Origin
Alice, TX
Afternoon in Alice on Sunday
Local time
2:28 PM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Alice, TX to Grand Prairie, TX
Drive Time
7h 14m
Distance
390.1 mi
628 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$60
one way
Alice, TX
Action Construction Equipment Ltd. - ACE
Grand Prairie, TX
Ken Jacobsen
Trip Overview
Spanning 390.1 miles across the Texas landscape, this drive from Alice to Grand Prairie typically takes about 7 hours and 14 minutes. Because you are traveling within the Great Plains region, the scenery remains consistent as you head north. The route relies on a combination of the Purple Heart Trail, Pickle Parkway, and I-35E to move you through the state. With a total fuel cost of approximately $60, it is a straightforward trip that is manageable as a single-day journey. While you could break it up, the route is designed for efficiency, making it a solid choice if you prefer to reach your destination in one go.
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
195 miles from Alice, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 49m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a mixed drive that balances highway efficiency with varied road types, as roughly 57% of your travel occurs on major highways. You will settle into a rhythm quickly, with the longest uninterrupted stretch covering 97.7 miles along the Purple Heart Trail. The experience shifts from quieter sections to the busier, high-traffic corridors of I-35E as you approach the Grand Prairie area. Since you will be navigating different types of roadways, keep your focus steady behind the wheel. It is a functional, point-to-point journey that prioritizes progress over winding, scenic detours.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 32 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Purple Heart Trail is the longest continuous segment at about 97.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 222.2 miles in.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 390.1 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 222.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 326.9 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 374.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
222.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 14m 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
326.9 mi into trip
|
~6h 2m 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
374.2 mi into trip
|
~6h 51m 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
384.2 mi into trip
|
~7h 3m 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
7
389.8 mi into trip
|
~7h 13m in
|
TX 180 / East Main Street
Turn left onto TX 180 / East Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Alice, TX to Grand Prairie, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Waco along the way.
Waco
163.2 mi in
|
~3h 19m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Purple Heart Trail | 97.7 mi | 1h 39m |
| Pickle Parkway | 58.5 mi | 54m |
| I 35E | 47.3 mi | 48m |
| US 281 | 36.3 mi | 41m |
| King David Drive | 31.8 mi | 39m |
| State Highway 80 North | 30.8 mi | 35m |
| State Highway 80 | 23.6 mi | 25m |
| Nueces Street | 11.1 mi | 14m |
Longest stretch:
Purple Heart Trail
— 97.7 mi, about 1h 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alice, TX and Grand Prairie, TX.
1
Start on East 2nd Street
94 ft
·
6 sec
·
East 2nd Street
2
Turn right onto North Cameron Street
357 ft
·
15 sec
·
North Cameron Street
3
Turn left onto East 3rd Street
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
East 3rd Street
4
At end of road, turn right onto US 281 Business
2.7 mi
·
4 min
·
North Johnson Street
5
Take the ramp
0.6 mi
·
1 min
6
Merge onto US 281
36 mi
·
41 min
·
US 281
7
Keep slight left at fork onto US 281
11 mi
·
14 min
·
Nueces Street
8
Turn right onto TX 72
32 mi
·
39 min
·
King David Drive
9
Continue on TX 72; TX 239
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
West Main Street
10
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 72; TX 239
233 ft
·
3 sec
·
East Main Street
11
Continue on FM 792
8.4 mi
·
10 min
·
Helena Road
12
Turn straight onto TX 80
24 mi
·
25 min
·
State Highway 80
13
Continue on TX 80
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
South Nixon Avenue
14
Continue on TX 80; TX 97
31 mi
·
35 min
·
State Highway 80 North
15
Continue on US 183
10 mi
·
11 min
·
US 183
16
Continue on US 183
4.9 mi
·
8 min
·
South Colorado Street
17
Continue on US 183
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
United States Highway 183
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
35 sec
Toward TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco
19
Merge onto TX 130 Toll
59 mi
·
54 min
·
Pickle Parkway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
Toward I 35 North: Waco
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
21
Merge onto I 35
65 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the none lane.
22
Continue on I 35
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on I 35; US 77
33 mi
·
33 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the none lane.
24
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E
47 mi
·
48 min
·
I 35E
Toward I 35E: Dallas
Use the slight right lane.
25
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
2 min
Exit 418A
Toward I 20 West: Fort Worth
Use the slight right lane.
26
Merge onto I 20
9.0 mi
·
9 min
·
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Use the none lane.
27
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
Exit 457
Toward FM 1382
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Turn right onto FM 1382
5.0 mi
·
8 min
·
South Belt Line Road
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
29
Turn slight right onto Southeast 9th Street
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
Southeast 9th Street
30
Turn left onto TX 180
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
·
East Main Street
Use the none lane.
31
Turn right
74 ft
·
5 sec
32
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To keep your 7-hour and 14-minute drive comfortable, plan for at least two intentional stops to stretch your legs and refresh. Leaving early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid the heavier congestion often associated with the I-35E portion of the trip. Budgeting around $60 for fuel is a safe baseline, though fluctuating prices mean keeping a little extra in your travel fund is always wise. Since this is a one-day trip, your primary goal should be maintaining a steady pace rather than rushing. Use those two scheduled breaks to manage your fatigue effectively before entering the more intense traffic patterns near your final destination.
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 195 miles from Alice, TX, or about 3h 49m 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 86 miles or 1h 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 195 miles or 3h 49m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 5m
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 Alice, 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 Alice, TX
This is one driving day of about 390.1 miles and 7h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 86 miles from Alice, 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.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 195 mi from Alice, TX · 3h 49m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
195 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 86 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 195 miles from Alice, 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.
Arriving in Grand Prairie, TX
The final approach into Grand Prairie, TX usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Grand Prairie, TX.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$59.59 one way
$119.18 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
137 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $65.30 | $130.61 |
| premium | $4.59 | $70.51 | $141.02 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $86.67 | $173.33 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$60
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$85–$110
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 136.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $41 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 117 | 1 | $40.96 | $18.72 |
| Efficient EV | 97.5 | 1 | $34.13 | $15.60 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 156 | 1 | $54.61 | $24.97 |
Gas CO2
136 kg
EV CO2
46 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Grand Prairie, TX
Afternoon in Grand Prairie on Sunday
Local time
2:28 PM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
10 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 14m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Alice, TX to Grand Prairie, TX covers 390.1 miles and takes about 7h 14m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Purple Heart Trail, Pickle Parkway, I 35E. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 195 miles from Alice, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $59.59 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 390.1 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 222.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 326.9 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 374.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Alice, TX to Grand Prairie, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Waco along the way.
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