Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 48m
Distance
315.6 mi
508 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$48
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fort Worth, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Clute, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Fort Worth to Clute is 315.6 miles and takes about 5h 48m via I 45 and US 287, with a fuel budget near $48 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily stays within the Great Plains region, offering a straightforward highway-focused journey. You'll be on main roads for nearly the entire trip, making it a utilitarian route rather than one focused on scenic detours. It's a solid choice if you need to get from point A to point B efficiently within Texas, with most of your time spent on the interstate.
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
157.8 miles from Fort Worth, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 51m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 45 | 198.8 mi | 3h 28m |
| US 287 | 50.7 mi | 56m |
| Nolan Ryan Expressway | 24.6 mi | 28m |
| TX 288 Toll | 14.4 mi | 16m |
| Brazosport Boulevard North | 6 mi | 9m |
| Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway | 5.7 mi | 6m |
| South Freeway | 4.1 mi | 4m |
| South Velasco Street | 3.3 mi | 4m |
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Worth, TX and Clute, 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
Continue on I 45
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Continue on TX 288
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 288 Toll
Merge onto TX 288
Continue on TX 288
Take the exit
Turn left onto TX 35
Turn right onto Loop 274
Turn straight onto TX 288 Bus
Continue on TX 288 Bus
Turn right onto East Main Street
Arrive at destination
Given the 5h 48m estimated duration, leaving Fort Worth in the morning is ideal to ensure you arrive in Clute with ample daylight. With only one recommended stop, you can plan your break strategically, perhaps around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially during the longest stretch on I 45, and consider filling up before you hit that longer segment. This route is manageable in a single day, so you have the flexibility to depart when it's most convenient for you.
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 69 miles or 1h 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 157.8 miles or 2h 51m 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 37m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clute, 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 315.6 miles and 5h 48m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
158 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 69 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 157.8 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 198.8 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 262.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Take the ramp toward I 35W South
Lane positioning matters here
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 toward US 59 South, TX 288 South, I 69 South: Lake Jackson, Freeport, Victoria
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$47.69 one way
$95.38 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $52.20 | $104.40 |
| premium | $4.54 | $56.35 | $112.70 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $69.68 | $139.36 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$48
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 110.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 94.7 | 1 | $33.14 | $15.15 |
| Efficient EV | 78.9 | 0 | $27.62 | $12.62 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 126.2 | 1 | $44.18 | $20.20 |
Gas CO2
110 kg
EV CO2
37 kg (66% 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 Saturday
Local time
1:57 PM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Mostly Cloudy
Destination
Afternoon in Clute on Saturday
Local time
1:57 PM
CDT
Current temp
82°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.
This is a highway-focused drive, with 94% of the route utilizing major roadways. Expect long stretches of consistent speed, particularly the 198.8-mile segment on I 45. The overall character is one of efficient travel, with US 287 and the Nolan Ryan Expressway contributing to the highway feel. While not designed for leisurely sightseeing, the consistent highway nature means fewer interruptions and a predictable pace.
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 early in the drive.
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 16 significant decision points across 315.6 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: near the start: Lane positioning matters here; 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.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Fort Worth, TX and Clute, TX, road signs point toward Freeport and Victoria.
Freeport
Victoria
“Panther city” · Founded 1849
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.
Top landmarks
Clute is a city on the North Barrier Coast of Texas. If you have never seen an industrial plant, you are in for a treat, as Dow tanks and stacks and whatever else seem to overshadow everything around here.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 48m. Total distance: 315.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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