This 332.3-mile drive from Garland, TX to Wells Branch, TX is designed for a single day, taking approximately 5 hours and 58 minutes. You'll navigate primarily on major highways, with 88% of the journey on interstates, making it a highway-focused trip. Expect a fuel cost around $50 for this journey. Since you're staying within the Great Plains region of Texas, the landscape will be consistent. This route is straightforward and manageable for a one-day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
166.1 miles from Garland, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 3m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 58m. Total distance: 332.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a consistent highway experience for most of this 332.3-mile trip, with 88% of the route on interstates. The main thoroughfares include I-30 and I-35, along with the South R L Thornton Freeway. You'll encounter one significant stretch of 131.8 miles on I-30, so be prepared for extended periods of steady driving. This profile suggests a drive that prioritizes efficiency over varied scenery, keeping you moving at highway speeds for the majority of the 5 hours and 58 minutes.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 21 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 131.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 30 and South R L Thornton Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 150.7 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 332.3 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 150.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 151.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 151.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
150.7 mi into trip|~2h 46m in
Take the exit toward I 35E: Denton, Waco
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 46A
Toward I 35E: Denton, Waco
6
151.3 mi into trip|~2h 48m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35E South, I 35E North: Waco, Denton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 35E South, I 35E North: Waco, Denton
9
151.4 mi into trip|~2h 48m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35E North, I 35E South: Denton, Waco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35E North, I 35E South: Denton, Waco
7
151.4 mi into trip|~2h 48m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35E South: Waco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / right lanes.
Toward I 35E South: Waco
7
330.2 mi into trip|~5h 53m in
Take the exit toward Grand Avenue Parkway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 248
Toward Grand Avenue Parkway
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Garland, TX and Wells Branch, TX, road signs point toward Waco, Denton and Dallas Zoo.
Waco
150.7 mi in|~2h 46m
Denton
151.3 mi in|~2h 48m
Dallas Zoo
152.3 mi in|~2h 49m|via I 35E
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 30
131.8 mi
2h 16m
South R L Thornton Freeway
89.9 mi
1h 32m
I 35
44 mi
45m
Purple Heart Trail
37.9 mi
39m
US Highway 259 South
16.3 mi
24m
North Jack Kultgen Expressway
6.6 mi
7m
FM 1701
2.1 mi
5m
Wells Port Drive
0.9 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 30
— 131.8 mi, about 2h 16m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Garland, TX and Wells Branch, 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
132 mi·2 hr 16 min·I 30
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 46AToward I 35E: Denton, WacoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·14 sec
Toward I 35E South, I 35E North: Waco, Denton
7
Keep slight left at fork
221 ft·5 sec
Toward I 35E North, I 35E South: Denton, WacoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·30 sec
Toward I 35E South: WacoUse the left / right lanes.
9
Continue on I 35E
0.5 mi·44 sec·South R L Thornton Freeway
10
Continue on I 35E
89 mi·1 hr 31 min·South R L Thornton Freeway
Exit 426Toward Dallas ZooUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 35; US 77
6.6 mi·7 min·North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 35
38 mi·39 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
44 mi·45 min·I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.1 mi·18 sec
Exit 248Toward Grand Avenue ParkwayUse the right lane.
15
Continue on Interstate Highway 35 Service Road North
0.2 mi·19 sec·Interstate Highway 35 Service Road North
16
Continue on North Interstate 35
0.2 mi·24 sec·North Interstate 35
17
Turn right onto Grand Avenue Parkway
0.5 mi·52 sec·Grand Avenue Parkway
18
Turn left onto Wells Port Drive
0.9 mi·2 min·Wells Port Drive
19
Turn right onto Alpha Collier Drive
0.1 mi·35 sec·Alpha Collier Drive
20
Turn right onto Quiet Wood Drive
310 ft·13 sec·Quiet Wood Drive
21
Arrive at destination
Quiet Wood Drive
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 332.3-mile drive, consider an early morning departure to avoid potential traffic, especially as you pass through the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. With a duration of nearly 6 hours and a fuel cost estimate of $50, planning for one stop is sufficient, but having flexibility is key. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 131.8 miles on I-30, so ensure you're fueled up and comfortable before embarking on that segment. Keep an eye on navigation as you transition between I-30 and I-35 to ensure a smooth continuation of your journey.
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 166.1 miles from Garland, TX, or about 3h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 131.8 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 73 miles or 1h 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 166.1 miles or 3h 3m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Wells Branch, 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 332.3 miles and 5h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 73 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 131.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 166.1 mi from Garland, TX
· 3h 3m into the drive
The midpoint is around 166.1 miles from Garland, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before I 30 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 131.8 miles.
Arriving in Wells Branch, TX
The final approach into Wells Branch, 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 Wells Branch, 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Waco Mammoth National Monument
National Monument
Standing as tall as 14 feet and weighing 20,000 pounds, Columbian mammoths roamed across what is present-day Texas thousands of years ago. Today, the fossil specimens represent the nation's first and...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 240.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$50.21 one way
$100.42 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg116 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$54.96
$109.92
premium
$4.54
$59.33
$118.66
diesel
$5.61
$73.37
$146.74
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$50
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$75–$100
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 116.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
99.7
1
$34.89
$15.95
Efficient EV
83.1
0
$29.08
$13.29
EV Truck/SUV
132.9
1
$46.52
$21.27
Gas CO2
116 kg
EV CO2
39 kg (66% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Garland, TX
Morning
in Garland on Friday
Local time
8:45 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Wells Branch, TX
Morning
in Wells Branch on Friday
Local time
8:45 AM
CDT
Current temp
67°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
10 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
5h 58m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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 Wells Branch, TX covers 332.3 miles and takes about 5h 58m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 30, South R L Thornton Freeway, I 35. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 166.1 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 $50.21 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 332.3 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 150.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 151.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 151.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Garland, TX and Wells Branch, TX, road signs point toward Waco, Denton and Dallas Zoo.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Waco Mammoth National Monument.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
