Forest Park Miniature Railroad
Near the end, short detour
Fort Worth, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+18179665509
Visit websiteCompiled by the Trip.ovh editorial team · Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026 · Methodology
Drive Time
3h 55m
Distance
221.7 mi
357 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$34
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Robert Lee, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Fort Worth, TX
Wikimedia Commons
This 218.8-mile drive from Robert Lee, TX, to Fort Worth, TX, is a manageable 3-hour and 29-minute journey, making it an ideal day trip. You'll navigate through the Great Plains region of Texas, staying primarily on local roads with no highway driving. With an estimated fuel cost of $33 and only one recommended stop, this route is efficient for a quick transition between these two Texas locales. The profile suggests a turn-heavy local drive, so be prepared for more frequent adjustments to your steering.
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
110.9 miles from Robert Lee, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 59m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 55m. Total distance: 221.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (71%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Expect a turn-heavy local drive for the entire 218.8 miles, as this route has a 0% highway share. This means you won't encounter long stretches of high-speed interstate travel. Instead, your journey will be characterized by more frequent turns and potentially varied speed limits as you traverse local streets like Commerce Street, Highland Park Road, and North State Street. The absence of a longest uninterrupted stretch indicates a continuous series of road changes rather than prolonged segments on a single type of road.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and North State Street. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near TX 158 / Commerce Street.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 221.7 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: near the start (TX 158 / Commerce Street): Navigation decision point; at 67.7 miles (I 20): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 204.8 miles (I 30 / West Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 158 / Commerce Street
Navigation decision point
Merge onto I 20
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork onto I 30 / West Freeway toward I 30 East: Downtown Fort Worth
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit onto US 377 toward I 35W, I 35W Express Toll North, US 377 North: Waco, Denton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
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 20 | 137.1 mi | 2h 19m |
| North State Street | 51.4 mi | 56m |
| West Freeway | 15.2 mi | 17m |
| Highland Park Road | 11.8 mi | 12m |
| Winters Freeway | 2.9 mi | 3m |
| South Danville Drive | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| US 287 Bus | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| South Freeway | 0.5 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Robert Lee, TX and Fort Worth, TX.
Start on Loop 229
Turn right onto TX 158
Continue on TX 158
Turn left onto US 277
Turn left onto US 277
Take the ramp onto US 277
Merge onto US 83; US 84; US 277
Take the exit
Merge onto I 20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 30
Take the exit onto US 377
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 35W; US 287 Bus
Take the exit onto US 287 Bus
Continue on South Freeway
Arrive at destination
Given the relatively short 3-hour and 29-minute duration and 218.8-mile distance, you have flexibility in your departure time. Starting in the morning allows you to reach Fort Worth with plenty of daylight remaining. Plan for your single recommended stop to break up the drive, perhaps around the halfway point, to stretch and refuel if needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $33 estimated cost suggests it's a significant factor for this route, especially since it's a turn-heavy local drive where speed may vary.
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 49 miles or 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 110.9 miles or 1h 59m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 11m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fort Worth, TX than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Robert Lee, 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 Robert Lee, TX
This is one driving day of about 221.7 miles and 3h 55m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 110.9 mi from Robert Lee, TX · 1h 59m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
111 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 49 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 110.9 miles from Robert Lee, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 20 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 137.1 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.
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Near the end, short detour
Fort Worth, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+18179665509
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, ~9 min detour
Abilene, Texas
+13256769620
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Abilene, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+13256776515
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Abilene, Texas
Hours: 1–5 pm
+13256735050
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, ~9 min detour
Abilene, Texas
Visit websiteNear the end, ~12 min detour
Fort Worth, Texas
Hours: 11:30 am–4 pm
+18173364373
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Regular Gas
$33.50 one way
$67.00 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $36.67 | $73.34 |
| premium | $4.54 | $39.58 | $79.17 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $48.95 | $97.90 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 77.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 66.5 | 0 | $23.28 | $10.64 |
| Efficient EV | 55.4 | 0 | $19.40 | $8.87 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 88.7 | 1 | $31.04 | $14.19 |
Gas CO2
78 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Late night in Robert Lee on Friday
Local time
1:47 AM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Fort Worth on Friday
Local time
1:47 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
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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