Origin
Garland, TX
Evening in Garland on Thursday
Local time
5:33 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Garland, TX to Port Arthur, TX
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
5h 44m
Distance
295.1 mi
475 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$45
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 31m
★
6 AM
5h 44m
8 AM
6h 11m
10 AM
5h 54m
12 PM
5h 51m
3 PM
5h 55m
5 PM
6h 9m
8 PM
5h 36m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Port Arthur, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Garland, TX to Port Arthur, TX covers 295.1 miles and takes about 5h 44m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 96, US 59, South Shelby Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 140.9 miles on US 96. At current regular gas prices, budget about $44.59 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
147.6 miles from Garland, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 57m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 44m. Total distance: 295.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 5h 44m highway drive covering 295.1 miles, with most of the trip on US 96 and US 59. The longest continuous stretch is about 140.9 miles on US 96.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 25 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 96 is the longest continuous segment at about 140.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 96 and US 59. You will hit about 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.7 miles in near US 82.
Driving Effort
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 295.1 miles you will encounter 16 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.7 miles (US 82): Navigation decision point; at 15.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 272.6 miles (US 69; US 96; US 287 / Eastex Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
1.7 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
US 82
Turn right onto US 82
Navigation decision point
4
15.6 mi into trip
|
~22m in
Take the exit toward SH 8: New Boston
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward SH 8: New Boston
6
272.6 mi into trip
|
~5h 16m in
|
US 69; US 96; US 287 / Eastex Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 69; US 96; US 287 / Eastex Freeway toward Houston, Port Arthur
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Houston, Port Arthur
6
275.7 mi into trip
|
~5h 20m in
|
US 69; US 96; US 287
Take the exit onto US 69; US 96; US 287 toward US 69 South, US 96 South, US 287 South: Port Arthur
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 849
Toward US 69 South, US 96 South, US 287 South:...
5
295.1 mi into trip
|
~5h 44m in
|
Augusta Avenue
Turn left onto Augusta Avenue
Navigation decision point
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Garland, TX and Port Arthur, TX, road signs point toward Sh 8: New Boston and Houston.
Sh 8: New Boston
15.6 mi in
|
~22m
Houston
272.6 mi in
|
~5h 16m
|
via US 69; US 96; US 287
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 96 | 140.9 mi | 2h 37m |
| US 59 | 59.6 mi | 1h 7m |
| South Shelby Street | 18.6 mi | 21m |
| US 69 | 15.9 mi | 17m |
| State Highway 8 | 12.5 mi | 13m |
| US 82 | 11.4 mi | 15m |
| North McCoy Boulevard | 10.6 mi | 15m |
| Houston Drive | 8.9 mi | 11m |
Longest stretch:
US 96
— 140.9 mi, about 2h 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Garland, TX and Port Arthur, TX.
1
Start on FM 1701
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
FM 1701
2
Turn left onto County Road 3215
0.1 mi
·
34 sec
·
County Road 3215
3
Turn right onto US 82
11 mi
·
15 min
·
US 82
4
Turn left
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
5
Merge onto I 30
2.3 mi
·
2 min
·
I 30
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Toward SH 8: New Boston
7
Turn right onto TX 8
11 mi
·
15 min
·
North McCoy Boulevard
8
Turn left onto US 67; TX 8
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
US 67; TX 8
9
Turn slight right onto TX 8
8.9 mi
·
11 min
·
Houston Drive
10
Continue on TX 8
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
North Street
11
Continue on TX 8
12 mi
·
13 min
·
State Highway 8
12
Merge onto TX 155
392 ft
·
5 sec
·
TX 155
13
Turn right onto US 59
60 mi
·
1 hr 7 min
·
US 59
14
Turn left onto US 59 Business; US 79 Business
326 ft
·
10 sec
·
Sabine Street
15
Turn right onto US 59 Business
19 mi
·
21 min
·
South Shelby Street
16
Continue on US 96
141 mi
·
2 hr 37 min
·
US 96
17
Keep slight right at fork onto US 69; US 96; US 287
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Eastex Freeway
Toward Houston, Port Arthur
18
Take the exit onto US 69; US 96; US 287
16 mi
·
17 min
·
US 69; US 96; US 287
Exit 849
Toward US 69 South, US 96 South, US 287 South: Port Arthur
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Toward TX 73 West: Winnie
20
Merge onto TX 73
0.6 mi
·
44 sec
·
TX 73
21
Turn slight right onto H O Mills Boulevard
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
·
H O Mills Boulevard
22
Turn left onto Spur 215
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Savannah Avenue
23
Turn right onto 17th Street
369 ft
·
15 sec
·
17th Street
24
Turn left onto Augusta Avenue
162 ft
·
4 sec
·
Augusta Avenue
25
Arrive at destination
Augusta Avenue
Trip Plan
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 147.6 miles from Garland, TX, or about 2h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 140.9 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 65 miles or 1h 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 147.6 miles or 2h 57m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Port Arthur, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Garland, 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 Garland, TX
This is one driving day of about 295.1 miles and 5h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 65 miles from Garland, 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 96 for about 140.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 147.6 mi from Garland, TX · 2h 57m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
148 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 65 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 147.6 miles from Garland, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 96 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 140.9 miles.
Arriving in Port Arthur, TX
The final approach into Port Arthur, 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 Port Arthur, TX.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$44.59 one way
$89.18 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
103 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $48.81 | $97.62 |
| premium | $4.54 | $52.69 | $105.38 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $65.15 | $130.31 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$45
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 103.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 88.5 | 1 | $30.99 | $14.16 |
| Efficient EV | 73.8 | 0 | $25.82 | $11.80 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 118 | 1 | $41.31 | $18.89 |
Gas CO2
103 kg
EV CO2
35 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
Port Arthur, TX
Evening in Port Arthur on Thursday
Local time
5:33 PM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
55°F
Center, TX
148 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
8 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
5h 44m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Garland, TX to Port Arthur, TX covers 295.1 miles and takes about 5h 44m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 96, US 59, South Shelby Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 147.6 miles from Garland, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $44.59 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 295.1 miles you will encounter 16 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.7 miles (US 82): Navigation decision point; at 15.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 272.6 miles (US 69; US 96; US 287 / Eastex Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Garland, TX and Port Arthur, TX, road signs point toward Sh 8: New Boston and Houston.
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