Origin
Irving, TX
Late night in Irving on Friday
Local time
5:41 AM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Irving, TX to Garland, TX
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 4m
Distance
163.3 mi
263 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 53m
★
6 AM
3h 4m
8 AM
3h 27m
10 AM
3h 12m
12 PM
3h 10m
3 PM
3h 13m
5 PM
3h 26m
8 PM
2h 57m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Trip Overview
This 163.3-mile drive from Irving, TX to Garland, TX is a manageable 3-hour trip, making it an ideal day trip. The route is heavily focused on highways, with 96% of it being on major roads, and is estimated to cost around $25 in fuel. You'll spend most of your time on the East R L Thornton Freeway and US Highway 259 North. Since both the origin and destination are within the Great Plains region of Texas, expect a consistent landscape throughout. This straightforward drive is perfect if you're looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B without needing an overnight stay.
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
81.6 miles from Irving, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 29m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 4m. Total distance: 163.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Prepare for a highway-focused experience on this 163.3-mile journey, with 96% of your travel occurring on major roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers an impressive 132.6 miles on the East R L Thornton Freeway, meaning you can settle in for a good portion of the drive. You'll primarily be navigating the East R L Thornton Freeway and US Highway 259 North. This route offers a consistent driving feel, largely characterized by efficient, high-speed travel across the Texas landscape.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
East R L Thornton Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 132.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on East R L Thornton Freeway and US Highway 259 North. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.9 miles in near Loop 12 / South Walton Walker Boulevard.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 163.3 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 1.9 miles (Loop 12 / South Walton Walker Boulevard): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; 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.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
1.9 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
Loop 12 / South Walton Walker Boulevard
Merge onto Loop 12 / South Walton Walker Boulevard
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
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
5
5.5 mi into trip
|
~9m in
|
I 30 / Tom Landry Freeway
Merge onto I 30 / Tom Landry Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
19.3 mi into trip
|
~25m in
|
I 30; US 67 / East R L Thornton Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 30; US 67 / East R L Thornton Freeway toward I 30 East: Texarkana
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana
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 Irving, TX to Garland, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Daingerfield along the way.
Daingerfield
144.3 mi in
|
~2h 33m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| East R L Thornton Freeway | 132.6 mi | 2h 17m |
| US Highway 259 North | 16.5 mi | 24m |
| Tom Landry Freeway | 6.3 mi | 7m |
| South Walton Walker Boulevard | 2.8 mi | 3m |
| FM 1701 | 2.1 mi | 4m |
| East Irving Boulevard | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| West 2nd Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| North Ohio Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
East R L Thornton Freeway
— 132.6 mi, about 2h 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Irving, TX and Garland, 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
7.5 mi
·
9 min
·
East R L Thornton Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 30; US 67
125 mi
·
2 hr 8 min
·
East R L Thornton Freeway
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
Toward US 259: De Kalb, Daingerfield
14
Turn left onto US 259
17 mi
·
24 min
·
US Highway 259 North
15
Turn left onto FM 1701
2.1 mi
·
4 min
·
FM 1701
16
Arrive at destination
FM 1701
Trip Plan
With a duration of just over 3 hours, this route offers plenty of flexibility. Consider an early morning departure to avoid potential traffic, especially if navigating through urban areas. The longest stretch without a significant change in road is 132.6 miles, so plan your fuel stops accordingly, keeping in mind the estimated $25 fuel cost. Given the highway-centric nature and a single recommended stop, you can easily complete this drive in one go. Keep an eye on your navigation as you transition between the East R L Thornton Freeway and US Highway 259 North to ensure smooth progress.
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 81.6 miles from Irving, TX, or about 1h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 132.6 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 36 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 81.6 miles or 1h 29m 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 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Garland, 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 163.3 miles and 3h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 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 East R L Thornton Freeway for about 132.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 81.6 mi from Irving, TX · 1h 29m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
82 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 36 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 81.6 miles from Irving, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before East R L Thornton Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 132.6 miles.
Arriving in Garland, TX
The final approach into Garland, 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 Garland, 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
$24.68 one way
$49.35 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
57 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $27.01 | $54.02 |
| premium | $4.54 | $29.16 | $58.31 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $36.05 | $72.11 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 57.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 49 | 0 | $17.15 | $7.84 |
| Efficient EV | 40.8 | 0 | $14.29 | $6.53 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 65.3 | 0 | $22.86 | $10.45 |
Gas CO2
57 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (67% 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
Garland, TX
Late night in Garland on Friday
Local time
5:41 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
74°F
Greenville, TX
82 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
4 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 4m 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 Irving, TX to Garland, TX covers 163.3 miles and takes about 3h 4m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are East R L Thornton Freeway, US Highway 259 North, Tom Landry 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 81.6 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 $24.68 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 is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 163.3 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 1.9 miles (Loop 12 / South Walton Walker Boulevard): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; 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.
On the drive from Irving, TX to Garland, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Daingerfield along the way.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our methodology page documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
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