Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Fort Worth, TX to Lakeside, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 23, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 45m
Distance
253.7 mi
408 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$38
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 32m
★
6 AM
4h 45m
8 AM
5h 12m
10 AM
4h 55m
12 PM
4h 52m
3 PM
4h 56m
5 PM
5h 11m
8 PM
4h 37m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fort Worth, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Lakeside, TX
Action Construction Equipment Ltd. - ACE
Trip Overview
Fort Worth to Lakeside is 253.7 miles and takes about 4h 45m via US 77, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Texas, beginning in the Great Plains region of Fort Worth and concluding in the same region near Lakeside. Expect a drive that's predominantly highway, making it a straightforward journey for those who prefer covering distance efficiently. It's a solid option if you're looking for a direct trip without extensive detours, allowing you to reach your destination with plenty of time.
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
126.8 miles from Fort Worth, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 17m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 77 | 85.4 mi | 1h 40m |
| South Freeway | 82.3 mi | 1h 25m |
| Robinson Drive | 29.5 mi | 33m |
| East State Highway 71 Bypass | 27.4 mi | 28m |
| State Highway 71 South | 9.7 mi | 10m |
| US Highway 90A | 7.4 mi | 8m |
| North Jack Kultgen Expressway | 4.3 mi | 4m |
| East 1st Street | 2.9 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
US 77
— 85.4 mi, about 1h 40m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 28 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~2,789 veh/hr typical · worst 3,569
Quietest
2 AM
~423 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 96 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 Lakeside, 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
4.3 mi
·
4 min
·
North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Exit 333A
Toward Loop 396
6
Turn straight onto South Jack Kultgen Expressway
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
·
South Jack Kultgen Expressway
7
Turn left onto Loop 396
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
South Valley Mills Drive
8
Enter roundabout onto Robinson Drive
125 ft
·
5 sec
·
Robinson Drive
9
Continue on Robinson Drive
29 mi
·
33 min
·
Robinson Drive
Use the straight / left lanes.
10
Continue on US 77
19 mi
·
21 min
·
US 77
11
Turn left onto US 77; US 190; TX 36
0.3 mi
·
19 sec
·
East 4th Street
12
Continue on US 77; US 190; TX 36
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
Kemp Street
13
Continue on US 77; US 190; TX 36
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
East 1st Street
14
Take the exit onto US 77
66 mi
·
1 hr 18 min
·
US 77
15
Turn sharp left onto East State Highway 71 Bypass
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
East State Highway 71 Bypass
16
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
17
Merge onto TX 71
27 mi
·
27 min
·
East State Highway 71 Bypass
18
Take the exit
365 ft
·
8 sec
Toward TX 71 East, TX 71 BUS: Columbus, El Campo
19
Continue on TX 71
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
·
TX 71
Toward TX 71 East, TX 71 BUS: Columbus, El Campo
20
Turn right onto TX 71
9.7 mi
·
10 min
·
State Highway 71 South
21
Turn left onto US 90 Alt
7.4 mi
·
8 min
·
US Highway 90A
22
Continue on US 90 Alt
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
South McCarty Avenue
23
Continue on US 90 Alt
0.3 mi
·
54 sec
·
Boothe Drive
24
Continue on US 90 Alt; FM 102
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
·
East Main Street
25
Turn right onto FM 102
1.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Lakeside Drive
26
Arrive at destination
FM 102
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 45m duration, this trip is easily manageable in a single day, making it ideal to depart in the morning to maximize your time upon arrival. The fuel cost is estimated at $38, so plan accordingly. With only one recommended stop and an 86% highway share, you can power through much of the distance efficiently. Pay attention to the longest stretch of 85.4 miles on US 77; ensure you have sufficient fuel before embarking on this segment, as services might be less frequent.
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 126.8 miles from Fort Worth, TX, or about 2h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 85.4 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 56 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 126.8 miles or 2h 17m 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 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lakeside, 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 253.7 miles and 4h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 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 US 77 for about 85.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
127 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 56 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 126.8 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 US 77 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 85.4 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.
Hill County Northbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Hill County Southbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Road Ranger
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
QuikTrip
1 mi from route
290 Travel Plaza
1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
1.1 mi from route
Colorado County Eastbound Rest Area
2.1 mi from route
Colorado County Westbound Rest Area
2.1 mi from route
Forest 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 websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 155 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 87.3 — 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.
5
86.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 30m in
Take the exit toward Loop 396
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 333A
Toward Loop 396
5
87.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 31m in
|
Loop 396 / South Valley Mills Drive
Turn left onto Loop 396 / South Valley Mills Drive
Navigation decision point
5
87.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 32m in
|
Robinson Drive
Enter roundabout onto Robinson Drive
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.08 one way
$76.17 round trip
$3.81/gal
25.4 MPG avg
89 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.22 | $42.14 | $84.28 |
| premium | $4.57 | $45.60 | $91.19 |
| diesel | $6.28 | $62.69 | $125.37 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 88.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 76.1 | 0 | $26.64 | $12.18 |
| Efficient EV | 63.4 | 0 | $22.20 | $10.15 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 101.5 | 1 | $35.52 | $16.24 |
Gas CO2
89 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (66% 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.
Origin
Fort Worth, TX
Morning in Fort Worth on Friday
Local time
6:04 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Mostly Sunny
SE 0 to 5 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Lakeside, TX
Morning in Lakeside on Friday
Local time
6:04 AM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Partly Sunny
NE 5 mph
2% chance
Live forecast
57°F
Troy, TX
127 mi in
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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 45m 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.
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
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 78.7
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 86% of the journey utilizing major roads like US 77 and the South Freeway. You'll experience long stretches of consistent speed, including one uninterrupted segment of 85.4 miles on US 77. The profile suggests a predictable driving experience, primarily on well-maintained, high-speed roads. While the majority is highway, keep an eye out for the transitions when you move onto roads like Robinson Drive as you approach your destination.
86% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 85.4 mi on US 77.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 77 and South Freeway. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.
Driving Effort
5/10
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 253.7 miles you will encounter 15 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 86.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
847 ft
168 ft
Total Climb
259 ft
Total Descent
744 ft
Highest Point
847 ft
~18.1 mi in
Elevation Range
679 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 Lakeside, TX, road signs point toward Loop 396 and El Campo.
Loop 396
86.8 mi in
|
~1h 30m
El Campo
233.3 mi in
|
~4h 19m
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
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 4h 45m. Total distance: 253.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 85.4 miles on US 77. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 15 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.
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 86.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Lakeside, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.
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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Lakeside, TX
More trips to Lakeside, TX
Explore more options from Fort Worth, TX or browse trips ending in Lakeside, TX.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TX road trips.