Origin
Fort Worth, TX
Late night in Fort Worth on Wednesday
Local time
5:06 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fort Worth, TX to Mercedes, TX
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
9h 4m
Distance
525.2 mi
845 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$79
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
8h 57m
★
6 AM
9h 5m
8 AM
9h 21m
10 AM
9h 11m
12 PM
9h 9m
3 PM
9h 12m
5 PM
9h 21m
8 PM
9h 0m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fort Worth, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Mercedes, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Fort Worth, TX to Mercedes, TX covers 525.2 miles and takes about 9h 4m behind the wheel. It usually feels better as a 2-day road trip than as one long push.
The route leans on TX 130 Toll, South Freeway, South Nueces Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is long-distance drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 86.1 miles on TX 130 Toll. At current regular gas prices, budget about $79.36 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
262.6 miles from Fort Worth, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 22m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
At 525.2 miles and 9h 4m of driving, this is a route where fuel stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single turn. The main roads are TX 130 Toll and South Freeway.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 28 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
TX 130 Toll is the longest continuous segment at about 86.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on TX 130 Toll and South Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 153.6 miles in.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 525.2 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 153.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 240.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 281.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 20 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
153.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 39m in
Take the exit toward TX 130 Toll South: San Antonio
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 265
Toward TX 130 Toll South: San Antonio
7
240.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 59m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 10 West: San Antonio
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 10 West: San Antonio
8
281.6 mi into trip
|
~4h 43m in
Take the exit toward I 37, US 281 North: San Antonio, Corpus Christi
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 41
Toward I 37, US 281 North: San Antonio, Corpus...
7
281.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 43m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 37 South: Corpus Christi
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 37 South: Corpus Christi
7
524.3 mi into trip
|
~9h 3m in
Take the exit toward FM 491: Texas Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 163B
Toward FM 491: Texas Avenue
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Fort Worth, TX to Mercedes, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Corpus Christi along the way.
Corpus Christi
281.6 mi in
|
~4h 43m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| TX 130 Toll | 86.1 mi | 1h 19m |
| South Freeway | 82.3 mi | 1h 25m |
| South Nueces Street | 66.2 mi | 1h 10m |
| I 37 | 60.5 mi | 1h 1m |
| Falfurrias Expressway | 55.8 mi | 58m |
| Purple Heart Trail | 37.9 mi | 39m |
| I 10 | 32.5 mi | 33m |
| I 69C | 27.9 mi | 30m |
Longest stretch:
TX 130 Toll
— 86.1 mi, about 1h 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Worth, TX and Mercedes, TX.
1
Start on South Freeway
174 ft
·
3 sec
·
South Freeway
2
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Toward I 35W South
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
3
Merge onto I 35W
82 mi
·
1 hr 25 min
·
South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Continue on I 35; US 77
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Continue on I 35
38 mi
·
39 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
26 mi
·
26 min
·
I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
55 sec
Exit 265
Toward TX 130 Toll South: San Antonio
Use the slight right lane.
8
Continue on TX 130 Toll
86 mi
·
1 hr 19 min
·
TX 130 Toll
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 10 West: San Antonio
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 10; TX 130
11 mi
·
11 min
·
I 10; TX 130
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 10; US 90; TX 130
9.4 mi
·
9 min
·
I 10; US 90; TX 130
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10; US 90; TX 130
12 mi
·
12 min
·
I 10; US 90; TX 130
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 410
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Connally Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto I 410; TX 130
6.7 mi
·
7 min
·
Connally Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Exit 41
Toward I 37, US 281 North: San Antonio, Corpus Christi
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 37 South: Corpus Christi
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
17
Merge onto I 37
60 mi
·
1 hr 1 min
·
I 37
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit onto US 281 South
15 mi
·
19 min
·
US 281 South
Toward US 281 South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto US 281
66 mi
·
1 hr 10 min
·
South Nueces Street
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 69C; US 281
9.5 mi
·
10 min
·
I 69C; US 281
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 69C; US 281
56 mi
·
58 min
·
Falfurrias Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 69C; US 281
18 mi
·
20 min
·
I 69C; US 281
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Merge onto I 2 East; US 83 East
0.5 mi
·
33 sec
·
I 2 East; US 83 East
24
Continue on I 2; US 83
16 mi
·
17 min
·
I 2; US 83
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
Exit 163B
Toward FM 491: Texas Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
26
Turn straight onto Expressway 83
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
Expressway 83
27
Turn right onto FM 491
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
·
North Texas Avenue
28
Arrive at destination
South Texas Avenue
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 262.6 miles from Fort Worth, TX, or about 4h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 86.1 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 116 miles or 2h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 262.6 miles or 4h 22m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 262.6 miles or 4h 22m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 7h 59m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mercedes, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Fort Worth, TX
Aim for roughly 263 miles and 4.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Mercedes, TX
Aim for roughly 263 miles and 4.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 116 miles from Fort Worth, TX.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on TX 130 Toll for about 86.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 262.6 mi from Fort Worth, TX · 4h 22m into the drive
First major stop
Coffee and fuel
173 mi into the route
Best for: Coffee, fuel, and an easy first stretch
This is a natural early stop once the first hours of the drive are behind you.
Second major stop
Overnight candidate
347 mi into the route
Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start
This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.
Find hotels in San Antonio, TXOvernight Options
Night 1
263 mi · about 4.5h in
A practical overnight split lands near Austin, TX after about 263 miles or 4.5 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 116 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 262.6 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 TX 130 Toll if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 86.1 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 263 miles or 4.5 hours on the road.
Arriving in Mercedes, TX
The final approach into Mercedes, 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 Mercedes, TX.
On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach Mercedes, TX with some flexibility left in the schedule.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$79.36 one way
$158.72 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
184 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $86.86 | $173.73 |
| premium | $4.54 | $93.77 | $187.54 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $115.96 | $231.92 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$79
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$209–$319
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 183.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $55 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 157.6 | 1 | $55.15 | $25.21 |
| Efficient EV | 131.3 | 1 | $45.96 | $21.01 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 210.1 | 2 | $73.53 | $33.61 |
Gas CO2
184 kg
EV CO2
61 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Mercedes, TX
Late night in Mercedes on Wednesday
Local time
5:06 AM
CDT
Current temp
81°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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
7 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
9h 4m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
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 Mercedes, TX covers 525.2 miles and takes about 9h 4m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are TX 130 Toll, South Freeway, South Nueces Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Yes. This route is usually more comfortable as a 2-day drive. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 263 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 262.6 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 $79.36 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 525.2 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 153.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 240.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 281.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Fort Worth, TX to Mercedes, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Corpus Christi along the way.
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