Origin
Garland, TX
Afternoon in Garland on Sunday
Local time
12:27 PM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Garland, TX to Bedford, TX
Drive Time
3h 15m
Distance
174 mi
280 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
Photo: Jeff Stapleton
Trip Overview
The drive from Garland, TX to Bedford, TX covers 174 miles and takes about 3h 15m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 30, US Highway 259 South, SH 183 TEXpress for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 130.9 miles on I 30. At current regular gas prices, budget about $26.58 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
87 miles from Garland, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 40m into the drive .
Drive Character
This is a 3h 15m highway drive covering 174 miles, with most of the trip on I 30 and US Highway 259 South. The longest continuous stretch is about 130.9 miles on I 30.
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.
I 30 is the longest continuous segment at about 130.9 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
611 ft
290 ft
Total Climb
626 ft
Total Descent
419 ft
Highest Point
611 ft
~87 mi in
Elevation Range
321 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 30 and US Highway 259 South. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 149.7 miles in.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 174 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 149.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 150.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 150.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
8
149.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 45m in
Take the exit toward I 45 South, US 75 North: Houston, McKinney
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 47B
Toward I 45 South, US 75 North: Houston, McKinn...
8
150.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 46m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Main Street West, Elm Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward Main Street West, Elm Street
8
150.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 46m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Elm Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward Elm Street
8
151.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 49m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 35E North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35E North
9
156.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 55m in
|
TX 183 / John W Carpenter Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 183 / John W Carpenter Freeway toward TX 183: Irving, DFW Airport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 433A
Toward TX 183: Irving, DFW Airport
Towns Along This Route
Between Garland, TX and Bedford, TX, road signs point toward Mckinney, Main Street West and Dfw Airport.
Mckinney
149.7 mi in
|
~2h 45m
Main Street West
150.2 mi in
|
~2h 46m
Dfw Airport
156.4 mi in
|
~2h 55m
|
via TX 183
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 30 | 130.9 mi | 2h 15m |
| US Highway 259 South | 16.3 mi | 24m |
| SH 183 TEXpress | 12.4 mi | 12m |
| North Stemmons Freeway | 4.5 mi | 5m |
| Airport Freeway | 3.4 mi | 3m |
| FM 1701 | 2.1 mi | 5m |
| Elm Street | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| John W Carpenter Freeway | 0.8 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 30
— 130.9 mi, about 2h 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Garland, TX and Bedford, TX.
1
Start on FM 1701
2.1 mi
·
5 min
·
FM 1701
2
At end of road, turn right onto US 259
16 mi
·
24 min
·
US Highway 259 South
3
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
4
Merge onto I 30
131 mi
·
2 hr 15 min
·
I 30
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Exit 47B
Toward I 45 South, US 75 North: Houston, McKinney
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Toward US 75 North: McKinney
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward Main Street West, Elm Street
Use the slight left lane.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
Toward Elm Street
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
9
Turn straight onto Elm Street
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Elm Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
10
Continue on Elm Street
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
Elm Street
11
Take the ramp
327 ft
·
7 sec
Toward I 30, I 35E
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Toward I 35E North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 35E
4.5 mi
·
5 min
·
North Stemmons Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 183
0.8 mi
·
48 sec
·
John W Carpenter Freeway
Exit 433A
Toward TX 183: Irving, DFW Airport
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 183 TEXpress
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
SH 183 TEXpress
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 183 TEXpress
11 mi
·
10 min
·
SH 183 TEXpress
17
Take the exit
378 ft
·
9 sec
Toward Industrial Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Merge onto TX 183
3.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Airport Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
Toward Bedford Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Turn straight onto Airport Freeway
276 ft
·
6 sec
·
Airport Freeway
21
Turn right onto Bedford Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Bedford Road
22
Turn right onto Forest Ridge Drive
95 ft
·
2 sec
·
Forest Ridge Drive
23
Arrive at destination
Forest Ridge Drive
Trip Plan
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 87 miles from Garland, TX, or about 1h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 130.9 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 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 87 miles or 1h 40m 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 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bedford, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Garland, 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 Garland, TX
This is one driving day of about 174 miles and 3h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Garland, 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 I 30 for about 130.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 87 mi from Garland, TX · 1h 40m 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 87 miles from Garland, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 30 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 130.9 miles.
Arriving in Bedford, TX
The final approach into Bedford, 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 Bedford, 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
$26.58 one way
$53.16 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
61 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $29.13 | $58.26 |
| premium | $4.59 | $31.45 | $62.90 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $38.66 | $77.31 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 60.9 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 | 52.2 | 0 | $18.27 | $8.35 |
| Efficient EV | 43.5 | 0 | $15.23 | $6.96 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 69.6 | 0 | $24.36 | $11.14 |
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
Bedford, TX
Afternoon in Bedford on Sunday
Local time
12:27 PM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
41°F
Wylie, 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
18 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
3h 15m 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 Garland, TX to Bedford, TX covers 174 miles and takes about 3h 15m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 30, US Highway 259 South, SH 183 TEXpress. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 87 miles from Garland, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $26.58 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 is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 174 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 149.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 150.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 150.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Garland, TX and Bedford, TX, road signs point toward Mckinney, Main Street West and Dfw Airport.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Bedford, TX
More trips to Bedford, TX
Explore more options from Garland, TX or browse trips ending in Bedford, TX.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TX road trips.
Explore maps for Garland, TX or Bedford, TX on MapSof.net.