Fort Worth to Fredericksburg is 231.3 miles and takes about 4h 40m via South US Highway 281 and US 67, with a fuel budget near $35 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip takes you from the flat expanses of the Great Plains in North Texas into the heart of the same region as you head southwest. Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive, making it a straightforward, efficient journey. With a single recommended day, this route is ideal for a quick getaway or a convenient transfer between these two Texas locales.
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
115.7 miles from Fort Worth, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 21m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
South US Highway 281
96.7 mi
1h 50m
US 67
37.7 mi
42m
West US Highway 290
27.2 mi
30m
North US Highway 281
19 mi
20m
TX 220
13.6 mi
19m
South Freeway
11.3 mi
12m
Southwest Wilshire Boulevard
5.4 mi
8m
North Main Street
3.8 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
South US Highway 281
— 96.7 mi, about 1h 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Worth, TX and Fredericksburg, 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
11 mi·12 min·South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Take the exit
0.4 mi·54 sec
Exit 37Toward TX 174 South: Cleburne, Wilshire BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
5
Continue on Northeast Wilshire Boulevard
0.6 mi·1 min·Northeast Wilshire Boulevard
6
Continue on TX 174
5.4 mi·8 min·Southwest Wilshire Boulevard
7
Continue on TX 174
3.1 mi·5 min·North Broadway Street
8
Continue on TX 174
3.8 mi·5 min·North Main Street
9
Turn right onto West Katherine P Raines Drive
0.2 mi·23 sec·West Katherine P Raines Drive
10
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·45 sec
Toward US 67 South
11
Merge onto US 67
38 mi·42 min·US 67
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Turn slight left onto TX 220
14 mi·19 min·TX 220
13
Turn right onto TX 6
0.1 mi·8 sec·East 2nd Street
14
Continue on TX 6
0.2 mi·21 sec·West 2nd Street
15
Turn left onto US 281
0.6 mi·38 sec·North Walnut Street
Use the left lane.
16
Turn straight onto US 281
19 mi·20 min·North US Highway 281
17
Continue on US 281
2.3 mi·2 min·North Rice Street
18
Continue on US 281
43 mi·49 min·South US Highway 281
19
Continue on US 183; US 190; US 281
1.6 mi·3 min·North Key Avenue
20
Turn right onto US 281 Bus
20 mi·21 min·South US Highway 281
21
Continue on US 281
3.6 mi·5 min·North Water Street
22
Continue on US 281
34 mi·40 min·South US Highway 281
23
Take the exit
0.1 mi·15 sec
Toward Fredericksburg
24
Merge onto US 290
1.0 mi·1 min·East Main Street
Toward Fredericksburg
25
Continue on US 290
27 mi·30 min·West US Highway 290
26
Continue on US 290
2.4 mi·4 min·East Main Street
27
Turn right onto North Adams Street
94 ft·2 sec·North Adams Street
28
Arrive at destination
North Adams Street
Trip Plan
Given the manageable 4h 40m duration and 231.3-mile distance, this trip is easily completed in a single day. Aim to depart Fort Worth in the morning to maximize your daylight hours and arrive in Fredericksburg with ample time to settle in. The route has one recommended stop, so plan that break strategically, perhaps around the halfway point or where you feel ready for a stretch. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 96.7-mile stretch on US Highway 281, as services might be less frequent in certain sections.
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 115.7 miles from Fort Worth, TX, or about 2h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 96.7 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 51 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 115.7 miles or 2h 21m 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 49m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fredericksburg, 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 231.3 miles and 4h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 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 South US Highway 281 for about 96.7 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 77 — 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
5
0.3 mi into trip|~0m in|I 35W / South Freeway
Merge onto I 35W / South Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
11.5 mi into trip|~12m in
Take the exit toward TX 174 South: Cleburne, Wilshire Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 37
Toward TX 174 South: Cleburne, Wilshire Bouleva...
5
25.4 mi into trip|~35m in|US 67
Merge onto US 67
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
77 mi into trip|~1h 38m in|US 281 / North Walnut Street
Turn left onto US 281 / North Walnut Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.95 one way
$69.90 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg81 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$38.26
$76.51
premium
$4.54
$41.30
$82.59
diesel
$5.61
$51.07
$102.14
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 80.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
69.4
0
$24.29
$11.10
Efficient EV
57.8
0
$20.24
$9.25
EV Truck/SUV
92.5
1
$32.38
$14.80
Gas CO2
81 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 18, 2026
Origin
Fort Worth, TX
Morning
in Fort Worth on Sunday
Local time
6:38 AM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
N 15 to 20 mph38% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 18 at 10:06AM CDT until April 18 at 10:30AM CDT by NWS Fort Worth TX
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 18 at 10:04AM CDT until April 18 at 10:30AM CDT by NWS Fort Worth TX
Destination
Fredericksburg, TX
Morning
in Fredericksburg on Sunday
Local time
6:38 AM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
NNE 20 mph56% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 18 at 10:06AM CDT until April 18 at 10:30AM CDT by NWS Fort Worth TX
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 18 at 10:04AM CDT until April 18 at 10:30AM CDT by NWS Fort Worth 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
4h 40m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park tells the story of our 36th president beginning with his ancestors until his final resting place on his beloved LBJ Ranch. This entire "circle of life" gives...
2 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 215.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is heavily focused on highway travel, with 89% of the route utilizing major highways. You'll primarily be on South US Highway 281 and US 67, transitioning to West US Highway 290 as you approach Fredericksburg. The longest uninterrupted stretch is a substantial 96.7 miles on South US Highway 281, so be prepared for sustained periods of consistent driving. While predominantly highway, the landscape within the Great Plains region offers a consistent, open driving experience.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 96.7 mi on South US Highway 281.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on South US Highway 281 and US 67. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 40m drive. You will face about 12 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start: Lane positioning matters here; at 0.3 miles (I 35W / South Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 11.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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
The longest stretch is about 96.7 miles on South US Highway 281. 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: near the start: Lane positioning matters here; at 0.3 miles (I 35W / South Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 11.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Fredericksburg, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.
