Brushy Creek to Garland is 329 miles and takes about 5 hours 57 minutes via East R L Thornton Freeway/Purple Heart Trail/I 35E, with a fuel budget near $50 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Great Plains region, offering a consistent landscape for the entirety of your trip. It's a straightforward trip primarily on major highways, making it a practical choice for a single-day transit. With a recommended one-day duration, you can expect a focused drive with minimal need for overnight stops. Consider this route if you're looking for an efficient way to cover ground between these two Texas locations.
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
164.5 miles from Brushy Creek, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 55m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
East R L Thornton Freeway
132.6 mi
2h 17m
Purple Heart Trail
107 mi
1h 49m
I 35E
56.2 mi
58m
US Highway 259 North
16.5 mi
24m
South Jack Kultgen Expressway
6.6 mi
7m
North Interstate 35
2.4 mi
3m
FM 1701
2.1 mi
4m
Creek Bend Boulevard
1.1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
East R L Thornton Freeway
— 132.6 mi, about 2h 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Brushy Creek, TX and Garland, TX.
1
Start on Stoney Hill
476 ft·18 sec·Stoney Hill
2
Turn left onto Hillbrook Drive
297 ft·10 sec·Hillbrook Drive
3
Turn right onto Hillside Drive
0.2 mi·28 sec·Hillside Drive
4
Turn left onto Great Oaks Drive
0.4 mi·54 sec·Great Oaks Drive
5
Turn right onto Brightwater Boulevard
0.9 mi·2 min·Brightwater Boulevard
Use the right lane.
6
Continue on Creek Bend Boulevard
1.1 mi·2 min·Creek Bend Boulevard
7
Turn right onto FM 3406
1.1 mi·1 min·West Old Settlers Boulevard
Use the right lane.
8
Continue on FM 3406
232 ft·6 sec·West Old Settler's Boulevard
9
Continue on East Old Settlers Boulevard
508 ft·19 sec·East Old Settlers Boulevard
Use the left lane.
10
Turn left onto North Interstate 35
2.4 mi·3 min·North Interstate 35
Use the left lane.
11
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·52 sec
Toward I 35 North
12
Merge onto I 35
74 mi·1 hr 16 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 35
6.6 mi·7 min·South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 35; US 77
33 mi·33 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E
56 mi·58 min·I 35E
Toward I 35E: DallasUse the slight right lane.
16
Take the exit
0.4 mi·41 sec
Exit 427AToward I 30 East: Texarkana, Riverfront Boulevard, Griffin StreetUse the slight right lane.
17
Keep slight left at fork
422 ft·5 sec
Toward I 35E North, I 30 West: Denton, Fort Worth, Texarkana
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·32 sec
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Convention Center
19
Keep slight left at fork
385 ft·6 sec
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana
20
Continue on I 30; US 67
7.5 mi·9 min·East R L Thornton Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
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: TexarkanaUse the straight / right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi·46 sec
Toward US 259: De Kalb, Daingerfield
23
Turn left onto US 259
17 mi·24 min·US Highway 259 North
24
Turn left onto FM 1701
2.1 mi·4 min·FM 1701
25
Arrive at destination
FM 1701
Trip Plan
Given the 5 hour 57 minute drive time, leaving Brushy Creek in the morning will allow you to reach Garland with plenty of daylight remaining. With only one recommended stop, you can plan your break strategically. The fuel cost estimate is around $50, so ensure your tank is full before departing and consider a top-off before entering more congested highway sections if needed. Pay attention to exit signs as you approach Garland, as the route involves transitioning from the interstate to local roads to complete your journey.
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 164.5 miles from Brushy Creek, TX, or about 2h 55m 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 72 miles or 1h 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 164.5 miles or 2h 55m 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 46m
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 Brushy Creek, 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 Brushy Creek, TX
This is one driving day of about 329 miles and 5h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 72 miles from Brushy Creek, 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.7 and 185 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.7 mi into trip|~1m in|Brightwater Boulevard
Turn right onto Brightwater Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
3.9 mi into trip|~8m in|North Interstate 35
Turn left onto North Interstate 35
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
120.4 mi into trip|~2h 10m in|I 35E
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E toward I 35E: Dallas
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 35E: Dallas
8
176.5 mi into trip|~3h 8m 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...
7
185 mi into trip|~3h 19m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$49.71 one way
$99.43 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg115 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$54.41
$108.83
premium
$4.54
$58.74
$117.48
diesel
$5.61
$72.64
$145.28
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$50
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$75–$100
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 115.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
98.7
1
$34.55
$15.79
Efficient EV
82.3
0
$28.79
$13.16
EV Truck/SUV
131.6
1
$46.06
$21.06
Gas CO2
115 kg
EV CO2
38 kg (67% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Brushy Creek, TX
Morning
in Brushy Creek on Sunday
Local time
9:38 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Garland, TX
Morning
in Garland on Sunday
Local time
9:38 AM
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
16 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
5h 57m 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
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 90.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is mostly highway, with 66% of the 329 miles spent on major roads like I 35E. You'll encounter your longest continuous stretch on East R L Thornton Freeway, covering 132.6 miles. Expect a significant amount of highway cruising, punctuated by the dense exits and merging traffic typical of approaching and traveling through urban areas. The latter part of the drive will transition from the highway to surface roads as you reach your destination.
66% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 132.6 mi on East R L Thornton Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on East R L Thornton Freeway and Purple Heart Trail. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.7 miles in near Brightwater Boulevard.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 329 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 0.7 miles (Brightwater Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.9 miles (North Interstate 35): Lane positioning matters here; at 120.4 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Brushy Creek, TX and Garland, TX, road signs point toward Fort Worth, Texarkana, Convention Center and Daingerfield.
Garland is a city in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex area in the State of Texas. Mike Judge, the creator of Beavis and Butthead and King of the Hill, used to live in Garland, as well as some other small towns around Texas. So, yeah. Don't be shocked if you take a wrong turn through a downscale neighborhood and see someone barbecuing hot dogs using one of those things that turns your truck's air filter into a grill. On the other hand, Garland's north side is a palacial monument to suburban living in all its McMansioned, strip malling, Starbucks-sipping glory. Garland is basically an unprepossessing, pleasant place. While it's hard to get too excited about much that happens in Garland, it is just so darned pleasant.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 57m. Total distance: 329 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 132.6 miles on East R L Thornton Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 40 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 Garland, 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 40 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.7 miles (Brightwater Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.9 miles (North Interstate 35): Lane positioning matters here; at 120.4 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.0 hours each way, a round trip means 11.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Garland, TX before the return drive.
