Hill County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Boerne, TX to Fort Worth, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 4m
Distance
272.9 mi
439 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$37
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 51m
★
6 AM
5h 5m
8 AM
5h 32m
10 AM
5h 14m
12 PM
5h 12m
3 PM
5h 16m
5 PM
5h 31m
8 PM
4h 57m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Boerne, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Fort Worth, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 272.9-mile drive from Boerne, TX, to Fort Worth, TX, is a straightforward journey that can comfortably be completed in a single day, with an estimated driving time of 5 hours and 4 minutes. You'll primarily be on the Purple Heart Trail and I-35W, with a portion on East US Highway 290. Given the relatively short duration and manageable distance, it’s a perfect day trip, though you could easily extend it with an overnight stop if desired. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $41. You'll be traveling within the Great Plains region throughout your journey, experiencing a consistent landscape.
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
136.4 miles from Boerne, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 42m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Purple Heart Trail | 113 mi | 1h 55m |
| I 35W | 49.2 mi | 51m |
| East US Highway 290 | 30.9 mi | 38m |
| FM 3351 North | 11.8 mi | 15m |
| Express 1 Toll | 10.2 mi | 10m |
| South US Highway 281 | 8.4 mi | 9m |
| State Highway 46 East | 7.9 mi | 9m |
| Ranch Road 473 | 7.5 mi | 9m |
Longest stretch:
Purple Heart Trail
— 113 mi, about 1h 55m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 36 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~3,112 veh/hr typical · worst 3,904
Quietest
2 AM
~479 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 52 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 Boerne, TX and Fort Worth, TX.
1
Start on RM 474
66 ft
·
8 sec
·
East Blanco Road
2
Turn left onto US 87 Bus
0.4 mi
·
59 sec
·
North Main Street
3
Turn left onto TX 46
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
River Road
4
Continue on TX 46
7.9 mi
·
9 min
·
State Highway 46 East
5
Turn left onto FM 3351
12 mi
·
15 min
·
FM 3351 North
6
At end of road, turn right onto RM 473
7.5 mi
·
9 min
·
Ranch Road 473
7
At end of road, turn left onto US 281; RM 473
8.4 mi
·
9 min
·
South US Highway 281
8
Continue on US 281
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Main Street
9
Continue on US 281
6.7 mi
·
7 min
·
North US Highway 281
10
Turn right onto US 290
31 mi
·
38 min
·
East US Highway 290
Use the left lane.
11
Continue on US 290
0.3 mi
·
18 sec
·
West US Highway 290
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
13
Continue on West US Highway 290
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
West US Highway 290
14
Continue on US 290; TX 71
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
US 290; TX 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward Loop 1 North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto Loop 1
4.6 mi
·
5 min
·
South Mopac Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto Express 1 Toll
10 mi
·
10 min
·
Express 1 Toll
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
18
Merge onto Loop 1
4.3 mi
·
4 min
·
North Mopac Expressway
Use the straight lane.
19
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward TX 45 Toll East
Use the slight right lane.
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
Toward I 35 North, Toll 45 East
21
Merge onto TX 45 Toll
0.6 mi
·
35 sec
·
State Highway 45 North
22
Take the exit
1.3 mi
·
2 min
Toward I 35 North: Waco
Use the slight right lane.
23
Merge onto I 35
80 mi
·
1 hr 22 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Continue on I 35
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Continue on I 35; US 77
33 mi
·
33 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W
49 mi
·
51 min
·
I 35W
Toward I 35W: Fort Worth
Use the slight left lane.
27
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 49A
Toward Allen Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
28
Turn straight onto South Freeway
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
South Freeway
29
Turn left onto East Allen Avenue
210 ft
·
12 sec
·
East Allen Avenue
30
Turn left onto South Freeway
258 ft
·
5 sec
·
South Freeway
31
Arrive at destination
South Freeway
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5-hour drive, consider an early morning departure from Boerne to avoid potential traffic, especially as you transition onto I-35W. With only one recommended stop and a longest stretch of 113 miles, you have flexibility in pacing yourself. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as services can be more spread out on certain segments of the Purple Heart Trail. The $41 fuel budget is an estimate, so checking local prices before you leave is always a good idea. Being able to complete this drive in one day means you can be flexible with your timing.
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 136.4 miles from Boerne, TX, or about 2h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 113 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 60 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 136.4 miles or 2h 42m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 12m
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 Boerne, 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 Boerne, TX
This is one driving day of about 272.9 miles and 5h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 miles from Boerne, 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 Purple Heart Trail for about 113 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
136 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 60 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 136.4 miles from Boerne, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Purple Heart Trail if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 113 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
Flying J Travel Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Hill County Southbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Bell County Northbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Bell County Southbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Walburg Travel Center & Food Court
0.2 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Rest Area
2.4 mi from route
Rest Area
2.4 mi from route
Rest Area
2.5 mi from route
Cultural Activities Center
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Halfway reset
0.6 mi from route
~2 min detour
Temple, Texas
Hours: 8:30 am–4 pm
+12547739926
Visit websiteVillage of Salado Visitors Center
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Halfway reset
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Salado, Texas
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+12549478634
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 websiteCascade Caverns
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, ~9 min detour
3.8 mi from route
~9 min detour
Boerne, Texas
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+18307558080
Visit websiteBarton Creek Greenbelt
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, ~11 min detour
Early stretch
4.3 mi from route
~11 min detour
Austin, Texas
Hours: 5 am–10 pm
+15129746700
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 websitePioneer Farms
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour
Early stretch
4.7 mi from route
~12 min detour
Austin, Texas
Hours: 10 am–2 pm
+15128371215
Visit websiteJim Hogg Park
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour
Halfway reset
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Georgetown, Texas
+15129305253
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 205 decision points cluster between mile 81.2 and 272.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
81.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 41m in
Take the exit toward Loop 1 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Loop 1 North
6
86.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 48m in
|
Express 1 Toll
Keep slight left at fork onto Express 1 Toll
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
7
101 mi into trip
|
~2h 4m in
Keep slight right at fork toward TX 45 Toll East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward TX 45 Toll East
7
223.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 12m 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
272.4 mi into trip
|
~5h 3m 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
$37.38 one way
$74.76 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
96 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $41.75 | $83.50 |
| premium | $4.23 | $45.39 | $90.79 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $51.53 | $103.06 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 95.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 81.9 | 1 | $28.65 | $13.10 |
| Efficient EV | 68.2 | 0 | $23.88 | $10.92 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 109.2 | 1 | $38.21 | $17.47 |
Gas CO2
95 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (66% 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.
Origin
Boerne, TX
Evening in Boerne on Sunday
Local time
8:39 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Mostly Cloudy
SSE 10 mph
2% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 10:45PM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:59PM CDT until July 19 at 6:17PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Fort Worth, TX
Evening in Fort Worth on Sunday
Local time
8:39 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Partly Cloudy
S 10 mph
3% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 10:45PM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:59PM CDT until July 19 at 6:17PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
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
3 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 4m 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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 188.2
View on nps.gov
Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park tells the story of our 36th president beginning with his ancestors until his final resting place on his beloved LBJ Ranch. This entire "circle of life" gives...
15 mi from route
~38 min detour
Free
near mile 47
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route offers a mixed drive experience, with about 50% of the journey on highways. You'll encounter stretches on the Purple Heart Trail, including one significant segment of 113 miles without a major break, which can feel quite continuous. The drive progresses from more rural or state highway sections to the busier interstate environment of I-35W as you approach Fort Worth. Expect a blend of steady cruising and potentially more traffic as you get closer to your destination.
50% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 113 mi on Purple Heart Trail.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 81.2 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 20 significant decision points across 272.9 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 81.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 86.5 miles (Express 1 Toll): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 101 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,406 ft
519 ft
Total Climb
480 ft
Total Descent
1,234 ft
Highest Point
1,406 ft
Elevation Range
888 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.
Between Boerne, TX and Fort Worth, TX, road signs point toward Loop 1 North and Toll 45 East.
Loop 1 North
81.2 mi in
|
~1h 41m
Toll 45 East
101.5 mi in
|
~2h 5m
About the Cities
Starting in Boerne, TX
Full guide →Founded 1849
Top landmarks
- • Kendall Inn — historic place in Boerne, Kendall County, Texas
- • Herff-Rozelle Farm — historic district in Boerne, Kendall County, Texas
- • Kendall County Courthouse and Jail — historic place in Boerne, Kendall County, Texas
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
- • Amon Carter Museum of American Art — art museum in Fort Worth, Texas
- • Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth — art museum
- • St. Patrick Cathedral in Fort Worth — church located in Fort Worth, Texas
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 5h 4m. Total distance: 272.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 113 miles on Purple Heart Trail. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 22 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 22 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 81.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 86.5 miles (Express 1 Toll): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 101 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument and Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Fort Worth, TX before the return drive.
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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Fort Worth, TX
More from Boerne, TX
More trips to Fort Worth, TX
Explore more options from Boerne, TX or browse trips ending in Fort Worth, TX.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TX road trips.