Origin
Grand Prairie, TX
Evening in Grand Prairie on Friday
Local time
7:05 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Grand Prairie, TX to Wells Branch, TX
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 21m
Distance
186.8 mi
301 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$28
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 9m
★
6 AM
3h 21m
8 AM
3h 45m
10 AM
3h 30m
12 PM
3h 27m
3 PM
3h 31m
5 PM
3h 44m
8 PM
3h 14m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Grand Prairie, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Wells Branch, TX
Mark Direen
Trip Overview
This 186.8-mile drive from Grand Prairie, TX, to Wells Branch, TX, is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in a single day. You'll spend approximately 3 hours and 21 minutes on the road, primarily utilizing the South R L Thornton Freeway and I 35, also known as Purple Heart Trail. With a fuel cost estimated at $28, this trip is quite budget-friendly. The route stays within the Great Plains region of Texas, offering a consistent landscape. It's an efficient option for a day trip, allowing for flexibility in your departure and arrival times.
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
93.4 miles from Grand Prairie, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 41m into the drive .
About the Cities
Starting in Grand Prairie, TX
Full guide →Grand Prairie is a city in the Prairies and Lakes region of Texas.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 21m. Total distance: 186.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (76%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive, with 76% of the journey taking place on major roadways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 80.5 miles on the South R L Thornton Freeway. While much of the drive will be on these faster, more direct routes, the character of the road is designed for efficient travel rather than scenic exploration. You'll be navigating a well-established network of interstates, making for a predictable driving experience.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 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 I 35. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Northeast 5th Street.
Driving Effort
6/10
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 186.8 miles you will encounter 13 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: near the start (Northeast 5th Street): Navigation decision point; at 5.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 15.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese 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
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
6
140.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 30m in
|
I 35
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
184.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 16m in
Take the exit toward Grand Avenue Parkway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 248
Toward Grand Avenue Parkway
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South R L Thornton Freeway | 80.5 mi | 1h 22m |
| I 35 | 44 mi | 45m |
| Purple Heart Trail | 37.9 mi | 39m |
| Lyndon B Johnson Freeway | 9.3 mi | 9m |
| North Jack Kultgen Expressway | 6.6 mi | 7m |
| South Belt Line Road | 5.4 mi | 9m |
| Wells Port Drive | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| Grand Avenue Parkway | 0.5 mi | <1m |
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 Wells Branch, 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 East
Use 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 467B
Toward I 35E South: Waco
Use 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
44 mi
·
45 min
·
I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
Exit 248
Toward Grand Avenue Parkway
Use the right lane.
13
Continue on Interstate Highway 35 Service Road North
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
Interstate Highway 35 Service Road North
14
Continue on North Interstate 35
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
North Interstate 35
15
Turn right onto Grand Avenue Parkway
0.5 mi
·
52 sec
·
Grand Avenue Parkway
16
Turn left onto Wells Port Drive
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Wells Port Drive
17
Turn right onto Alpha Collier Drive
0.1 mi
·
35 sec
·
Alpha Collier Drive
18
Turn right onto Quiet Wood Drive
310 ft
·
13 sec
·
Quiet Wood Drive
19
Arrive at destination
Quiet Wood Drive
Trip Plan
For this 1-day, approximately 3-hour drive, you have the advantage of flexibility. Leaving Grand Prairie in the morning, perhaps after avoiding the peak rush hour, will set you up for a smooth arrival in Wells Branch. With only one recommended stop, you can decide based on your own needs whether to break up the 186.8 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $28, and plan for a refueling stop if needed, especially before embarking on the longest stretch of 80.5 miles. The Purple Heart Trail section of I 35 is a key artery, so be aware of typical interstate traffic patterns.
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 93.4 miles from Grand Prairie, TX, or about 1h 41m 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 41 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 93.4 miles or 1h 41m 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 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Wells Branch, 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 186.8 miles and 3h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 41 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 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 93.4 mi from Grand Prairie, TX · 1h 41m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
93 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 41 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 93.4 miles from Grand Prairie, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before South R L Thornton Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 80.5 miles.
Arriving in Wells Branch, TX
The final approach into Wells Branch, 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 Wells Branch, 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
$28.23 one way
$56.45 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
65 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $30.90 | $61.79 |
| premium | $4.54 | $33.35 | $66.70 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $41.24 | $82.49 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 65.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 56 | 0 | $19.61 | $8.97 |
| Efficient EV | 46.7 | 0 | $16.35 | $7.47 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 74.7 | 0 | $26.15 | $11.96 |
Gas CO2
65 kg
EV CO2
22 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.
Destination
Wells Branch, TX
Evening in Wells Branch on Friday
Local time
7:05 PM
CDT
Current temp
67°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
6 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
3h 21m 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 Grand Prairie, TX to Wells Branch, TX covers 186.8 miles and takes about 3h 21m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are South R L Thornton Freeway, I 35, Purple Heart Trail. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 93.4 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 $28.23 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 186.8 miles you will encounter 13 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: near the start (Northeast 5th Street): Navigation decision point; at 5.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 15.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Grand Prairie, TX to Wells Branch, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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