Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Central Gardens, TX to Fort Worth, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 4m
Distance
332.7 mi
535 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$46
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 52m
★
6 AM
6h 5m
8 AM
6h 30m
10 AM
6h 14m
12 PM
6h 11m
3 PM
6h 15m
5 PM
6h 29m
8 PM
5h 57m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Central Gardens, TX
Cyrill
Fort Worth, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Central Gardens, TX to Fort Worth, TX is 332.7 miles and takes about 6h 4m via I 45 and US 287, with a fuel budget near $48 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Texas, traversing the Great Plains region for its entirety. It's a straightforward, mostly highway trip designed for efficient travel between these two points. Given the duration and distance, it's a comfortable one-day drive, allowing for a relaxed pace without feeling rushed.
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
166.3 miles from Central Gardens, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 5m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 45 | 173.6 mi | 2h 57m |
| US 287 | 57.6 mi | 1h 5m |
| US 90 | 39.6 mi | 45m |
| East Grand Parkway North | 32.5 mi | 34m |
| US 69 | 6.8 mi | 8m |
| College Street | 6.4 mi | 8m |
| West Clayton Street | 5.1 mi | 6m |
| South Freeway | 3.4 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
I 45
— 173.6 mi, about 2h 57m
Traffic on I-45
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 14 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
1 PM
~1,496 veh/hr typical · worst 2,185
Quietest
1 AM
~238 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 45 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 Central Gardens, TX and Fort Worth, TX.
1
Start on TX 347
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
North Twin City Highway
2
Continue on TX 347
0.7 mi
·
48 sec
·
Highway 347
3
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 69, US 96, US 287 North
4
Merge onto US 69; US 96; US 287
5.6 mi
·
6 min
·
US 69; US 96; US 287
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight right at fork onto US 69; US 96; US 287
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
US 69; US 96; US 287
Toward I 10 East, US 69 North, US 96 North, US 287 North: Lake Charles, Lufkin
6
Keep slight left at fork onto US 69; US 96; US 287
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
US 69; US 96; US 287
Toward I 10 East, US 69 North, US 96 North, US 287 North: Lake Charles, Lufkin
7
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
Exit 851
Toward US 90: Liberty
8
Turn straight onto Interstate 10 South Frontage Road
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
Interstate 10 South Frontage Road
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
9
Turn left onto College Street
6.4 mi
·
8 min
·
College Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
10
Continue on US 90
40 mi
·
45 min
·
US 90
11
Turn right onto TX 321
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
North Cleveland Street
12
Turn left onto FM 1960
5.1 mi
·
6 min
·
West Clayton Street
13
Turn right onto East Grand Parkway North
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
East Grand Parkway North
14
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
15
Merge onto TX 99 Toll
32 mi
·
34 min
·
East Grand Parkway North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
Toward Houston, Dallas
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Turn right onto Interstate 45 North Frontage Road
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Interstate 45 North Frontage Road
Use the right lane.
18
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
8 sec
Toward I 45 North
19
Merge onto I 45
174 mi
·
2 hr 57 min
·
I 45
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit onto US 287
58 mi
·
1 hr 5 min
·
US 287
Exit 247
Toward US 287 North: Waxahachie, Fort Worth
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Exit 437
Toward I 35W South, I 35W North: Waco, Denton
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
Toward I 35W North: Denton
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
Toward I 35W North: Fort Worth
24
Merge onto I 35W
3.2 mi
·
3 min
·
South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 49A
Toward Allen Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
26
Turn straight onto South Freeway
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
South Freeway
27
Turn left onto East Allen Avenue
210 ft
·
12 sec
·
East Allen Avenue
28
Turn left onto South Freeway
258 ft
·
5 sec
·
South Freeway
29
Arrive at destination
South Freeway
Trip Plan
For this 6-hour drive, consider leaving Central Gardens in the morning to maximize daylight. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $48, you can plan your budget accordingly. The longest stretch on I 45 is over 173 miles, so ensure you're fueled up before heading into that segment. Since this is a feasible one-day trip, you have the flexibility to stop for a meal or a break whenever you feel the need, rather than adhering to a strict schedule.
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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 166.3 miles from Central Gardens, TX, or about 3h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 173.6 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 73 miles or 1h 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 166.3 miles or 3h 5m 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 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 Central Gardens, 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 Central Gardens, TX
This is one driving day of about 332.7 miles and 6h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 73 miles from Central Gardens, 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 I 45 for about 173.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
166 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 73 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 166.3 miles from Central Gardens, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 45 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 173.6 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
Road Ranger
0.1 mi from route
TA Express
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Navarro County Northbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
TA Express
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Walker County Southbound Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Walker County Northbound Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Navarro County Southbound Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.3 mi from route
Rest Area
0.8 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
1.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
2.4 mi from route
Dennis Johnston Park
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
1.5 mi from route
~4 min detour
Spring, Texas
Hours: 7 am–10 pm
+17132740930
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 websitePort Neches Riverfront Park
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, ~9 min detour
3.7 mi from route
~9 min detour
Port Neches, Texas
Hours: 8 am–8 pm
+14097194280
Visit websiteThe Woodlands Waterway
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, ~12 min detour
Early stretch
4.6 mi from route
~12 min detour
The Woodlands, Texas
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 websiteSpindletop Gladys-City Boomtown Museum
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, ~12 min detour
4.7 mi from route
~12 min detour
Beaumont, Texas
Hours: 10 am–4 pm
+14098801750
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 245 decision points cluster between mile 94.6 and 332.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
94.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 50m in
Take the exit toward Houston, Dallas
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 Houston, Dallas
8
270.7 mi into trip
|
~4h 52m in
|
US 287
Take the exit onto US 287 toward US 287 North: Waxahachie, Fort Worth
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.
Exit 247
Toward US 287 North: Waxahachie, Fort Worth
8
328.2 mi into trip
|
~5h 58m in
Take the exit toward I 35W South, I 35W North: Waco, Denton
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.
Exit 437
Toward I 35W South, I 35W North: Waco, Denton
7
328.4 mi into trip
|
~5h 58m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 35W North: Denton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35W North: Denton
7
332.2 mi into trip
|
~6h 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
$45.57 one way
$91.14 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
116 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $50.90 | $101.80 |
| premium | $4.23 | $55.34 | $110.68 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $62.82 | $125.64 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$46
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 116.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 99.8 | 1 | $34.93 | $15.97 |
| Efficient EV | 83.2 | 0 | $29.11 | $13.31 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 133.1 | 1 | $46.58 | $21.29 |
Gas CO2
116 kg
EV CO2
39 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
Central Gardens, TX
Late night in Central Gardens on Sunday
Local time
1:45 AM
CDT
Current temp
93°F
Mostly Sunny
S 0 to 10 mph
5% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 8:51AM CDT until July 22 at 8:36AM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 8:45AM CDT until July 17 at 11:45AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Destination
Fort Worth, TX
Late night in Fort Worth on Sunday
Local time
1:45 AM
CDT
Current temp
92°F
Mostly Sunny
S 5 to 10 mph
10% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 8:51AM CDT until July 22 at 8:36AM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 8:45AM CDT until July 17 at 11:45AM CDT by NWS San Angelo 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
1 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
6h 4m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway, with 95% of the 332.7 miles on major roads like I 45 and US 287. You'll experience a longest stretch of 173.6 miles on I 45, so expect long stretches of consistent cruising. The transition to surface roads will be minimal, likely occurring only at the very beginning or end of your trip.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 173.6 mi on I 45.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 45 and US 287. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 94.6 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 24 significant decision points across 332.7 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 94.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 270.7 miles (US 287): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 328.2 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
652 ft
18 ft
Total Climb
852 ft
Total Descent
218 ft
Highest Point
652 ft
~332.7 mi in
Elevation Range
634 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 Central Gardens, TX and Fort Worth, TX, road signs point toward Houston and Dallas.
Houston
94.6 mi in
|
~1h 50m
Dallas
94.6 mi in
|
~1h 50m
About the Cities
Starting in Central Gardens, TX
Full guide →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 6h 4m. Total distance: 332.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 4m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 173.6 miles on I 45. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 19 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 19 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 94.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 270.7 miles (US 287): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 328.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.1 hours each way, a round trip means 12.2 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, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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