The drive from Fort Worth, TX to Beach City, TX covers 294.8 miles and takes about 5h 28m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 45, US 287, HTR for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 174.8 miles on I 45.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $44.54 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
147.4 miles from Fort Worth, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 38m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 28m. Total distance: 294.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 28m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (84%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 5h 28m highway drive covering 294.8 miles, with most of the trip on I 45 and US 287. The longest continuous stretch is about 174.8 miles on I 45.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 32 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 45 is the longest continuous segment at about 174.8 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
652 ft24 ft
Total Climb
110 ft
Total Descent
738 ft
Highest Point
652 ft
Elevation Range
628 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 45 and US 287. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.5 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 27 significant decision points across 294.8 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 3.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 3.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 10.1 miles (US 287): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 27 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
3.5 mi into trip|~4m in
Take the exit toward I 20 East: Dallas
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 45B
Toward I 20 East: Dallas
7
3.6 mi into trip|~4m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 20 East: Dallas
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 20 East: Dallas
9
10.1 mi into trip|~12m in|US 287
Keep slight right at fork onto US 287 toward US 287 South: Little Road, Waxahachie
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 444
Toward US 287 South: Little Road, Waxahachie
7
236.2 mi into trip|~4h 9m in|HTR
Take the exit onto HTR toward Hardy Toll Road South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 72B
Toward Hardy Toll Road South
8
264.8 mi into trip|~4h 44m in
Take the exit toward I 10: Beaumont, Downtown
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 26A
Toward I 10: Beaumont, Downtown
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Fort Worth, TX and Beach City, TX, road signs point toward Hardy Toll Road South, Downtown and Spur 330: Baytown.
Hardy Toll Road South
236.2 mi in|~4h 9m|via HTR
Downtown
264.8 mi in|~4h 44m
Spur 330: Baytown
278.3 mi in|~5h 1m|via Spur 330
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 45
174.8 mi
2h 59m
US 287
50.7 mi
56m
HTR
21.9 mi
25m
East Freeway
12.7 mi
15m
North Loop East
5.9 mi
7m
Decker Drive
5.8 mi
7m
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
5.7 mi
6m
FM 1405
3.9 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
I 45
— 174.8 mi, about 2h 59m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Worth, TX and Beach City, TX.
1
Start on South Freeway
174 ft·3 sec·South Freeway
2
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward I 35W SouthUse the straight / slight left lanes.
3
Merge onto I 35W
3.2 mi·3 min·South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Take the exit
0.1 mi·14 sec
Exit 45BToward I 20 East: DallasUse the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 20 East: DallasUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
6
Merge onto I 20
5.7 mi·6 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto US 287
51 mi·56 min·US 287
Exit 444Toward US 287 South: Little Road, WaxahachieUse the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 45 South: Corsicana
9
Merge onto I 45; US 287
175 mi·2 hr 59 min·I 45; US 287
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit onto HTR
22 mi·25 min·HTR
Exit 72BToward Hardy Toll Road SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 610 East
12
Merge onto I 610
5.9 mi·7 min·North Loop East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Exit 26AToward I 10: Beaumont, DowntownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 10 East: BeaumontUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto I 10
13 mi·15 min·East Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto Spur 330
4.5 mi·5 min·Decker Drive
Toward Spur 330: BaytownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward Spur 330Use the slight right lane.
18
Continue on Decker Drive
1.3 mi·2 min·Decker Drive
19
Turn left onto West Defee Street
1.2 mi·2 min·West Defee Street
20
Turn right onto TX 146 Bus
0.3 mi·28 sec·North Alexander Drive
21
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 146 Bus
0.4 mi·42 sec·South State Highway 146
22
At end of road, turn left onto East Grand Parkway South
0.5 mi·53 sec·East Grand Parkway South
23
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward TX 99 Toll East
24
Merge onto TX 99 Toll
0.6 mi·39 sec·East Grand Parkway South
25
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward FM 1405
26
Turn straight onto East Grand Parkway South
1.2 mi·2 min·East Grand Parkway South
27
Turn right onto FM 1405
3.9 mi·7 min·FM 1405
28
Turn left onto FM 2354
1.5 mi·2 min·Tri City Beach Road
29
Turn right onto Seacrest Park Road
0.1 mi·31 sec·Seacrest Park Road
30
Turn left onto Ocean Drive
0.1 mi·32 sec·Ocean Drive
31
Turn right
269 ft·19 sec
32
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 147.4 miles from Fort Worth, TX, or about 2h 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 174.8 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 65 miles or 1h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 147.4 miles or 2h 38m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 16m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Beach City, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Fort Worth, 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 Fort Worth, TX
This is one driving day of about 294.8 miles and 5h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 65 miles from Fort Worth, 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 45 for about 174.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 147.4 mi from Fort Worth, TX
· 2h 38m into the drive
The midpoint is around 147.4 miles from Fort Worth, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before I 45 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 174.8 miles.
Arriving in Beach City, TX
The final approach into Beach City, 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 Beach City, TX.
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
$44.54 one way
$89.09 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg103 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$48.76
$97.52
premium
$4.54
$52.63
$105.27
diesel
$5.61
$65.09
$130.18
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$45
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 103.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
88.4
1
$30.95
$14.15
Efficient EV
73.7
0
$25.79
$11.79
EV Truck/SUV
117.9
1
$41.27
$18.87
Gas CO2
103 kg
EV CO2
34 kg (67% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 13, 2026
Origin
Fort Worth, TX
Morning
in Fort Worth on Friday
Local time
9:24 AM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 10 to 15 mph10% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued April 13 at 1:44AM CDT until April 13 at 5:00AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
High Wind Watch
High Wind Watch issued April 12 at 11:58PM MDT until April 14 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Destination
Beach City, TX
Morning
in Beach City on Friday
Local time
9:24 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 15 mph15% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued April 13 at 1:44AM CDT until April 13 at 5:00AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
High Wind Watch
High Wind Watch issued April 12 at 11:58PM MDT until April 14 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
77°F
Palestine, TX
147 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
6 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
5h 28m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Fort Worth, TX to Beach City, TX covers 294.8 miles and takes about 5h 28m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 45, US 287, HTR. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 147.4 miles from Fort Worth, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $44.54 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break 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 27 significant decision points across 294.8 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 3.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 3.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 10.1 miles (US 287): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Fort Worth, TX and Beach City, TX, road signs point toward Hardy Toll Road South, Downtown and Spur 330: Baytown.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 24 ft to 652 ft elevation with about 110 ft of total climbing.
