Bulverde to Garland is 415 miles and takes about 7h 39m via Purple Heart Trail and I 35E, with a fuel budget near $61 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip covers a significant portion of Texas, moving from the Great Plains region to another area within the same region. The route is a mix of highway and surface roads, suggesting a varied driving experience. With one recommended day, it's a manageable drive for those looking to cover ground efficiently 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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
207.5 miles from Bulverde, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 52m into the drive
.
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 96 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,999 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,742
Quietest
2 AM
~661 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 104 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 Bulverde, TX and Garland, TX.
1
Start on Bulverde Road
1.1 mi·2 min·Bulverde Road
2
Continue on FM 1863
17 mi·25 min·Farm-to-Market Road 1863
Use the left lane.
3
Turn right onto TX 46
1.5 mi·2 min·State Highway 46 West
4
Continue on TX 46 Bus
2.8 mi·6 min·North Walnut Avenue
5
Turn left onto Interstate 35 South
0.7 mi·1 min·Interstate 35 South
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward I 35 NorthUse the slight left lane.
7
Merge onto I 35
363 ft·4 sec·Interstate Highway 35
8
Continue on I 35
48 mi·52 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35; US 290
96 mi·1 hr 40 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 35
6.6 mi·7 min·South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 35; US 77
33 mi·33 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E
56 mi·58 min·I 35E
Toward I 35E: DallasUse the slight right lane.
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi·41 sec
Exit 427AToward I 30 East: Texarkana, Riverfront Boulevard, Griffin StreetUse the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork
422 ft·5 sec
Toward I 35E North, I 30 West: Denton, Fort Worth, Texarkana
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·32 sec
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Convention Center
16
Keep slight left at fork
385 ft·6 sec
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana
17
Continue on I 30; US 67
7.5 mi·9 min·East R L Thornton Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
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.
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi·46 sec
Toward US 259: De Kalb, Daingerfield
20
Turn left onto US 259
17 mi·24 min·US Highway 259 North
21
Turn left onto FM 1701
2.1 mi·4 min·FM 1701
22
Arrive at destination
FM 1701
Trip Plan
Given the 7-hour-plus drive time, leaving Bulverde early in the morning is advisable to maximize daylight. The route includes two recommended stops, which should be sufficient for breaks on this 415-mile trip. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 176.4-mile stretch on Purple Heart Trail, as services might be less frequent than on major interstates. The $61 fuel estimate is helpful for budgeting, so ensure you have enough cash or card for gas and any unexpected needs.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 207.5 miles from Bulverde, TX, or about 3h 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 176.4 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 91 miles or 1h 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 207.5 miles or 3h 52m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 27m
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 Bulverde, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Bulverde, TX
This is one driving day of about 415 miles and 7h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 91 miles from Bulverde, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Purple Heart Trail for about 176.4 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 71.2 and 271.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
71.2 mi into trip|~1h 30m in|I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
206.4 mi into trip|~3h 51m 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
262.6 mi into trip|~4h 50m 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
263 mi into trip|~4h 50m 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...
7
271.1 mi into trip|~5h 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
$62.30 one way
$124.60 round trip
$3.81/gal25.4 MPG avg145 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$68.93
$137.86
premium
$4.57
$74.59
$149.17
diesel
$6.28
$102.54
$205.08
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$62
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$87–$112
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 145.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $44 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
124.5
1
$43.58
$19.92
Efficient EV
103.8
1
$36.31
$16.60
EV Truck/SUV
166
2
$58.10
$26.56
Gas CO2
145 kg
EV CO2
49 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.
Forecast as of Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Bulverde, TX
Evening
in Bulverde on Thursday
Local time
8:02 PM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Mostly Cloudy
ENE 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Garland, TX
Evening
in Garland on Thursday
Local time
8:02 PM
CDT
Current temp
45°F
Mostly Clear
E 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
57°F
Mansfield, TX
208 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
6 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
7h 39m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 171.7
Welcome to San Antonio Missions, a National Park Service site and the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Texas. Each mission in the park is a center of community and has been since the early 1700s. Th...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
About 52% of this 415-mile drive is on major highways like I 35E, with the remaining portion on surface roads. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 176.4 miles on Purple Heart Trail, indicating a significant segment of non-interstate driving. Be prepared for a mixed driving experience, transitioning between faster highway speeds and more typical surface road conditions with varying traffic patterns.
52% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 176.4 mi on Purple Heart Trail.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 71.2 miles in near I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail.
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 14 significant decision points across 415 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 71.2 miles (I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 206.4 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 262.6 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
1,093 ft386 ft
Total Climb
346 ft
Total Descent
1,053 ft
Highest Point
1,093 ft
Elevation Range
707 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Bulverde, TX and Garland, TX, road signs point toward Fort Worth, Texarkana and Convention Center.
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 7h 39m. Total distance: 415 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 39m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 176.4 miles on Purple Heart Trail. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 41 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 41 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 71.2 miles (I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 206.4 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 262.6 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 and San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.7 hours each way, a round trip means 15.3 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.
