Navarro County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Fort Worth, TX to Baytown, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 9m
Distance
284.4 mi
458 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$44
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 56m
★
6 AM
5h 9m
8 AM
5h 36m
10 AM
5h 19m
12 PM
5h 16m
3 PM
5h 20m
5 PM
5h 35m
8 PM
5h 1m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fort Worth, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Baytown, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Fort Worth to Baytown is 284.4 miles and takes about 5h 9m via I 45 and US 287, with a fuel budget near $44 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive covers the distance between the Great Plains region of North Texas and the Gulf Coast area, primarily on major highways. Expect a fairly straightforward trip, with most of your travel time spent on interstate and US highway systems. It's a route that can easily be completed in a single day if you're looking for a direct path from the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex to the Houston metropolitan area and beyond.
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
142.2 miles from Fort Worth, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 33m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 45 | 174.8 mi | 2h 59m |
| US 287 | 50.7 mi | 56m |
| HTR | 21.9 mi | 25m |
| East Freeway | 12.7 mi | 15m |
| North Loop East | 5.9 mi | 7m |
| Decker Drive | 5.9 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
~1,643 veh/hr typical · worst 2,385
Quietest
2 AM
~247 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 88 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 Baytown, 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
22 mi
·
25 min
·
HTR
Exit 72B
Toward Hardy Toll Road South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 610 East
12
Merge onto I 610
5.9 mi
·
7 min
·
North Loop East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Exit 26A
Toward I 10: Beaumont, Downtown
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 10 East: Beaumont
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto I 10
13 mi
·
15 min
·
East Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto Spur 330
4.5 mi
·
5 min
·
Decker Drive
Toward Spur 330: Baytown
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Toward Spur 330
Use the slight right lane.
18
Continue on Decker Drive
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Decker Drive
19
Arrive at destination
Decker Drive
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 9m estimated drive time and 284.4-mile distance, departing Fort Worth in the morning will allow you to reach Baytown with plenty of daylight remaining. The route includes one recommended stop, so plan to take a break around the halfway point or when you feel ready. With a fuel cost estimate of $44, it's wise to fill up your tank before leaving Fort Worth and monitor your fuel levels, especially before the longest stretch on I 45. Since this is a manageable one-day drive, you have flexibility to depart later if needed, but an earlier start will help you avoid potential evening traffic near Houston.
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 142.2 miles from Fort Worth, TX, or about 2h 33m 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 63 miles or 1h 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 142.2 miles or 2h 33m 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 6m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Baytown, 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 284.4 miles and 5h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 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
142 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 63 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 142.2 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
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
TA Express
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.3 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.4 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.5 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.7 mi from route
TA
0.9 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
1.6 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
1.6 mi from route
Buc-ee's
2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
2.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
2.4 mi from route
Bicentennial Park
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.2 mi from route
Baytown, Texas
Hours: 5 am–10 pm
+12814206597
Visit websiteNTER - The Great Escape
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, right off the route
First break
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Waxahachie, Texas
Hours: 5–9 pm
+12149801053
Visit websiteCandy Cane Park
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Conroe, Texas
Hours: 9 am–11 pm
+19365223804
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 websiteARs Entertainment Hub Baytown
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2.5 mi from route
~6 min detour
Baytown, Texas
Hours: 4–10 pm
+18889999440
Visit websiteAllenbrook Park
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2.2 mi from route
~6 min detour
Baytown, Texas
Hours: 5 am–10 pm
+12814206597
Visit websiteCarl Barton Jr Park
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Conroe, Texas
Hours: 6 am–8:30 pm
+19365223000
Visit websiteW.L. Jenkins Park
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, ~9 min detour
Home stretch
3.7 mi from route
~9 min detour
Baytown, Texas
Hours: 5 am–10 pm
+12814206597
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 165 decision points cluster between mile 3.5 and 264.8 — 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
8
264.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 44m in
Take the exit toward I 10: Beaumont, Downtown
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.
Exit 26A
Toward I 10: Beaumont, Downtown
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$43.54 one way
$87.09 round trip
$3.89/gal
25.4 MPG avg
100 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.29 | $48.06 | $96.11 |
| premium | $4.64 | $51.93 | $103.86 |
| diesel | $6.18 | $69.19 | $138.37 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 99.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 85.3 | 1 | $29.86 | $13.65 |
| Efficient EV | 71.1 | 0 | $24.89 | $11.38 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 113.8 | 1 | $39.82 | $18.20 |
Gas CO2
100 kg
EV CO2
33 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
Morning in Fort Worth on Saturday
Local time
6:16 AM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Rain Showers
N 20 to 25 mph
78% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued October 16 at 3:40AM CDT until October 17 at 5:17PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued October 16 at 3:40AM CDT until October 17 at 4:00PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Baytown, TX
Morning in Baytown on Saturday
Local time
6:16 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Partly Cloudy
NE 0 to 5 mph
14% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued October 16 at 3:40AM CDT until October 17 at 5:17PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued October 16 at 3:40AM CDT until October 17 at 4:00PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
64°F
Italy, TX
142 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
16 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 9m 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?
This trip is mostly highway, with 85% of the 284.4 miles on high-speed roads like I 45 and US 287. You'll experience a longest stretch of 174.8 miles on I 45, indicating long segments of uninterrupted cruising. The drive profile is described as mostly highway, so expect frequent exits and potentially dense traffic as you approach and pass through the Houston area. The final portion of your drive will transition from highway to surface roads as you reach your destination.
85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 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 16 significant decision points across 284.4 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
652 ft
23 ft
Total Climb
55 ft
Total Descent
684 ft
Highest Point
652 ft
Elevation Range
630 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 Baytown, TX, road signs point toward Hardy Toll Road South and Downtown.
Hardy Toll Road South
236.2 mi in
|
~4h 9m
|
via HTR
Downtown
264.8 mi in
|
~4h 44m
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
- • Kimbell Art Museum — art museum in Fort Worth, Texas
- • Amon Carter Museum of American Art — art museum in Fort Worth, Texas
- • Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth — art museum
Arriving in Baytown, TX
Full guide →Baytown is a city in Texas. When you are in Baytown, you can rest assured you are in one of the most industrialized places of the world. With Exxon's Baytown Refinery on the west, Chevron's Cedar Bayou Plant on the northeast, the Covestro Baytown Industrial Plant on the east, and a smattering of other industries in between, you're likely to see flare stacks and storage tanks or tanker cars wherever you go, and might think you need a gas mask. But, in spite of this, there are still natural and cultural attractions to behold. And Garey Busey and Renee Zellweger used to call this place home.
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 5h 9m. Total distance: 284.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). 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.
Yes — we found about 29 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 Baytown, 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 29 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Baytown, TX before the return drive.
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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