How far is Irving, TX from Universal City, TX?
The driving distance from Irving, TX to Universal City, TX is about 265.4 miles (427.2 km), with a travel time of about 04h 50m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 239.2 miles (384.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 40m 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 04h 50m.
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.
The most populous city in Bell County, Texas.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Irving and Universal City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Irving and Universal City.
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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
6.6 mi · 8 min · North Jack Kultgen Expressway
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16
Continue on Purple Heart Trail
37.9 mi · 39 min · Purple Heart Trail
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17
Keep slight left
55.8 mi · 59 min
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18
Keep slight left to continue on Purple Heart Trail
49.8 mi · 55 min · Purple Heart Trail
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19
Continue on Interstate Highway 35
1.7 mi · 2 min · Interstate Highway 35
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20
Continue on Purple Heart Trail
8.8 mi · 9 min · Purple Heart Trail
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21
Take the exit slight right toward Cibolo Valley Drive
1142 ft · 28 sec
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22
Turn straight onto Interstate 35 North
1.5 km · 1 min · Interstate 35 North
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23
Turn left onto Natural Bridge Caverns Road
3.2 mi · 6 min · Natural Bridge Caverns Road
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24
Turn right onto John E Peterson Boulevard
1.4 mi · 3 min · John E Peterson Boulevard
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25
Continue on Gordon A Blake Highway
1.5 km · 2 min · Gordon A Blake Highway
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26
Turn right onto Pat Booker Road
1829 ft · 1 min · Pat Booker Road
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27
Turn left
12 m · 3 sec
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Irving and Universal City.
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.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Irving and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Universal City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Irving to Universal City?
The road trip is about 265.4 miles (427.2 km) and usually takes 04h 50m 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?
Temple is a useful midpoint, sitting about 133 miles from Irving and 132.5 miles from Universal City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 239.2 miles (384.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 26.2 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 7:20 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $35.41 one way or $70.82 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 83.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Irving and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Universal City.
Stop Ideas Near Temple
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 Temple.
Temple
Killeen, Texas
McGregor
Fort Hood, Texas
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Irving and Universal City. Straight-line distance: 239.2 mi (384.95 km).
#1 Irving
The third most populous city in Texas.
| Population | 240,916 |
| Coordinates | 32.8140200, -96.9488900 |
| Altitude | 147 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Universal City
Community in the San Fernando Valley region of Los Angeles County, California
| Population | 20,890 |
| Coordinates | 29.5480100, -98.2911200 |
| Altitude | 233 |
| Country | United States |
End: Universal City (-98.29112, 29.54801)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 427 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 50m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 38m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 18m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 25m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 47m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 18m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $35.41 | $70.82 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $39.84 | $79.68 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $43.02 | $86.04 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $37.41 | $74.83 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.