Hill County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Florence, TX to Fort Worth, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 48m
Distance
156.1 mi
251 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 37m
★
6 AM
2h 48m
8 AM
3h 10m
10 AM
2h 56m
12 PM
2h 53m
3 PM
2h 57m
5 PM
3h 9m
8 PM
2h 41m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Florence, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Fort Worth, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 156.1-mile drive from Florence to Fort Worth, Texas, can be comfortably completed in about 2 hours and 48 minutes, making it an excellent day trip. You'll primarily navigate on I-35 and I-35W, with a short portion on FM 2843, meaning nearly the entire journey is on highways. With an estimated fuel cost of $24, it's an economical option for exploring the Great Plains region of Texas. This route is straightforward, offering a direct path between two points within the same state.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
78.1 miles from Florence, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 26m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 35 | 87.2 mi | 1h 29m |
| I 35W | 49.2 mi | 51m |
| FM 2843 | 14.6 mi | 18m |
| FM 487 | 2.4 mi | 3m |
| South I-35 Frontage Road | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| East Main Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| South Freeway | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| FM 2115 | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 87.2 mi, about 1h 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Florence, TX and Fort Worth, TX.
1
Start on FM 487
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
East Main Street
2
Continue on FM 487
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
FM 487
3
Turn left onto FM 2843
15 mi
·
18 min
·
FM 2843
4
Turn right onto South I-35 Frontage Road
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South I-35 Frontage Road
5
Turn left onto FM 2115
487 ft
·
20 sec
·
FM 2115
6
Turn sharp left onto South I-35 Frontage Road
0.6 mi
·
51 sec
·
South I-35 Frontage Road
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
24 sec
Toward I 35 North
8
Merge onto I 35
87 mi
·
1 hr 29 min
·
I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W
49 mi
·
51 min
·
I 35W
Toward I 35W: Fort Worth
Use the slight left lane.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 49A
Toward Allen Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
11
Turn straight onto South Freeway
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
South Freeway
12
Turn left onto East Allen Avenue
210 ft
·
12 sec
·
East Allen Avenue
13
Turn left onto South Freeway
258 ft
·
5 sec
·
South Freeway
14
Arrive at destination
South Freeway
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of under 3 hours, this trip offers a lot of flexibility. You can easily depart in the morning and arrive in Fort Worth with plenty of the day to spare, or head out in the afternoon to avoid peak traffic. With only one major highway stretch of 87.2 miles on I-35, plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly, though you likely won't need more than one significant break. Keep an eye out for the transition from I-35 to I-35W as you approach the Fort Worth area to ensure you stay on the most direct path.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 78.1 miles from Florence, TX, or about 1h 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 87.2 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 34 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 78.1 miles or 1h 26m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 17m
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 Florence, 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 Florence, TX
This is one driving day of about 156.1 miles and 2h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Florence, 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 35 for about 87.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
78 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 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 78.1 miles from Florence, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 35 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 87.2 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
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Hill County Southbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
Bell County Southbound Rest Area
0.4 mi from route
Bell County Northbound Rest Area
1.3 mi from route
Bicentennial Park
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.8 mi from route
~4 min detour
Crowley, Texas
Hours: 6 am–9 pm
+18172972201
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 websiteVillage of Salado Visitors Center
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
First break
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Salado, Texas
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+12549478634
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 websiteDoris D Miller Park
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour
Halfway reset
4.5 mi from route
~11 min detour
Waco, Texas
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteCultural Activities Center
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, ~12 min detour
Early stretch
4.9 mi from route
~12 min detour
Temple, Texas
Hours: 8:30 am–4 pm
+12547739926
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 95 decision points cluster between mile 18.4 and 156 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
18.4 mi into trip
|
~24m in
|
South I-35 Frontage Road
Turn sharp left onto South I-35 Frontage Road
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
5
19.3 mi into trip
|
~25m in
|
I 35
Merge onto I 35
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
106.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 55m 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
155.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 46m 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
5
156 mi into trip
|
~2h 47m in
|
East Allen Avenue
Turn left onto East Allen Avenue
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.59 one way
$47.17 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
55 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $25.82 | $51.64 |
| premium | $4.54 | $27.87 | $55.74 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $34.46 | $68.93 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 54.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 46.8 | 0 | $16.39 | $7.49 |
| Efficient EV | 39 | 0 | $13.66 | $6.24 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 62.4 | 0 | $21.85 | $9.99 |
Gas CO2
55 kg
EV CO2
18 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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
Florence, TX
Late night in Florence on Tuesday
Local time
3:10 AM
CDT
Current temp
85°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Fort Worth, TX
Late night in Fort Worth on Tuesday
Local time
3:10 AM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Mostly Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SSW 15 mph
63% chance
Live forecast
79°F
Beverly Hills, TX
78 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
30 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
2h 48m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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 75.4
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for 99% of this trip, as you'll be on major interstates for the vast majority of the 156.1 miles. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 87.2 miles on I-35, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent speed. While largely interstate, the inclusion of FM 2843 offers a brief change of pace before merging back onto the main highway corridors. This route offers a consistent driving experience, characteristic of extensive highway travel.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 87.2 mi on I 35.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and I 35W. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 18.4 miles in near South I-35 Frontage Road.
Driving Effort
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 48m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 18.4 miles (South I-35 Frontage Road): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 19.3 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 106.5 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
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 2h 48m. Total distance: 156.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 87.2 miles on I 35. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 16 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 18.4 miles (South I-35 Frontage Road): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 19.3 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 106.5 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Fort Worth, TX before heading back.
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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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