Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Channelview, TX to Fort Worth, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 59m
Distance
274.6 mi
442 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$42
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 46m
★
6 AM
4h 59m
8 AM
5h 26m
10 AM
5h 9m
12 PM
5h 6m
3 PM
5h 10m
5 PM
5h 25m
8 PM
4h 51m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Channelview, TX
Thomas balabaud
Fort Worth, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Channelview, TX to Fort Worth, TX is 274.6 miles and takes about 4h 59m via I 45 and US 287, with a fuel budget near $41 and enough daylight to finish in a day. You'll be traveling within the Great Plains region for this entire trip, staying within Texas. This is a straightforward, mostly highway drive that should be manageable for a single day. Plan for about a 5-hour commitment on the road, plus any time for stops.
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
137.3 miles from Channelview, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 30m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 45 | 174.6 mi | 2h 59m |
| US 287 | 57.6 mi | 1h 5m |
| Hardy Toll Road | 21.8 mi | 25m |
| East Freeway | 7.3 mi | 9m |
| East Loop North | 5.9 mi | 7m |
| South Freeway | 3.4 mi | 3m |
| Pemberton Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| East Freeway Frontage Road | 0.5 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 45
— 174.6 mi, about 2h 59m
Traffic on I-45
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 28 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
1 PM
~1,643 veh/hr typical · worst 2,385
Quietest
2 AM
~247 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 88 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 Channelview, TX and Fort Worth, TX.
1
Start on 1st Street
234 ft
·
16 sec
·
1st Street
2
Turn left onto Pemberton Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Pemberton Street
3
Turn right onto Sheldon Road
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
Sheldon Road
4
Turn left onto East Freeway Frontage Road
0.5 mi
·
48 sec
·
East Freeway Frontage Road
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
Toward I 10 West
6
Merge onto I 10
7.3 mi
·
9 min
·
East Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 775A
Toward I 610 South, I 610 North
Use the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 610 North
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 610
5.9 mi
·
7 min
·
East Loop North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 19B
Toward Hardy Toll Road North
Use the slight right lane.
11
Continue on HTR
22 mi
·
25 min
·
Hardy Toll Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 45
175 mi
·
2 hr 59 min
·
I 45
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
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.
14
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.
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
Toward I 35W North: Denton
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
Toward I 35W North: Fort Worth
17
Merge onto I 35W
3.2 mi
·
3 min
·
South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 49A
Toward Allen Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
19
Turn straight onto South Freeway
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
South Freeway
20
Turn left onto East Allen Avenue
210 ft
·
12 sec
·
East Allen Avenue
21
Turn left onto South Freeway
258 ft
·
5 sec
·
South Freeway
22
Arrive at destination
South Freeway
Trip Plan
Leaving Channelview in the morning, ideally before 9 AM, will help you avoid some of the heavier traffic. With a drive time under 5 hours, you can comfortably complete this trip in one day. Your longest stretch on I 45 is over 170 miles, so plan for a fuel and stretch break before you hit that point. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you get closer to Fort Worth, and budget around $41 for gas. The flexibility of a single-day drive means you can adjust your departure time slightly if needed.
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 137.3 miles from Channelview, TX, or about 2h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 174.6 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 60 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 137.3 miles or 2h 30m 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 1m
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 Channelview, 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 Channelview, TX
This is one driving day of about 274.6 miles and 4h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 miles from Channelview, 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 174.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
137 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 137.3 miles from Channelview, 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 174.6 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
Love's Travel Stop
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
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.3 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.5 mi from route
Rest Area
0.8 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
1.6 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
1.6 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.8 mi from route
Buc-ee's
2.4 mi from route
NTER - The Great Escape
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.7 mi from route
~4 min detour
Waxahachie, Texas
Hours: 5–9 pm
+12149801053
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 websiteThe Woodlands Waterway
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
First break
2.6 mi from route
~6 min detour
The Woodlands, Texas
Visit websiteDennis Johnston Park
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
First break
3.1 mi from route
~8 min detour
Spring, Texas
Hours: 7 am–10 pm
+17132740930
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 websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 185 decision points cluster between mile 8.8 and 270.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
8.8 mi into trip
|
~12m in
Take the exit toward I 610 South, I 610 North
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 775A
Toward I 610 South, I 610 North
7
9 mi into trip
|
~13m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 610 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 610 North
7
15.5 mi into trip
|
~21m in
Take the exit toward Hardy Toll Road North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 19B
Toward Hardy Toll Road North
8
212.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 47m 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
270.1 mi into trip
|
~4h 52m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.04 one way
$84.09 round trip
$3.89/gal
25.4 MPG avg
96 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.29 | $46.40 | $92.80 |
| premium | $4.64 | $50.14 | $100.28 |
| diesel | $6.18 | $66.80 | $133.60 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.74
Hardy Toll Road
(21.8 mi)
$1.74
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 96.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 82.4 | 1 | $28.83 | $13.18 |
| Efficient EV | 68.7 | 0 | $24.03 | $10.98 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 109.8 | 1 | $38.44 | $17.57 |
Gas CO2
96 kg
EV CO2
32 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.
Origin
Channelview, TX
Morning in Channelview on Saturday
Local time
6:30 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Sunny
N 5 to 25 mph
36% chance
Live forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 16 at 6:11AM CDT until October 17 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued October 16 at 4:48AM CDT until October 17 at 1:00AM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA
Destination
Fort Worth, TX
Morning in Fort Worth on Saturday
Local time
6:30 AM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Rain Showers
N 20 to 25 mph
78% chance
Live forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 16 at 6:11AM CDT until October 17 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued October 16 at 4:48AM CDT until October 17 at 1:00AM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA
64°F
Italy, TX
137 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
19 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
4h 59m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is 89% highway, meaning you'll spend most of your time on high-speed roads. The longest stretch without a significant break is 174.6 miles on I 45. Expect to transition from the Hardy Toll Road onto I 45, and then eventually onto US 287. The latter part of the drive will involve more urban merging as you approach Fort Worth.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 174.6 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 8.8 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 18 significant decision points across 274.6 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 8.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 15.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
652 ft
24 ft
Total Climb
901 ft
Total Descent
273 ft
Highest Point
652 ft
~275.2 mi in
Elevation Range
628 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.
On the drive from Channelview, TX to Fort Worth, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Hardy Toll Road North along the way.
Hardy Toll Road North
15.5 mi in
|
~21m
About the Cities
Starting in Channelview, 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
- • Kimbell Art Museum — art museum in Fort Worth, Texas
- • Amon Carter Museum of American Art — art museum in Fort Worth, Texas
- • Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth — art museum
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 4h 59m. Total distance: 274.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 174.6 miles on I 45. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.74 in tolls one way, starting with Hardy Toll Road. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
Yes — we found about 25 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 25 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 8.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 15.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 5.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 10.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Fort Worth, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.
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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