The drive from Grand Prairie, TX to Kingsville, TX covers 411.2 miles and takes about 7h 30m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on South R L Thornton Freeway, TX 130 Toll, TX 80 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 80.5 miles on South R L Thornton Freeway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $62.13 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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
205.6 miles from Grand Prairie, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 34m into the drive
.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 30m. Total distance: 411.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 30m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
This is a 7h 30m highway drive covering 411.2 miles, with most of the trip on South R L Thornton Freeway and TX 130 Toll. The longest continuous stretch is about 80.5 miles on South R L Thornton Freeway.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 39 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
South R L Thornton Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 80.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on South R L Thornton Freeway and TX 130 Toll. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5.6 miles in.
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 22 significant decision points across 411.2 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 5.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 15.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 167.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 22 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
5.6 mi into trip|~10m in
Take the ramp toward I 20 East
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 20 East
7
15.3 mi into trip|~21m in
Take the exit toward I 35E South: Waco
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 467B
Toward I 35E South: Waco
7
167.2 mi into trip|~2h 57m in
Take the exit toward TX 130 Toll South: San Antonio
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 265
Toward TX 130 Toll South: San Antonio
7
226.4 mi into trip|~3h 53m in
Take the exit toward US 183 South: Lockhart
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 470
Toward US 183 South: Lockhart
7
381.4 mi into trip|~6h 56m in|I 69E; US 77
Take the exit onto I 69E; US 77 toward I 69E, US 77: Kingsville, Brownsville
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.
Toward I 69E, US 77: Kingsville, Brownsville
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 Grand Prairie, TX to Kingsville, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Brownsville along the way.
Brownsville
381.4 mi in|~6h 56m|via I 69E; US 77
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
South R L Thornton Freeway
80.5 mi
1h 22m
TX 130 Toll
58.5 mi
54m
TX 80
51.2 mi
56m
South US Highway 181
40.2 mi
45m
Purple Heart Trail
37.9 mi
39m
I 69E
28.6 mi
31m
I 35
26.5 mi
26m
US Highway 181 South
16.1 mi
18m
Longest stretch:
South R L Thornton Freeway
— 80.5 mi, about 1h 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Grand Prairie, TX and Kingsville, TX.
1
Start on this road
219 ft·21 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto Northeast 5th Street
189 ft·14 sec·Northeast 5th Street
3
Turn left onto TX 180
0.2 mi·27 sec·East Main Street
4
Turn right onto FM 1382
5.4 mi·9 min·South Belt Line Road
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward I 20 EastUse the left lane.
6
Merge onto I 20
9.3 mi·9 min·Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi·44 sec
Exit 467BToward I 35E South: WacoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 35E
81 mi·1 hr 22 min·South R L Thornton Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 35; US 77
6.6 mi·7 min·North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 35
38 mi·39 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
26 mi·26 min·I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.7 mi·55 sec
Exit 265Toward TX 130 Toll South: San AntonioUse the slight right lane.
13
Continue on TX 130 Toll
59 mi·54 min·TX 130 Toll
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 470Toward US 183 South: LockhartUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on US 183
0.5 mi·35 sec·United States Highway 183
16
Continue on US 183
4.9 mi·8 min·North Colorado Street
17
Continue on US 183
10 mi·11 min·US 183
18
Continue on US 183
4.2 mi·6 min·North Magnolia Avenue
19
Continue on TX 80
51 mi·56 min·TX 80
20
Turn slight left onto FM 792
8.4 mi·10 min·Farm-to-Market Road 792
21
Continue on TX 72; TX 239
0.8 mi·1 min·East Main Street
22
Turn left onto US 181
1.2 mi·1 min·South Sunset Strip Drive
23
Continue on US 181
40 mi·45 min·South US Highway 181
24
Continue on US 181
0.8 mi·55 sec·North 8th Street
25
Continue on US 181
16 mi·18 min·US Highway 181 South
26
Take the exit onto US 181
0.3 mi·45 sec·US 181
27
Keep slight right at fork onto US 181
213 ft·5 sec·US Route 181
28
Turn straight onto US 181
0.7 mi·1 min·US Highway 181
29
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·46 sec
30
Merge onto US 77
12 mi·13 min·US 77
31
Take the exit onto US 77
0.1 mi·13 sec·US 77
Toward I 37, US 77, I 69E
32
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·47 sec
33
Merge onto I 37; US 77; I 69E
2.5 mi·2 min·I 37; US 77; I 69E
Use the straight lane.
34
Take the exit onto I 69E; US 77
29 mi·31 min·I 69E; US 77
Toward I 69E, US 77: Kingsville, BrownsvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
35
Take the exit
0.1 mi·18 sec
Toward TX 141
36
Turn straight onto South US Highway 77 Bypass
0.1 mi·25 sec·South US Highway 77 Bypass
37
Turn right onto TX 141
0.9 mi·1 min·East King Avenue
38
Turn right onto US 77 Business
54 ft·0 sec·South 14th Street
39
Arrive at destination
US 77 Business
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 205.6 miles from Grand Prairie, TX, or about 3h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 80.5 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 90 miles or 1h 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 205.6 miles or 3h 34m 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 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kingsville, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Grand Prairie, 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 Grand Prairie, TX
This is one driving day of about 411.2 miles and 7h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 90 miles from Grand Prairie, 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 South R L Thornton Freeway for about 80.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 205.6 mi from Grand Prairie, TX
· 3h 34m into the drive
The midpoint is around 205.6 miles from Grand Prairie, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before South R L Thornton Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 80.5 miles.
Arriving in Kingsville, TX
The final approach into Kingsville, 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 Kingsville, TX.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Waco Mammoth National Monument
National Monument
Standing as tall as 14 feet and weighing 20,000 pounds, Columbian mammoths roamed across what is present-day Texas thousands of years ago. Today, the fossil specimens represent the nation's first and...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 99.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$62.13 one way
$124.27 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg144 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$68.01
$136.02
premium
$4.54
$73.42
$146.83
diesel
$5.61
$90.79
$181.58
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$62
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$87–$112
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 143.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $43 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
123.4
1
$43.18
$19.74
Efficient EV
102.8
1
$35.98
$16.45
EV Truck/SUV
164.5
2
$57.57
$26.32
Gas CO2
144 kg
EV CO2
48 kg (67% 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
Grand Prairie, TX
Late night
in Grand Prairie on Saturday
Local time
2:08 AM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Kingsville, TX
Late night
in Kingsville on Saturday
Local time
2:08 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°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
5 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
7h 30m 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 Grand Prairie, TX to Kingsville, TX covers 411.2 miles and takes about 7h 30m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are South R L Thornton Freeway, TX 130 Toll, TX 80. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 205.6 miles from Grand Prairie, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $62.13 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 22 significant decision points across 411.2 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 5.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 15.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 167.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Grand Prairie, TX to Kingsville, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Brownsville along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Waco Mammoth National Monument.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
