The drive from Irving, TX to Kingsville, TX covers 412.8 miles and takes about 7h 32m 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 $62.38 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
206.4 miles from Irving, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 35m into the drive
.
Irving is a city in the Prairies and Lakes region of Texas. Part of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, Irving has experienced exponential growth over the past fifty years, and is home to a multitude of attractions of all types, from modern art to major sporting events. Founded in 1902 out of the remnants of the small community of Kit, Irving is now a bustling city of approximately 197,000 residents.
Rather like Dallas, it is divided into a highly affluent northern half and less affluent but highly diverse southern half. It is bounded to the east by the northern fork (Elm Fork) of the Trinity River and to the northwest by the sprawling D/FW International Airport.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 32m. Total distance: 412.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 32m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
This is a 7h 32m highway drive covering 412.8 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 45 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 7.2 miles in near Loop 12 / South Walton Walker Boulevard.
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 25 significant decision points across 412.8 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 7.2 miles (Loop 12 / South Walton Walker Boulevard): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 16.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 168.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 25 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
7.2 mi into trip|~9m in|Loop 12 / South Walton Walker Boulevard
Keep slight left at fork onto Loop 12 / South Walton Walker Boulevard toward Loop 12 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward Loop 12 South
7
16.8 mi into trip|~23m 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
168.8 mi into trip|~3h 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
228 mi into trip|~3h 56m 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
383 mi into trip|~6h 59m 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 Irving, TX to Kingsville, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Brownsville along the way.
Brownsville
383 mi in|~6h 59m|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 Irving, TX and Kingsville, 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
5.3 mi·5 min·South Walton Walker Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto Loop 12
1.4 mi·1 min·South Walton Walker Boulevard
Toward Loop 12 SouthUse the slight left lane.
9
Turn slight right onto Duncanville Road
3.2 mi·6 min·Duncanville Road
Use the left lane.
10
Turn left onto West Interstate 20
0.2 mi·21 sec·West Interstate 20
Use the left lane.
11
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward I 20 East
12
Merge onto I 20
4.6 mi·4 min·Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi·44 sec
Exit 467BToward I 35E South: WacoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto I 35E
81 mi·1 hr 22 min·South R L Thornton Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I 35; US 77
6.6 mi·7 min·North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on I 35
38 mi·39 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
26 mi·26 min·I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.7 mi·55 sec
Exit 265Toward TX 130 Toll South: San AntonioUse the slight right lane.
19
Continue on TX 130 Toll
59 mi·54 min·TX 130 Toll
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 470Toward US 183 South: LockhartUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on US 183
0.5 mi·35 sec·United States Highway 183
22
Continue on US 183
4.9 mi·8 min·North Colorado Street
23
Continue on US 183
10 mi·11 min·US 183
24
Continue on US 183
4.2 mi·6 min·North Magnolia Avenue
25
Continue on TX 80
51 mi·56 min·TX 80
26
Turn slight left onto FM 792
8.4 mi·10 min·Farm-to-Market Road 792
27
Continue on TX 72; TX 239
0.8 mi·1 min·East Main Street
28
Turn left onto US 181
1.2 mi·1 min·South Sunset Strip Drive
29
Continue on US 181
40 mi·45 min·South US Highway 181
30
Continue on US 181
0.8 mi·55 sec·North 8th Street
31
Continue on US 181
16 mi·18 min·US Highway 181 South
32
Take the exit onto US 181
0.3 mi·45 sec·US 181
33
Keep slight right at fork onto US 181
213 ft·5 sec·US Route 181
34
Turn straight onto US 181
0.7 mi·1 min·US Highway 181
35
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·46 sec
36
Merge onto US 77
12 mi·13 min·US 77
37
Take the exit onto US 77
0.1 mi·13 sec·US 77
Toward I 37, US 77, I 69E
38
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·47 sec
39
Merge onto I 37; US 77; I 69E
2.5 mi·2 min·I 37; US 77; I 69E
Use the straight lane.
40
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.
41
Take the exit
0.1 mi·18 sec
Toward TX 141
42
Turn straight onto South US Highway 77 Bypass
0.1 mi·25 sec·South US Highway 77 Bypass
43
Turn right onto TX 141
0.9 mi·1 min·East King Avenue
44
Turn right onto US 77 Business
54 ft·0 sec·South 14th Street
45
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 206.4 miles from Irving, TX, or about 3h 35m 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 91 miles or 1h 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 206.4 miles or 3h 35m 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 23m
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 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Irving, TX
This is one driving day of about 412.8 miles and 7h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 91 miles from Irving, 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 206.4 mi from Irving, TX
· 3h 35m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
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
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 99.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$62.38 one way
$124.75 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg144 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$68.27
$136.55
premium
$4.54
$73.70
$147.41
diesel
$5.61
$91.14
$182.28
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: 144.4 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
123.8
1
$43.34
$19.81
Efficient EV
103.2
1
$36.12
$16.51
EV Truck/SUV
165.1
2
$57.79
$26.42
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
Irving, TX
Late night
in Irving on Saturday
Local time
3:34 AM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Kingsville, TX
Late night
in Kingsville on Saturday
Local time
3:34 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 32m 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 Irving, TX to Kingsville, TX covers 412.8 miles and takes about 7h 32m 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 206.4 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 $62.38 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 25 significant decision points across 412.8 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 7.2 miles (Loop 12 / South Walton Walker Boulevard): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 16.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 168.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Irving, TX to Kingsville, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Brownsville along the way.
