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Trip from Grand Prairie, TX to Kerrville, TX

Data updated 0 seconds ago

Drive Time

5h 31m

Distance

278.7 mi

448 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$42

one way

EV Charging

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station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
5h 19m ★
6 AM
5h 32m
8 AM
5h 59m
10 AM
5h 41m
12 PM
5h 39m
3 PM
5h 43m
5 PM
5h 57m
8 PM
5h 24m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

city in Dallas, Tarrant, and Ellis counties in Texas, United States

Grand Prairie, TX

Wikimedia Commons

city in Texas, United States

Kerrville, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 278.7-mile drive from Grand Prairie, Texas, to Kerrville, Texas, is a straightforward journey that can comfortably be completed in about 5 hours and 31 minutes. Primarily utilizing South US Highway 281, US 67, and West US Highway 290, this route is heavily highway-focused, with 83% of it being on major roads. Given its manageable duration, it's an ideal candidate for a single-day trip, and you can expect a fuel cost of around $42. The drive will take you from the Great Plains region of Texas to another part of the same region, offering a consistent landscape for the most part. It's a practical choice for getting from point A to point B without much fuss.

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

139.3 miles from Grand Prairie, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 44m into the drive .

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Drive Character

Expect a highway-focused experience for most of this 278.7-mile trip, as indicated by the 83% highway share. You'll encounter a significant uninterrupted stretch of 96.7 miles on South US Highway 281, which means you can settle into a rhythm for a good portion of the drive. While the primary roads are major highways, the overall profile suggests a steady, predictable journey rather than a winding, scenic byway. This route is designed for efficient travel, prioritizing getting you to Kerrville from Grand Prairie with minimal detours or complex road conditions.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 35 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
South US Highway 281 is the longest continuous segment at about 96.7 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on South US Highway 281 and US 67. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Northeast 5th Street.

Route Complexity 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 278.7 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: near the start (Northeast 5th Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.4 miles (TX 161 / South State Highway 161): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | Northeast 5th Street

Turn left onto Northeast 5th Street

Navigation decision point

6
1.4 mi into trip | ~3m in | TX 161 / South State Highway 161

Turn left onto TX 161 / South State Highway 161

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
7
5.7 mi into trip | ~8m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 20 West: Fort Worth

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Toward I 20 West: Fort Worth
7
28.3 mi into trip | ~33m in

Take the exit toward CTP Toll South: Chisholm Trail Parkway

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 432B Toward CTP Toll South: Chisholm Trail Parkway
6
101.4 mi into trip | ~2h 1m in | US 281 / North Walnut Street

Turn left onto US 281 / North Walnut Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

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 Kerrville, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Fredericksburg along the way.

Fredericksburg

225 mi in | ~4h 25m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
South US Highway 281 96.7 mi 1h 50m
US 67 36.2 mi 41m
West US Highway 290 27.2 mi 30m
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway 21.7 mi 23m
Chisholm Trail Parkway 21.3 mi 23m
North US Highway 281 19 mi 20m
South State Highway 16 14.2 mi 15m
TX 220 13.6 mi 19m
Longest stretch: South US Highway 281 — 96.7 mi, about 1h 50m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Grand Prairie, TX and Kerrville, TX.

1

Start on this road

219 ft · 21 sec · this road
2

Turn left onto Northeast 5th Street

189 ft · 10 sec · Northeast 5th Street
3

Turn right onto TX 180

0.3 mi · 36 sec · East Main Street
4

Continue on TX 180

1.1 mi · 2 min · West Main Street
5

Turn left onto TX 161

0.6 mi · 1 min · South State Highway 161
Use the left lane.
6

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 21 sec
Toward PGBT Toll South Use the straight / slight left lanes.
7

Merge onto PGBT

3.4 mi · 3 min · President George Bush Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Keep slight right at fork

0.9 mi · 1 min
Toward I 20 West: Fort Worth Use the right lane.
9

Merge onto I 20

22 mi · 23 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Take the exit

1.3 mi · 2 min
Exit 432B Toward CTP Toll South: Chisholm Trail Parkway Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Merge onto CTP

21 mi · 23 min · Chisholm Trail Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Turn right onto West Katherine P Raines Drive

0.2 mi · 20 sec · West Katherine P Raines Drive
13

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 32 sec
Toward US 67 South
14

Merge onto US 67

36 mi · 41 min · US 67
15

Turn slight left onto TX 220

14 mi · 19 min · TX 220
16

Turn right onto TX 6

0.1 mi · 8 sec · East 2nd Street
17

Continue on TX 6

0.2 mi · 21 sec · West 2nd Street
18

Turn left onto US 281

0.6 mi · 38 sec · North Walnut Street
Use the left lane.
19

Turn straight onto US 281

19 mi · 20 min · North US Highway 281
20

Continue on US 281

2.3 mi · 2 min · North Rice Street
21

Continue on US 281

43 mi · 49 min · South US Highway 281
22

Continue on US 183; US 190; US 281

1.6 mi · 3 min · North Key Avenue
23

Turn right onto US 281 Bus

20 mi · 21 min · South US Highway 281
24

Continue on US 281

3.6 mi · 5 min · North Water Street
25

Continue on US 281

34 mi · 40 min · South US Highway 281
26

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 15 sec
Toward Fredericksburg
27

Merge onto US 290

1.0 mi · 1 min · East Main Street
Toward Fredericksburg
28

Continue on US 290

27 mi · 30 min · West US Highway 290
29

Continue on US 290

0.3 mi · 33 sec · East Main Street
30

Turn left onto Friendship Lane

2.9 mi · 5 min · Friendship Lane
31

Turn left onto TX 16

14 mi · 15 min · South State Highway 16
32

Continue on TX 16

5.7 mi · 6 min · Fredericksburg Road
33

Continue on TX 16

2.3 mi · 5 min · Sidney Baker Street
34

Turn left onto TX 27

69 ft · 1 sec · Main Street
35

Arrive at destination

TX 27

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 5-hour and 31-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Grand Prairie to maximize daylight and minimize traffic. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing your journey. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially during the longest stretch of 96.7 miles on South US Highway 281, as services might be less frequent. The estimated fuel cost is $42, so factor that into your budget. This is a drive best suited for a single day, allowing you to arrive in Kerrville without needing an overnight stay.

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 139.3 miles from Grand Prairie, TX, or about 2h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 96.7 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 80 miles or 1h 32m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 139.3 miles or 2h 44m 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 30m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kerrville, 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.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Grand Prairie, TX

This is one driving day of about 278.7 miles and 5h 31m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Grand Prairie, 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 South US Highway 281 for about 96.7 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 139.3 mi from Grand Prairie, TX · 2h 44m into the drive

city in Bell County, Texas, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Killeen, TX

139 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

Fort Worth, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Killeen, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 139.3 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 US Highway 281 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 96.7 miles.

Arriving in Kerrville, TX

The final approach into Kerrville, 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 Kerrville, 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

$42.11 one way

$84.22 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 98 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.20 $46.10 $92.19
premium $4.54 $49.76 $99.52
diesel $5.61 $61.53 $123.07

Estimated Tolls: $0.28

President George Bush Turnpike (3.4 mi) $0.28

Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$42

Tolls

$0

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$67–$92

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 97.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 83.6 1 $29.26 $13.38
Efficient EV 69.7 0 $24.39 $11.15
EV Truck/SUV 111.5 1 $39.02 $17.84

Gas CO2

98 kg

EV CO2

33 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 data refreshed 5 days ago

Origin

Grand Prairie, TX

Late night in Grand Prairie on Wednesday

Local time

5:38 AM

CDT

Current temp

60°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Kerrville, TX

Late night in Kerrville on Wednesday

Local time

5:38 AM

CDT

Current temp

62°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

2 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 31m 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 Grand Prairie, TX to Kerrville, TX covers 278.7 miles and takes about 5h 31m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are South US Highway 281, US 67, West US Highway 290. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 139.3 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 $42.11 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 is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 278.7 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: near the start (Northeast 5th Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.4 miles (TX 161 / South State Highway 161): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Grand Prairie, TX to Kerrville, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Fredericksburg along the way.

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