Fort Worth, TX to Fairfield, TX is 111.2 miles and takes about 2h 1m via US 287 and I 45, with a fuel budget near $17 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route primarily travels through the Great Plains region, staying within Texas for the entire journey. It's a straightforward highway-focused drive, making it a convenient option for a quick trip or an extension of another journey. You'll find it to be a practical choice for those needing to get from point A to point B efficiently without significant detours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
55.6 miles from Fort Worth, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 3m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 287
50.7 mi
56m
I 45
48.5 mi
48m
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
5.7 mi
6m
South Freeway
3.3 mi
3m
West Commerce Street
1 mi
1m
North Interstate 45
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
US 287
— 50.7 mi, about 56m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Worth, TX and Fairfield, 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
3.2 mi·3 min·South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Take the exit
0.1 mi·14 sec
Exit 45BToward I 20 East: DallasUse the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 20 East: DallasUse 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 444Toward US 287 South: Little Road, WaxahachieUse 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
49 mi·48 min·I 45; US 287
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Exit 198Toward Farm-to-Market Road 27: Fairfield, WorthamUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Turn left onto North Interstate 45
179 ft·9 sec·North Interstate 45
12
Turn left onto FM 27
1.0 mi·1 min·West Commerce Street
13
Arrive at destination
US 84
Trip Plan
Given the short duration of just over 2 hours, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. You have the flexibility to leave whenever suits you best, though an early start can help you avoid any potential commuter traffic around Fort Worth. With only 111.2 miles to cover and a fuel cost estimated at $17, significant stops aren't necessary, but planning for a quick break around the halfway point can still be refreshing. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach Fairfield, as services can become less frequent off the main highway.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 55.6 miles from Fort Worth, TX, or about 1h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 50.7 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 24 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 55.6 miles or 1h 3m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fairfield, 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 111.2 miles and 2h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 miles from Fort Worth, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 287 for about 50.7 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 109.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0 mi into trip|~0m in
Take the ramp toward I 35W South
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward I 35W South
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
8
109.9 mi into trip|~1h 58m in
Take the exit toward Farm-to-Market Road 27: Fairfield, Wortham
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 198
Toward Farm-to-Market Road 27: Fairfield, Worth...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.80 one way
$33.61 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg39 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$18.39
$36.78
premium
$4.54
$19.85
$39.71
diesel
$5.61
$24.55
$49.10
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 38.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
33.4
0
$11.68
$5.34
Efficient EV
27.8
0
$9.73
$4.45
EV Truck/SUV
44.5
0
$15.57
$7.12
Gas CO2
39 kg
EV CO2
13 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 17, 2026
Origin
Fort Worth, TX
Morning
in Fort Worth on Tuesday
Local time
7:16 AM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Mostly Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SSW 15 mph63% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Fairfield, TX
Morning
in Fairfield on Tuesday
Local time
7:16 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
9 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
2h 1m 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?
This drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 92% of the journey taking place on major roads like US 287 and I 45, also known as the Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway. You can expect a relatively fast pace for most of the trip. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is approximately 50.7 miles on US 287, allowing for extended periods of consistent driving. The character of the road remains largely consistent, emphasizing efficiency and direct travel.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 50.7 mi on US 287.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 287 and I 45. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.
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 11 significant decision points across 111.2 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: near the start: Lane positioning matters here; 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.
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 Fairfield, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Waxahachie along the way.
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 2h 1m. Total distance: 111.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 50.7 miles on US 287. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Fairfield, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: near the start: Lane positioning matters here; 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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Fairfield, TX before heading back.
