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Trip from Fort Worth, TX to Harlingen, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
8h 55m
Distance
490.9 mi
790 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$67
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
8h 48m
★
6 AM
8h 56m
8 AM
9h 12m
10 AM
9h 2m
12 PM
9h 0m
3 PM
9h 2m
5 PM
9h 11m
8 PM
8h 51m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fort Worth, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Harlingen, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Fort Worth to Harlingen is 490.9 miles and takes about 8h 55m via U.S. Highway 77, South Freeway, and TX 130 Toll, with a fuel budget near $71 and enough daylight to finish in a day, though an overnight is recommended. This drive stays within Texas, moving from the Great Plains region to another part of the same region. It's primarily a highway route, making it a straightforward trip for those looking to cover ground efficiently. Planning for two days will allow for a more relaxed pace and comfortable travel.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
245.4 miles from Fort Worth, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 17m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. Highway 77 | 88.2 mi | 1h 37m |
| South Freeway | 82.3 mi | 1h 25m |
| TX 130 Toll | 58.5 mi | 54m |
| TX 80 | 51.2 mi | 56m |
| South US Highway 181 | 40.2 mi | 45m |
| Purple Heart Trail | 37.9 mi | 39m |
| I 69E | 31.3 mi | 33m |
| I 35 | 26.5 mi | 26m |
Longest stretch:
U.S. Highway 77
— 88.2 mi, about 1h 37m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 30 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~2,844 veh/hr typical · worst 3,686
Quietest
2 AM
~446 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 52 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 Harlingen, 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
82 mi
·
1 hr 25 min
·
South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Continue on I 35; US 77
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Continue on I 35
38 mi
·
39 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
26 mi
·
26 min
·
I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
55 sec
Exit 265
Toward TX 130 Toll South: San Antonio
Use the slight right lane.
8
Continue on TX 130 Toll
59 mi
·
54 min
·
TX 130 Toll
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Exit 470
Toward US 183 South: Lockhart
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on US 183
0.5 mi
·
35 sec
·
United States Highway 183
11
Continue on US 183
4.9 mi
·
8 min
·
North Colorado Street
12
Continue on US 183
10 mi
·
11 min
·
US 183
13
Continue on US 183
4.2 mi
·
6 min
·
North Magnolia Avenue
14
Continue on TX 80
51 mi
·
56 min
·
TX 80
15
Turn slight left onto FM 792
8.4 mi
·
10 min
·
Farm-to-Market Road 792
16
Continue on TX 72; TX 239
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
East Main Street
17
Turn left onto US 181
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
South Sunset Strip Drive
18
Continue on US 181
40 mi
·
45 min
·
South US Highway 181
19
Continue on US 181
0.8 mi
·
55 sec
·
North 8th Street
20
Continue on US 181
16 mi
·
18 min
·
US Highway 181 South
21
Take the exit onto US 181
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
·
US 181
22
Keep slight right at fork onto US 181
213 ft
·
5 sec
·
US Route 181
23
Turn straight onto US 181
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
US Highway 181
24
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
25
Merge onto US 77
12 mi
·
13 min
·
US 77
26
Take the exit onto US 77
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
US 77
Toward I 37, US 77, I 69E
27
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
28
Merge onto I 37; US 77; I 69E
2.5 mi
·
2 min
·
I 37; US 77; I 69E
Use the straight lane.
29
Take the exit onto I 69E; US 77
31 mi
·
33 min
·
I 69E; US 77
Toward I 69E, US 77: Kingsville, Brownsville
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Keep slight left at fork onto US 77
61 mi
·
1 hr 9 min
·
U.S. Highway 77
31
Keep slight left at fork onto I 69E; US 77
27 mi
·
27 min
·
U.S. Highway 77
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
Exit 29A
Toward US 77 Business, Loop 499: Valley International Airport, Primera Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
At end of road, turn left onto US 77 Bus
0.4 mi
·
44 sec
·
Business 77
34
Turn slight right onto US 77 Bus
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
North 77 Sunshine Strip
35
Turn slight right onto North Commerce Street
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
North Commerce Street
36
Arrive at destination
South Commerce Street
Trip Plan
Given the 8h 55m duration, splitting this drive over two days is advisable to avoid fatigue. Consider leaving Fort Worth early in the morning to make good progress on your first day. The longest stretch without a major highway shift is 88.2 miles on U.S. Highway 77, which could be a good target for a midday stop. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially as you get further south, and plan your refueling stops accordingly. The $71 fuel cost is an estimate, so monitor prices along your route.
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.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 245.4 miles from Fort Worth, TX, or about 4h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 88.2 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 108 miles or 1h 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 245.4 miles or 4h 17m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 245.4 miles or 4h 17m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 7h 48m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Harlingen, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Fort Worth, TX
Aim for roughly 245 miles and 4.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Harlingen, TX
Aim for roughly 245 miles and 4.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 108 miles from Fort Worth, TX.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on U.S. Highway 77 for about 88.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Overnight candidate
245 mi into the route
Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start
This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.
Find hotels in San Antonio, TXOvernight Options
Night 1
245 mi · about 4.5h in
A practical overnight split lands near San Antonio, TX after about 245 miles or 4.5 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 108 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 245.4 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 U.S. Highway 77 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 88.2 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 245 miles or 4.5 hours on the road.
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.
Bell County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Hill County Northbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Kenedy County Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Walburg Travel Center & Food Court
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Circle K
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Hill County Southbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.3 mi from route
Bell County Southbound Rest Area
0.4 mi from route
Texas Travel Information Center at Harlingen
1.3 mi from route
San Patricio County Northbound Rest Area
2.1 mi from route
Hugh Ramsey Nature Park
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Harlingen, Texas
Hours: 6 am–10 pm
+19562165951
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 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 websiteVillage of Salado Visitors Center
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, ~11 min detour
Early stretch
4.5 mi from route
~11 min detour
Salado, Texas
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+12549478634
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 185 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 487.3 — 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
153.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 39m in
Take the exit toward TX 130 Toll South: San Antonio
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 265
Toward TX 130 Toll South: San Antonio
7
212.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 35m in
Take the exit toward US 183 South: Lockhart
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 470
Toward US 183 South: Lockhart
7
367.8 mi into trip
|
~6h 38m in
|
I 69E; US 77
Take the exit onto I 69E; US 77 toward I 69E, US 77: Kingsville, Brownsville
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 I 69E, US 77: Kingsville, Brownsville
8
487.3 mi into trip
|
~8h 49m in
Take the exit toward US 77 Business, Loop 499: Valley International Airport, Primera Road
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 29A
Toward US 77 Business, Loop 499: Valley Interna...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$67.24 one way
$134.48 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
172 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $75.10 | $150.21 |
| premium | $4.23 | $81.66 | $163.31 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $92.69 | $185.38 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$67
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$197–$307
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 171.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $52 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 147.3 | 1 | $51.54 | $23.56 |
| Efficient EV | 122.7 | 1 | $42.95 | $19.64 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 196.4 | 2 | $68.73 | $31.42 |
Gas CO2
172 kg
EV CO2
57 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 Sunday
Local time
9:41 AM
CDT
Current temp
89°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 10 mph
45% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 5:35PM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 5:31PM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA
Destination
Harlingen, TX
Morning in Harlingen on Sunday
Local time
9:41 AM
CDT
Current temp
96°F
Partly Sunny
SE 17 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 5:35PM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 5:31PM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA
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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
7 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
8h 55m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
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.
Waco Mammoth National Monument
National Monument
Standing as tall as 14 feet and weighing 20,000 pounds, Columbian mammoths roamed across what is present-day Texas thousands of years ago. Today, the fossil specimens represent the nation's first and...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 84.6
View on nps.gov
Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park
National Historical Park
On May 8, 1846, U.S. and Mexican troops clashed on the prairie of Palo Alto. The battle was the first in a two-year long war that changed the map of North America. Although the two countries have deve...
18 mi from route
~46 min detour
Free
near mile 490.9
View on nps.gov
Padre Island National Seashore
National Seashore
Protecting sixty-six miles of wild coastline along the Gulf of America, the narrow barrier island is home to one of the last intact coastal prairie habitats in the United States. Along the hypersaline...
27 mi from route
~69 min detour
$25
near mile 423.2
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 87% of this 490.9-mile trip on highways. The longest continuous stretch on a single highway is 88.2 miles along U.S. Highway 77. Expect to encounter a higher density of exits and potential for merging traffic as you navigate through populated areas, particularly on the South Freeway and TX 130 Toll. Outside of these sections, the drive shifts to more consistent highway cruising.
87% 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: 88.2 mi on U.S. Highway 77.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on U.S. Highway 77 and South Freeway. 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 18 significant decision points across 490.9 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 153.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 212.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
771 ft
26 ft
Total Climb
213 ft
Total Descent
825 ft
Highest Point
771 ft
~140.3 mi in
Elevation Range
745 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.
On the drive from Fort Worth, TX to Harlingen, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Brownsville along the way.
Brownsville
367.8 mi in
|
~6h 38m
|
via I 69E; US 77
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
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 88.2 miles on U.S. Highway 77. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 245 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 32 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 Harlingen, 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 32 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start: Lane positioning matters here; at 153.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 212.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument, Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park and Padre Island National Seashore. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 8.9 hours each way, a round trip means 17.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Harlingen, 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, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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