Origin
Fort Worth, TX
Afternoon in Fort Worth on Sunday
Local time
3:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fort Worth, TX to Garland, TX
Drive Time
3h 28m
Distance
183.8 mi
296 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$28
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 16m
★
6 AM
3h 28m
8 AM
3h 53m
10 AM
3h 37m
12 PM
3h 35m
3 PM
3h 38m
5 PM
3h 52m
8 PM
3h 21m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fort Worth, TX
Talena Reese
Trip Overview
Spanning 184.4 miles across the Great Plains of Texas, this journey from Fort Worth to Garland is best suited for a single-day trip. You should anticipate a travel time of approximately 2 hours and 53 minutes, depending on local traffic flow. With a fuel budget of about $27, the trip is an economical option for those looking to navigate between these two cities. Because you will be traveling entirely on local roads, you have the flexibility to complete the drive in one go without needing an overnight stay. Since both the origin and destination are located within the Great Plains region, the landscape remains consistent throughout your travel.
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
91.9 miles from Fort Worth, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 43m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy, local driving experience rather than a high-speed interstate commute. You will spend 0% of your time on highways, relying instead on surface streets like Elmwood Avenue, Epps Street, and East Maddox Avenue to reach your destination. Because there is no highway travel, you will not encounter any long, uninterrupted stretches of road; the longest stretch on Elmwood Avenue is 0 miles. This route requires constant attention to navigation and local traffic patterns. You will find that the drive demands more active steering and focus than a typical highway cruise, making it a unique way to transition between these two Texas hubs.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
East R L Thornton Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 132.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on East R L Thornton Freeway and Tom Landry Freeway. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Epps Street.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 183.8 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
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 13 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
1.6 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Take the exit toward I 30 East: Dallas
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 51C
Toward I 30 East: Dallas
7
39.8 mi into trip
|
~49m in
|
I 30; US 67 / East R L Thornton Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 30; US 67 / East R L Thornton Freeway toward I 30 East: Texarkana
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Fort Worth, TX to Garland, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Daingerfield along the way.
Daingerfield
164.8 mi in
|
~2h 58m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| East R L Thornton Freeway | 132.6 mi | 2h 17m |
| Tom Landry Freeway | 30 mi | 35m |
| US Highway 259 North | 16.5 mi | 24m |
| FM 1701 | 2.1 mi | 4m |
| South Freeway | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| US 287 Bus | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Epps Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Elmwood Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
East R L Thornton Freeway
— 132.6 mi, about 2h 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Worth, TX and Garland, 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
0.4 mi
·
28 sec
·
South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 51C
Toward I 30 East: Dallas
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 30
30 mi
·
35 min
·
Tom Landry Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 30; US 67
7.5 mi
·
9 min
·
East R L Thornton Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 30; US 67
125 mi
·
2 hr 8 min
·
East R L Thornton Freeway
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
Toward US 259: De Kalb, Daingerfield
15
Turn left onto US 259
17 mi
·
24 min
·
US Highway 259 North
16
Turn left onto FM 1701
2.1 mi
·
4 min
·
FM 1701
17
Arrive at destination
FM 1701
Trip Plan
Given that this is a 184.4-mile local drive, aim to depart during off-peak hours to avoid the inevitable congestion found on surface streets. You should plan for one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh, as the turn-heavy nature of the route can become tiring over nearly three hours. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before you head out, ensuring you have the $27 budgeted for gas ready for a mid-trip fill-up if necessary. Since you are not restricted by highway exits, feel free to adjust your pace and take breaks whenever you find a convenient spot along these local roads. Always double-check your navigation apps before leaving, as local street routes can change unexpectedly compared to fixed interstate paths.
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 91.9 miles from Fort Worth, TX, or about 1h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 132.6 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 80 miles or 1h 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 91.9 miles or 1h 43m 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 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Garland, 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 183.8 miles and 3h 28m.
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.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on East R L Thornton Freeway for about 132.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 91.9 mi from Fort Worth, TX · 1h 43m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
92 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 91.9 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 East R L Thornton Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 132.6 miles.
Arriving in Garland, TX
The final approach into Garland, 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 Garland, 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
$28.08 one way
$56.15 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
64 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $30.77 | $61.54 |
| premium | $4.59 | $33.22 | $66.44 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $40.83 | $81.67 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 64.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 55.1 | 0 | $19.30 | $8.82 |
| Efficient EV | 46 | 0 | $16.08 | $7.35 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 73.5 | 0 | $25.73 | $11.76 |
Gas CO2
64 kg
EV CO2
22 kg (66% 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
Garland, TX
Afternoon in Garland on Sunday
Local time
3:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
41°F
Wylie, TX
92 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
18 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
3h 28m 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 Garland, TX covers 183.8 miles and takes about 3h 28m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are East R L Thornton Freeway, Tom Landry Freeway, US Highway 259 North. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 91.9 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 $28.08 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 183.8 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
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.
On the drive from Fort Worth, TX to Garland, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Daingerfield along the way.
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