Hill County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Bellaire, TX to Fort Worth, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 24, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 45m
Distance
260.6 mi
419 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 32m
★
6 AM
4h 45m
8 AM
5h 12m
10 AM
4h 55m
12 PM
4h 52m
3 PM
4h 56m
5 PM
5h 11m
8 PM
4h 37m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bellaire, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Fort Worth, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Bellaire, TX to Fort Worth, TX is 260.6 miles and takes about 4h 45m via TX 6 and I-35W, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Great Plains region, moving from one part of Texas to another. Expect a drive that's mostly on major highways, making it a straightforward option for a quick trip. With a single recommended day, you can comfortably complete this route without feeling rushed, making it a good choice for a day trip or the start of a longer adventure.
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
130.3 miles from Bellaire, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 28m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| TX 6 | 50 mi | 53m |
| I 35W | 49.2 mi | 51m |
| North State Highway 6 | 43.3 mi | 43m |
| Purple Heart Trail | 31.5 mi | 31m |
| Aggie Expressway | 24.8 mi | 27m |
| Tomball Parkway | 9.7 mi | 11m |
| East State Highway 6 | 9.1 mi | 9m |
| Tomball Tollway | 7.3 mi | 8m |
Longest stretch:
TX 6
— 50 mi, about 53m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 28 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~2,789 veh/hr typical · worst 3,569
Quietest
2 AM
~423 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 96 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 Bellaire, TX and Fort Worth, TX.
1
Start on West Loop South Frontage Road
347 ft
·
7 sec
·
West Loop South Frontage Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
2
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Toward I 610 North
3
Merge onto I 610
6.2 mi
·
7 min
·
West Loop South
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Take the exit onto US 290
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
Northwest Freeway
Exit 13A
Toward US 290 West: Austin
Use the slight left lane.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto US 290
3.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Northwest Freeway
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward Bingle Road, Pinemont Drive
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Turn straight onto Northwest Freeway Frontage Road
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
Northwest Freeway Frontage Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Turn right onto Bingle Road
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Bingle Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Continue on North Houston Rosslyn Road
3.9 mi
·
6 min
·
North Houston Rosslyn Road
10
Turn left onto TX 249
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Tomball Parkway
Use the left / straight lanes.
11
Continue on TX 249
8.4 mi
·
9 min
·
Tomball Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on TBT
7.3 mi
·
8 min
·
Tomball Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on TX 249 Toll
3.6 mi
·
4 min
·
MCTRA 249 Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on TX 249 Toll
25 mi
·
27 min
·
Aggie Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on TX 105
5.8 mi
·
6 min
·
State Highway 105
16
Turn right onto TX 105
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
State Highway 6
17
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
18
Merge onto TX 6
50 mi
·
53 min
·
TX 6
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 6
5.8 mi
·
5 min
·
North State Highway 6
20
Continue on TX 6
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
South Main Street
21
Continue on TX 6
37 mi
·
37 min
·
North State Highway 6
22
Continue on TX 6
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
South Memorial Street
23
Continue on TX 6
9.1 mi
·
9 min
·
East State Highway 6
24
Take the exit onto TX 6
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
TX 6
25
Turn right onto Loop 340
4.9 mi
·
6 min
·
East Loop 340
26
Take the exit
354 ft
·
10 sec
27
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
23 sec
Toward I 35 North
28
Merge onto I 35; US 77
31 mi
·
31 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W
49 mi
·
51 min
·
I 35W
Toward I 35W: Fort Worth
Use the slight left lane.
30
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 49A
Toward Allen Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
31
Turn straight onto South Freeway
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
South Freeway
32
Turn left onto East Allen Avenue
210 ft
·
12 sec
·
East Allen Avenue
33
Turn left onto South Freeway
258 ft
·
5 sec
·
South Freeway
34
Arrive at destination
South Freeway
Trip Plan
Since this 4h 45m drive can easily be completed in a single day, consider leaving in the morning to maximize your time at your destination. The estimated fuel cost is around $38, so factor that into your budget. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 50 miles on TX 6, so plan your first break around the 1-hour mark to avoid fatigue. With only one recommended stop, you have the flexibility to take breaks as needed, but be aware of the urban merging onto I-35W as you approach Fort Worth.
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 130.3 miles from Bellaire, TX, or about 2h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 50 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 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 130.3 miles or 2h 28m 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 55m
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 Bellaire, 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 Bellaire, TX
This is one driving day of about 260.6 miles and 4h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 miles from Bellaire, 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 TX 6 for about 50 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
130 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 130.3 miles from Bellaire, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Hill County Southbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.5 mi from route
ExitusVR
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
1.8 mi from route
~4 min detour
Houston, Texas
+17133440525
Visit websiteThe Escape Game Houston (Galleria)
5.0
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
2.3 mi from route
~6 min detour
Houston, Texas
Hours: 8 am–12 pm
+17136365541
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 websiteHouston Zoo
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, ~10 min detour
4.2 mi from route
~10 min detour
Houston, Texas
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+17135336500
Visit websiteLakewood Crossing Park
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, ~11 min detour
First break
4.4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Houston, Texas
Hours: 8 am–8 pm
Fort 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 215 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 260.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.3 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
I 610 / West Loop South
Merge onto I 610 / West Loop South
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
6.5 mi into trip
|
~8m in
|
US 290 / Northwest Freeway
Take the exit onto US 290 / Northwest Freeway toward US 290 West: Austin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 13A
Toward US 290 West: Austin
7
9.7 mi into trip
|
~12m in
Take the exit toward Bingle Road, Pinemont Drive
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.
Toward Bingle Road, Pinemont Drive
7
211 mi into trip
|
~3h 52m 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
260.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 44m 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
$39.12 one way
$78.24 round trip
$3.81/gal
25.4 MPG avg
91 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.22 | $43.29 | $86.57 |
| premium | $4.57 | $46.84 | $93.67 |
| diesel | $6.28 | $64.39 | $128.78 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.76
Tomball Tollway
(7.3 mi)
$0.51
MCTRA 249 Tollway
(3.6 mi)
$0.25
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: 91.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 78.2 | 0 | $27.36 | $12.51 |
| Efficient EV | 65.2 | 0 | $22.80 | $10.42 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 104.2 | 1 | $36.48 | $16.68 |
Gas CO2
91 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
Bellaire, TX
Evening in Bellaire on Saturday
Local time
5:54 PM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Partly Sunny
NE 5 to 10 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Fort Worth, TX
Evening in Fort Worth on Saturday
Local time
5:54 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Mostly Sunny
SE 0 to 5 mph
0% chance
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
4 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 45m 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.
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...
4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 179.8
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
About 75% of this 260.6-mile route is highway driving, which means you'll spend a good portion of your time on higher-speed roads. The longest stretch without a significant change in direction or road type is 50 miles on TX 6. As you transition from TX 6 to I-35W, you'll notice the increase in traffic density and the more frequent exits typical of major interstate travel.
75% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 50 mi on TX 6.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on TX 6 and I 35W. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near I 610 / West Loop South.
Driving Effort
9/10
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 21 significant decision points across 260.6 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 0.3 miles (I 610 / West Loop South): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 6.5 miles (US 290 / Northwest Freeway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 9.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
846 ft
52 ft
Total Climb
1,038 ft
Total Descent
438 ft
Highest Point
846 ft
~242 mi in
Elevation Range
794 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Bellaire, TX
Full guide →Founded 1918
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 45m. Total distance: 260.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (75%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 50 miles on TX 6. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.76 in tolls one way, starting with Tomball Tollway. 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 11 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 11 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (I 610 / West Loop South): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 6.5 miles (US 290 / Northwest Freeway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 9.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.5 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, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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