Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Atascocita, TX to Fort Worth, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 41m
Distance
257.2 mi
414 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$39
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 28m
★
6 AM
4h 41m
8 AM
5h 8m
10 AM
4h 51m
12 PM
4h 48m
3 PM
4h 52m
5 PM
5h 7m
8 PM
4h 33m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Atascocita, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Fort Worth, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Atascocita to Fort Worth is 257.2 miles and takes about 4h 41m via FM 1960, West Hardy Road, and HTR Toll North, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Great Plains region, crossing Texas entirely on surface roads. Given its duration and the lack of highway driving, this trip is best suited for a single day, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. Plan for a straightforward, familiar drive through Texas.
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
128.6 miles from Atascocita, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 21m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 45 | 174.6 mi | 2h 59m |
| US 287 | 57.6 mi | 1h 5m |
| FM 1960 | 13.6 mi | 20m |
| Hardy Toll Road | 6.3 mi | 7m |
| South Freeway | 3.4 mi | 3m |
| East Allen Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| West Hardy Road | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 45
— 174.6 mi, about 2h 59m
Traffic on I-45
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 28 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
1 PM
~1,643 veh/hr typical · worst 2,385
Quietest
2 AM
~247 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 88 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Atascocita, TX and Fort Worth, TX.
1
Start on FM 1960
7.2 mi
·
11 min
·
FM 1960
Use the left lane.
2
Continue on FM 1960
6.4 mi
·
9 min
·
FM 1960
Use the left lane.
3
Turn slight right
0.5 mi
·
1 min
4
Turn right onto West Hardy Road
148 ft
·
2 sec
·
West Hardy Road
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward HTR Toll North
Use the slight left lane.
6
Merge onto HTR
6.3 mi
·
7 min
·
Hardy Toll Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 45
175 mi
·
2 hr 59 min
·
I 45
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit onto US 287
58 mi
·
1 hr 5 min
·
US 287
Exit 247
Toward US 287 North: Waxahachie, Fort Worth
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Exit 437
Toward I 35W South, I 35W North: Waco, Denton
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
Toward I 35W North: Denton
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
Toward I 35W North: Fort Worth
12
Merge onto I 35W
3.2 mi
·
3 min
·
South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 49A
Toward Allen Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
14
Turn straight onto South Freeway
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
South Freeway
15
Turn left onto East Allen Avenue
210 ft
·
12 sec
·
East Allen Avenue
16
Turn left onto South Freeway
258 ft
·
5 sec
·
South Freeway
17
Arrive at destination
South Freeway
Trip Plan
Starting your drive from Atascocita in the morning, around 8 or 9 AM, will put you in Fort Worth by mid-afternoon, avoiding the worst of rush hour traffic in both areas. With a total driving time of under 5 hours, you can easily complete this trip in one day. The estimated fuel cost is around $37, so ensure your tank is full before departing. Given the surface road nature of the route, factor in extra time for potential traffic lights and local congestion, especially as you approach Fort Worth. Keeping an eye on your fuel gauge is advisable, as services might be more spread out than on major highways.
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 128.6 miles from Atascocita, TX, or about 2h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 174.6 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 57 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 128.6 miles or 2h 21m 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 47m
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 Atascocita, 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 Atascocita, TX
This is one driving day of about 257.2 miles and 4h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 miles from Atascocita, 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 I 45 for about 174.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
129 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 57 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 128.6 miles from Atascocita, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 45 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 174.6 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.1 mi from route
TA Express
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Navarro County Northbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
TA Express
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Walker County Southbound Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Walker County Northbound Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Navarro County Southbound Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.3 mi from route
Rest Area
0.8 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
2.4 mi from route
Buc-ee's
2.4 mi from route
Dennis Johnston Park
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, right off the route
First break
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Spring, Texas
Hours: 7 am–10 pm
+17132740930
Visit websiteCandy Cane Park
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
First break
1.3 mi from route
~3 min detour
Conroe, Texas
Hours: 9 am–11 pm
+19365223804
Visit websiteForest Park Miniature Railroad
4.4
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2.2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Fort Worth, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+18179665509
Visit websiteNTER - The Great Escape
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, ~10 min detour
Home stretch
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Waxahachie, Texas
Hours: 5–9 pm
+12149801053
Visit websiteFort Worth Herd
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, ~12 min detour
Home stretch
4.7 mi from route
~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.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 135 decision points cluster between mile 14 and 256.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
14 mi into trip
|
~22m in
Take the ramp toward HTR Toll North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward HTR Toll North
8
195.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 29m in
|
US 287
Take the exit onto US 287 toward US 287 North: Waxahachie, Fort Worth
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 247
Toward US 287 North: Waxahachie, Fort Worth
8
252.7 mi into trip
|
~4h 34m in
Take the exit toward I 35W South, I 35W North: Waco, Denton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 437
Toward I 35W South, I 35W North: Waco, Denton
7
253 mi into trip
|
~4h 35m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 35W North: Denton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35W North: Denton
7
256.7 mi into trip
|
~4h 39m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.38 one way
$78.76 round trip
$3.89/gal
25.4 MPG avg
90 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.29 | $43.46 | $86.92 |
| premium | $4.64 | $46.96 | $93.93 |
| diesel | $6.18 | $62.57 | $125.14 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.50
Hardy Toll Road
(6.3 mi)
$0.50
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 90 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 77.2 | 0 | $27.01 | $12.35 |
| Efficient EV | 64.3 | 0 | $22.51 | $10.29 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 102.9 | 1 | $36.01 | $16.46 |
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.
Origin
Atascocita, TX
Late night in Atascocita on Sunday
Local time
3:48 AM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Sunny
N 10 to 15 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued October 17 at 6:53AM CDT until October 17 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 17 at 3:25AM CDT until October 18 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX
Destination
Fort Worth, TX
Late night in Fort Worth on Sunday
Local time
3:48 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Sunny
N 5 to 10 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued October 17 at 6:53AM CDT until October 17 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 17 at 3:25AM CDT until October 18 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX
65°F
Italy, TX
129 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
5 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 41m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly surface roads, with 0% on highways. You'll navigate through local streets and arterial roads for the entire 257.2 miles. Be prepared for frequent intersections and traffic signals, as you'll be on local thoroughfares for the full duration of the 4h 41m trip. The longest stretch without a significant interruption is not specified, but expect continuous engagement with local traffic patterns.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 174.6 mi on I 45.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 45 and US 287. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 14 miles in.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 257.2 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 14 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 195.2 miles (US 287): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 252.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
652 ft
69 ft
Total Climb
732 ft
Total Descent
149 ft
Highest Point
652 ft
~258.4 mi in
Elevation Range
583 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Atascocita, TX to Fort Worth, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Htr Toll North along the way.
Htr Toll North
14 mi in
|
~22m
About the Cities
Starting in Atascocita, TX
Full guide →Arriving in Fort Worth, TX
Full guide →“Panther city” · Founded 1849
Fort Worth is a city in the Prairies and Lakes region of Texas. With a population of approximately 1,020,000, it is Texas' 5th largest city. It is part of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, which has a population exceeding 6 million. Sometimes referred to as Cowtown, it is by far closer to its cowboy roots than neighboring Dallas. This article also covers North Richland Hills, a neighboring community.
Top landmarks
- • Kimbell Art Museum — art museum in Fort Worth, Texas
- • Amon Carter Museum of American Art — art museum in Fort Worth, Texas
- • Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth — art museum
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 41m. Total distance: 257.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 174.6 miles on I 45. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.50 in tolls one way, starting with Hardy Toll Road. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
Yes — we found about 19 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Fort Worth, TX before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 19 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 14 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 195.2 miles (US 287): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 252.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Fort Worth, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Fort Worth, TX
More trips to Fort Worth, TX
Explore more options from Atascocita, TX or browse trips ending in Fort Worth, TX.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TX road trips.