Origin
Fort Worth, TX
Afternoon in Fort Worth on Sunday
Local time
2:23 PM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fort Worth, TX to Denton, TX
Drive Time
46m
Distance
39.2 mi
63 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
Fort Worth, TX
Talena Reese
Denton, TX
Mark Direen
Trip Overview
If you are planning to travel from Fort Worth to Denton, you are looking at a quick 39.2-mile trip within the Great Plains region of Texas. This journey typically takes about 46 minutes to complete, making it an ideal candidate for a straightforward day trip. With no required stops and a modest fuel budget of approximately $6, it is a low-cost, efficient way to move between these two cities. Because the entire route remains within the same region, you won't experience significant environmental shifts along the way. Whether you are commuting or heading out for a short visit, this drive is simple enough to handle in a single session without needing an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
19.6 miles from Fort Worth, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 22m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy, local experience rather than a high-speed interstate sprint, as this route features zero highway driving. You will navigate through city streets using Elmwood Avenue, Epps Street, and East Maddox Avenue to make your way north. Because this is a local drive, you should stay alert for frequent turns and changing urban traffic patterns. Unlike a monotonous highway cruise, this path requires your full attention behind the wheel as you maneuver through local intersections. The lack of long, uninterrupted stretches means you will experience a constant, active pace from start to finish.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
North Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 17.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on North Freeway and I 35W TEXpress. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Epps Street.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 39.2 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 0.1 miles (Epps Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.3 miles (South Freeway): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.4 miles (East Allen Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 19 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Epps Street
At end of road, turn right onto Epps Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
6
0.3 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
South Freeway
At end of road, turn right onto South Freeway
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
7
0.4 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
East Allen Avenue
Turn left onto East Allen Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
7
35.8 mi into trip
|
~39m in
Take the exit toward I 35E South: Dallas
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 85A
Toward I 35E South: Dallas
7
37.4 mi into trip
|
~41m in
Take the exit toward US 377: Fort Worth Drive
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 465B
Toward US 377: Fort Worth Drive
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North Freeway | 17.2 mi | 18m |
| I 35W TEXpress | 16.3 mi | 16m |
| South Freeway | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| I 35E | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| Fort Worth Drive | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| South Locust Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| US 287 Bus | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| North Interstate 35E | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
North Freeway
— 17.2 mi, about 18m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Worth, TX and Denton, TX.
1
Start on South Freeway
54 ft
·
2 sec
·
South Freeway
2
Turn right onto Elmwood Avenue
475 ft
·
23 sec
·
Elmwood Avenue
3
At end of road, turn right onto Epps Street
0.1 mi
·
27 sec
·
Epps Street
4
Continue on East Maddox Avenue
412 ft
·
20 sec
·
East Maddox Avenue
5
At end of road, turn right onto South Freeway
321 ft
·
13 sec
·
South Freeway
6
Turn left onto East Allen Avenue
210 ft
·
13 sec
·
East Allen Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
7
Turn left onto South Freeway
0.5 mi
·
56 sec
·
South Freeway
Use the straight / left lanes.
8
Take the ramp onto US 287 Bus
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
US 287 Bus
Toward I 35W North
9
Merge onto I 35W; US 287 Bus
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
South Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit onto I 35W TEXpress
16 mi
·
16 min
·
I 35W TEXpress
Toward I 35W Express North: I 35W TEXpress North
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 35W
17 mi
·
18 min
·
North Freeway
Use the none lane.
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
Exit 85A
Toward I 35E South: Dallas
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 35E; US 77
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
I 35E; US 77
14
Take the exit
472 ft
·
11 sec
Exit 465B
Toward US 377: Fort Worth Drive
Use the slight right lane.
15
Turn straight onto North Interstate 35E
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
North Interstate 35E
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
16
Turn left onto Spur 377
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Fort Worth Drive
Use the left / straight lanes.
17
Continue on Spur 377
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
Fort Worth Drive
18
Turn right onto Spur 377
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
Eagle Drive
Use the right lane.
19
Turn left onto South Locust Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South Locust Street
20
Turn left onto West Walnut Street
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
·
West Walnut Street
21
At end of road, turn right onto South Cedar Street
198 ft
·
10 sec
·
South Cedar Street
22
Turn right onto West Hickory Street
379 ft
·
18 sec
·
West Hickory Street
23
Arrive at destination
West Hickory Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a short 46-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though avoiding peak traffic hours is always a wise move. You won't need to plan for any major rest stops given the short distance, but keeping a small buffer in your budget for the $6 fuel cost is recommended. Stay focused on your navigation, as the reliance on local roads like East Maddox Avenue means missing a turn can easily add time to your trip. Use the lack of required stops to your advantage by planning your schedule around your destination's availability rather than road fatigue. Remember to double-check your map before leaving, as the turn-heavy nature of this route makes local street navigation the primary challenge.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 19.6 miles from Fort Worth, TX, or about 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 17.2 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 39.2 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 19.6 miles or 22m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 37m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Denton, 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 39.2 miles and 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Fort Worth, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on North Freeway for about 17.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 19.6 mi from Fort Worth, TX · 22m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
20 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 39.2 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 19.6 miles from Fort Worth, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Denton, TX
The final approach into Denton, 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 Denton, TX.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$5.99 one way
$11.98 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
14 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $6.56 | $13.12 |
| premium | $4.59 | $7.09 | $14.17 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $8.71 | $17.42 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$31–$56
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 13.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 11.8 | 0 | $4.12 | $1.88 |
| Efficient EV | 9.8 | 0 | $3.43 | $1.57 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 15.7 | 0 | $5.49 | $2.51 |
Gas CO2
14 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (64% 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.
Destination
Denton, TX
Afternoon in Denton on Sunday
Local time
2:23 PM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
46m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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 Denton, TX covers 39.2 miles and takes about 46m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are North Freeway, I 35W TEXpress, South Freeway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 19.6 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 $5.99 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 39.2 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 0.1 miles (Epps Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.3 miles (South Freeway): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.4 miles (East Allen Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Fort Worth, TX to Denton, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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