Spanning 315.2 miles across the heart of the Great Plains, this journey from Devine to Fort Worth typically takes about 4 hours and 45 minutes to complete. Because the trip is manageable in a single day, you likely won't need an overnight stay unless you prefer a slower pace. You should budget approximately $48 for fuel to cover the distance. The route utilizes a combination of Highway 173 South, Interstate 35 North, and the Purple Heart Trail. Whether you are heading north for business or a change of scenery, this drive offers a straightforward connection between two distinct Texas hubs.
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
149.2 miles from Devine, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 44m into the drive
.
Step-by-step road directions between Devine, TX and Fort Worth, TX.
1
Start on TX 173
0.9 mi·1 min·East Hondo Avenue
2
Continue on TX 173
432 ft·15 sec·State Highway 173 South
3
Turn left onto Interstate 35 North
0.7 mi·1 min·Interstate 35 North
4
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·19 sec
5
Merge onto I 35
21 mi·21 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on I 35
9.3 mi·11 min·South Pan Am Expressway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
1.7 mi·2 min·South Pan Am Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35
10 mi·13 min·South Pan Am Expressway
Toward I 37, US 281: Upper Level, Corpus Christi, Johnson CityUse the straight lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto North Pan Am Expressway
7.4 mi·8 min·North Pan Am Expressway
Toward I 35: AustinUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 35
12 mi·12 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 35
1.9 mi·2 min·Interstate Highway 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 35
48 mi·52 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
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.
14
Continue on I 35
6.6 mi·7 min·South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I 35; US 77
33 mi·33 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W
49 mi·51 min·I 35W
Toward I 35W: Fort WorthUse the slight left lane.
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Exit 49AToward Allen AvenueUse 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
Since the trip takes nearly five hours, planning for at least one dedicated stop will help you stay refreshed and focused. Departing early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid mid-day congestion and ensure you reach Fort Worth with plenty of time to spare. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the $48 estimate can fluctuate based on your vehicle's efficiency and local price variations along the route. Because this is a turn-heavy path, prioritize using a reliable navigation system to stay on track through the local sections. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, so feel free to adjust your pace if you find yourself needing an extra break along the way.
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 149.2 miles from Devine, TX, or about 2h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 209.6 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 66 miles or 1h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 149.2 miles or 2h 44m 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 23m
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 Devine, 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 Devine, TX
This is one driving day of about 298.5 miles and 5h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 66 miles from Devine, 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 Purple Heart Trail for about 209.6 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 32.4 and 298 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
32.4 mi into trip|~36m in|I 35 / South Pan Am Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35 / South Pan Am Expressway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
34.1 mi into trip|~38m in|I 35 / South Pan Am Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35 / South Pan Am Expressway toward I 37, US 281: Upper Level, Corpus Christi, Johnson City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 37, US 281: Upper Level, Corpus Christ...
7
44.6 mi into trip|~51m in|North Pan Am Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto North Pan Am Expressway toward I 35: Austin
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35: Austin
7
248.8 mi into trip|~4h 27m in|I 35W
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W toward I 35W: Fort Worth
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 35W: Fort Worth
7
298 mi into trip|~5h 19m 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
$45.10 one way
$90.21 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg104 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$49.37
$98.74
premium
$4.54
$53.30
$106.59
diesel
$5.61
$65.91
$131.81
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$45
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 104.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
89.6
1
$31.34
$14.33
Efficient EV
74.6
0
$26.12
$11.94
EV Truck/SUV
119.4
1
$41.79
$19.10
Gas CO2
104 kg
EV CO2
35 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 Apr 14, 2026
Origin
Devine, TX
Morning
in Devine on Sunday
Local time
6:27 AM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Fort Worth, TX
Morning
in Fort Worth on Sunday
Local time
6:27 AM
CDT
Current temp
83°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
S 15 mph20% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 14 at 2:58PM CDT until April 14 at 3:45PM CDT by NWS Norman OK
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 14 at 1:54PM CDT until April 14 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
21 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 20m 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.
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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 216.1
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...
7 mi from route
~18 min detour
Free
near mile 30.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous highway cruise, this route features a significant amount of local road travel rather than a high percentage of interstate driving. You will navigate a variety of road types, shifting from smaller stretches to the more structured flow of the interstate. The transition between these road profiles keeps the experience dynamic, requiring you to remain engaged as the terrain changes throughout the 315.2-mile journey. It is a practical drive that favors local navigation over long, uninterrupted high-speed segments.
Only 29% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 209.6 mi on Purple Heart Trail.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 32.4 miles in near I 35 / South Pan Am Expressway.
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 10 significant decision points across 298.5 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 32.4 miles (I 35 / South Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 34.1 miles (I 35 / South Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 44.6 miles (North Pan Am Expressway): 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 Devine, TX and Fort Worth, TX, road signs point toward Corpus Christi and Johnson City.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 20m. Total distance: 298.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 20m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 209.6 miles on Purple Heart Trail. 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 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 32.4 miles (I 35 / South Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 34.1 miles (I 35 / South Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 44.6 miles (North Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 5.3 hours each way, a round trip means 10.7 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.
