Origin
Hughes Springs, TX
Afternoon in Hughes Springs on Sunday
Local time
2:24 PM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
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Create accountDrive Time
3h 15m
Distance
173.1 mi
279 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
Hughes Springs, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Fort Worth, TX
Talena Reese
Traveling from Hughes Springs to Fort Worth covers 173.1 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 15 minutes. Because this is a straightforward, highway-focused drive, it works perfectly as a single-day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You can expect to spend roughly $26 on fuel for the journey. Both your starting point and destination sit within the Great Plains region of Texas, ensuring a consistent landscape throughout your transit. If you are looking for a practical, no-nonsense route that connects East Texas to the DFW metroplex, this path is an efficient choice.
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
86.5 miles from Hughes Springs, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 40m into the drive .
Expect a high-speed experience, as 95% of this journey is spent on major highways. You will navigate local routes like TX 49 and 1st Street briefly before settling into the primary artery of the trip, I-30. The drive features a significant 144.6-mile stretch on I-30, which defines the personality of the route as a steady, interstate-heavy commute. While the road is consistent, the transition from smaller town streets to the high-volume traffic of the highway requires steady focus. It is an ideal route for drivers who prefer efficient, uninterrupted cruising over winding backroads.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 30 and TX 49. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near TX 11; TX 49; FM 250 / 1st Street.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 3h 15m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (TX 11; TX 49; FM 250 / 1st Street): Navigation decision point; at 26 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 26.4 miles (I 30): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto TX 11; TX 49; FM 250 / 1st Street
Navigation decision point
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Merge onto I 30
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 35W South: Waco
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit onto US 287 Bus toward US 287 Business: Rosedale Street, Allen Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 30 | 144.6 mi | 2h 35m |
| TX 49 | 18.3 mi | 23m |
| 1st Street | 6.2 mi | 9m |
| Broadnax Street | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| West Ferguson Road | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| US 287 Bus | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| South Freeway | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Ward | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Hughes Springs, TX and Fort Worth, TX.
Start on Ward
Turn right onto TX 11; TX 49; FM 250
Turn right onto US 259; TX 49
Turn slight left onto TX 49
Continue on US 271
Take the exit
Merge onto I 30
Take the exit
Merge onto I 35W; US 287 Bus
Take the exit onto US 287 Bus
Continue on South Freeway
Arrive at destination
Planning for this 3-hour and 15-minute drive is simple, but keeping a flexible schedule is your best advantage. Since the route includes one recommended stop, use that break to stretch your legs before hitting the heavier traffic patterns closer to Fort Worth. Try to depart early in the morning or mid-day to avoid peak congestion as you approach the city limits. Given the $26 fuel estimate, topping off your tank in Hughes Springs before you head out is a smart way to avoid higher prices along the interstate. Keep a close eye on your mileage during that long 144.6-mile stretch on I-30 to ensure you remain on 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.
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 86.5 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 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fort Worth, TX than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Hughes Springs, 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 Hughes Springs, TX
This is one driving day of about 173.1 miles and 3h 15m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 86.5 mi from Hughes Springs, 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 86.5 miles from Hughes Springs, 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 144.6 miles.
The final approach into Fort Worth, 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 Fort Worth, 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.
Regular Gas
$26.44 one way
$52.88 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $28.98 | $57.95 |
| premium | $4.59 | $31.29 | $62.57 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $38.46 | $76.91 |
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 | 51.9 | 0 | $18.18 | $8.31 |
| Efficient EV | 43.3 | 0 | $15.15 | $6.92 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 69.2 | 0 | $24.23 | $11.08 |
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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Hughes Springs on Sunday
Local time
2:24 PM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Destination
Afternoon in Fort Worth on Sunday
Local time
2:24 PM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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