This 144.1-mile drive from Burkburnett, TX, to Irving, TX, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 38 minutes. The route is primarily highway-focused, with 94% of it on major roads like the Central East Freeway and I-820 TEXpress. You can expect a fuel cost of around $22 for this journey. Traveling within the Great Plains region, this drive offers a straightforward connection between these two Texas locations. With only one recommended stop, it's a relatively quick and efficient journey.
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
72 miles from Burkburnett, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 18m into the drive
.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 38m. Total distance: 144.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience for most of this 144.1-mile trip, with 94% of your journey utilizing major roadways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 99.2 miles on the Central East Freeway, indicating long periods of consistent driving. This profile suggests a drive that prioritizes direct travel over winding scenic byways. While primarily interstate, the inclusion of TEXpress lanes might offer a slightly different driving dynamic in certain segments.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 28 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Central East Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 99.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Central East Freeway and Central Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 17.6 miles in near US 82; US 287 / Central East Freeway.
Driving Effort10/10
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 17 significant decision points across 144.1 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 17.6 miles (US 82; US 287 / Central East Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 121.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 121.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
17.6 mi into trip|~20m in|US 82; US 287 / Central East Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 82; US 287 / Central East Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
121.1 mi into trip|~2h 11m in
Take the exit toward I 820
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 57
Toward I 820
7
121.5 mi into trip|~2h 11m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 820 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 820 East
7
140.4 mi into trip|~2h 31m in
Take the exit toward TX 356: Irving Boulevard, Belt Line Road South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward TX 356: Irving Boulevard, Belt Line Road...
7
140.6 mi into trip|~2h 32m in
Keep slight left at fork toward TX 356: Irving Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward TX 356: Irving Boulevard
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Central East Freeway
99.2 mi
1h 46m
Central Freeway
9.5 mi
10m
I 820 TEXpress
5.5 mi
5m
Airport Freeway
5 mi
5m
US 81
4.6 mi
4m
SH 121/183 TEXpress
4.4 mi
4m
South Red River Expressway
2.9 mi
3m
West Irving Boulevard
2.7 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
Central East Freeway
— 99.2 mi, about 1h 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Burkburnett, TX and Irving, TX.
1
Start on TX 240
70 ft·9 sec·East 3rd Street
2
Turn left onto Loop 267
0.7 mi·1 min·North Avenue D
3
Continue on Loop 267
0.9 mi·1 min·Sheppard Road
4
Continue on TX 240
0.2 mi·19 sec·South Red River Expressway
5
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·17 sec
Toward I 44 West, US 277 South, US 281 South: Wichita Falls
6
Merge onto I 44; US 277; US 281
2.7 mi·2 min·South Red River Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 44; US 277; US 281
9.5 mi·10 min·Central Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on US 277; US 281; US 287
0.9 mi·1 min·Lloyd Ruby Overpass
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on US 281; US 287
0.9 mi·1 min·Central East Freeway
10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 82; US 287
1.8 mi·1 min·Central East Freeway
11
Keep slight right at fork onto US 82; US 287
97 mi·1 hr 43 min·Central East Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on US 81; US 287
4.6 mi·4 min·US 81; US 287
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 35W; US 287
2.3 mi·2 min·North Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi·24 sec
Exit 57Toward I 820Use the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Toward I 820 EastUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto I 820
0.4 mi·24 sec·Northeast Loop
17
Take the exit
0.1 mi·7 sec
Toward I 820 Express East Toll
18
Merge onto I 820 TEXpress
5.5 mi·5 min·I 820 TEXpress
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on TX 121 TEXpress; TX 183 TEXpress
4.4 mi·4 min·SH 121/183 TEXpress
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Continue on TX 183 TEXpress
2.5 mi·2 min·SH 183 TEXpress
Toward TX 183 Express EastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
262 ft·6 sec
Use the slight right lane.
22
Merge onto TX 183
5.0 mi·5 min·Airport Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward TX 356: Irving Boulevard, Belt Line Road SouthUse the right lane.
24
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·45 sec
Toward TX 356: Irving BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Continue on TX 356
2.7 mi·4 min·West Irving Boulevard
Use the left lane.
26
Continue on TX 356
0.4 mi·52 sec·West 2nd Street
27
Turn left onto South Ohio Street
436 ft·19 sec·South Ohio Street
28
Arrive at destination
North Ohio Street
Trip Plan
Given the manageable 2-hour and 38-minute duration, this 144.1-mile trip is ideal for a single-day excursion. Aim to depart in the morning to take advantage of lighter traffic and maximize your daylight hours. With only one stop recommended, you can be quite flexible with your timing. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $22, and plan your refill accordingly, especially before embarking on the longest 99.2-mile stretch on the Central East Freeway.
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 72 miles from Burkburnett, TX, or about 1h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.2 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 32 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 72 miles or 1h 18m 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 8m
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 Burkburnett, 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 Burkburnett, TX
This is one driving day of about 144.1 miles and 2h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Burkburnett, 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 Central East Freeway for about 99.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 72 mi from Burkburnett, TX
· 1h 18m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.77 one way
$43.55 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg50 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$23.83
$47.67
premium
$4.54
$25.73
$51.46
diesel
$5.61
$31.82
$63.63
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 50.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
43.2
0
$15.13
$6.92
Efficient EV
36
0
$12.61
$5.76
EV Truck/SUV
57.6
0
$20.17
$9.22
Gas CO2
50 kg
EV CO2
17 kg (66% 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 15, 2026
Origin
Burkburnett, TX
Morning
in Burkburnett on Saturday
Local time
10:09 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Irving, TX
Morning
in Irving on Saturday
Local time
10:09 AM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
59°F
Aurora, TX
72 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
12 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
2h 38m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Burkburnett, TX to Irving, TX covers 144.1 miles and takes about 2h 38m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Central East Freeway, Central Freeway, I 820 TEXpress. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 72 miles from Burkburnett, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $21.77 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 144.1 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 17.6 miles (US 82; US 287 / Central East Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 121.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 121.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Burkburnett, TX to Irving, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
