Origin
Rhode Island, TX
Afternoon in Rhode Island on Sunday
Local time
4:48 PM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Rhode Island, TX to Abilene, TX
Drive Time
4h 28m
Distance
251.6 mi
405 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$38
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 15m
★
6 AM
4h 29m
8 AM
4h 55m
10 AM
4h 38m
12 PM
4h 35m
3 PM
4h 39m
5 PM
4h 54m
8 PM
4h 21m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Rhode Island, TX
Beth Fitzpatrick
Abilene, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Trip Overview
Traveling from Rhode Island, TX, to Abilene, TX, covers a total of 251.6 miles across the heart of the Great Plains. You can anticipate roughly 4 hours and 28 minutes of time behind the wheel, making this a very manageable single-day trip. With a fuel budget of approximately $38, it is an affordable journey that doesn't require an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate a mix of the Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway, US 287, and I-45. Because the entire route remains within the Great Plains region, the landscape stays consistent throughout your travels. This drive is best suited for those looking for a straightforward, direct path between these two Texas locations.
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
125.8 miles from Rhode Island, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 17m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip features a mixed driving profile that keeps you moving across the plains. About 44% of your journey consists of highway travel, which helps maintain a steady pace toward your destination. You should prepare for a significant amount of time on the Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway, which accounts for your longest uninterrupted stretch at 140.4 miles. As you transition between these major thoroughfares, the road personality shifts from highway cruising to regional transit. Expect a functional drive that focuses on efficiency rather than technical curves or complex terrain.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 140.4 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 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2.4 miles in near I 45.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 251.6 miles you will encounter 10 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 2.4 miles (I 45): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 43.1 miles (US 287): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 105.9 miles (I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway): 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
2.4 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
I 45
Merge onto I 45
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
8
43.1 mi into trip
|
~45m in
|
US 287
Take the exit onto US 287 toward US 287 North: Waxahachie, 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.
Exit 247
Toward US 287 North: Waxahachie, Fort Worth
7
105.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 56m in
|
I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway toward I 20 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Toward I 20 West
7
109.9 mi into trip
|
~2h in
|
I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway toward I 20 West: Abilene
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 20 West: Abilene
5
246.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 19m in
Take the exit toward I 20 Business: Abilene
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 292A
Toward I 20 Business: Abilene
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Rhode Island, TX to Abilene, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Fort Worth along the way.
Fort Worth
43.1 mi in
|
~45m
|
via US 287
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway | 140.4 mi | 2h 23m |
| US 287 | 62.8 mi | 1h 11m |
| I 45 | 40.7 mi | 40m |
| East Highway 80 | 4.4 mi | 6m |
| East FM 833 | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| West FM 833 | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| North 1st Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Farm-to-Market Road 833 | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
— 140.4 mi, about 2h 23m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rhode Island, TX and Abilene, TX.
1
Start on County Road 161
10 ft
·
7 sec
·
County Road 161
2
Turn left onto FM 833
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
East FM 833
3
Turn right onto TX 75; FM 833
52 ft
·
2 sec
·
North State Highway 75
4
Turn left onto FM 833
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
West FM 833
5
Continue on FM 833
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
·
Farm-to-Market Road 833
6
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
7
Merge onto I 45
41 mi
·
40 min
·
I 45
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit onto US 287
63 mi
·
1 hr 11 min
·
US 287
Exit 247
Toward US 287 North: Waxahachie, Fort Worth
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 20
4.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Toward I 20 West
Use the none lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 20
136 mi
·
2 hr 19 min
·
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Toward I 20 West: Abilene
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
Exit 292A
Toward I 20 Business: Abilene
12
Turn straight onto I 20 Bus
4.4 mi
·
6 min
·
East Highway 80
13
Continue on North 1st Street
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
·
North 1st Street
14
Turn left onto South Pine Street
255 ft
·
7 sec
·
South Pine Street
15
Arrive at destination
South Pine Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 4-hour and 28-minute drive, plan to depart early to avoid any unexpected traffic. Since the route only requires one planned stop, you have plenty of flexibility to adjust your itinerary based on your personal pace. Keep in mind that your fuel costs will hover around $38, so it is wise to fill up before hitting the longer 140.4-mile stretch on the Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway. Because this is a single-day trip, you do not need to worry about lodging, allowing you to focus your energy on the road ahead. Always check your fuel levels before starting that longest stretch to ensure a smooth, uninterrupted ride into Abilene.
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 125.8 miles from Rhode Island, TX, or about 2h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 140.4 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 80 miles or 1h 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 125.8 miles or 2h 17m 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 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Abilene, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Rhode Island, 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 Rhode Island, TX
This is one driving day of about 251.6 miles and 4h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Rhode Island, 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 Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway for about 140.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 125.8 mi from Rhode Island, TX · 2h 17m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
126 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 125.8 miles from Rhode Island, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 140.4 miles.
Arriving in Abilene, TX
The final approach into Abilene, 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 Abilene, 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
$38.43 one way
$76.87 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
88 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $42.12 | $84.24 |
| premium | $4.59 | $45.48 | $90.95 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $55.90 | $111.79 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 88 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 75.5 | 0 | $26.42 | $12.08 |
| Efficient EV | 62.9 | 0 | $22.01 | $10.06 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 100.6 | 1 | $35.22 | $16.10 |
Gas CO2
88 kg
EV CO2
29 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.
Destination
Abilene, TX
Afternoon in Abilene on Sunday
Local time
4:48 PM
CDT
Current temp
56°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
8 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 28m 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 Rhode Island, TX to Abilene, TX covers 251.6 miles and takes about 4h 28m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway, US 287, I 45. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 125.8 miles from Rhode Island, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $38.43 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 251.6 miles you will encounter 10 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 2.4 miles (I 45): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 43.1 miles (US 287): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 105.9 miles (I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Rhode Island, TX to Abilene, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Fort Worth along the way.
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