Groves, TX to Fort Worth, TX is 342.2 miles and takes about 6h 14m via I 45 and US 287, with a fuel budget near $52 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily stays within the Great Plains region, offering a straightforward highway-focused experience. It's a solid option if you're looking for an efficient way to cover ground between Southeast Texas and North Texas. Plan for a full day of driving, but it's definitely manageable without needing an overnight stay.
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
171.1 miles from Groves, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 11m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 14m. Total distance: 342.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 14m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
This route is predominantly highway, with 96% of it on major roads like I 45 and US 287. You'll experience a consistent pace for the majority of the trip, with the longest uninterrupted stretch being 173.6 miles on I 45. While it's largely a highway-focused drive, be aware that you'll transition onto US 90 for a portion of the journey. Expect a practical, goal-oriented driving experience rather than one filled with frequent scenic detours.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 31 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 45 is the longest continuous segment at about 173.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 45 and US 287. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 104.1 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 26 significant decision points across 342.2 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 104.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 280.1 miles (US 287): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 337.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 26 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
104.1 mi into trip|~2h in
Take the exit toward Houston, Dallas
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.
Toward Houston, Dallas
8
280.1 mi into trip|~5h 3m in|US 287
Take the exit onto US 287 toward US 287 North: Waxahachie, Fort Worth
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 247
Toward US 287 North: Waxahachie, Fort Worth
8
337.7 mi into trip|~6h 8m in
Take the exit toward I 35W South, I 35W North: Waco, Denton
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 437
Toward I 35W South, I 35W North: Waco, Denton
7
337.9 mi into trip|~6h 9m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 35W North: Denton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35W North: Denton
7
341.7 mi into trip|~6h 13m in
Take the exit toward Allen Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 49A
Toward Allen Avenue
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Groves, TX and Fort Worth, TX, road signs point toward Lufkin, Houston and Dallas.
Lufkin
18.5 mi in|~21m|via US 69; US 96; US 287
Houston
104.1 mi in|~2h
Dallas
104.1 mi in|~2h
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 45
173.6 mi
2h 57m
US 287
57.6 mi
1h 5m
US 90
39.6 mi
45m
East Grand Parkway North
32.5 mi
34m
Memorial Freeway
15.2 mi
16m
College Street
6.4 mi
8m
West Clayton Street
5.1 mi
6m
South Freeway
3.4 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 45
— 173.6 mi, about 2h 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Groves, TX and Fort Worth, TX.
1
Start on 39th Street
0.6 mi·1 min·39th Street
2
Turn slight right onto East Parkway Street
0.4 mi·44 sec·East Parkway Street
3
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·15 sec
Toward TX 73 West
4
Merge onto TX 73
1.7 mi·2 min·TX 73
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward US 69 South, US 96 South, US 287 South: Beaumont
6
Merge onto US 69; US 96; US 287
15 mi·16 min·Memorial Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto US 69; US 96; US 287
0.2 mi·22 sec·US 69; US 96; US 287
Toward I 10 East, US 69 North, US 96 North, US 287 North: Lake Charles, Lufkin
8
Keep slight left at fork onto US 69; US 96; US 287
1.0 mi·1 min·US 69; US 96; US 287
Toward I 10 East, US 69 North, US 96 North, US 287 North: Lake Charles, Lufkin
9
Take the exit
0.1 mi·17 sec
Exit 851Toward US 90: Liberty
10
Turn straight onto Interstate 10 South Frontage Road
0.2 mi·25 sec·Interstate 10 South Frontage Road
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
11
Turn left onto College Street
6.4 mi·8 min·College Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
12
Continue on US 90
40 mi·45 min·US 90
13
Turn right onto TX 321
0.2 mi·23 sec·North Cleveland Street
14
Turn left onto FM 1960
5.1 mi·6 min·West Clayton Street
15
Turn right onto East Grand Parkway North
0.1 mi·14 sec·East Grand Parkway North
16
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·35 sec
17
Merge onto TX 99 Toll
32 mi·34 min·East Grand Parkway North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·45 sec
Toward Houston, DallasUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Turn right onto Interstate 45 North Frontage Road
2.0 mi·3 min·Interstate 45 North Frontage Road
Use the right lane.
20
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·8 sec
Toward I 45 North
21
Merge onto I 45
174 mi·2 hr 57 min·I 45
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit onto US 287
58 mi·1 hr 5 min·US 287
Exit 247Toward US 287 North: Waxahachie, Fort WorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 437Toward I 35W South, I 35W North: Waco, DentonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·48 sec
Toward I 35W North: DentonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·14 sec
Toward I 35W North: Fort Worth
26
Merge onto I 35W
3.2 mi·3 min·South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Exit 49AToward Allen AvenueUse the slight right lane.
28
Turn straight onto South Freeway
0.1 mi·18 sec·South Freeway
29
Turn left onto East Allen Avenue
210 ft·12 sec·East Allen Avenue
30
Turn left onto South Freeway
258 ft·5 sec·South Freeway
31
Arrive at destination
South Freeway
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 14m estimated duration, starting your drive from Groves, TX early in the morning is recommended to maximize daylight. With only one recommended stop, you can choose a location that best suits your needs for a break or refueling. Keep an eye on fuel levels, especially during the longest stretch on I 45, as services can be spaced out. This 342.2-mile journey is well within the capability of a single day, allowing for flexibility in your departure time and stop planning.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 171.1 miles from Groves, TX, or about 3h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 173.6 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 75 miles or 1h 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 171.1 miles or 3h 11m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fort Worth, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Groves, 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 Groves, TX
This is one driving day of about 342.2 miles and 6h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 75 miles from Groves, 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 45 for about 173.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 171.1 mi from Groves, TX
· 3h 11m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$51.71 one way
$103.41 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg120 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$56.60
$113.20
premium
$4.54
$61.10
$122.20
diesel
$5.61
$75.55
$151.11
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$52
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$77–$102
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 119.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
102.7
1
$35.93
$16.43
Efficient EV
85.6
0
$29.94
$13.69
EV Truck/SUV
136.9
1
$47.91
$21.90
Gas CO2
120 kg
EV CO2
40 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Groves, TX
Morning
in Groves on Friday
Local time
8:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Fort Worth, TX
Morning
in Fort Worth on Friday
Local time
8:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°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
9 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
6h 14m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Groves, TX to Fort Worth, TX covers 342.2 miles and takes about 6h 14m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 45, US 287, US 90. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 171.1 miles from Groves, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $51.71 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 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 26 significant decision points across 342.2 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 104.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 280.1 miles (US 287): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 337.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Groves, TX and Fort Worth, TX, road signs point toward Lufkin, Houston and Dallas.
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.
