Origin
Stephenville, TX
Night in Stephenville on Thursday
Local time
10:12 PM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Stephenville, TX to Garland, TX
Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026
Drive Time
4h 48m
Distance
256.1 mi
412 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$39
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 35m
★
6 AM
4h 48m
8 AM
5h 15m
10 AM
4h 58m
12 PM
4h 55m
3 PM
4h 59m
5 PM
5h 14m
8 PM
4h 40m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Stephenville, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 256.1-mile drive from Stephenville, TX, to Garland, TX, is best tackled in a single day, taking approximately 4 hours and 48 minutes. Primarily a highway-focused experience, about 75% of your journey will be on major roads, including East R L Thornton Freeway and US Highway 67. With an estimated fuel cost of $39, this route is a straightforward trek across the Great Plains region of Texas. You'll encounter just one recommended stop, making it an efficient trip for those looking to get from point A to point B without extensive detours. This drive offers a practical way to cover ground within the state.
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
128.1 miles from Stephenville, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 26m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 48m. Total distance: 256.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (75%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive for this 256.1-mile trip. With a 75% highway share, you'll spend most of your time on faster-paced roads like East R L Thornton Freeway and US Highway 67. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is a significant 132.6 miles on East R L Thornton Freeway. While the profile is largely highway, the inclusion of Northeast Big Bend Trail suggests some variation in the road's character as you progress. This route is designed for efficient travel rather than leisurely sightseeing.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 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 Northeast Big Bend Trail. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 103.7 miles in.
Driving Effort
7/10
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 256.1 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 103.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 104.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 104.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
103.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 59m 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
104.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 59m 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
104.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 59m 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
5
104.6 mi into trip
|
~2h in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 30 East: Texarkana
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana
7
112.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 9m 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 Stephenville, TX and Garland, TX, road signs point toward Fort Worth, Texarkana, Convention Center and Daingerfield.
Fort Worth
104.1 mi in
|
~1h 59m
Texarkana
104.1 mi in
|
~1h 59m
Convention Center
104.2 mi in
|
~1h 59m
Daingerfield
237.2 mi in
|
~4h 17m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| East R L Thornton Freeway | 132.6 mi | 2h 17m |
| Northeast Big Bend Trail | 61.8 mi | 1h 11m |
| US Highway 67 | 28.8 mi | 32m |
| US Highway 259 North | 16.5 mi | 24m |
| Marvin D Love Freeway | 5.5 mi | 5m |
| South R L Thornton Freeway | 3.6 mi | 4m |
| West S G Alexander Freeway | 2.7 mi | 2m |
| FM 1701 | 2.1 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
East R L Thornton Freeway
— 132.6 mi, about 2h 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Stephenville, TX and Garland, TX.
1
Start on TX 108
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
·
North Graham Street
2
Continue on TX 108
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
·
South Graham Avenue
3
Turn left onto US 67; US 377
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
·
East South Loop
4
Turn right onto US 67
0.4 mi
·
30 sec
·
Glen Rose Road
5
Continue on US 67
29 mi
·
32 min
·
US Highway 67
6
Continue on US 67
62 mi
·
1 hr 11 min
·
Northeast Big Bend Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on US 67
2.7 mi
·
2 min
·
West S G Alexander Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on US 67
5.5 mi
·
5 min
·
Marvin D Love Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 35E
3.6 mi
·
4 min
·
South R L Thornton Freeway
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
Exit 427A
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Riverfront Boulevard, Griffin Street
Use the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
422 ft
·
5 sec
Toward I 35E North, I 30 West: Denton, Fort Worth, Texarkana
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
32 sec
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Convention Center
13
Keep slight left at fork
385 ft
·
6 sec
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana
14
Continue on I 30; US 67
7.5 mi
·
9 min
·
East R L Thornton Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
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: Texarkana
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
Toward US 259: De Kalb, Daingerfield
17
Turn left onto US 259
17 mi
·
24 min
·
US Highway 259 North
18
Turn left onto FM 1701
2.1 mi
·
4 min
·
FM 1701
19
Arrive at destination
FM 1701
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour, 48-minute duration, this 256.1-mile drive is easily manageable as a single-day trip from Stephenville to Garland. Aim for an early morning departure to maximize daylight and avoid potential afternoon traffic, especially as you approach the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $39, planning is minimal. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without a break is over 130 miles. A practical tip: utilize navigation apps to monitor real-time traffic conditions, particularly on East R L Thornton Freeway, as this can significantly impact your travel time.
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 128.1 miles from Stephenville, TX, or about 2h 26m 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 56 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 128.1 miles or 2h 26m 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 50m
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 Stephenville, 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 Stephenville, TX
This is one driving day of about 256.1 miles and 4h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 miles from Stephenville, 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 128.1 mi from Stephenville, TX · 2h 26m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
128 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 56 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 128.1 miles from Stephenville, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before East R L Thornton Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 132.6 miles.
Arriving in Garland, TX
The final approach into Garland, 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 Garland, 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.70 one way
$77.39 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
90 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $42.36 | $84.71 |
| premium | $4.54 | $45.72 | $91.45 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $56.54 | $113.09 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 89.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 76.8 | 0 | $26.89 | $12.29 |
| Efficient EV | 64 | 0 | $22.41 | $10.24 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 102.4 | 1 | $35.85 | $16.39 |
Gas CO2
90 kg
EV CO2
30 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Garland, TX
Night in Garland on Thursday
Local time
10:12 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°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
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
4h 48m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Stephenville, TX to Garland, TX covers 256.1 miles and takes about 4h 48m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are East R L Thornton Freeway, Northeast Big Bend Trail, US Highway 67. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 128.1 miles from Stephenville, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $38.70 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 256.1 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 103.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 104.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 104.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Stephenville, TX and Garland, TX, road signs point toward Fort Worth, Texarkana, Convention Center and Daingerfield.
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