Origin
Roma, TX
Morning in Roma on Monday
Local time
7:17 AM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Roma, TX to Rhode Island, TX
Drive Time
9h 9m
Distance
502.5 mi
809 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$77
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
9h 1m
★
6 AM
9h 9m
8 AM
9h 26m
10 AM
9h 15m
12 PM
9h 14m
3 PM
9h 16m
5 PM
9h 25m
8 PM
9h 4m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Roma, TX
Thomas balabaud
Rhode Island, TX
Beth Fitzpatrick
Trip Overview
The drive from Roma, TX to Rhode Island, TX covers 502.5 miles and takes about 9h 9m behind the wheel. It usually feels better as a 2-day road trip than as one long push.
The route leans on Purple Heart Trail, United States Highway 83, State Highway 31 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is long-distance drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 299.7 miles on Purple Heart Trail. At current regular gas prices, budget about $76.76 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
251.2 miles from Roma, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 34m into the drive .
Drive Character
At 502.5 miles and 9h 9m of driving, this is a route where fuel stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single turn. The main roads are Purple Heart Trail and United States Highway 83.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 39 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 299.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
At 9h 9m, this is a long-haul route where pacing matters more than any single turn. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 243.8 miles in near I 35 / South Pan Am Expressway.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 502.5 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 243.8 miles (I 35 / South Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 245.5 miles (I 35 / South Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 255.9 miles (North Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 19 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
243.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 25m in
|
I 35 / South Pan Am Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35 / South Pan Am Expressway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
245.5 mi into trip
|
~4h 27m in
|
I 35 / South Pan Am Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35 / South Pan Am Expressway toward I 37, US 281: Upper Level, Corpus Christi, Johnson City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 37, US 281: Upper Level, Corpus Christ...
7
255.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 40m in
|
North Pan Am Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto North Pan Am Expressway toward I 35: Austin
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35: Austin
8
426.5 mi into trip
|
~7h 43m 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
7
499.9 mi into trip
|
~9h 4m 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
Towns Along This Route
Between Roma, TX and Rhode Island, TX, road signs point toward Corpus Christi and Johnson City.
Corpus Christi
245.5 mi in
|
~4h 27m
|
via I 35
Johnson City
245.5 mi in
|
~4h 27m
|
via I 35
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Purple Heart Trail | 299.7 mi | 5h 12m |
| United States Highway 83 | 54.3 mi | 1h 1m |
| State Highway 31 | 35.8 mi | 38m |
| South Pan Am Expressway | 21.5 mi | 26m |
| I 45 | 19.8 mi | 19m |
| North US Highway 83 | 14.2 mi | 15m |
| North Garcia Street | 12.5 mi | 14m |
| North Pan Am Expressway | 7.4 mi | 8m |
Longest stretch:
Purple Heart Trail
— 299.7 mi, about 5h 12m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Roma, TX and Rhode Island, TX.
1
Start on US 83
258 ft
·
8 sec
·
North Grant Street
2
Turn left onto East Franklin Avenue
294 ft
·
18 sec
·
East Franklin Avenue
3
Turn left onto US 83
12 mi
·
14 min
·
North Garcia Street
4
Continue on US 83
54 mi
·
1 hr 1 min
·
United States Highway 83
5
Continue on US 83
14 mi
·
15 min
·
North US Highway 83
6
Continue on US 83
5.4 mi
·
8 min
·
South Zapata Highway
7
Turn left onto South Meadow Avenue
2.1 mi
·
4 min
·
South Meadow Avenue
8
Turn left onto US 83
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Guadalupe Street
9
Continue on US 83
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
·
Houston Street
10
Turn right onto US 83
278 ft
·
5 sec
·
San Dario Avenue
11
Continue on I 35; I 27; US 83
144 mi
·
2 hr 27 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 35
9.3 mi
·
11 min
·
South Pan Am Expressway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
South Pan Am Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35
10 mi
·
13 min
·
South Pan Am Expressway
Toward I 37, US 281: Upper Level, Corpus Christi, Johnson City
Use the straight lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto North Pan Am Expressway
7.4 mi
·
8 min
·
North Pan Am Expressway
Toward I 35: Austin
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on I 35
12 mi
·
12 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on I 35
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Interstate Highway 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on I 35
48 mi
·
52 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
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.
20
Continue on I 35
6.0 mi
·
6 min
·
South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
Exit 338
Toward US 84: Waco Drive, Bellmead Drive
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Turn straight onto North Jack Kultgen Expressway
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
·
North Jack Kultgen Expressway
23
Turn right onto US 84
0.3 mi
·
52 sec
·
East Waco Drive
24
Continue on US 84
2.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Bellmead Drive
25
Continue on US 84
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
East US Highway 84
26
Continue on TX 31
17 mi
·
17 min
·
State Highway 31
27
Continue on TX 31
5.3 mi
·
5 min
·
Hubbard Bypass
28
Continue on TX 31
19 mi
·
21 min
·
State Highway 31
29
Turn right onto TX 31
5.5 mi
·
6 min
·
Corsicana Bypass
Use the straight lane.
30
Turn right onto South Interstate 45
0.5 mi
·
50 sec
·
South Interstate 45
31
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
32
Merge onto I 45
20 mi
·
19 min
·
I 45
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Exit 206
Toward FM 833
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Turn left onto North Interstate 45
307 ft
·
10 sec
·
North Interstate 45
35
Turn left onto FM 833
1.3 mi
·
3 min
·
FM 833
36
At end of road, turn right onto TX 75; FM 833
52 ft
·
1 sec
·
North State Highway 75
37
Turn left onto FM 833
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
East FM 833
38
Turn right onto County Road 161
10 ft
·
0 sec
·
County Road 161
39
Arrive at destination
County Road 161
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 251.2 miles from Roma, TX, or about 4h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 299.7 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 111 miles or 2h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 251.2 miles or 4h 34m 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 251.2 miles or 4h 34m
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 8h 3m
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 Roma, 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 Roma, TX
Aim for roughly 251 miles and 4.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Rhode Island, TX
Aim for roughly 251 miles and 4.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 111 miles from Roma, 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 Purple Heart Trail for about 299.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 251.2 mi from Roma, TX · 4h 34m into the drive
First major stop
Coffee and fuel
166 mi into the route
Best for: Coffee, fuel, and an easy first stretch
This is a natural early stop once the first hours of the drive are behind you.
Second major stop
Overnight candidate
332 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 Austin, TXOvernight Options
Night 1
251 mi · about 4.6h in
A practical overnight split lands near San Antonio, TX after about 251 miles or 4.6 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 111 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 251.2 miles from Roma, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Purple Heart Trail if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 299.7 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 251 miles or 4.6 hours on the road.
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.
On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach Rhode Island, TX with some flexibility left in the schedule.
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
$76.76 one way
$153.52 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
176 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $84.12 | $168.24 |
| premium | $4.59 | $90.83 | $181.65 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $111.64 | $223.28 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$77
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$207–$317
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 175.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $53 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 150.8 | 1 | $52.76 | $24.12 |
| Efficient EV | 125.6 | 1 | $43.97 | $20.10 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 201 | 2 | $70.35 | $32.16 |
Gas CO2
176 kg
EV CO2
59 kg (66% 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
Rhode Island, TX
Morning in Rhode Island on Monday
Local time
7:17 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°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
9h 9m 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 Roma, TX to Rhode Island, TX covers 502.5 miles and takes about 9h 9m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Purple Heart Trail, United States Highway 83, State Highway 31. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
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 251 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 251.2 miles from Roma, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $76.76 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 is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 502.5 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 243.8 miles (I 35 / South Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 245.5 miles (I 35 / South Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 255.9 miles (North Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Roma, TX and Rhode Island, TX, road signs point toward Corpus Christi and Johnson City.
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