Origin
Fort Worth, TX
Afternoon in Fort Worth on Sunday
Local time
2:22 PM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
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Create accountDrive Time
4h 59m
Distance
275.7 mi
444 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$42
one way
Fort Worth, TX
Talena Reese
Barrett, TX
Mark Direen
Connecting Fort Worth to Barrett, this 275.7-mile journey takes approximately 4 hours and 59 minutes of driving time. Because the route stays within the Great Plains region of Texas, you can easily complete the trip in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend about $42 on fuel for the trek, which relies heavily on I-45, US-287, and HTR. While it is a straightforward drive, keep in mind that you will be spending nearly five hours behind the wheel. Use this route if you need a reliable, efficient path between these two points, as it is designed specifically for highway-focused travel.
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
137.8 miles from Fort Worth, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 28m into the drive .
With 88% of this trip taking place on highways, you should prepare for a consistent, high-speed travel experience. You will face a significant 174.8-mile stretch on I-45, which serves as the longest uninterrupted portion of the journey. The road feels like a classic Texas interstate grind, favoring speed and efficiency over winding backroads or technical turns. As you transition between the various segments of the route, the pace remains steady and predictable. Expect the drive to be functional and direct rather than leisurely, making it ideal for those who prioritize arriving at their destination quickly.
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.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 275.7 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.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Take the exit toward I 20 East: Dallas
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork toward I 20 East: Dallas
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
Take the exit onto HTR toward Hardy Toll Road South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward FM 2100, FM 1942: Crosby
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Between Fort Worth, TX and Barrett, TX, road signs point toward Hardy Toll Road South, Bw 8 and Bw 8 East.
Hardy Toll Road South
Bw 8
Bw 8 East
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 45 | 174.8 mi | 2h 59m |
| US 287 | 50.7 mi | 56m |
| HTR | 13 mi | 15m |
| North Sam Houston Tollway East | 10.1 mi | 11m |
| Crosby Freeway | 6.7 mi | 7m |
| North Sam Houston Parkway East | 5.8 mi | 7m |
| Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway | 5.7 mi | 6m |
| South Freeway | 3.3 mi | 3m |
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Worth, TX and Barrett, TX.
Start on South Freeway
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 35W
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 20
Keep slight right at fork onto US 287
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 45; US 287
Take the exit onto HTR
Take the exit
Turn straight onto East Hardy Street
Turn left onto North Sam Houston Parkway East
Take the ramp
Merge onto BW 8
Continue on SHT
Take the exit
Turn straight onto BW 8
Keep slight left at fork onto BW 8
Turn left onto Crosby Freeway Frontage Road
Take the ramp
Merge onto US 90
Take the exit
Turn sharp right onto FM 2100
Turn left onto FM 1942
Arrive at destination
Since this is a five-hour drive, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh. Leaving early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid potential traffic congestion on the major highway corridors. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the long 174.8-mile stretch on I-45 to ensure you don't get caught in a low-fuel situation between service exits. Because the trip is manageable in a single day, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time based on your personal preference. Remember that having $42 set aside for gas will cover your primary travel costs, but keeping a little extra for snacks during your stop is always a smart move.
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.
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 80 miles or 1h 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 137.8 miles or 2h 28m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 59m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Barrett, TX than in the middle of the route.
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 275.7 miles and 4h 59m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 137.8 mi from Fort Worth, TX · 2h 28m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
138 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 137.8 miles from Fort Worth, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 45 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 174.8 miles.
The final approach into Barrett, 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 Barrett, 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.
Regular Gas
$42.11 one way
$84.23 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $46.15 | $92.31 |
| premium | $4.59 | $49.83 | $99.66 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $61.25 | $122.50 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.81
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 96.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 82.7 | 1 | $28.95 | $13.23 |
| Efficient EV | 68.9 | 0 | $24.12 | $11.03 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 110.3 | 1 | $38.60 | $17.64 |
Gas CO2
96 kg
EV CO2
32 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Fort Worth on Sunday
Local time
2:22 PM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Destination
Afternoon in Barrett on Sunday
Local time
2:22 PM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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