How far is Irving, TX from Rockdale, TX?
The driving distance from Irving, TX to Rockdale, TX is about 167.9 miles (270.2 km), with a travel time of about 03h 10m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 149.2 miles (240.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 20m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 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 03h 10m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
City in McLennan County, Texas
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Irving and Rockdale.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Irving and Rockdale.
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1
Start on North Ohio Street
133 m · 25 sec · North Ohio Street
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2
Turn left onto West 2nd Street
1.1 km · 1 min · West 2nd Street
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3
Turn straight onto East Irving Boulevard
1.5 km · 2 min · East Irving Boulevard
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4
Turn slight right
120 m · 17 sec
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5
Turn slight right onto South Loop 12
57 m · 4 sec · South Loop 12
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6
Take the ramp slight left toward Loop 12 South
125 m · 10 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto South Walton Walker Boulevard
5.3 mi · 6 min · South Walton Walker Boulevard
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8
Keep slight left to continue on South Walton Walker Boulevard
1.4 mi · 2 min · South Walton Walker Boulevard
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9
Turn slight right onto Duncanville Road
3.2 mi · 6 min · Duncanville Road
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10
Turn left onto West Interstate 20
862 ft · 21 sec · West Interstate 20
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11
Take the ramp slight left toward I 20 East
1469 ft · 36 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
4.6 mi · 5 min · Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward I 35E South: Waco
2016 ft · 45 sec
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14
Merge slight left onto South R L Thornton Freeway
80.5 mi · 1 hr 22 min · South R L Thornton Freeway
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15
Continue on North Jack Kultgen Expressway
4.3 mi · 5 min · North Jack Kultgen Expressway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward Loop 396
1239 ft · 30 sec
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17
Turn straight onto South Jack Kultgen Expressway
707 ft · 25 sec · South Jack Kultgen Expressway
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18
Turn left onto South Valley Mills Drive
760 ft · 20 sec · South Valley Mills Drive
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19
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward The Circle
38 m · 6 sec · Robinson Drive
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20
Exit the rotary onto Robinson Drive
29.5 mi · 34 min · Robinson Drive
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21
Continue straight
19.1 mi · 22 min
-
22
Turn left onto East 4th Street
1340 ft · 19 sec · East 4th Street
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23
Continue on Kemp Street
1272 ft · 16 sec · Kemp Street
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24
Continue on East 1st Street
2.9 mi · 3 min · East 1st Street
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25
Take the exit slight right
11.8 mi · 14 min
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26
Take the exit slight right
1185 ft · 33 sec
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27
Keep slight right
129 m · 12 sec
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28
Merge slight left
1.3 mi · 3 min
-
29
Turn left onto North Main Street
15 m · 1 sec · North Main Street
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30
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Irving and Rockdale.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
South R L Thornton Freeway
Merge slight left onto South R L Thornton Freeway
80.5 mi · 01h 22m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Mostly Sunny leaving Irving and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy near Rockdale.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Irving to Rockdale?
The road trip is about 167.9 miles (270.2 km) and usually takes 03h 10m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
West is a useful midpoint, sitting about 84.1 miles from Irving and 83.8 miles from Rockdale.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 149.2 miles (240.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.7 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 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:40 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.41 one way or $44.82 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 52.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Irving and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy near Rockdale.
Stop Ideas Near West
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 West.
Waco, TX
McGregor
Cleburne
Temple
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Irving and Rockdale. Straight-line distance: 149.17 mi (240.07 km).
#1 Irving
The third most populous city in Texas.
| Population | 240,916 |
| Coordinates | 32.8140200, -96.9488900 |
| Altitude | 147 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Rockdale
City in Milam County, Texas
| Population | 5,448 |
| Coordinates | 30.6554800, -97.0013700 |
| Altitude | 142 |
| Country | United States |
End: Rockdale (-97.00137, 30.65548)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 270 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 35m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 11m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 21m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 47m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 23m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 05m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $22.41 | $44.82 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $25.21 | $50.43 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $27.22 | $54.45 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $23.68 | $47.36 |
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 · Apr 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.