Navarro County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Fort Worth, TX to Barrett, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 59m
Distance
275.7 mi
444 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$38
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 46m
★
6 AM
4h 59m
8 AM
5h 26m
10 AM
5h 9m
12 PM
5h 6m
3 PM
5h 10m
5 PM
5h 25m
8 PM
4h 51m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fort Worth, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Barrett, TX
Mark Direen
Trip Overview
Connecting Fort Worth to Barrett, this 275.7-mile journey takes approximately 4 hours and 59 minutes of driving time. Because the route stays within the Great Plains region of Texas, you can easily complete the trip in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend about $42 on fuel for the trek, which relies heavily on I-45, US-287, and HTR. While it is a straightforward drive, keep in mind that you will be spending nearly five hours behind the wheel. Use this route if you need a reliable, efficient path between these two points, as it is designed specifically for highway-focused travel.
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
137.8 miles from Fort Worth, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 28m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 45 | 174.8 mi | 2h 59m |
| US 287 | 50.7 mi | 56m |
| HTR | 13 mi | 15m |
| North Sam Houston Tollway East | 10.1 mi | 11m |
| Crosby Freeway | 6.7 mi | 7m |
| North Sam Houston Parkway East | 5.8 mi | 7m |
| Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway | 5.7 mi | 6m |
| South Freeway | 3.3 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
I 45
— 174.8 mi, about 2h 59m
Traffic on I-45
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 28 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
1 PM
~1,496 veh/hr typical · worst 2,185
Quietest
1 AM
~238 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 45 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 Fort Worth, TX and Barrett, TX.
1
Start on South Freeway
174 ft
·
3 sec
·
South Freeway
2
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Toward I 35W South
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
3
Merge onto I 35W
3.2 mi
·
3 min
·
South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
Exit 45B
Toward I 20 East: Dallas
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 20 East: Dallas
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
6
Merge onto I 20
5.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto US 287
51 mi
·
56 min
·
US 287
Exit 444
Toward US 287 South: Little Road, Waxahachie
Use the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 45 South: Corsicana
9
Merge onto I 45; US 287
175 mi
·
2 hr 59 min
·
I 45; US 287
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit onto HTR
13 mi
·
15 min
·
HTR
Exit 72B
Toward Hardy Toll Road South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
494 ft
·
12 sec
Toward BW 8
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Turn straight onto East Hardy Street
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
East Hardy Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
13
Turn left onto North Sam Houston Parkway East
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
North Sam Houston Parkway East
Use the left / straight lanes.
14
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward BW 8 East
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
15
Merge onto BW 8
4.8 mi
·
5 min
·
North Sam Houston Parkway East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on SHT
10 mi
·
11 min
·
North Sam Houston Tollway East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Toward US 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Turn straight onto BW 8
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
East Sam Houston Parkway North
19
Keep slight left at fork onto BW 8
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
East Sam Houston Parkway North
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Turn left onto Crosby Freeway Frontage Road
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
·
Crosby Freeway Frontage Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
21
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
Toward US 90 East
22
Merge onto US 90
6.7 mi
·
7 min
·
Crosby Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Toward FM 2100, FM 1942: Crosby
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Turn sharp right onto FM 2100
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
Crosby Lynchburg Road
25
Turn left onto FM 1942
74 ft
·
1 sec
·
Farm to Market 1942
Use the left lane.
26
Arrive at destination
FM 1942
Trip Plan
Since this is a five-hour drive, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh. Leaving early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid potential traffic congestion on the major highway corridors. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the long 174.8-mile stretch on I-45 to ensure you don't get caught in a low-fuel situation between service exits. Because the trip is manageable in a single day, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time based on your personal preference. Remember that having $42 set aside for gas will cover your primary travel costs, but keeping a little extra for snacks during your stop is always a smart move.
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 137.8 miles from Fort Worth, TX, or about 2h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 174.8 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 61 miles or 1h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 137.8 miles or 2h 28m 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 59m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Barrett, 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 275.7 miles and 4h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 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 I 45 for about 174.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
138 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 61 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 137.8 miles from Fort Worth, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 45 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 174.8 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
Navarro County Southbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.1 mi from route
TA Express
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Walker County Southbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Walker County Northbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
TA Express
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.3 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.7 mi from route
Rest Area
0.8 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
1.6 mi from route
Buc-ee's
2.4 mi from route
NTER - The Great Escape
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
First break
1.4 mi from route
~3 min detour
Waxahachie, Texas
Hours: 5–9 pm
+12149801053
Visit websiteDennis Johnston Park
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Spring, Texas
Hours: 7 am–10 pm
+17132740930
Visit websiteForest Park Miniature Railroad
4.4
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the start, short detour
2.2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Fort Worth, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+18179665509
Visit websiteThe Woodlands Waterway
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, ~9 min detour
Home stretch
3.8 mi from route
~9 min detour
The Woodlands, Texas
Visit websiteCandy Cane Park
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Later in the drive, ~12 min detour
Final third
4.8 mi from route
~12 min detour
Conroe, Texas
Hours: 9 am–11 pm
+19365223804
Visit websiteFort Worth Herd
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, ~12 min detour
4.7 mi from route
~12 min detour
Fort Worth, Texas
Hours: 11:30 am–4 pm
+18173364373
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 225 decision points cluster between mile 3.5 and 275.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
3.5 mi into trip
|
~4m in
Take the exit toward I 20 East: Dallas
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 45B
Toward I 20 East: Dallas
7
3.6 mi into trip
|
~4m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 20 East: Dallas
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 20 East: Dallas
9
10.1 mi into trip
|
~12m in
|
US 287
Keep slight right at fork onto US 287 toward US 287 South: Little Road, Waxahachie
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 444
Toward US 287 South: Little Road, Waxahachie
7
236.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 9m in
|
HTR
Take the exit onto HTR toward Hardy Toll Road South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 72B
Toward Hardy Toll Road South
7
275.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 58m in
Take the exit toward FM 2100, FM 1942: Crosby
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.
Toward FM 2100, FM 1942: Crosby
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.76 one way
$75.52 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
97 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $42.18 | $84.36 |
| premium | $4.23 | $45.86 | $91.72 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $52.06 | $104.11 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.81
Sam Houston Tollway
(10.1 mi)
$0.81
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 96.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 82.7 | 1 | $28.95 | $13.23 |
| Efficient EV | 68.9 | 0 | $24.12 | $11.03 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 110.3 | 1 | $38.60 | $17.64 |
Gas CO2
96 kg
EV CO2
32 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
Fort Worth, TX
Night in Fort Worth on Monday
Local time
9:07 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Partly Cloudy
S 10 mph
3% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:59PM CDT until July 19 at 6:17PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:59PM CDT until July 19 at 5:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Barrett, TX
Night in Barrett on Monday
Local time
9:07 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 5 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:59PM CDT until July 19 at 6:17PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:59PM CDT until July 19 at 5:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
100°F
Italy, TX
138 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
1 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
4h 59m 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?
With 88% of this trip taking place on highways, you should prepare for a consistent, high-speed travel experience. You will face a significant 174.8-mile stretch on I-45, which serves as the longest uninterrupted portion of the journey. The road feels like a classic Texas interstate grind, favoring speed and efficiency over winding backroads or technical turns. As you transition between the various segments of the route, the pace remains steady and predictable. Expect the drive to be functional and direct rather than leisurely, making it ideal for those who prioritize arriving at their destination quickly.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 174.8 mi on I 45.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 45 and US 287. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.5 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 22 significant decision points across 275.7 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 3.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 3.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 10.1 miles (US 287): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
651 ft
43 ft
Total Climb
359 ft
Total Descent
967 ft
Highest Point
651 ft
Elevation Range
608 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Fort Worth, TX and Barrett, TX, road signs point toward Hardy Toll Road South, Bw 8 and Bw 8 East.
Hardy Toll Road South
236.2 mi in
|
~4h 9m
|
via HTR
Bw 8
249.2 mi in
|
~4h 24m
Bw 8 East
250.6 mi in
|
~4h 27m
About the Cities
Starting 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
Arriving in Barrett, TX
Full guide →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 4h 59m. Total distance: 275.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 174.8 miles on I 45. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.81 in tolls one way, starting with Sam Houston Tollway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
Yes — we found about 22 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 Barrett, 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 22 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 3.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 10.1 miles (US 287): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 5.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 10.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Barrett, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.
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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