This 175.2-mile journey from Midlothian, TX to Garland, TX is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 14 minutes. Expect a fuel cost around $26 for this drive, which is primarily highway-focused. You'll spend most of your time on major roads like East R L Thornton Freeway and US 67, with a brief section on US Highway 259 North. Given that both your origin and destination are in the Great Plains region, the scenery will likely maintain a consistent, open character. This route is ideal for those looking for an efficient drive without the need for an overnight stay.
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
87.6 miles from Midlothian, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 34m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 14m. Total distance: 175.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Prepare for a predominantly highway-focused experience, with 99% of the route utilizing major roadways. The longest uninterrupted stretch spans an impressive 132.6 miles, primarily on East R L Thornton Freeway, meaning you'll have extended periods of consistent speed. This drive is characterized by its efficiency, allowing for a steady pace as you navigate through Texas. While the highway share is high, the transition between East R L Thornton Freeway, US 67, and US Highway 259 North will offer slight changes in the immediate surroundings without deviating from the fast-paced nature of the drive.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
East R L Thornton Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 132.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on East R L Thornton Freeway and US 67. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.8 miles in near North US Highway 67.
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 12 significant decision points across 175.2 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 0.8 miles (North US Highway 67): Navigation decision point; at 22.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 23.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.8 mi into trip|~1m in|North US Highway 67
Turn right onto North US Highway 67
Navigation decision point
8
22.7 mi into trip|~25m in
Take the exit toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Riverfront Boulevard, Griffin Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 427A
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Riverfront Bouleva...
6
23.1 mi into trip|~26m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35E North, I 30 West: Denton, Fort Worth, Texarkana
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 35E North, I 30 West: Denton, Fort Wor...
6
23.2 mi into trip|~26m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Convention Center
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Convention Center
7
31.2 mi into trip|~36m in|I 30; US 67 / East R L Thornton Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 30; US 67 / East R L Thornton Freeway toward I 30 East: Texarkana
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Midlothian, TX and Garland, TX, road signs point toward Fort Worth, Texarkana, Convention Center and Daingerfield.
Fort Worth
23.1 mi in|~26m
Texarkana
23.1 mi in|~26m
Convention Center
23.2 mi in|~26m
Daingerfield
156.2 mi in|~2h 44m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
East R L Thornton Freeway
132.6 mi
2h 17m
US 67
17.9 mi
19m
US Highway 259 North
16.5 mi
24m
South R L Thornton Freeway
3.6 mi
4m
FM 1701
2.1 mi
4m
North 8th Street
0.8 mi
1m
North US Highway 67
0.1 mi
<1m
North 9th Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
East R L Thornton Freeway
— 132.6 mi, about 2h 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Midlothian, TX and Garland, TX.
1
Start on North 8th Street
0.8 mi·1 min·North 8th Street
2
Continue on North 9th Street
469 ft·18 sec·North 9th Street
3
Turn right onto North US Highway 67
0.1 mi·11 sec·North US Highway 67
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward US 67 North
5
Merge onto US 67
18 mi·19 min·US 67
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Merge onto I 35E
3.6 mi·4 min·South R L Thornton Freeway
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi·41 sec
Exit 427AToward I 30 East: Texarkana, Riverfront Boulevard, Griffin StreetUse the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork
422 ft·5 sec
Toward I 35E North, I 30 West: Denton, Fort Worth, Texarkana
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·32 sec
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Convention Center
10
Keep slight left at fork
385 ft·6 sec
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana
11
Continue on I 30; US 67
7.5 mi·9 min·East R L Thornton Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 30; US 67
125 mi·2 hr 8 min·East R L Thornton Freeway
Toward I 30 East: TexarkanaUse the straight / right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·46 sec
Toward US 259: De Kalb, Daingerfield
14
Turn left onto US 259
17 mi·24 min·US Highway 259 North
15
Turn left onto FM 1701
2.1 mi·4 min·FM 1701
16
Arrive at destination
FM 1701
Trip Plan
With a total duration of just over 3 hours, this trip is perfect for a flexible day trip, allowing you to depart at your leisure. Aim to leave Midlothian in the morning to make the most of your day. While the drive is relatively short, consider a brief stop around the halfway point to stretch your legs, especially given the longest stretch of highway is over 130 miles. The fuel cost is estimated at $26, so ensure your tank is full before you begin. A practical tip for this route is to be mindful of traffic, particularly as you approach the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, which can add time to your 3-hour estimate.
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 87.6 miles from Midlothian, TX, or about 1h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 132.6 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 39 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 87.6 miles or 1h 34m 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 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Garland, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Midlothian, 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 Midlothian, TX
This is one driving day of about 175.2 miles and 3h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Midlothian, 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 East R L Thornton Freeway for about 132.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 87.6 mi from Midlothian, TX
· 1h 34m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.47 one way
$52.95 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg61 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$28.98
$57.95
premium
$4.54
$31.28
$62.56
diesel
$5.61
$38.68
$77.36
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: 61.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
52.6
0
$18.40
$8.41
Efficient EV
43.8
0
$15.33
$7.01
EV Truck/SUV
70.1
0
$24.53
$11.21
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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Midlothian, TX
Late night
in Midlothian on Friday
Local time
4:52 AM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Garland, TX
Late night
in Garland on Friday
Local time
4:52 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
71°F
Nevada, TX
88 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
3 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 14m 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 Midlothian, TX to Garland, TX covers 175.2 miles and takes about 3h 14m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are East R L Thornton Freeway, US 67, US Highway 259 North. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 87.6 miles from Midlothian, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $26.47 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 12 significant decision points across 175.2 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 0.8 miles (North US Highway 67): Navigation decision point; at 22.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 23.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Midlothian, TX and Garland, TX, road signs point toward Fort Worth, Texarkana, Convention Center and Daingerfield.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from
OSRM
over
OpenStreetMap.
Fuel cost uses
EIA
weekly regional averages.
Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our
methodology page
documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
