This 156.1-mile drive from Florence to Fort Worth, Texas, can be comfortably completed in about 2 hours and 48 minutes, making it an excellent day trip. You'll primarily navigate on I-35 and I-35W, with a short portion on FM 2843, meaning nearly the entire journey is on highways. With an estimated fuel cost of $24, it's an economical option for exploring the Great Plains region of Texas. This route is straightforward, offering a direct path between two points within the same state.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
78.1 miles from Florence, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 26m into the drive
.
Fort Worth is a city in the Prairies and Lakes region of Texas. With a population of approximately 1,020,000, it is Texas' 5th largest city. It is part of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, which has a population exceeding 6 million. Sometimes referred to as Cowtown, it is by far closer to its cowboy roots than neighboring Dallas. This article also covers North Richland Hills, a neighboring community.
Expect a highway-focused drive for 99% of this trip, as you'll be on major interstates for the vast majority of the 156.1 miles. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 87.2 miles on I-35, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent speed. While largely interstate, the inclusion of FM 2843 offers a brief change of pace before merging back onto the main highway corridors. This route offers a consistent driving experience, characteristic of extensive highway travel.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 35 is the longest continuous segment at about 87.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and I 35W. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 18.4 miles in near South I-35 Frontage Road.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 48m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 18.4 miles (South I-35 Frontage Road): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 19.3 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 106.5 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
18.4 mi into trip|~24m in|South I-35 Frontage Road
Turn sharp left onto South I-35 Frontage Road
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
5
19.3 mi into trip|~25m in|I 35
Merge onto I 35
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
106.5 mi into trip|~1h 55m in|I 35W
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W toward I 35W: Fort Worth
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 35W: Fort Worth
7
155.7 mi into trip|~2h 46m in
Take the exit toward Allen Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 49A
Toward Allen Avenue
5
156 mi into trip|~2h 47m in|East Allen Avenue
Turn left onto East Allen Avenue
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 35
87.2 mi
1h 29m
I 35W
49.2 mi
51m
FM 2843
14.6 mi
18m
FM 487
2.4 mi
3m
South I-35 Frontage Road
1.2 mi
2m
East Main Street
0.7 mi
1m
South Freeway
0.2 mi
<1m
FM 2115
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 87.2 mi, about 1h 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Florence, TX and Fort Worth, TX.
1
Start on FM 487
0.7 mi·1 min·East Main Street
2
Continue on FM 487
2.4 mi·3 min·FM 487
3
Turn left onto FM 2843
15 mi·18 min·FM 2843
4
Turn right onto South I-35 Frontage Road
0.6 mi·1 min·South I-35 Frontage Road
5
Turn left onto FM 2115
487 ft·20 sec·FM 2115
6
Turn sharp left onto South I-35 Frontage Road
0.6 mi·51 sec·South I-35 Frontage Road
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·24 sec
Toward I 35 North
8
Merge onto I 35
87 mi·1 hr 29 min·I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W
49 mi·51 min·I 35W
Toward I 35W: Fort WorthUse the slight left lane.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Exit 49AToward Allen AvenueUse the slight right lane.
11
Turn straight onto South Freeway
0.1 mi·18 sec·South Freeway
12
Turn left onto East Allen Avenue
210 ft·12 sec·East Allen Avenue
13
Turn left onto South Freeway
258 ft·5 sec·South Freeway
14
Arrive at destination
South Freeway
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of under 3 hours, this trip offers a lot of flexibility. You can easily depart in the morning and arrive in Fort Worth with plenty of the day to spare, or head out in the afternoon to avoid peak traffic. With only one major highway stretch of 87.2 miles on I-35, plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly, though you likely won't need more than one significant break. Keep an eye out for the transition from I-35 to I-35W as you approach the Fort Worth area to ensure you stay on the most direct path.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 78.1 miles from Florence, TX, or about 1h 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 87.2 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 34 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 78.1 miles or 1h 26m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fort Worth, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Florence, 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 Florence, TX
This is one driving day of about 156.1 miles and 2h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Florence, 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 I 35 for about 87.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 78.1 mi from Florence, TX
· 1h 26m into the drive
The midpoint is around 78.1 miles from Florence, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before I 35 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 87.2 miles.
Arriving in Fort Worth, TX
The final approach into Fort Worth, 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 Fort Worth, TX.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Waco Mammoth National Monument
National Monument
Standing as tall as 14 feet and weighing 20,000 pounds, Columbian mammoths roamed across what is present-day Texas thousands of years ago. Today, the fossil specimens represent the nation's first and...
4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 75.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.59 one way
$47.17 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg55 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$25.82
$51.64
premium
$4.54
$27.87
$55.74
diesel
$5.61
$34.46
$68.93
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 54.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
46.8
0
$16.39
$7.49
Efficient EV
39
0
$13.66
$6.24
EV Truck/SUV
62.4
0
$21.85
$9.99
Gas CO2
55 kg
EV CO2
18 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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.
Forecast as of Apr 14, 2026
Origin
Florence, TX
Evening
in Florence on Friday
Local time
7:18 PM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Fort Worth, TX
Evening
in Fort Worth on Friday
Local time
7:18 PM
CDT
Current temp
83°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
S 15 mph20% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 14 at 4:17PM CDT until April 14 at 5:15PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 14 at 4:12PM CDT until April 14 at 4:30PM CDT by NWS Norman OK
71°F
Beverly Hills, TX
78 mi in
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
23 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 48m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Florence, TX to Fort Worth, TX covers 156.1 miles and takes about 2h 48m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 35, I 35W, FM 2843. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 78.1 miles from Florence, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $23.59 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a straightforward 2h 48m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 18.4 miles (South I-35 Frontage Road): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 19.3 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 106.5 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Florence, TX to Fort Worth, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Waco Mammoth National Monument.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
