The drive from Big Lake, TX to Rhode Island, TX covers 366.3 miles and takes about 6h 53m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US Highway 84 East, US 67, State Highway 31 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 98.3 miles on US Highway 84 East.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $55.35 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
183.1 miles from Big Lake, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 23m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 53m. Total distance: 366.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 53m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
This is a 6h 53m highway drive covering 366.3 miles, with most of the trip on US Highway 84 East and US 67. The longest continuous stretch is about 98.3 miles on US Highway 84 East.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 42 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US Highway 84 East is the longest continuous segment at about 98.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US Highway 84 East and US 67. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 65.6 miles in near US 67.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 366.3 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 65.6 miles (US 67): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 284.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 287.6 miles (I 35; US 77 / South Jack Kultgen Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 20 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
65.6 mi into trip|~1h 12m in|US 67
Take the exit onto US 67 toward US 67 North: Ballinger, Abilene
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward US 67 North: Ballinger, Abilene
5
284.7 mi into trip|~5h 18m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
287.6 mi into trip|~5h 24m in|I 35; US 77 / South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Merge onto I 35; US 77 / South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
290.3 mi into trip|~5h 27m in
Take the exit toward US 84: Waco Drive, Bellmead Drive
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 338
Toward US 84: Waco Drive, Bellmead Drive
7
363.7 mi into trip|~6h 48m in
Take the exit toward FM 833
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 206
Toward FM 833
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Big Lake, TX to Rhode Island, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Abilene along the way.
Abilene
65.6 mi in|~1h 12m|via US 67
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US Highway 84 East
98.3 mi
1h 48m
US 67
97.9 mi
1h 48m
State Highway 31
35.8 mi
38m
South Broadway Street
22.7 mi
25m
Wallis Avenue
21.9 mi
25m
I 45
19.8 mi
19m
East 2nd Street
18.2 mi
19m
George W Bush Parkway
7.3 mi
9m
Longest stretch:
US Highway 84 East
— 98.3 mi, about 1h 48m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Big Lake, TX and Rhode Island, TX.
1
Start on US 67
18 mi·19 min·East 2nd Street
2
Continue on US 67
19 mi·21 min·US 67
3
Continue on US 67
4.5 mi·5 min·United States Highway 67
4
Continue on US 67
23 mi·25 min·South Broadway Street
5
Continue on US 67
1.2 mi·1 min·Sherwood Way
6
Take the exit onto US 67
42 mi·47 min·US 67
Toward US 67 North: Ballinger, AbileneUse the straight / right lanes.
7
Take the exit onto US 67
37 mi·39 min·US 67
Toward US 67 North
8
Merge onto US 67; US 84; US 283
22 mi·25 min·Wallis Avenue
9
Continue on US 67; US 84; US 377
1.7 mi·2 min·Early Boulevard
10
Turn right onto US 84; US 183
1.3 mi·1 min·Garmon Drive
11
Continue on US 84; US 183
98 mi·1 hr 48 min·US Highway 84 East
12
Continue on US 84
2.8 mi·4 min·West McGregor Drive
13
Continue on US 84
5.3 mi·5 min·West US Highway 84
14
Continue on US 84
7.3 mi·9 min·George W Bush Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit onto Spur 298
1.5 mi·2 min·Spur 298
Toward Spur 298: Franklin Avenue
16
Turn slight right
258 ft·9 sec
17
Take the ramp onto South Valley Mills Drive
0.1 mi·18 sec·South Valley Mills Drive
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·15 sec
19
Merge onto Loop 396
1.5 mi·2 min·South Valley Mills Drive
20
Turn left onto South Jack Kultgen Expressway
0.9 mi·1 min·South Jack Kultgen Expressway
21
Take the ramp
444 ft·10 sec
Toward I 35 North, US 77 North
22
Continue on US 77
0.3 mi·34 sec·US 77
23
Merge onto I 35; US 77
2.7 mi·3 min·South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.3 mi·28 sec
Exit 338Toward US 84: Waco Drive, Bellmead DriveUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Turn straight onto North Jack Kultgen Expressway
0.3 mi·30 sec·North Jack Kultgen Expressway
26
Turn right onto US 84
0.3 mi·52 sec·East Waco Drive
27
Continue on US 84
2.6 mi·4 min·Bellmead Drive
28
Continue on US 84
2.7 mi·3 min·East US Highway 84
29
Continue on TX 31
17 mi·17 min·State Highway 31
30
Continue on TX 31
5.3 mi·5 min·Hubbard Bypass
31
Continue on TX 31
19 mi·21 min·State Highway 31
32
Turn right onto TX 31
5.5 mi·6 min·Corsicana Bypass
Use the straight lane.
33
Turn right onto South Interstate 45
0.5 mi·50 sec·South Interstate 45
34
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·32 sec
35
Merge onto I 45
20 mi·19 min·I 45
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
36
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 206Toward FM 833Use the straight / slight right lanes.
37
Turn left onto North Interstate 45
307 ft·10 sec·North Interstate 45
38
Turn left onto FM 833
1.3 mi·3 min·FM 833
39
At end of road, turn right onto TX 75; FM 833
52 ft·1 sec·North State Highway 75
40
Turn left onto FM 833
0.9 mi·1 min·East FM 833
41
Turn right onto County Road 161
10 ft·0 sec·County Road 161
42
Arrive at destination
County Road 161
Trip Plan
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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 183.1 miles from Big Lake, TX, or about 3h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 98.3 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 81 miles or 1h 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 183.1 miles or 3h 23m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 47m
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 Big Lake, 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 Big Lake, TX
This is one driving day of about 366.3 miles and 6h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 81 miles from Big Lake, 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 US Highway 84 East for about 98.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 183.1 mi from Big Lake, TX
· 3h 23m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$55.35 one way
$110.70 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg128 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$60.58
$121.17
premium
$4.54
$65.40
$130.80
diesel
$5.61
$80.87
$161.75
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$55
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$80–$105
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 128.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
109.9
1
$38.46
$17.58
Efficient EV
91.6
1
$32.05
$14.65
EV Truck/SUV
146.5
1
$51.28
$23.44
Gas CO2
128 kg
EV CO2
43 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Big Lake, TX
Evening
in Big Lake on Friday
Local time
5:12 PM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Rhode Island, TX
Evening
in Rhode Island on Friday
Local time
5:12 PM
CDT
Current temp
71°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
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
6h 53m 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 Big Lake, TX to Rhode Island, TX covers 366.3 miles and takes about 6h 53m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US Highway 84 East, US 67, State Highway 31. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 183.1 miles from Big Lake, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $55.35 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 1 meaningful break 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 20 significant decision points across 366.3 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 65.6 miles (US 67): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 284.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 287.6 miles (I 35; US 77 / South Jack Kultgen Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Big Lake, TX to Rhode Island, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Abilene along the way.
