Fort Worth to Jollyville is 176.3 miles and takes about 3 hours 9 minutes via South Freeway and I 35, with a fuel budget near $27 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Texas, moving from the Great Plains region to another part of the Great Plains. It's a fairly straightforward trip, primarily on major highways, making it a good option if you want to get to your destination efficiently. Expect a drive that's mostly focused on covering ground, so pack some snacks and a good playlist. This route is best suited for a single day of travel.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
88.1 miles from Fort Worth, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 32m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
South Freeway
82.3 mi
1h 25m
I 35
40.2 mi
41m
Purple Heart Trail
37.9 mi
39m
North Jack Kultgen Expressway
6.6 mi
7m
McNeil Road
4.5 mi
6m
McNeil Drive
2.8 mi
5m
North Interstate 35
0.8 mi
1m
Pond Springs Road
0.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
South Freeway
— 82.3 mi, about 1h 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Worth, TX and Jollyville, 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
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
40 mi·41 min·I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 252B-AToward RM 620: McNeil RoadUse the right lane.
8
Turn straight onto North Interstate 35
0.8 mi·1 min·North Interstate 35
Use the left / straight lanes.
9
Turn right onto CR 171
4.5 mi·6 min·McNeil Road
Use the right lane.
10
Turn right onto McNeil Drive
2.8 mi·5 min·McNeil Drive
Use the left / straight lanes.
11
Turn right onto Research Boulevard
465 ft·13 sec·Research Boulevard
12
Turn right onto Pond Springs Road
0.6 mi·1 min·Pond Springs Road
Use the right lane.
13
Arrive at destination
Pond Springs Road
Trip Plan
Given the comfortable 3-hour duration, you have flexibility in when you depart. Leaving Fort Worth in the morning allows you to arrive in Jollyville by midday, leaving plenty of time to settle in. With only one recommended stop, you can make it a quick one for fuel or a stretch. The primary roads, South Freeway and I 35, are generally well-maintained, but always be aware of potential traffic, especially as you approach more populated areas. Plan your fuel stops accordingly, though with a $27 estimated cost, you likely won't need to worry about finding a station along this stretch.
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 88.1 miles from Fort Worth, TX, or about 1h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 82.3 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 39 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 88.1 miles or 1h 32m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jollyville, 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 176.3 miles and 3h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 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 Freeway for about 82.3 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 168.3 — 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
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.
6
127.1 mi into trip|~2h 12m in|I 35
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
167.3 mi into trip|~2h 53m in
Take the exit toward RM 620: McNeil Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 252B-A
Toward RM 620: McNeil Road
5
168.3 mi into trip|~2h 55m in|CR 171 / McNeil Road
Turn right onto CR 171 / McNeil Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.64 one way
$53.28 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg62 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$29.16
$58.32
premium
$4.54
$31.48
$62.95
diesel
$5.61
$38.92
$77.85
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 61.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
52.9
0
$18.51
$8.46
Efficient EV
44.1
0
$15.43
$7.05
EV Truck/SUV
70.5
0
$24.68
$11.28
Gas CO2
62 kg
EV CO2
21 kg (66% 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 15, 2026
Origin
Fort Worth, TX
Late night
in Fort Worth on Sunday
Local time
3:12 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Jollyville, TX
Late night
in Jollyville on Sunday
Local time
3:12 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
3h 9m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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 85.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is largely a highway-focused drive, with 74% of the journey on major roadways like the South Freeway and I 35. You'll experience a significant stretch of 82.3 miles on the South Freeway, offering consistent speed for most of that segment. While the profile suggests a highway-centric experience, keep in mind that the initial and final portions may involve navigating more local roads as you enter and exit your starting and ending points. Overall, anticipate a driving experience that prioritizes forward momentum on well-traveled routes.
74% 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: 82.3 mi on South Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on South Freeway and I 35. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.
Driving Effort5/10
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 176.3 miles you will encounter 9 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: 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 127.1 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 3h 9m. Total distance: 176.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (74%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 82.3 miles on South Freeway. 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 127.1 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Jollyville, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.
