How far is Garland, TX from Rio Grande City, TX?
The driving distance from Garland, TX to Rio Grande City, TX is about 681.8 miles (1097.3 km), with a travel time of about 12h 19m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 552 miles (888.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 24h 38m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 12h 19m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
The eleventh most populous city in the United States and the center of the Austin metropolitan area.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Garland and Rio Grande City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Garland and Rio Grande City.
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1
Start on the route
2.1 mi · 5 min
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2
At the end of the road, turn right onto US Highway 259 South
16.3 mi · 24 min · US Highway 259 South
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3
Take the ramp right
2301 ft · 56 sec
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4
Merge slight left
131.8 mi · 2 hr 17 min
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5
Take the exit slight right toward I 35E: Denton, Waco
3065 ft · 1 min
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6
Keep slight left to continue on I 35E South, I 35E North: Waco, Denton
607 ft · 15 sec
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7
Keep slight left to continue on I 35E North, I 35E South: Denton, Waco
67 m · 5 sec
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8
Keep slight left to continue on I 35E South: Waco
1915 ft · 30 sec
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9
Continue on South R L Thornton Freeway
2866 ft · 44 sec · South R L Thornton Freeway
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10
Continue on South R L Thornton Freeway
89.3 mi · 1 hr 32 min · South R L Thornton Freeway
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11
Continue on North Jack Kultgen Expressway
6.6 mi · 8 min · North Jack Kultgen Expressway
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12
Continue on Purple Heart Trail
37.9 mi · 39 min · Purple Heart Trail
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13
Keep slight left
55.8 mi · 59 min
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14
Keep slight left to continue on Purple Heart Trail
49.8 mi · 55 min · Purple Heart Trail
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15
Continue on Interstate Highway 35
1.7 mi · 2 min · Interstate Highway 35
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16
Continue on Purple Heart Trail
11.9 mi · 13 min · Purple Heart Trail
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17
Continue on North Pan Am Expressway
10 mi · 12 min · North Pan Am Expressway
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18
Keep slight left to continue on North Pan Am Expressway
6.4 mi · 8 min · North Pan Am Expressway
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19
Keep slight left to continue on North Pan Am Expressway
2.1 mi · 3 min · North Pan Am Expressway
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20
Keep slight right to continue on South Pan Am Expressway
10.4 mi · 12 min · South Pan Am Expressway
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21
Continue on Purple Heart Trail
144.4 mi · 2 hr 26 min · Purple Heart Trail
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22
Continue on Santa Ursula Avenue
549 ft · 16 sec · Santa Ursula Avenue
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23
Turn left onto Matamoros Street
2145 ft · 54 sec · Matamoros Street
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24
Continue on Chihuahua Street
1 mi · 2 min · Chihuahua Street
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25
Turn right onto North Meadow Avenue
2 mi · 4 min · North Meadow Avenue
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26
Turn right onto South Zapata Highway
5.4 mi · 8 min · South Zapata Highway
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27
Continue on US Highway 83 South
14.2 mi · 16 min · US Highway 83 South
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28
Continue on United States Highway 83
54.3 mi · 1 hr 1 min · United States Highway 83
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29
Continue on North Grant Street
17.4 mi · 20 min · North Grant Street
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30
Continue on United States Highway 83
7.7 mi · 9 min · United States Highway 83
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31
Continue on West Main Street
2353 ft · 33 sec · West Main Street
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32
Turn left onto North Britton Avenue
114 m · 19 sec · North Britton Avenue
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33
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Britton Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Garland and Rio Grande City.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Purple Heart Trail
Continue on Purple Heart Trail
144 mi · 02h 26m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Mostly Sunny leaving Garland and Mostly Sunny near Rio Grande City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Garland to Rio Grande City?
The road trip is about 681.8 miles (1097.3 km) and usually takes 12h 19m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Austin is a useful midpoint, sitting about 341.3 miles from Garland and 340.5 miles from Rio Grande City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 552 miles (888.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 129.8 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM CDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $90.92 one way or $181.85 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 213.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Garland and Mostly Sunny near Rio Grande City.
Stop Ideas Near Austin
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Austin.
Austin
Taylor
San Marcos Station
Killeen, Texas
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Garland and Rio Grande City. Straight-line distance: 552.03 mi (888.4 km).
#1 Garland
The fourth most populous city in Texas.
| Population | 238,139 |
| Coordinates | 33.5165000, -94.6693800 |
| Altitude | 117 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Rio Grande City
City in Starr County, Texas, United States
| Population | 14,511 |
| Coordinates | 26.3797900, -98.8203000 |
| Altitude | 53 |
| Country | United States |
End: Rio Grande City (-98.8203, 26.37979)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 1097 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 22h 43m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 17h 02m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 13h 38m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 11h 21m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 09h 44m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 08h 30m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $90.92 | $181.85 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $102.30 | $204.61 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $110.46 | $220.92 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $96.07 | $192.14 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Texas · Jun 11, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.