Origin
Irving, TX
Evening in Irving on Thursday
Local time
6:59 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Irving, TX to Alvin, TX
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
5h 7m
Distance
276.9 mi
446 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$42
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 54m
★
6 AM
5h 8m
8 AM
5h 35m
10 AM
5h 17m
12 PM
5h 15m
3 PM
5h 19m
5 PM
5h 33m
8 PM
5h 0m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Alvin, TX
Thomas balabaud
Trip Overview
This 276.9-mile drive from Irving, TX to Alvin, TX is a straightforward, highway-focused trip that can easily be completed in a single day. Expect to spend approximately 5 hours and 7 minutes on the road, primarily utilizing the Julius Schepps Freeway and TX 35, eventually merging onto the Gulf Freeway. With a fuel cost estimated at $42, this route offers an economical option for a quick journey. Since both locations are within the Great Plains region of Texas, you won't experience significant regional landscape shifts. This drive is well-suited 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 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
138.5 miles from Irving, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 30m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 7m. Total distance: 276.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This journey is characterized by a 97% highway share, meaning you'll be on high-speed roads for the vast majority of the 276.9 miles. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is a significant 235.8 miles on the Julius Schepps Freeway, indicating extended periods of consistent driving. The profile is distinctly highway-focused, suggesting a consistent pace with minimal diversions onto slower local roads. You can anticipate a steady flow, making it ideal for covering distance efficiently.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Julius Schepps Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 235.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Julius Schepps Freeway and TX 35. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.7 miles in.
Driving Effort
9/10
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 13 significant decision points across 276.9 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 4.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
4.7 mi into trip
|
~6m in
Take the exit toward I 30: Dallas, Fort Worth
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 30: Dallas, Fort Worth
7
5.2 mi into trip
|
~8m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 30 East: Dallas
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 30 East: Dallas
8
12.5 mi into trip
|
~17m in
Take the exit toward I 45, US 75: Houston, McKinney
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 46
Toward I 45, US 75: Houston, McKinney
7
13 mi into trip
|
~18m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 45 South: Houston
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 45 South: Houston
8
257 mi into trip
|
~4h 36m in
|
TX 35
Take the exit onto TX 35 toward TX 35 South, I 610 West: Pearland, Alvin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 40C
Toward TX 35 South, I 610 West: Pearland, Alvin
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Julius Schepps Freeway | 235.8 mi | 4h 7m |
| TX 35 | 17.7 mi | 27m |
| Gulf Freeway | 7.8 mi | 9m |
| Tom Landry Freeway | 6.3 mi | 7m |
| South Walton Walker Boulevard | 2.8 mi | 3m |
| North Gordon Street | 2.2 mi | 4m |
| East Irving Boulevard | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| East R L Thornton Freeway | 0.8 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Julius Schepps Freeway
— 235.8 mi, about 4h 7m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Irving, TX and Alvin, TX.
1
Start on North Ohio Street
436 ft
·
24 sec
·
North Ohio Street
2
Turn left onto West 2nd Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
West 2nd Street
3
Turn straight onto TX 356
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
East Irving Boulevard
4
Turn slight right
393 ft
·
17 sec
5
Turn slight right onto South Loop 12
187 ft
·
3 sec
·
South Loop 12
6
Take the ramp
410 ft
·
10 sec
Toward Loop 12 South
7
Merge onto Loop 12
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
South Walton Walker Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 30: Dallas, Fort Worth
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
Toward I 30 East: Dallas
Use the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto I 30
6.3 mi
·
7 min
·
Tom Landry Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 30; US 67
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
East R L Thornton Freeway
12
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
45 sec
Exit 46
Toward I 45, US 75: Houston, McKinney
Use the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
Toward I 45 South: Houston
Use the slight right lane.
14
Merge onto I 45
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Julius Schepps Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 45
234 mi
·
4 hr 5 min
·
Julius Schepps Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on I 45
7.8 mi
·
9 min
·
Gulf Freeway
Use the straight / left lanes.
17
Take the exit onto TX 35
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
·
TX 35
Exit 40C
Toward TX 35 South, I 610 West: Pearland, Alvin
Use the slight right lane.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 35
17 mi
·
27 min
·
TX 35
Toward TX 35 South: Alvin
Use the slight left lane.
19
Turn slight right onto TX 35 Bus
2.2 mi
·
4 min
·
North Gordon Street
20
Turn right onto West Sealy Street
8 ft
·
0 sec
·
West Sealy Street
21
Arrive at destination
West Sealy Street
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour, 7-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Irving, TX, to maximize your daylight hours and potentially avoid heavier traffic, especially as you approach the Houston area on the Gulf Freeway. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in how you pace your journey; however, it's wise to plan for a fuel and stretch break before you hit that long 235.8-mile stretch on the Julius Schepps Freeway. The estimated fuel cost of $42 makes budgeting straightforward, but always keep an eye on your gauge, particularly during the extended highway segments.
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 138.5 miles from Irving, TX, or about 2h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 235.8 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 61 miles or 1h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 138.5 miles or 2h 30m 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 3m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Alvin, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Irving, 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 Irving, TX
This is one driving day of about 276.9 miles and 5h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 miles from Irving, 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 Julius Schepps Freeway for about 235.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 138.5 mi from Irving, TX · 2h 30m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
138 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 61 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 138.5 miles from Irving, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Julius Schepps Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 235.8 miles.
Arriving in Alvin, TX
The final approach into Alvin, 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 Alvin, 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
$41.84 one way
$83.68 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
97 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $45.80 | $91.60 |
| premium | $4.54 | $49.44 | $98.88 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $61.14 | $122.27 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 96.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 83.1 | 1 | $29.07 | $13.29 |
| Efficient EV | 69.2 | 0 | $24.23 | $11.08 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 110.8 | 1 | $38.77 | $17.72 |
Gas CO2
97 kg
EV CO2
32 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.
Destination
Alvin, TX
Evening in Alvin on Thursday
Local time
6:59 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°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
16 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 7m 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 Irving, TX to Alvin, TX covers 276.9 miles and takes about 5h 7m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Julius Schepps Freeway, TX 35, Gulf Freeway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 138.5 miles from Irving, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $41.84 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 13 significant decision points across 276.9 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 4.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Irving, TX to Alvin, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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