If you are planning to travel from Burleson to Garland, expect a direct, highway-focused journey covering 196.5 miles. The trip typically takes about 3 hours and 39 minutes, making it an efficient option for a single-day excursion. Since both cities are located within the Great Plains region of Texas, the geography remains consistent throughout the drive. You should budget approximately $30 for fuel to complete the trip. Because the route is straightforward and manageable, there is no need to plan for an overnight stay; one well-timed stop is all you will likely need to stay comfortable behind the wheel.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
98.2 miles from Burleson, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 47m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
East R L Thornton Freeway
132.6 mi
2h 17m
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
19.6 mi
21m
US Highway 259 North
16.5 mi
24m
I 35W
7.6 mi
8m
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
6 mi
6m
Marvin D Love Freeway
4.5 mi
4m
South R L Thornton Freeway
3.6 mi
4m
FM 1701
2.1 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
East R L Thornton Freeway
— 132.6 mi, about 2h 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Burleson, TX and Garland, TX.
1
Start on East Ellison Street
48 ft·2 sec·East Ellison Street
2
Continue on East Ellison Street
174 ft·13 sec·East Ellison Street
3
Turn left onto South Commerce Street
315 ft·15 sec·South Commerce Street
4
Turn right onto Spur 50
0.4 mi·46 sec·West Renfro Street
5
Turn left onto North Burleson Boulevard
0.4 mi·44 sec·North Burleson Boulevard
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·25 sec
Toward I 35W North
7
Merge onto I 35W
7.6 mi·8 min·I 35W
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Exit 45BToward I 20 East: DallasUse the right lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·58 sec
Toward I 20 East: DallasUse the slight left lane.
10
Merge onto I 20
5.7 mi·6 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 20
14 mi·14 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Toward I 20 East: DallasUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 20
6.0 mi·6 min·Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 464AToward US 67 North: DallasUse the slight right lane.
14
Merge onto US 67
4.5 mi·4 min·Marvin D Love Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto I 35E
3.6 mi·4 min·South R L Thornton Freeway
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
To make the most of this drive, aim to depart during off-peak hours to avoid potential congestion on the major freeways. Given the 3-hour and 39-minute duration, plan to incorporate your single recommended stop roughly halfway through the journey to break up the long 132.6-mile stretch. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $30 estimate assumes steady highway driving conditions. Because this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time based on your personal schedule. Prioritizing a mid-trip rest will ensure you arrive in Garland feeling refreshed rather than fatigued from the extended time on the road.
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 98.2 miles from Burleson, TX, or about 1h 47m 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 43 miles or 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 98.2 miles or 1h 47m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 52m
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 Burleson, 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 Burleson, TX
This is one driving day of about 196.5 miles and 3h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 miles from Burleson, 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 8.6 and 44 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
8.6 mi into trip|~10m in
Take the exit toward I 20 East: Dallas
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 45B
Toward I 20 East: Dallas
7
9 mi into trip|~11m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 20 East: Dallas
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 20 East: Dallas
7
15.1 mi into trip|~18m in|I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway toward I 20 East: Dallas
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 20 East: Dallas
7
35 mi into trip|~39m in
Take the exit toward US 67 North: Dallas
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 464A
Toward US 67 North: Dallas
8
44 mi into trip|~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...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.69 one way
$59.38 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg69 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$32.50
$65.00
premium
$4.54
$35.08
$70.17
diesel
$5.61
$43.38
$86.77
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 68.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
24 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
Rudy's Country Store & BBQ - Tesla Supercharger
Burleson, TX
Tesla
12 DCFC
Lone Star Ranch Travel Center - Tesla Supercharger
Edgecliff Village, TX
Tesla
12 DCFC
Exxon - Tesla Supercharger
Grand Prairie, TX
Tesla
12 DCFC
Grand Prairie, TX Rechargery Relay - S Carrier Pkwy
Grand Prairie, TX
IONNA
10 DCFC
Walmart EV Charging
Crowley, TX
WALMART
8 DCFC
Arlington, TX - East Bardin Road - Tesla Supercharger
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
58.9
0
$20.63
$9.43
Efficient EV
49.1
0
$17.19
$7.86
EV Truck/SUV
78.6
0
$27.51
$12.58
Gas CO2
69 kg
EV CO2
23 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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 21, 2026
Origin
Burleson, TX
Late night
in Burleson on Tuesday
Local time
3:50 AM
CDT
Current temp
83°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Garland, TX
Late night
in Garland on Tuesday
Local time
3:50 AM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Mostly Cloudy
0 mph8% chanceLive forecast
Fire Weather Watch
Fire Weather Watch issued April 20 at 11:56PM CDT until April 22 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX
Fire Weather Watch
Fire Weather Watch issued April 20 at 11:56PM CDT until April 22 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Amarillo 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
31 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
3h 39m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This 196.5-mile route is dominated by high-speed transit, with 88% of your time spent on highways. You will navigate major arteries including the East R L Thornton Freeway, the Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway, and US Highway 259 North. The drive features a significant 132.6-mile stretch on the East R L Thornton Freeway, which defines the bulk of the experience. Expect a consistent, fast-paced atmosphere rather than a winding backroad adventure. Being prepared for steady interstate speeds will help you maintain a smooth flow as you transition between these primary thoroughfares.
88% 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?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on East R L Thornton Freeway and Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 8.6 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 196.5 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 8.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 15.1 miles (I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway): 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 Burleson, 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 3h 39m. Total distance: 196.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 8.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 15.1 miles (I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Garland, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.
