Bell County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Fort Worth, TX to Las Quintas Fronterizas, 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
7h 21m
Distance
407.2 mi
655 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$56
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 11m
★
6 AM
7h 22m
8 AM
7h 43m
10 AM
7h 29m
12 PM
7h 27m
3 PM
7h 30m
5 PM
7h 42m
8 PM
7h 16m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fort Worth, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Las Quintas Fronterizas, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Trip Overview
Fort Worth, TX to Las Quintas Fronterizas, TX is 407.2 miles and takes about 7h 21m via Purple Heart Trail, US Highway 57, and South Freeway, with a fuel budget near $62 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Texas, traversing the Great Plains region for its entirety. Expect a straightforward, highway-focused journey that's well-suited for a single day of driving. It's a practical route for getting from point A to point B without extensive detours, making it a solid option if you're looking for efficiency.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
203.6 miles from Fort Worth, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 33m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Purple Heart Trail | 133.1 mi | 2h 20m |
| US Highway 57 | 95.3 mi | 1h 46m |
| South Freeway | 82.3 mi | 1h 25m |
| I 35 | 55.8 mi | 58m |
| North Pan Am Expressway | 18.5 mi | 22m |
| South Pan Am Expressway | 10.4 mi | 12m |
| North Jack Kultgen Expressway | 6.6 mi | 7m |
| Interstate Highway 35 | 1.7 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Purple Heart Trail
— 133.1 mi, about 2h 20m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 66 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~3,150 veh/hr typical · worst 3,705
Quietest
2 AM
~533 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.9×
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 Las Quintas Fronterizas, 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
56 mi
·
58 min
·
I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35; US 290
50 mi
·
54 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Toward 32nd Street, Dean Keeton Street
Use the slight left lane.
8
Continue on I 35
1.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Interstate Highway 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 35
12 mi
·
12 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 35
10.0 mi
·
11 min
·
North Pan Am Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
6.4 mi
·
8 min
·
North Pan Am Expressway
Toward I 35 South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
North Pan Am Expressway
Toward I 35 South: Lower Level, Laredo
Use the slight left lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87
10 mi
·
12 min
·
South Pan Am Expressway
Toward I 10 East, US 87 South, Spur 536: Houston, South Alamo Street
Use the slight right lane.
14
Continue on I 35
34 mi
·
33 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Toward I 57: Eagle Pass
16
Turn straight
430 ft
·
10 sec
17
Continue on Interstate 35 North
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
·
Interstate 35 North
18
Turn right onto US 57
95 mi
·
1 hr 46 min
·
US Highway 57
19
Turn right onto US 57; US 277
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
East Main Street
20
Turn left onto FM 3443
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
South Veterans Boulevard
21
Turn left onto June Street
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
June Street
22
Continue on Los Quintas Boulevard
0.3 mi
·
50 sec
·
Los Quintas Boulevard
23
At end of road, turn right onto Las Quintas Boulevard
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
Las Quintas Boulevard
24
Turn right onto Alvin Circle
0.1 mi
·
33 sec
·
Alvin Circle
25
Arrive at destination
Alvin Circle
Trip Plan
Given the 7-hour driving time, an early start from Fort Worth is recommended to comfortably complete this 407.2-mile journey in one day. With only 2 planned stops, consider pacing them strategically, perhaps one midway through your longest stretch on the Purple Heart Trail. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 133.1-mile segment on Purple Heart Trail, as services might be spaced out. The $62 fuel estimate is a helpful baseline for budgeting your costs for this Texas-to-Texas drive.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 203.6 miles from Fort Worth, TX, or about 3h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 133.1 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 90 miles or 1h 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 203.6 miles or 3h 33m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 12m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Las Quintas Fronterizas, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Fort Worth, TX
This is one driving day of about 407.2 miles and 7h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 90 miles from Fort Worth, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Purple Heart Trail for about 133.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
204 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 90 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 203.6 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 Purple Heart Trail if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 133.1 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.
Medina County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Picnic Area
0 mi from route
Road Ranger
0 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Medina County Southbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Hill County Northbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
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
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
Ascent Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
TA
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
Marlstone Retail Center
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Bell County Southbound Rest Area
0.4 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.4 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
2.3 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
2.4 mi from route
San Antonio Museum of Art
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Final third
1.2 mi from route
~3 min detour
Moderately
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+12109788100
Visit websiteThe DoSeum
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Final third
1.2 mi from route
~3 min detour
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+12102124453
Visit websiteSan Antonio Botanical Garden
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Final third
1.4 mi from route
~3 min detour
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 8 am–6 pm
+12105361400
Visit websiteThe Sophienburg Museum & Archives
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Halfway reset
0.9 mi from route
~2 min detour
New Braunfels, Texas
Hours: 10 am–4 pm
+18306291572
Visit websiteCultural Activities Center
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
1.1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Temple, Texas
Hours: 8:30 am–4 pm
+12547739926
Visit websiteSan Antonio River Lock & Dam
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Final third
1.4 mi from route
~4 min detour
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 9 am–10 pm
+12102271373
Visit websiteSan Antonio Fire Museum
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Final third
1.6 mi from route
~4 min detour
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 10 am–3:30 pm
+12103907236
Visit websiteTube Chute
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
1.3 mi from route
~3 min detour
New Braunfels, Texas
+18302214000
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 125 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 264.9 — 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
8
182.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 11m in
|
I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail toward 32nd Street, Dean Keeton Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward 32nd Street, Dean Keeton Street
7
256.4 mi into trip
|
~4h 32m in
|
I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway toward I 35 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35 South
8
262.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 40m in
|
I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway toward I 35 South: Lower Level, Laredo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 35 South: Lower Level, Laredo
8
264.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 43m in
|
I 10; US 87 / South Pan Am Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87 / South Pan Am Expressway toward I 10 East, US 87 South, Spur 536: Houston, South Alamo Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 10 East, US 87 South, Spur 536: Housto...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$55.77 one way
$111.55 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
143 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $62.30 | $124.60 |
| premium | $4.23 | $67.73 | $135.47 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $76.89 | $153.77 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$56
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$81–$106
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 142.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $43 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 122.2 | 1 | $42.76 | $19.55 |
| Efficient EV | 101.8 | 1 | $35.63 | $16.29 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 162.9 | 2 | $57.01 | $26.06 |
Gas CO2
142 kg
EV CO2
48 kg (66% 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
8:44 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SSE 5 to 10 mph
33% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 9:36PM CDT until July 19 at 3:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 9:36PM CDT until July 19 at 1:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Las Quintas Fronterizas, TX
Morning in Las Quintas Fronterizas on Sunday
Local time
8:44 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
ESE 5 to 10 mph
40% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 9:36PM CDT until July 19 at 3:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 9:36PM CDT until July 19 at 1:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
7h 21m 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.
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...
4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 84.2
View on nps.gov
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Welcome to San Antonio Missions, a National Park Service site and the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Texas. Each mission in the park is a center of community and has been since the early 1700s. Th...
8 mi from route
~19 min detour
Free
near mile 266.8
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive leans heavily towards highway travel, with 67% of the route utilizing main roads like the Purple Heart Trail and US Highway 57. You'll encounter stretches where the road is relatively uninterrupted, including a notable 133.1-mile segment on the Purple Heart Trail. While primarily highway-focused, the inclusion of South Freeway suggests some urban or suburban approaches. The general character is one of steady progress on well-maintained roads, designed for covering distance efficiently.
67% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 133.1 mi on Purple Heart Trail.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Purple Heart Trail and US Highway 57. 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
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 407.2 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 182.9 miles (I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 256.4 miles (I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
900 ft
435 ft
Total Climb
912 ft
Total Descent
821 ft
Highest Point
900 ft
~145.4 mi in
Elevation Range
466 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 Las Quintas Fronterizas, TX, road signs point toward Laredo and Spur 536: Houston.
Laredo
262.8 mi in
|
~4h 40m
|
via I 35
Spur 536: Houston
264.9 mi in
|
~4h 43m
|
via I 10; US 87
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
Arriving in Las Quintas Fronterizas, 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 7h 21m. Total distance: 407.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 21m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 133.1 miles on Purple Heart Trail. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 37 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 Las Quintas Fronterizas, 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 37 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start: Lane positioning matters here; at 182.9 miles (I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 256.4 miles (I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument and San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.4 hours each way, a round trip means 14.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Las Quintas Fronterizas, 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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