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Trip from Live Oak, TX to Grand Prairie, TX

Compiled by the Trip.ovh editorial team · Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026 · Methodology

Drive Time

4h 46m

Distance

265.4 mi

427 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$40

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min
4 AM
4h 33m ★
6 AM
4h 47m
8 AM
5h 14m
10 AM
4h 56m
12 PM
4h 54m
3 PM
4h 58m
5 PM
5h 13m
8 PM
4h 39m

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 Live Oak, TX, TX

Live Oak, TX

Phil Evenden

city in Dallas, Tarrant, and Ellis counties in Texas, United States

Grand Prairie, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 265.4-mile journey from Live Oak, TX to Grand Prairie, TX is best tackled in a single day, taking approximately 4 hours and 46 minutes. You'll navigate using a combination of the Purple Heart Trail, I-35E, and the Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway. With a projected fuel cost of around $40, this drive is quite economical for a full day's travel. The route, entirely within Texas and traversing the Great Plains region, offers a practical, turn-heavy local drive experience. It's a straightforward trip that doesn't require an overnight stop.

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

132.7 miles from Live Oak, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 23m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 46m. Total distance: 265.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.

Drive Character

Expect a drive that's more about navigating local roads than open highway cruising, with only 26% of the route on highways. The majority of your time will be spent on the Purple Heart Trail, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 188.3 miles. This suggests a road with frequent turns and potential for slower speeds as you pass through various communities. The profile indicates a 'turn-heavy local drive,' so be prepared for a more engaged driving experience compared to a pure interstate route.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Purple Heart Trail is the longest continuous segment at about 188.3 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1 miles in.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 265.4 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 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 67 miles (I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 202.2 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 14 key points

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

7
1 mi into trip | ~1m in

Take the exit toward Judson Road

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 170 Toward Judson Road
6
67 mi into trip | ~1h 14m in | I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail

Keep slight right at fork onto I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
202.2 mi into trip | ~3h 35m in | I 35E

Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E toward I 35E: Dallas

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 35E: Dallas
7
249.5 mi into trip | ~4h 24m in

Take the exit toward I 20 West: Fort Worth

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 418A Toward I 20 West: Fort Worth
7
259.5 mi into trip | ~4h 35m in

Take the exit toward FM 1382

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 457 Toward FM 1382

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Purple Heart Trail 188.3 mi 3h 18m
I 35E 47.3 mi 48m
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway 9 mi 9m
South Jack Kultgen Expressway 6.6 mi 7m
South Belt Line Road 5 mi 8m
North Pan Am Expressway 4.1 mi 4m
Interstate Highway 35 1.9 mi 2m
Interstate 35 North 0.8 mi 1m
Longest stretch: Purple Heart Trail — 188.3 mi, about 3h 18m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Live Oak, TX and Grand Prairie, TX.

1

Start on I 35

1.0 mi · 1 min · North Pan Am Expressway
2

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 25 sec
Exit 170 Toward Judson Road Use the slight right lane.
3

Turn straight onto Interstate 35 North

0.3 mi · 35 sec · Interstate 35 North
Use the left / straight lanes.
4

Turn left onto Judson Road

249 ft · 12 sec · Judson Road
5

Turn left onto Interstate 35 North

0.5 mi · 55 sec · Interstate 35 North
6

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 38 sec
Toward I 35 North
7

Merge onto I 35

3.1 mi · 3 min · North Pan Am Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Continue on I 35

12 mi · 12 min · Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Continue on I 35

1.9 mi · 2 min · Interstate Highway 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Continue on I 35

48 mi · 52 min · Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Keep slight right at fork onto I 35; US 290

96 mi · 1 hr 40 min · Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Continue on I 35

6.6 mi · 7 min · South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Continue on I 35; US 77

33 mi · 33 min · Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E

47 mi · 48 min · I 35E
Toward I 35E: Dallas Use the slight right lane.
15

Take the exit

0.9 mi · 2 min
Exit 418A Toward I 20 West: Fort Worth Use the slight right lane.
16

Merge onto I 20

9.0 mi · 9 min · Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 46 sec
Exit 457 Toward FM 1382 Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Turn right onto FM 1382

5.0 mi · 8 min · South Belt Line Road
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
19

Turn slight right onto Southeast 9th Street

0.3 mi · 49 sec · Southeast 9th Street
20

Turn left onto TX 180

0.3 mi · 32 sec · East Main Street
21

Turn right

74 ft · 5 sec
22

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Given the 4 hour and 46-minute duration, starting your drive in the morning is recommended to avoid potential afternoon traffic, especially as you approach Grand Prairie. While the total distance is manageable for a single day, plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs and refuel, as the longest stretch without a significant change in road type is 188.3 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel levels; the estimated cost is $40, but it's always wise to top up before embarking on the longer local road segments. Pay close attention to navigation as you'll be making frequent turns.

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 132.7 miles from Live Oak, TX, or about 2h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 188.3 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 58 miles or 1h 4m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 132.7 miles or 2h 23m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 51m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Live Oak, 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 Live Oak, TX

This is one driving day of about 265.4 miles and 4h 46m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Live Oak, 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 Purple Heart Trail for about 188.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 132.7 mi from Live Oak, TX · 2h 23m into the drive

city in Bell County, Texas

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Troy, TX

133 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

Austin, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 58 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Temple, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 132.7 miles from Live Oak, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Purple Heart Trail if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 188.3 miles.

Arriving in Grand Prairie, TX

The final approach into Grand Prairie, 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 Grand Prairie, 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.

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...

6 mi from route ~14 min detour Free near mile 173.9
View on nps.gov
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Welcome to San Antonio Missions, a National Park Service site and the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Texas. Each mission in the park is a center of community and has been since the early 1700s. Th...

18 mi from route ~46 min detour Free
View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$40.10 one way

$80.21 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 93 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.20 $43.90 $87.79
premium $4.54 $47.39 $94.77
diesel $5.61 $58.60 $117.19

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$40

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$65–$90

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 92.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 79.6 0 $27.87 $12.74
Efficient EV 66.4 0 $23.22 $10.62
EV Truck/SUV 106.2 1 $37.16 $16.99

Gas CO2

93 kg

EV CO2

31 kg (67% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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

Live Oak, TX

Late night in Live Oak on Friday

Local time

1:18 AM

CDT

Current temp

74°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Grand Prairie, TX

Late night in Grand Prairie on Friday

Local time

1:18 AM

CDT

Current temp

61°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

60°F

Troy, TX

133 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

13 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

4h 46m 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 Live Oak, TX to Grand Prairie, TX covers 265.4 miles and takes about 4h 46m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Purple Heart Trail, I 35E, Lyndon B Johnson Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 132.7 miles from Live Oak, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $40.10 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 14 significant decision points across 265.4 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 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 67 miles (I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 202.2 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Live Oak, TX to Grand Prairie, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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