Dilley to Fort Worth is 335.9 miles and takes about 5h 58m via Purple Heart Trail and I 35W, with a fuel budget near $47 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip takes you from the Great Plains region of Texas to another part of the same region. The drive is predominantly on surface roads, offering a more grounded perspective of the Texas landscape. With only one recommended stop and a manageable duration, this route is well-suited for a single day of travel, allowing you to reach your destination efficiently.
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
167.9 miles from Dilley, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 2m into the drive
.
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 132 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~3,150 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,705
Quietest
2 AM
~533 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Dilley, TX and Fort Worth, TX.
1
Start on I 35 Bus; FM 117
2.3 mi·3 min·South Main Street
2
Turn right onto South I 35 Access Road East
427 ft·13 sec·South I 35 Access Road East
3
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·56 sec
4
Merge onto I 35
58 mi·57 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Continue on I 35
9.3 mi·11 min·South Pan Am Expressway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
1.7 mi·2 min·South Pan Am Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
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.
8
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.
9
Continue on I 35
12 mi·12 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 35
1.9 mi·2 min·Interstate Highway 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 35
48 mi·52 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
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.
13
Continue on I 35
6.6 mi·7 min·South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 35; US 77
33 mi·33 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W
49 mi·51 min·I 35W
Toward I 35W: Fort WorthUse the slight left lane.
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Exit 49AToward Allen AvenueUse the slight right lane.
17
Turn straight onto South Freeway
0.1 mi·18 sec·South Freeway
18
Turn left onto East Allen Avenue
210 ft·12 sec·East Allen Avenue
19
Turn left onto South Freeway
258 ft·5 sec·South Freeway
20
Arrive at destination
South Freeway
Trip Plan
Given the roughly 6-hour drive time, starting your trip in Dilley early in the morning is advisable to maximize daylight. The route includes one recommended stop, so plan your breaks accordingly to stay refreshed. With a substantial portion on surface roads, pay close attention to posted speed limits and local traffic patterns, especially as you move through different towns. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge; while the estimated cost is $47, it's always wise to top off when opportunities arise on non-highway stretches.
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 167.9 miles from Dilley, TX, or about 3h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 246 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 74 miles or 1h 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 167.9 miles or 3h 2m 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 54m
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 Dilley, 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 Dilley, TX
This is one driving day of about 335.9 miles and 5h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 74 miles from Dilley, 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 246 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 69.8 and 335.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
69.8 mi into trip|~1h 13m 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
71.5 mi into trip|~1h 15m 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
82 mi into trip|~1h 28m 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
286.2 mi into trip|~5h 5m 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
335.4 mi into trip|~5h 56m 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
$46.01 one way
$92.02 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg118 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$51.39
$102.78
premium
$4.23
$55.87
$111.75
diesel
$4.80
$63.42
$126.85
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: 117.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
100.8
1
$35.27
$16.12
Efficient EV
84
0
$29.39
$13.44
EV Truck/SUV
134.4
1
$47.03
$21.50
Gas CO2
118 kg
EV CO2
39 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.
Forecast as of Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Dilley, TX
Evening
in Dilley on Monday
Local time
6:47 PM
CDT
Current temp
94°F
Partly Sunny
SSE 10 to 15 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 8:25AM CDT until July 20 at 6:32PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 8:25AM CDT until July 18 at 4:45PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Fort Worth, TX
Evening
in Fort Worth on Monday
Local time
6:47 PM
CDT
Current temp
92°F
Mostly Sunny
S 5 to 10 mph10% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 8:25AM CDT until July 20 at 6:32PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 8:25AM CDT until July 18 at 4:45PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio 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
2 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 58m 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
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 254.8
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...
8 mi from route
~20 min detour
Free
near mile 69.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route features a significant portion of surface roads, with only 26% of the drive on highways. You'll experience the longest continuous stretch on Purple Heart Trail, covering 246 miles. Expect to transition from highway cruising to navigating through towns and local traffic as you progress. The prevalence of surface roads means you'll likely encounter more intersections and varying speed limits.
Only 26% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 246 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 69.8 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 335.9 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 69.8 miles (I 35 / South Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 71.5 miles (I 35 / South Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 82 miles (North Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
875 ft560 ft
Total Climb
698 ft
Total Descent
606 ft
Highest Point
875 ft
~201.5 mi in
Elevation Range
314 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Dilley, 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 58m. Total distance: 335.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 246 miles on Purple Heart Trail. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 36 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 36 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 69.8 miles (I 35 / South Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 71.5 miles (I 35 / South Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 82 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 6.0 hours each way, a round trip means 11.9 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.
