Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Clute, 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
5h 49m
Distance
316 mi
509 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$48
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 36m
★
6 AM
5h 50m
8 AM
6h 16m
10 AM
5h 59m
12 PM
5h 56m
3 PM
6h 0m
5 PM
6h 14m
8 PM
5h 42m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Clute, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Fort Worth, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Clute, TX to Fort Worth, TX is 316 miles and takes about 5h 49m via North Freeway and US 287, with a fuel budget near $45 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Great Plains region, offering a straightforward drive across Texas. With a high percentage of highway driving, it's a route well-suited for a single-day excursion. You'll find the drive efficient, making it a practical choice for getting from the Gulf Coast area to North Texas without significant detours.
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
158 miles from Clute, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 57m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North Freeway | 198.4 mi | 3h 27m |
| US 287 | 57.6 mi | 1h 5m |
| Nolan Ryan Expressway | 27.2 mi | 31m |
| Brazoria County Expressway | 16.1 mi | 19m |
| Brazosport Boulevard North | 6 mi | 8m |
| South Freeway | 3.5 mi | 3m |
| Gulf Freeway | 2.4 mi | 3m |
| Coale Road | 1.5 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
North Freeway
— 198.4 mi, about 3h 27m
Traffic on I-45
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 40 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,183 veh/hr typical · worst 3,862
Quietest
2 AM
~397 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 100 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 Clute, TX and Fort Worth, TX.
1
Start on East Main Street
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
East Main Street
2
Turn left onto TX 288 Bus
6.0 mi
·
8 min
·
Brazosport Boulevard North
3
Continue on TX 288 Bus
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
South Velasco Street
4
Turn left onto CR 220
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Coale Road
5
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
1 min
6
Merge onto TX 288
27 mi
·
31 min
·
Nolan Ryan Expressway
7
Continue on TX 288
0.1 mi
·
7 sec
·
South Freeway
8
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 288 Toll
16 mi
·
19 min
·
Brazoria County Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
59 sec
Toward I 45 North: Dallas
Use the slight left lane.
10
Merge onto I 45
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Gulf Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 45
198 mi
·
3 hr 27 min
·
North Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
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.
13
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.
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
Toward I 35W North: Denton
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
Toward I 35W North: Fort Worth
16
Merge onto I 35W
3.2 mi
·
3 min
·
South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 49A
Toward Allen Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
18
Turn straight onto South Freeway
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
South Freeway
19
Turn left onto East Allen Avenue
210 ft
·
12 sec
·
East Allen Avenue
20
Turn left onto South Freeway
258 ft
·
5 sec
·
South Freeway
21
Arrive at destination
South Freeway
Trip Plan
Aim to depart Clute in the morning to take full advantage of the daylight for this 5h 49m drive. With 316 miles and a fuel cost estimated around $45, it's easily manageable as a single-day trip, but plan for one stop to stretch your legs. The longest uninterrupted stretch is nearly 200 miles on North Freeway, so be sure to refuel before embarking on that section if you're concerned about your tank. Keep an eye on traffic as you get closer to the Fort Worth metroplex.
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 158 miles from Clute, TX, or about 2h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 198.4 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 70 miles or 1h 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 158 miles or 2h 57m 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 43m
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 Clute, 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 Clute, TX
This is one driving day of about 316 miles and 5h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 70 miles from Clute, 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 North Freeway for about 198.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
158 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 70 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 158 miles from Clute, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before North Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 198.4 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
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
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
Flying J Travel Center
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
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
Love's Travel Stop
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
2.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
2.3 mi from route
Buc-ee's
2.4 mi from route
Brazosport Museum of Natural Science
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
1.5 mi from route
~4 min detour
Clute, Texas
Hours: 11 am–3 pm
+19792657661
Visit websiteThe Center for the Arts & Sciences
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
1.5 mi from route
~4 min detour
Clute, Texas
Hours: 11 am–3 pm
+19792657661
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 websiteKids Party Planet
4.1
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the start, short detour
1.4 mi from route
~4 min detour
Lake Jackson, Texas
Hours: Closed
+19795292076
Visit websiteSea Center Texas
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
2.9 mi from route
~7 min detour
Lake Jackson, Texas
Hours: 9 am–4 pm
+19792920100
Visit websiteCarl Barton Jr Park
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
3.1 mi from route
~8 min detour
Conroe, Texas
Hours: 6 am–8:30 pm
+19365223000
Visit websiteLake Jackson Historical Museum
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
3.3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Lake Jackson, Texas
Hours: 10 am–4 pm
+19792971570
Visit websiteMorrison Park
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, ~9 min detour
3.6 mi from route
~9 min detour
Lake Jackson, Texas
+19792974533
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 145 decision points cluster between mile 52.7 and 315.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
52.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 5m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 45 North: Dallas
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 45 North: Dallas
8
254 mi into trip
|
~4h 37m 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
311.5 mi into trip
|
~5h 43m 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
311.7 mi into trip
|
~5h 43m 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
315.5 mi into trip
|
~5h 48m 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
$48.38 one way
$96.77 round trip
$3.89/gal
25.4 MPG avg
111 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.29 | $53.40 | $106.79 |
| premium | $4.64 | $57.70 | $115.40 |
| diesel | $6.18 | $76.87 | $153.75 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$48
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 110.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 94.8 | 1 | $33.18 | $15.17 |
| Efficient EV | 79 | 0 | $27.65 | $12.64 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 126.4 | 1 | $44.24 | $20.22 |
Gas CO2
111 kg
EV CO2
37 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
Clute, TX
Afternoon in Clute on Saturday
Local time
1:57 PM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Mostly Clear
N 15 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 17 at 3:25AM CDT until October 18 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued October 17 at 2:37AM CDT until October 20 at 4:00AM CDT by NWS Norman OK
Destination
Fort Worth, TX
Afternoon in Fort Worth on Saturday
Local time
1:57 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Mostly Clear
N 10 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 17 at 3:25AM CDT until October 18 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued October 17 at 2:37AM CDT until October 20 at 4:00AM CDT by NWS Norman OK
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
9 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 49m 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 primarily highway, with 97% of the drive on faster roads. You'll experience a long stretch of 198.4 miles on North Freeway, which means extended periods of consistent cruising. The transition to surface roads will likely occur later in the trip as you approach your destination. Expect a steady pace with frequent exits along the main corridors.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 198.4 mi on North Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on North Freeway and US 287. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 52.7 miles in.
Driving Effort
9/10
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 14 significant decision points across 316 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 52.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 254 miles (US 287): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 311.5 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
15 ft
Total Climb
662 ft
Total Descent
25 ft
Highest Point
652 ft
~318.4 mi in
Elevation Range
638 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Clute, TX
Full guide →Founded 1952
Clute is a city on the North Barrier Coast of Texas. If you have never seen an industrial plant, you are in for a treat, as Dow tanks and stacks and whatever else seem to overshadow everything around here.
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 5h 49m. Total distance: 316 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 198.4 miles on North Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 52.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 254 miles (US 287): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 311.5 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 5.8 hours each way, a round trip means 11.7 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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