Origin
Fort Worth, TX
Afternoon in Fort Worth on Sunday
Local time
2:24 PM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fort Worth, TX to Hughes Springs, TX
Drive Time
3h 16m
Distance
173.3 mi
279 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
Fort Worth, TX
Talena Reese
Hughes Springs, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Trip Overview
Driving from Fort Worth to Hughes Springs covers 173.3 miles, making for a manageable 3-hour and 16-minute journey. This route is perfectly suited for a single day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via the East R L Thornton Freeway, the Tom Landry Freeway, and State Highway 49. Budgeting approximately $26 for fuel should cover the trip comfortably. Since both cities are located within the Great Plains region of Texas, the transition between them feels consistent as you move across the state's landscape.
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
86.7 miles from Fort Worth, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 38m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive, as 94% of your journey stays on major thoroughfares. You will spend a significant portion of your time on the East R L Thornton Freeway, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 114.7 miles. The experience is defined by high-speed transit rather than winding local roads, prioritizing efficiency as you head toward Hughes Springs. Once you exit the major freeway systems, the character of the drive shifts slightly as you transition onto State Highway 49 for the final leg of your trip.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 20 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 114.7 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 14 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 173.3 miles you will encounter 14 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 14 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
Between Fort Worth, TX and Hughes Springs, TX, road signs point toward Sh 49, Fm 1734: Mount Pleasant, Paris and Pittsburg.
Sh 49
147 mi in
|
~2h 40m
Fm 1734: Mount Pleasant
147 mi in
|
~2h 40m
Paris
147 mi in
|
~2h 40m
Pittsburg
147 mi in
|
~2h 40m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| East R L Thornton Freeway | 114.7 mi | 1h 59m |
| Tom Landry Freeway | 30 mi | 35m |
| State Highway 49 | 16.1 mi | 18m |
| West William Marvin Watson Boulevard | 6.2 mi | 9m |
| West Ferguson Road | 3.6 mi | 6m |
| South Freeway | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| US 287 Bus | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Epps Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
East R L Thornton Freeway
— 114.7 mi, about 1h 59m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Worth, TX and Hughes Springs, 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 none / 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 none / straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 30; US 67
7.5 mi
·
9 min
·
East R L Thornton Freeway
Use the none lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 30; US 67
107 mi
·
1 hr 50 min
·
East R L Thornton Freeway
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Toward US 271 to US 67, SH 49, FM 1734: Mount Pleasant, Paris, Pittsburg
15
Turn right onto US 271
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
·
West Ferguson Road
16
Continue on TX 49
3.2 mi
·
5 min
·
West Ferguson Road
17
Continue on TX 49
16 mi
·
18 min
·
State Highway 49
18
At end of road, turn left onto US 259; TX 11; TX 49
6.2 mi
·
9 min
·
West William Marvin Watson Boulevard
19
Turn left onto Ward
104 ft
·
4 sec
·
Ward
20
Arrive at destination
Ward
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 3-hour and 16-minute drive, plan for at least one stop to break up the monotony of the long highway stretches. Leaving early in the day is your best bet to avoid traffic congestion, especially when navigating the initial freeway sections out of Fort Worth. Since your fuel costs are estimated at $26, filling up before you leave the metro area can save you time later on the rural segments of State Highway 49. Flexibility is a major advantage here, as the short duration gives you plenty of room to adjust your departure time based on your personal schedule.
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 86.7 miles from Fort Worth, TX, or about 1h 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 114.7 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 86.7 miles or 1h 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 2h 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hughes Springs, 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 173.3 miles and 3h 16m.
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 114.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 86.7 mi from Fort Worth, TX · 1h 38m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
87 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 86.7 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 114.7 miles.
Arriving in Hughes Springs, TX
The final approach into Hughes Springs, 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 Hughes Springs, 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
$26.47 one way
$52.95 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
61 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $29.01 | $58.02 |
| premium | $4.59 | $31.32 | $62.65 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $38.50 | $77.00 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 60.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 52 | 0 | $18.20 | $8.32 |
| Efficient EV | 43.3 | 0 | $15.16 | $6.93 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 69.3 | 0 | $24.26 | $11.09 |
Gas CO2
61 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (67% 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
Hughes Springs, TX
Afternoon in Hughes Springs on Sunday
Local time
2:24 PM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
59°F
Greenville, TX
87 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
17 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 16m 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 Hughes Springs, TX covers 173.3 miles and takes about 3h 16m 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, State Highway 49. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 86.7 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 $26.47 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 173.3 miles you will encounter 14 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.
Between Fort Worth, TX and Hughes Springs, TX, road signs point toward Sh 49, Fm 1734: Mount Pleasant, Paris and Pittsburg.
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