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Trip from Fort Worth, TX to Borger, TX

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 20, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

6h 33m

Distance

351 mi

565 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$48

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min
4 AM
6h 21m ★
6 AM
6h 33m
8 AM
6h 58m
10 AM
6h 42m
12 PM
6h 39m
3 PM
6h 43m
5 PM
6h 57m
8 PM
6h 26m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

city and county seat of Tarrant County, Texas, United States

Fort Worth, TX

Wikimedia Commons

city in Hutchinson County, Texas, United States

Borger, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Fort Worth to Borger is 351 miles and takes about 6h 33m via US Highway 287, with a fuel budget near $52 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Great Plains region of Texas, offering a straightforward drive that's mostly highway. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on major roads, making it a practical choice for a quick cross-state transit. If you're looking for a no-fuss drive to get you from point A to point B efficiently, this route fits the bill.

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

175.5 miles from Fort Worth, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 8m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 81 103.4 mi 1h 49m
US Highway 287 55.8 mi 57m
US Highway 287 East 40.5 mi 42m
East 11th Street 28.7 mi 32m
Boykin Drive 26.2 mi 28m
US Highway 287 West 25.7 mi 26m
Elsie Avenue 22.9 mi 34m
State Highway 207 15.2 mi 22m
Longest stretch: US 81 — 103.4 mi, about 1h 49m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Fort Worth, TX and Borger, TX.

1

Start on South Freeway

54 ft · 2 sec · South Freeway
2

Turn right onto Elmwood Avenue

475 ft · 23 sec · Elmwood Avenue
3

At end of road, turn right onto Epps Street

0.1 mi · 27 sec · Epps Street
4

Continue on East Maddox Avenue

412 ft · 20 sec · East Maddox Avenue
5

At end of road, turn right onto South Freeway

321 ft · 13 sec · South Freeway
6

Turn left onto East Allen Avenue

210 ft · 13 sec · East Allen Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
7

Turn left onto South Freeway

0.5 mi · 56 sec · South Freeway
Use the straight / left lanes.
8

Take the ramp onto US 287 Bus

0.2 mi · 29 sec · US 287 Bus
Toward I 35W North
9

Merge onto I 35W; US 287 Bus

1.2 mi · 1 min · South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Take the exit onto I 35W TEXpress

8.9 mi · 8 min · I 35W TEXpress
Toward I 35W Express North: I 35W TEXpress North Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min
Toward US 81 North, US 287 North: Decatur Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Merge onto US 81; US 287

1.7 mi · 1 min · US 81; US 287
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Continue on US 81; US 287

102 mi · 1 hr 47 min · US 81; US 287
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Continue on US 281; US 287

0.8 mi · 58 sec · Lloyd Ruby Overpass
15

Continue on US 277; US 281; US 287

2.4 mi · 3 min · Central Freeway
Use the straight lane.
16

Keep slight left at fork onto US 287

5.3 mi · 5 min · Northwest Freeway
Exit 3A Toward US 287 North: Vernon, Amarillo Use the slight left / straight lanes.
17

Continue on US 287

40 mi · 42 min · US Highway 287 East
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
18

Continue on US 70; US 183; US 287

4.1 mi · 4 min · Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Continue on US 287

26 mi · 26 min · US Highway 287 West
Use the straight lane.
20

Continue on US 287

29 mi · 32 min · East 11th Street
21

Continue on US 287

2.8 mi · 3 min · Avenue F Northeast
22

Continue on US 287

14 mi · 14 min · US Highway 287
23

Continue on US 287

0.7 mi · 1 min · Burnett Street
24

Continue on US 287

14 mi · 13 min · US Highway 287
25

Turn straight onto US 287

26 mi · 28 min · Boykin Drive
26

Continue on US 287

1.6 mi · 1 min · East 2nd Street
27

Continue on US 287

28 mi · 28 min · US Highway 287
28

Continue on US 287; FM 1151

1.1 mi · 2 min · East 1st Street
29

Turn right onto TX 207

0.5 mi · 46 sec · North Hurley Avenue
30

Continue on TX 207

6.1 mi · 9 min · State Highway 207
31

Turn left onto TX 207; US 66 Hist

1.0 mi · 1 min · Original U.S. Route 66
32

Turn straight onto TX 207

9.2 mi · 13 min · State Highway 207
33

Continue on TX 207; FM 293

0.3 mi · 37 sec · Franklin Avenue
34

Turn left onto TX 207; FM 293

23 mi · 34 min · Elsie Avenue
35

Turn slight right

300 ft · 10 sec
36

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Given the 6.5-hour drive time, leaving Fort Worth in the morning should allow you to reach Borger with plenty of daylight to spare. The route has one recommended stop, which is a good opportunity to stretch your legs. Pay attention to fuel levels, especially during the 103.4-mile stretch on US 81, as services might be less frequent. Since this is a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time based on your schedule, but an early start is always advisable for longer drives.

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 175.5 miles from Fort Worth, TX, or about 3h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 103.4 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 77 miles or 1h 23m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 175.5 miles or 3h 8m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 5h 12m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Borger, 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 351 miles and 6h 33m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 77 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 US 81 for about 103.4 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in and county sear of Wilbarger County, Texas, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Vernon, TX

176 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

Jacksboro, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 77 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Vernon, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 175.5 miles from Fort Worth, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 81 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 103.4 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 mi from route

Donley County Northbound Rest Area

0 mi from route

Texas Travel Information Center at Wichita Falls

0 mi from route

Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Donley County Southbound Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Safety Rest Areas: Hardeman County Southbound

0.1 mi from route

Wise County Northbound

0.1 mi from route

Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Wichita County Northbound Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Wichita County Southbound Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

0.1 mi from route

Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.1 mi from route

QuikTrip

0.1 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

0.1 mi from route

Pilot Travel Center

0.1 mi from route

Flying J Travel Center

0.1 mi from route

Pilot Travel Center

0.1 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

0.1 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

0.3 mi from route

Safety Rest Areas: Hardeman County Northbound

0.3 mi from route

Forest 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 website

Fort 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 website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 14

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 118.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | Epps Street

At end of road, turn right onto Epps Street

Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch

6
0.3 mi into trip | ~1m in | South Freeway

At end of road, turn right onto South Freeway

Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch

7
0.4 mi into trip | ~1m in | East Allen Avenue

Turn left onto East Allen Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left / straight lanes.
7
11.2 mi into trip | ~13m in

Take the exit toward US 81 North, US 287 North: Decatur

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 US 81 North, US 287 North: Decatur
9
118.5 mi into trip | ~2h 8m in | US 287 / Northwest Freeway

Keep slight left at fork onto US 287 / Northwest Freeway toward US 287 North: Vernon, Amarillo

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / straight lanes. Exit 3A Toward US 287 North: Vernon, Amarillo

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$48.08 one way

$96.15 round trip

$3.48/gal 25.4 MPG avg 123 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $3.89 $53.70 $107.40
premium $4.23 $58.38 $116.77
diesel $4.80 $66.28 $132.55

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$48

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$73–$98

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 122.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.

Driving Electric?

About $37 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 105.3 1 $36.86 $16.85
Efficient EV 87.8 1 $30.71 $14.04
EV Truck/SUV 140.4 1 $49.14 $22.46

Gas CO2

123 kg

EV CO2

41 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

Fort Worth, TX

Late night in Fort Worth on Monday

Local time

1:52 AM

CDT

Current temp

75°F

Mostly Cloudy

S 5 mph 13% chance Live forecast

Flash Flood Warning

Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 5:03AM CDT until July 17 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX

Flash Flood Warning

Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 5:02AM CDT until July 17 at 6:45AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX

Destination

Borger, TX

Late night in Borger on Monday

Local time

1:52 AM

CDT

Current temp

67°F

Mostly Clear

S 5 mph 2% chance Live forecast

Flash Flood Warning

Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 5:03AM CDT until July 17 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX

Flash Flood Warning

Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 5:02AM CDT until July 17 at 6:45AM 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

8 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

6h 33m on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

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.

Lake Meredith National Recreation Area

Lake Meredith National Recreation Area

National Recreation Area

Set within the wide‑open Texas Plains, Lake Meredith National Recreation Area offers a peaceful retreat in the heart of rugged grasslands. Over thousands of years, the Canadian River carved dramatic 2...

16 mi from route ~41 min detour Free near mile 351
View on nps.gov
Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument

Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument

National Monument

13,000 years ago, Alibates Flint was used by mammoth hunters as a source of flint for tools. Learn how important this site was to the survival, commerce, and culture of the people of the High Plains.

17 mi from route ~41 min detour Free near mile 351
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

This drive is predominantly highway, with 74% of the 351 miles on major roadways like US 81 and US Highway 287. Expect to encounter the longest uninterrupted stretch of 103.4 miles on US 81. The remaining miles will transition to surface roads, likely with more local traffic and varied speed limits as you approach your destination. You'll notice the shift from consistent highway cruising to more frequent exits and potential for slower speeds on these non-highway segments.

74% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
36 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 103.4 mi on US 81.

How Hard Is This Drive?

6/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 81 and US Highway 287. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Epps Street.

Driving Effort 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 351 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Epps Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.3 miles (South Freeway): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.4 miles (East Allen Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.

Elevation Profile

Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes

3,444 ft 652 ft

Total Climb

3,031 ft

Total Descent

607 ft

Highest Point

3,444 ft

~325.9 mi in

Elevation Range

2,791 ft

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Fort Worth, TX to Borger, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Amarillo along the way.

Amarillo

118.5 mi in | ~2h 8m | via US 287

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 Borger, TX

Full guide →

Founded 1926

Borger is a city in the High Plains of the Texas Panhandle. It was a wild oil boom town through the 1920s, 30s, and 40s and is still very much an oil town to this day. Borger is also home to Franks Phillips College.

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 6h 33m. Total distance: 351 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 33m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 103.4 miles on US 81. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — we found about 21 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 Borger, 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 21 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Epps Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.3 miles (South Freeway): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.4 miles (East Allen Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.

Yes — Lake Meredith National Recreation Area and Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Not recommended in a single day. At 6.6 hours each way, a round trip means 13.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Borger, 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 NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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