Navarro County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Fort Worth, TX to Groves, 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
6h 17m
Distance
343 mi
552 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$52
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 5m
★
6 AM
6h 17m
8 AM
6h 42m
10 AM
6h 26m
12 PM
6h 23m
3 PM
6h 27m
5 PM
6h 41m
8 PM
6h 10m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fort Worth, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Groves, TX
Mark Direen
Trip Overview
Fort Worth to Groves is 343 miles and takes about 6h 17m via I 45 and US 287, with a fuel budget near $50 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Texas, passing through regions generally considered part of the Great Plains. Given its mostly highway profile and single-day duration, this trip is a straightforward drive. You'll be on main roads for nearly the entire distance, making it a practical choice for getting from point A to point B without extensive detours.
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
171.5 miles from Fort Worth, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 3m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 45 | 173.9 mi | 2h 58m |
| US 287 | 50.7 mi | 56m |
| US Highway 90 | 36 mi | 41m |
| North Grand Parkway East | 32.3 mi | 34m |
| United States Highway 90 West | 10 mi | 11m |
| Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway | 5.7 mi | 6m |
| FM 1960 | 5.1 mi | 6m |
| South Freeway | 3.3 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
I 45
— 173.9 mi, about 2h 58m
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 Groves, 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
174 mi
·
2 hr 58 min
·
I 45; US 287
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Exit 72A
Toward Grand Parkway
Use the slight right lane.
11
Turn straight onto Interstate 45 North Frontage Road
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Interstate 45 North Frontage Road
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
12
Turn left onto North Grand Parkway West
382 ft
·
8 sec
·
North Grand Parkway West
Use the left lane.
13
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward TX 99 Toll East
14
Merge onto TX 99 Toll
32 mi
·
34 min
·
North Grand Parkway East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
1 min
Toward FM 1960: Dayton, Humble
16
Turn left onto FM 1960
5.1 mi
·
6 min
·
FM 1960
17
Turn right onto TX 321
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
North Cleveland Street
18
Turn left onto US 90; TX 146
10 mi
·
11 min
·
United States Highway 90 West
19
Continue on US 90
36 mi
·
41 min
·
US Highway 90
Use the left lane.
20
Turn right onto Interstate 10 South Frontage Road
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Interstate 10 South Frontage Road
Use the right lane.
21
Take the ramp
16 mi
·
17 min
Toward US 69 South, US 96 South, US 287 South
22
Continue on US 69; US 96; US 287
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
Memorial Boulevard
23
Turn left onto 39th Street
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
39th Street
24
Turn left onto 9th Avenue
0.3 mi
·
47 sec
·
9th Avenue
25
Turn right onto Highway 73
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
Highway 73
26
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
Toward TX 73 East
27
Merge onto TX 73
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
TX 73
28
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
Toward Groves
29
Turn straight onto West Parkway Street
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
West Parkway Street
30
Turn slight left onto 39th Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
39th Street
31
Arrive at destination
39th Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 6-hour drive, consider leaving Fort Worth in the morning to give yourself ample daylight. With a fuel cost estimated at $50, be sure to check your fuel levels before departing. While the drive can comfortably be completed in one day, the longest stretch on I 45 is nearly 174 miles, so plan for a brief stop around that point if needed for a stretch or to refuel. Since you'll be on main highways for most of the trip, keep an eye out for the numerous service areas available along I 45 and US 287.
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 171.5 miles from Fort Worth, TX, or about 3h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 173.9 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 75 miles or 1h 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 171.5 miles or 3h 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 5h 4m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Groves, 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 343 miles and 6h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 75 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 173.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
172 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 75 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 171.5 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 173.9 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
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
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.3 mi from route
Rest Area
0.8 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
1.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
2.4 mi from route
Candy Cane Park
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Final third
1.1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Conroe, Texas
Hours: 9 am–11 pm
+19365223804
Visit websiteRoger's Park
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2.1 mi from route
~5 min detour
Beaumont, Texas
Hours: 7 am–9 pm
+14098611929
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 websitePort Neches Riverfront Park
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, ~10 min detour
Home stretch
3.8 mi from route
~10 min detour
Port Neches, Texas
Hours: 8 am–8 pm
+14097194280
Visit websiteColorado Canyon
4.4
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the end, ~9 min detour
Home stretch
3.6 mi from route
~9 min detour
Beaumont, Texas
Hours: 12–9 pm
+14093474386
Visit websiteTyrrell Park
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, ~10 min detour
Home stretch
4.1 mi from route
~10 min detour
Beaumont, Texas
Hours: 6 am–9 pm
+14098383613
Visit websiteTilt Studio Beaumont
4.3
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the end, ~11 min detour
Home stretch
4.4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Beaumont, Texas
Hours: 10 am–8 pm
+14092424301
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 245 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 235.2 — 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
7
235.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 8m in
Take the exit toward Grand Parkway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 72A
Toward Grand Parkway
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$51.56 one way
$103.12 round trip
$3.82/gal
25.4 MPG avg
120 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.32 | $58.36 | $116.73 |
| premium | $4.70 | $63.47 | $126.94 |
| diesel | $5.80 | $78.31 | $156.62 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$52
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$77–$102
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 120 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 102.9 | 1 | $36.02 | $16.46 |
| Efficient EV | 85.8 | 0 | $30.01 | $13.72 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 137.2 | 1 | $48.02 | $21.95 |
Gas CO2
120 kg
EV CO2
40 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
11:33 AM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Mostly Clear
N 10 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 17 at 3:25AM CDT until October 18 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued October 17 at 2:37AM CDT until October 20 at 4:00AM CDT by NWS Norman OK
Destination
Groves, TX
Morning in Groves on Saturday
Local time
11:33 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Mostly Clear
N 15 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 17 at 3:25AM CDT until October 18 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued October 17 at 2:37AM CDT until October 20 at 4:00AM CDT by NWS Norman OK
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
10 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
6h 17m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is 92% highway, meaning you'll spend most of your time on high-speed roads. The longest continuous stretch on a single highway is 173.9 miles on I 45. Expect a lot of exits and merges as you pass through populated areas before transitioning to more open cruising. The transition to surface roads will be minimal, occurring only in the final stretch.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 173.9 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 early in the drive.
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 24 significant decision points across 343 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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
652 ft
10 ft
Total Climb
211 ft
Total Descent
853 ft
Highest Point
652 ft
Elevation Range
643 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 Groves, TX, road signs point toward Fm 1960: Dayton and Humble.
Fm 1960: Dayton
270.2 mi in
|
~4h 48m
Humble
270.2 mi in
|
~4h 48m
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 Groves, 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 6h 17m. Total distance: 343 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 17m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 173.9 miles on I 45. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 19 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 Groves, 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 19 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.3 hours each way, a round trip means 12.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Groves, 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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