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Trip from Little River-Academy, TX to Rhode Island, TX

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 17m

Distance

121.9 mi

196 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$18

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 29 min
4 AM
2h 8m ★
6 AM
2h 18m
8 AM
2h 37m
10 AM
2h 24m
12 PM
2h 22m
3 PM
2h 25m
5 PM
2h 36m
8 PM
2h 12m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Little River-Academy, TX, TX

Little River-Academy, TX

Eddie O.

Downtown Rhode Island, TX, TX

Rhode Island, TX

Beth Fitzpatrick

Trip Overview

The drive from Little River-Academy, TX to Rhode Island, TX covers 121.9 miles and takes about 2h 17m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on State Highway 31, Purple Heart Trail, I 45 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 35.8 miles on State Highway 31. At current regular gas prices, budget about $18.42 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

61 miles from Little River-Academy, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 10m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 17m. Total distance: 121.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 17m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (60%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

The drive from Little River-Academy, TX to Rhode Island, TX covers 121.9 miles and takes about 2h 17m, using a mix of highways and local roads.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 26 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
State Highway 31 is the longest continuous segment at about 35.8 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 13.8 miles in near I 35 / Purple Heart Trail.

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 121.9 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: at 13.8 miles (I 35 / Purple Heart Trail): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 45.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 93.3 miles (TX 31 / Corsicana Bypass): Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 13 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

5
13.8 mi into trip | ~18m in | I 35 / Purple Heart Trail

Merge onto I 35 / Purple Heart Trail

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
45.9 mi into trip | ~51m in

Take the exit toward US 84: Waco Drive, Bellmead Drive

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. Exit 338 Toward US 84: Waco Drive, Bellmead Drive
5
93.3 mi into trip | ~1h 44m in | TX 31 / Corsicana Bypass

Turn right onto TX 31 / Corsicana Bypass

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
5
99.5 mi into trip | ~1h 52m in | I 45

Merge onto I 45

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
119.3 mi into trip | ~2h 12m in

Take the exit toward FM 833

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 206 Toward FM 833

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
State Highway 31 35.8 mi 38m
Purple Heart Trail 26.1 mi 26m
I 45 19.8 mi 19m
Southeast H K Dodgen Loop 6.5 mi 8m
South Jack Kultgen Expressway 6 mi 6m
Corsicana Bypass 5.5 mi 6m
Hubbard Bypass 5.3 mi 5m
TX 95 5.2 mi 6m
Longest stretch: State Highway 31 — 35.8 mi, about 38m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Little River-Academy, TX and Rhode Island, TX.

1

Start on FM 436

1.1 mi · 1 min · West Main Street
2

Turn left onto TX 95

5.2 mi · 6 min · TX 95
3

Continue on Loop 363

6.5 mi · 8 min · Southeast H K Dodgen Loop
Use the left lane.
4

Turn right onto North General Bruce Drive

0.7 mi · 1 min · North General Bruce Drive
5

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 39 sec
Toward I 35 North
6

Merge onto I 35

26 mi · 26 min · Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Continue on I 35

6.0 mi · 6 min · South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 28 sec
Exit 338 Toward US 84: Waco Drive, Bellmead Drive Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Turn straight onto North Jack Kultgen Expressway

0.3 mi · 30 sec · North Jack Kultgen Expressway
10

Turn right onto US 84

0.3 mi · 52 sec · East Waco Drive
11

Continue on US 84

2.6 mi · 4 min · Bellmead Drive
12

Continue on US 84

2.7 mi · 3 min · East US Highway 84
13

Continue on TX 31

17 mi · 17 min · State Highway 31
14

Continue on TX 31

5.3 mi · 5 min · Hubbard Bypass
15

Continue on TX 31

19 mi · 21 min · State Highway 31
16

Turn right onto TX 31

5.5 mi · 6 min · Corsicana Bypass
Use the straight lane.
17

Turn right onto South Interstate 45

0.5 mi · 50 sec · South Interstate 45
18

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 32 sec
19

Merge onto I 45

20 mi · 19 min · I 45
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 41 sec
Exit 206 Toward FM 833 Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21

Turn left onto North Interstate 45

307 ft · 10 sec · North Interstate 45
22

Turn left onto FM 833

1.3 mi · 3 min · FM 833
23

At end of road, turn right onto TX 75; FM 833

52 ft · 1 sec · North State Highway 75
24

Turn left onto FM 833

0.9 mi · 1 min · East FM 833
25

Turn right onto County Road 161

10 ft · 0 sec · County Road 161
26

Arrive at destination

County Road 161

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 61 miles from Little River-Academy, TX, or about 1h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 35.8 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 27 miles or 31m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 61 miles or 1h 10m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 53m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Rhode Island, TX than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Little River-Academy, 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 Little River-Academy, TX

This is one driving day of about 121.9 miles and 2h 17m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Little River-Academy, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on State Highway 31 for about 35.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 61 mi from Little River-Academy, TX · 1h 10m into the drive

Downtown Bellmead, TX, TX

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Bellmead, TX

61 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

Lorena, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 27 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

West, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 61 miles from Little River-Academy, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Rhode Island, TX

The final approach into Rhode Island, 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 Rhode Island, TX.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Waco Mammoth National Monument

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...

4 mi from route ~11 min detour Free near mile 46.2
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$18.42 one way

$36.84 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 43 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.20 $20.16 $40.32
premium $4.54 $21.76 $43.53
diesel $5.61 $26.91 $53.83

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$18

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$43–$68

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 42.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 36.6 0 $12.80 $5.85
Efficient EV 30.5 0 $10.67 $4.88
EV Truck/SUV 48.8 0 $17.07 $7.80

Gas CO2

43 kg

EV CO2

14 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.

Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026

Origin

Little River-Academy, TX

Morning in Little River-Academy on Friday

Local time

10:04 AM

CDT

Current temp

65°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Rhode Island, TX

Morning in Rhode Island on Friday

Local time

10:04 AM

CDT

Current temp

71°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

2h 17m 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 Little River-Academy, TX to Rhode Island, TX covers 121.9 miles and takes about 2h 17m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are State Highway 31, Purple Heart Trail, I 45. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 61 miles from Little River-Academy, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $18.42 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 121.9 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: at 13.8 miles (I 35 / Purple Heart Trail): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 45.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 93.3 miles (TX 31 / Corsicana Bypass): Lane positioning matters here.

The route from Little River-Academy, TX to Rhode Island, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

Yes. Nearby national parks include Waco Mammoth National Monument.

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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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