Origin
Port Lavaca, TX
Afternoon in Port Lavaca on Monday
Local time
12:29 PM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Port Lavaca, TX to Garland, TX
Drive Time
8h 28m
Distance
430.9 mi
693 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$66
one way
EV Charging
None
0 DC fast
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
8h 21m
★
6 AM
8h 29m
8 AM
8h 44m
10 AM
8h 34m
12 PM
8h 33m
3 PM
8h 35m
5 PM
8h 43m
8 PM
8h 24m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Port Lavaca, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Port Lavaca, TX to Garland, TX covers 430.9 miles and takes about 8h 28m behind the wheel. It usually feels better as a 2-day road trip than as one long push.
The route leans on US 79, US 77, State Highway 155 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 86.8 miles on US 79. At current regular gas prices, budget about $65.82 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
215.4 miles from Port Lavaca, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 10m into the drive .
Drive Character
This is a 8h 28m highway drive covering 430.9 miles, with most of the trip on US 79 and US 77. The longest continuous stretch is about 86.8 miles on US 79.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 48 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 79 is the longest continuous segment at about 86.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 79 and US 77. You will hit about 22 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 27 miles in near US 87 / North Navarro Street.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 430.9 miles you will encounter 22 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 27 miles (US 87 / North Navarro Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 71.5 miles (US 77; US 90 Alt / Fairwinds Street): Navigation decision point; at 326.9 miles (US 271; TX 155 / South Beckham Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 22 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
27 mi into trip
|
~32m in
|
US 87 / North Navarro Street
Turn right onto US 87 / North Navarro Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
4
71.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 26m in
|
US 77; US 90 Alt / Fairwinds Street
At end of road, turn right onto US 77; US 90 Alt / Fairwinds Street
Navigation decision point
6
326.9 mi into trip
|
~6h 21m in
|
US 271; TX 155 / South Beckham Avenue
Turn left onto US 271; TX 155 / South Beckham Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
348.3 mi into trip
|
~6h 47m in
|
TX 155 / North Tyler Street
Turn left onto TX 155 / North Tyler Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
411.9 mi into trip
|
~7h 58m in
Take the exit toward US 259: De Kalb, Daingerfield
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 259: De Kalb, Daingerfield
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 79 | 86.8 mi | 1h 40m |
| US 77 | 44.8 mi | 50m |
| State Highway 155 | 39.9 mi | 45m |
| State Highway 21 | 36.6 mi | 40m |
| US 271 | 29.8 mi | 34m |
| United States Highway 77 | 24.9 mi | 28m |
| US 87 | 20.9 mi | 24m |
| North US Highway 77 | 17.3 mi | 19m |
Longest stretch:
US 79
— 86.8 mi, about 1h 40m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Port Lavaca, TX and Garland, TX.
1
Start on US 87
6.1 mi
·
7 min
·
East Main Street
2
Turn straight onto US 87
21 mi
·
24 min
·
US 87
3
Turn right onto US 87
6.5 mi
·
10 min
·
North Navarro Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
4
Continue on US 77
38 mi
·
43 min
·
US 77
5
At end of road, turn right onto US 77; US 90 Alt
0.4 mi
·
26 sec
·
Fairwinds Street
6
Continue on US 77; US 90 Alt
0.3 mi
·
25 sec
·
West 4th Street
7
Turn left onto US 77
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
North Texana Street
8
Continue on US 77
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
·
United States Highway 77
9
Continue on US 77
6.8 mi
·
7 min
·
US 77
10
Continue on US 77; FM 532
25 mi
·
28 min
·
United States Highway 77
11
Continue on US 77
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
South Jefferson Street
12
Continue on US 77
17 mi
·
19 min
·
North US Highway 77
13
Continue on US 77
9.5 mi
·
10 min
·
South Main Street
14
Take the exit
186 ft
·
5 sec
15
Continue on this road
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
this road
16
Merge onto TX 21
37 mi
·
40 min
·
State Highway 21
17
Turn left onto TX OSR
8.1 mi
·
10 min
·
West Old San Antonio Road
18
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
19
Merge onto US 190; TX 6
11 mi
·
12 min
·
South State Highway 6
20
Continue on US 190; TX 6
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
South Market Street
21
Continue on US 79; TX 6
0.3 mi
·
22 sec
·
North State Highway 6
22
Keep slight left at fork onto US 79
79 mi
·
1 hr 30 min
·
US 79
23
Merge onto US 79; US 84
7.7 mi
·
10 min
·
US 79; US 84
24
Turn left onto TX 155
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
North Link Street
25
Turn straight onto TX 155
21 mi
·
23 min
·
State Highway 155
26
Continue on TX 155
0.4 mi
·
30 sec
·
South Elm Street
27
Continue on TX 155
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
North Frankston Highway
28
Continue on TX 155
19 mi
·
22 min
·
State Highway 155
29
Continue on TX 155
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Frankston Highway
30
Continue on TX 155
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
South Vine Avenue
31
Turn straight onto South Palace Avenue
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
South Palace Avenue
32
Turn right onto TX 31
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
West Front Street
33
Turn left onto US 271; TX 155
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South Beckham Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
34
Continue on US 271; TX 155
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
East Gentry Parkway
35
Continue on US 271; TX 155
5.5 mi
·
6 min
·
US Highway 271
36
Turn left onto TX 155
4.9 mi
·
5 min
·
State Highway 155 North
37
Continue on TX 155
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
South Main Street
38
Continue on TX 155
6.7 mi
·
7 min
·
State Highway 155 North
39
At end of road, turn right onto US 80; TX 155
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
West Broadway Street
40
Turn left onto TX 155
16 mi
·
18 min
·
North Tyler Street
Use the left lane.
41
Continue on US 271
30 mi
·
34 min
·
US 271
42
Turn right onto Burton Road
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
Burton Road
43
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
44
Merge onto I 30
17 mi
·
17 min
·
I 30
45
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
Toward US 259: De Kalb, Daingerfield
46
Turn left onto US 259
17 mi
·
24 min
·
US Highway 259 North
47
Turn left onto FM 1701
2.1 mi
·
4 min
·
FM 1701
48
Arrive at destination
FM 1701
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.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 215.4 miles from Port Lavaca, TX, or about 4h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 86.8 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 95 miles or 1h 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 215.4 miles or 4h 10m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 215.4 miles or 4h 10m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 7h 13m
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 Port Lavaca, 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.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Port Lavaca, TX
Aim for roughly 215 miles and 4.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Garland, TX
Aim for roughly 215 miles and 4.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 95 miles from Port Lavaca, TX.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US 79 for about 86.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 215.4 mi from Port Lavaca, TX · 4h 10m into the drive
Mid-route town
Overnight candidate
215 mi into the route
Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start
This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.
Find hotels in Killeen, TXOvernight Options
Night 1
215 mi · about 4.2h in
A practical overnight split lands near Killeen, TX after about 215 miles or 4.2 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 95 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 215.4 miles from Port Lavaca, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 79 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 86.8 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 215 miles or 4.2 hours on the road.
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.
On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach Garland, TX with some flexibility left in the schedule.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$65.82 one way
$131.65 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
151 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $72.13 | $144.27 |
| premium | $4.59 | $77.88 | $155.77 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $95.73 | $191.46 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$66
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$196–$306
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 150.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $45 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 129.3 | 1 | $45.24 | $20.68 |
| Efficient EV | 107.7 | 1 | $37.70 | $17.24 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 172.4 | 2 | $60.33 | $27.58 |
Gas CO2
151 kg
EV CO2
50 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
Garland, TX
Afternoon in Garland on Monday
Local time
12:29 PM
CDT
Current temp
63°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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
8h 28m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Port Lavaca, TX to Garland, TX covers 430.9 miles and takes about 8h 28m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 79, US 77, State Highway 155. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Yes. This route is usually more comfortable as a 2-day drive. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 215 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 215.4 miles from Port Lavaca, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $65.82 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 430.9 miles you will encounter 22 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 27 miles (US 87 / North Navarro Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 71.5 miles (US 77; US 90 Alt / Fairwinds Street): Navigation decision point; at 326.9 miles (US 271; TX 155 / South Beckham Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Port Lavaca, TX to Garland, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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