If you are planning a trip from Fort Worth to Ballinger, expect a straightforward journey covering 189.9 miles of the Texas Great Plains. You should budget about 3 hours and 41 minutes of drive time, making this a very manageable one-day excursion. With an estimated fuel cost of $29, the trip is quite economical for a solo traveler or a small group. Since both cities are located within the Great Plains region, the landscape remains consistent throughout your travel. Because of the manageable duration, you can easily complete this drive in a single day without needing an overnight stay, leaving you plenty of time at your destination.
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
94.9 miles from Fort Worth, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 55m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Cresson Bypass
42.5 mi
50m
US 67
36.8 mi
39m
US Highway 67
34.4 mi
39m
East Commerce Street
22 mi
25m
US Highway 377 South
11.1 mi
12m
South US Highway 377
7.5 mi
8m
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
7.4 mi
7m
Dublin Bypass
4.8 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
Cresson Bypass
— 42.5 mi, about 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Worth, TX and Ballinger, TX.
1
Start on South Freeway
174 ft·3 sec·South Freeway
2
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward I 35W SouthUse the straight / slight left lanes.
3
Merge onto I 35W
3.4 mi·3 min·South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 45AToward I 20 West: AbileneUse the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward I 20 West: AbileneUse the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Merge onto I 20
4.3 mi·4 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 20
3.2 mi·3 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Toward I 20 WestUse the straight lane.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 429AToward US 377: GranburyUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward US 377 NorthUse the straight / slight left lanes.
10
Turn straight onto Southwest Loop 820
369 ft·9 sec·Southwest Loop 820
11
Turn left onto US 377
2.7 mi·4 min·Benbrook Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
12
Continue on US 377
11 mi·12 min·US Highway 377 South
13
Continue on US 377
42 mi·50 min·Cresson Bypass
14
Continue on US 377
3.5 mi·5 min·East South Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on US 67; US 377
1.4 mi·2 min·West Washington Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Continue on US 67; US 377
7.5 mi·8 min·South US Highway 377
17
Continue on US 67; US 377
4.8 mi·5 min·Dublin Bypass
18
Continue on US 67; US 377
2.3 mi·2 min·Southwest US Highway 377
19
Continue on US 67; US 377
15 mi·17 min·US Highway 67
20
Continue on US 67; US 377; TX 36
2.9 mi·3 min·East Central Avenue
21
Continue on US 67; US 377
19 mi·21 min·US Highway 67
22
Continue on US 67; US 377
4.5 mi·5 min·Early Boulevard
23
Continue on US 67; US 84; US 377
22 mi·25 min·East Commerce Street
24
Keep slight left at fork onto US 67
22 mi·23 min·US 67
25
Continue on US 67
1.1 mi·1 min·2nd Street
26
Continue on US 67
15 mi·15 min·US 67
27
Arrive at destination
2 ft·US 67; US 83
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 189.9-mile journey, try to time your departure to avoid peak traffic congestion when exiting the Fort Worth area. Since the drive takes just under four hours, planning for at least one dedicated stop is a smart way to stay refreshed behind the wheel. Given that your fuel budget is roughly $29, filling up before you leave the metro area can help you avoid potentially higher prices in smaller, remote towns along the way. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, as the relatively short duration allows you to adjust your pace based on how you feel. Keep an eye on your navigation as you transition onto US 67, as staying alert during the shift from highway to local road will ensure a smoother arrival.
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 94.9 miles from Fort Worth, TX, or about 1h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 42.5 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 42 miles or 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 94.9 miles or 1h 55m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 4m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ballinger, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Fort Worth, 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 Fort Worth, TX
This is one driving day of about 189.9 miles and 3h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 42 miles from Fort Worth, 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 Cresson Bypass for about 42.5 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 3.7 and 12.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
3.7 mi into trip|~4m in
Take the exit toward I 20 West: Abilene
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 45A
Toward I 20 West: Abilene
7
4.2 mi into trip|~5m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 20 West: Abilene
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 20 West: Abilene
7
8.7 mi into trip|~10m in|I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway toward I 20 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 20 West
7
11.9 mi into trip|~13m in
Take the exit toward US 377: Granbury
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 429A
Toward US 377: Granbury
8
12.1 mi into trip|~14m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 377 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward US 377 North
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.69 one way
$57.39 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg66 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$31.41
$62.82
premium
$4.54
$33.91
$67.81
diesel
$5.61
$41.93
$83.86
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 66.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
57
0
$19.94
$9.12
Efficient EV
47.5
0
$16.62
$7.60
EV Truck/SUV
76
0
$26.59
$12.15
Gas CO2
66 kg
EV CO2
22 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.
Forecast as of Apr 13, 2026
Origin
Fort Worth, TX
Late night
in Fort Worth on Sunday
Local time
2:49 AM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 15 mph29% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 13 at 12:13AM CDT by NWS Houston/Galveston TX
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 13 at 12:02AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Destination
Ballinger, TX
Late night
in Ballinger on Sunday
Local time
2:49 AM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Partly Cloudy
SSE 5 to 10 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 13 at 12:13AM CDT by NWS Houston/Galveston TX
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 13 at 12:02AM CDT by NWS San Angelo 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
3 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
3h 41m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a mixed drive that transitions from heavier traffic near Fort Worth to more open stretches as you head west. You will spend about 50% of your time on highways, primarily utilizing US 67 and the Cresson Bypass to navigate the route. The longest uninterrupted section you will encounter is the 42.5-mile stretch along the Cresson Bypass, which allows for a steady, consistent pace. The road personality shifts from suburban thoroughfares to the quieter, more rural character of US Highway 67. You should prepare for a blend of fast-paced highway driving and slower, more localized road conditions as you progress toward Ballinger.
50% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 42.5 mi on Cresson Bypass.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.7 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
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 189.9 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 3.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 4.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 8.7 miles (I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 3h 41m. Total distance: 189.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 42.5 miles on Cresson Bypass. 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 Ballinger, 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 3.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 4.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 8.7 miles (I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Ballinger, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.
