4-mile drive. The longest continuous stretch is 59.2 miles on I 45. The transition to surface roads is minimal, so expect consistent cruising for most of the 2h 51m trip. You'll notice a good number of exits on I 45, typical for a major highway corridor.

97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 59.2 mi on I 45.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 45 and State Highway 90. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.3 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 139.4 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 1.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.2 miles (TX 6): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Waller, TX and Rhode Island, TX, road signs point toward College Station, Bryan and Brenham.

College Station

10.2 mi in | ~13m | via TX 6

Bryan

10.2 mi in | ~13m | via TX 6

Brenham

30 mi in | ~35m

About the Cities

Starting in Waller, TX

Full guide →

Arriving in Rhode Island, TX

Full guide →

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.

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 2h 51m. Total distance: 139.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 59.2 miles on I 45. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

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 Rhode Island, 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 1.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.2 miles (TX 6): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Rhode Island, TX before heading back.

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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Rhode Island, TX to Waller, TX

Plan the drive back the other way.

141.4 mi 2h 52m

Explore more options from Waller, TX or browse trips ending in Rhode Island, TX.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TX road trips.