Origin
Rhode Island, TX
Afternoon in Rhode Island on Thursday
Local time
4:17 PM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Rhode Island, TX to Harper, TX
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
5h 12m
Distance
267.5 mi
430 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$40
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 59m
★
6 AM
5h 13m
8 AM
5h 40m
10 AM
5h 22m
12 PM
5h 20m
3 PM
5h 24m
5 PM
5h 38m
8 PM
5h 5m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Rhode Island, TX
Beth Fitzpatrick
Harper, TX
Mark Direen
Trip Overview
This 267.5-mile drive from Rhode Island, TX to Harper, TX is a solid day trip, estimated to take about 5 hours and 12 minutes. You'll primarily be on West US Highway 290 and South US Highway 281, with 76% of the journey on highways. With a fuel cost estimated at $40, it's an economical option for a single-day excursion. This route stays within the Great Plains region, offering a consistent landscape throughout your journey. It's a straightforward drive that's perfect for getting from point A to point B efficiently.
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
133.7 miles from Rhode Island, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 27m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 12m. Total distance: 267.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (76%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience on this 5-hour trek, with 76% of your travel occurring on major roadways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 49.3 miles along West US Highway 290, meaning you can settle in for a good period. While largely a highway drive, the inclusion of Purple Heart Trail and South US Highway 281 suggests potential for varied scenery and road types as you progress. It’s designed for steady progress rather than winding, technical driving.
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.
West US Highway 290 is the longest continuous segment at about 49.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on West US Highway 290 and Purple Heart Trail. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 22.3 miles in.
Driving Effort
9/10
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 26 significant decision points across 267.5 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 22.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 23 miles (TX 31 / Corsicana Bypass): Lane positioning matters here; at 119.9 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 26 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
22.3 mi into trip
|
~24m in
Take the exit toward TX 31: Athens, Waco
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 227
Toward TX 31: Athens, Waco
6
23 mi into trip
|
~26m in
|
TX 31 / Corsicana Bypass
Turn left onto TX 31 / Corsicana Bypass
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
119.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 11m in
|
I 35
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
128.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 20m in
Take the exit toward FM 2268, FM 2843: Holland, Florence
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 283
Toward FM 2268, FM 2843: Holland, Florence
6
147.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 45m in
Take the exit toward TX 138: Lampasas
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward TX 138: Lampasas
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Rhode Island, TX and Harper, TX, road signs point toward Waco, Fm 2268, Fm 2843: Holland, Florence and Fredericksburg.
Waco
22.3 mi in
|
~24m
Fm 2268
128.7 mi in
|
~2h 20m
Fm 2843: Holland
128.7 mi in
|
~2h 20m
Florence
128.7 mi in
|
~2h 20m
Fredericksburg
213.6 mi in
|
~4h 7m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| West US Highway 290 | 49.3 mi | 55m |
| Purple Heart Trail | 37.9 mi | 39m |
| South US Highway 281 | 33.5 mi | 40m |
| I 45 | 19.9 mi | 19m |
| West State Highway 31 | 18.8 mi | 21m |
| State Highway 31 | 17.2 mi | 17m |
| FM 2843 | 14.6 mi | 18m |
| East RM 243 | 12.1 mi | 15m |
Longest stretch:
West US Highway 290
— 49.3 mi, about 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rhode Island, TX and Harper, 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
20 mi
·
19 min
·
I 45
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Exit 227
Toward TX 31: Athens, Waco
9
Turn left onto South Interstate 45
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
·
South Interstate 45
10
Turn left onto TX 31
5.6 mi
·
6 min
·
Corsicana Bypass
Use the straight lane.
11
At end of road, turn left onto TX 31
19 mi
·
21 min
·
West State Highway 31
12
Continue on TX 31
5.5 mi
·
5 min
·
Hubbard Bypass
13
Continue on TX 31
17 mi
·
17 min
·
State Highway 31
14
Continue on US 84
2.5 mi
·
2 min
·
East US Highway 84
15
Continue on US 84
2.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Bellmead Drive
16
Turn straight onto US 84
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
East Waco Drive
17
Turn left onto North Jack Kultgen Expressway
519 ft
·
12 sec
·
North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the left / straight lanes.
18
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward I 35 South, US 77 South
19
Merge onto I 35; US 77
6.1 mi
·
6 min
·
North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Continue on I 35
38 mi
·
39 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
8.9 mi
·
8 min
·
I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 283
Toward FM 2268, FM 2843: Holland, Florence
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Turn straight onto South Robertson Road
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
South Robertson Road
24
Continue on South I-35 Frontage Road
0.6 mi
·
53 sec
·
South I-35 Frontage Road
25
Turn slight right onto FM 2843
15 mi
·
18 min
·
FM 2843
26
At end of road, turn right onto FM 487
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
FM 487
27
Continue on FM 487
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
East Main Street
28
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward TX 195 North
29
Merge onto TX 195
0.3 mi
·
17 sec
·
TX 195
30
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
Toward TX 138: Lampasas
Use the slight right lane.
31
Turn left onto TX 138
6.9 mi
·
8 min
·
State Highway 138
32
At end of road, turn right onto US 183
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
North US Highway 183
33
Turn left onto RM 243
0.6 mi
·
41 sec
·
East Ranch Road 243
34
Continue on RM 243
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
East RM 243
35
Keep slight left at fork onto RM 243
11 mi
·
14 min
·
East RM 243
36
Turn right onto TX 29; RM 243
9.0 mi
·
10 min
·
West State Highway 29
37
Continue on TX 29
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
East Polk Street
38
Turn left onto US 281
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
South Water Street
Use the left lane.
39
Continue on US 281
34 mi
·
40 min
·
South US Highway 281
40
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
Toward Fredericksburg
41
Merge onto US 290
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
East Main Street
Toward Fredericksburg
42
Continue on US 290
27 mi
·
30 min
·
West US Highway 290
43
Continue on US 290
3.5 mi
·
7 min
·
East Main Street
44
Continue on US 290
22 mi
·
24 min
·
West US Highway 290
45
Arrive at destination
US 290; RM 783
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour duration, starting your drive from Rhode Island in the morning is advisable to ensure you reach Harper with daylight to spare. Plan for one stop to break up the journey; the longest stretch without services is 49.3 miles, so be mindful of your fuel gauge. The highway-focused nature of this route means you can maintain a consistent speed, but always be aware of your surroundings. A fuel cost estimate of $40 makes this an affordable trip, so topping off before you leave Rhode Island is a good strategy to avoid an unnecessary stop later.
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 133.7 miles from Rhode Island, TX, or about 2h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 49.3 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 59 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 133.7 miles or 2h 27m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Harper, 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 267.5 miles and 5h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 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 West US Highway 290 for about 49.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 133.7 mi from Rhode Island, TX · 2h 27m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
134 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 59 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 133.7 miles from Rhode Island, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Harper, TX
The final approach into Harper, 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 Harper, TX.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.42 one way
$80.84 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
94 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $44.24 | $88.49 |
| premium | $4.54 | $47.76 | $95.52 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $59.06 | $118.12 |
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: 93.6 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 | 80.3 | 0 | $28.09 | $12.84 |
| Efficient EV | 66.9 | 0 | $23.41 | $10.70 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 107 | 1 | $37.45 | $17.12 |
Gas CO2
94 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.
Destination
Harper, TX
Afternoon in Harper on Thursday
Local time
4:17 PM
CDT
Current temp
70°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
1 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
5h 12m 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 Harper, TX covers 267.5 miles and takes about 5h 12m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are West US Highway 290, Purple Heart Trail, South US Highway 281. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 133.7 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 $40.42 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 26 significant decision points across 267.5 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 22.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 23 miles (TX 31 / Corsicana Bypass): Lane positioning matters here; at 119.9 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Rhode Island, TX and Harper, TX, road signs point toward Waco, Fm 2268, Fm 2843: Holland, Florence and Fredericksburg.
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