This 472.4-mile journey from Raymondville, TX to Fort Worth, TX will take approximately 8 hours and 52 minutes of driving time. Given the duration, it's best split over two recommended days to avoid a marathon drive. You'll primarily be on the Purple Heart Trail, U.S. Highway 77, and Pickle Parkway, with 73% of the route being highway driving. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $71. This route offers a straightforward drive through the Great Plains region of Texas. With two planned stops, you can break up the journey comfortably.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
236.2 miles from Raymondville, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 46m into the drive
.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive for most of this trip, with 73% of the route utilizing faster roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 97.7 miles, primarily on the Purple Heart Trail. While largely highway, the combination of main roads like U.S. Highway 77 and Pickle Parkway suggests a dynamic driving experience that balances efficiency with the character of Texas highways. This isn't a monotonous interstate grind, but rather a consistent pace across varied highway segments.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 47 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Purple Heart Trail is the longest continuous segment at about 97.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Purple Heart Trail and U.S. Highway 77. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 86.2 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 27 significant decision points across 472.4 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 86.2 miles: Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 259.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 318 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 27 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
86.2 mi into trip|~1h 53m in
Turn sharp right
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
6
259.1 mi into trip|~5h 16m in
Keep slight left at fork toward TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco
7
318 mi into trip|~6h 11m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35 North: Waco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35 North: Waco
7
422.7 mi into trip|~7h 59m in|I 35W
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W toward I 35W: Fort Worth
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 35W: Fort Worth
7
471.9 mi into trip|~8h 51m 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 Raymondville, TX and Fort Worth, TX, road signs point toward Skidmore and Waco.
Step-by-step road directions between Raymondville, TX and Fort Worth, TX.
1
Start on this road
142 ft·14 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto US 77 Business
149 ft·6 sec·South 7th Street
3
Turn right onto TX 186
0.9 mi·1 min·East Hidalgo Avenue
4
Turn left onto Interstate 69E Frontage Road
0.2 mi·16 sec·Interstate 69E Frontage Road
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·44 sec
6
Merge onto I 69E; US 77
66 mi·1 hr 15 min·U.S. Highway 77
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·14 sec
8
Merge onto I 69E; US 77
1.2 mi·1 min·I 69E; US 77
9
Continue on U.S. Highway 77
12 mi·12 min·U.S. Highway 77
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
11
Turn straight onto US Highway 77 Frontage Road
485 ft·17 sec·US Highway 77 Frontage Road
12
Turn right onto County Road 10
1.0 mi·4 min·County Road 10
13
Turn left onto County Road 79
4.0 mi·15 min·County Road 79
14
Turn left onto County Road 18
0.2 mi·43 sec·County Road 18
15
Turn sharp right
1.1 mi·2 min
16
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·57 sec
17
Merge onto US 77
2.3 mi·2 min·Driscoll Bypass
18
Continue on US 77
13 mi·14 min·U.S. Highway 77
19
Merge onto I 37; US 77; I 69E
1.4 mi·1 min·I 37; US 77; I 69E
20
Keep slight left at fork
1.3 mi·1 min
21
Continue on I 37
18 mi·18 min·I 37
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Toward TX 359: Mathis, Skidmore
23
Turn right onto TX 359
12 mi·16 min·State Highway 359
24
At end of road, turn left onto US 181
0.8 mi·55 sec·South 8th Street
25
Continue on US 181
40 mi·45 min·US Highway 181 South
26
Continue on US 181
1.2 mi·1 min·South Sunset Strip Drive
27
Turn right onto TX 72; TX 239
0.8 mi·1 min·West Main Street
28
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 72; TX 239
233 ft·3 sec·East Main Street
29
Continue on FM 792
8.4 mi·10 min·Helena Road
30
Turn straight onto TX 80
24 mi·25 min·State Highway 80
31
Continue on TX 80
1.0 mi·2 min·South Nixon Avenue
32
Continue on TX 80; TX 97
31 mi·35 min·State Highway 80 North
33
Continue on US 183
10 mi·11 min·US 183
34
Continue on US 183
4.9 mi·8 min·South Colorado Street
35
Continue on US 183
0.2 mi·16 sec·United States Highway 183
36
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·35 sec
Toward TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco
37
Merge onto TX 130 Toll
59 mi·54 min·Pickle Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
38
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·49 sec
Toward I 35 North: WacoUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
39
Merge onto I 35
65 mi·1 hr 6 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
40
Continue on I 35
6.6 mi·7 min·South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
41
Continue on I 35; US 77
33 mi·33 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
42
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W
49 mi·51 min·I 35W
Toward I 35W: Fort WorthUse the slight left lane.
43
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Exit 49AToward Allen AvenueUse the slight right lane.
44
Turn straight onto South Freeway
0.1 mi·18 sec·South Freeway
45
Turn left onto East Allen Avenue
210 ft·12 sec·East Allen Avenue
46
Turn left onto South Freeway
258 ft·5 sec·South Freeway
47
Arrive at destination
South Freeway
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 8-hour, 52-minute drive, consider departing early in the morning to maximize daylight. Splitting the 472.4 miles over two days is highly recommended, allowing for relaxed travel and two convenient stops. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 97.7-mile stretch on the Purple Heart Trail, as services might be less frequent. Planning your overnight stay around the halfway point will ensure you arrive in Fort Worth refreshed.
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.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 236.2 miles from Raymondville, TX, or about 4h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 97.7 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 104 miles or 2h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 236.2 miles or 4h 46m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 236.2 miles or 4h 46m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 7h 49m
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 Raymondville, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Raymondville, TX
Aim for roughly 236 miles and 4.4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Fort Worth, TX
Aim for roughly 236 miles and 4.4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 104 miles from Raymondville, TX.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Purple Heart Trail for about 97.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 236.2 mi from Raymondville, TX
· 4h 46m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
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...
Protecting sixty-six miles of wild coastline along the Gulf of America, the narrow barrier island is home to one of the last intact coastal prairie habitats in the United States. Along the hypersaline...
28 mi from route
~70 min detour
$25
near mile 32.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$71.38 one way
$142.76 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg165 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$78.13
$156.26
premium
$4.54
$84.34
$168.69
diesel
$5.61
$104.30
$208.60
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$71
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$201–$311
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 165.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $50 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
141.7
1
$49.60
$22.68
Efficient EV
118.1
1
$41.33
$18.90
EV Truck/SUV
189
2
$66.14
$30.23
Gas CO2
165 kg
EV CO2
55 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 17, 2026
Origin
Raymondville, TX
Late night
in Raymondville on Friday
Local time
2:36 AM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Fort Worth, TX
Late night
in Fort Worth on Friday
Local time
2:36 AM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Mostly Clear
S 10 mph6% chanceLive 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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
14 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
8h 52m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Raymondville, TX to Fort Worth, TX covers 472.4 miles and takes about 8h 52m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Purple Heart Trail, U.S. Highway 77, Pickle Parkway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Yes. This route is usually more comfortable as a 2-day drive. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 236 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 236.2 miles from Raymondville, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $71.38 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 2 meaningful breaks 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 27 significant decision points across 472.4 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 86.2 miles: Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 259.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 318 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Raymondville, TX and Fort Worth, TX, road signs point toward Skidmore and Waco.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Waco Mammoth National Monument and Padre Island National Seashore.
Data sources
The figures on this page are computed from open government and mapping datasets, not crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from
OSRM
over
OpenStreetMap.
Fuel cost uses
EIA
weekly regional averages.
National park proximity is from the
NPS API.
Full methodology, refresh cadence, and limitations are documented on the
methodology page.
