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Trip from Fort Worth, TX to Malakoff, TX

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 58m

Distance

103.6 mi

167 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$16

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 25 min
4 AM
1h 50m ★
6 AM
1h 58m
8 AM
2h 15m
10 AM
2h 4m
12 PM
2h 2m
3 PM
2h 5m
5 PM
2h 14m
8 PM
1h 53m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city and county seat of Tarrant County, Texas, United States

Fort Worth, TX

Wikimedia Commons

city in Henderson County, Texas, United States

Malakoff, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 103.6-mile drive from Fort Worth, TX, to Malakoff, TX, will take you approximately 1 hour and 58 minutes. Primarily utilizing US 287, I-45, and East State Highway 31, this trip offers a straightforward journey through the Great Plains region of Texas. With a fuel cost estimated at $16, it's an economical option for a day trip. The route is predominantly highway-focused, making it a convenient option for those looking to reach their destination efficiently without needing an overnight stay. Consider this a practical transit rather than a scenic exploration.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

51.8 miles from Fort Worth, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 58m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 287 50.7 mi 56m
I 45 15.8 mi 15m
East State Highway 31 12.8 mi 15m
Northeast 2nd Street 9.9 mi 11m
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway 5.7 mi 6m
South Freeway 3.3 mi 3m
West Royall Boulevard 3.1 mi 3m
North Interstate 45 0.3 mi <1m
Longest stretch: US 287 — 50.7 mi, about 56m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Fort Worth, TX and Malakoff, 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

16 mi · 15 min · I 45; US 287
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 26 sec
Exit 231 Toward TX 31 Business: Waco, Athens
11

Turn straight onto North Interstate 45

0.3 mi · 38 sec · North Interstate 45
12

Turn left onto TX 31 Bus

13 mi · 15 min · East State Highway 31
13

Continue on TX 31

9.9 mi · 11 min · Northeast 2nd Street
14

Continue on TX 31

3.1 mi · 3 min · West Royall Boulevard
15

Turn right onto FM 3441

430 ft · 8 sec · South Terry Street
16

Arrive at destination

FM 3441

Trip Plan

Given the relatively short duration of under two hours, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, offering flexibility for departure times. You can easily leave Fort Worth in the morning and arrive in Malakoff before lunch, or head out in the afternoon. The estimated fuel cost of $16 suggests you won't need to worry excessively about frequent refueling, though it's always wise to top off before leaving Fort Worth. Keep an eye on the road signs as you navigate the transitions between US 287, I-45, and East State Highway 31 to ensure you stay on track for a smooth arrival in Malakoff.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 51.8 miles from Fort Worth, TX, or about 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 50.7 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 23 miles or 26m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 51.8 miles or 58m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 36m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Malakoff, 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.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Fort Worth, TX

This is one driving day of about 103.6 miles and 1h 58m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Fort Worth, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 287 for about 50.7 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in and county seat of Ellis County, Texas, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Waxahachie, TX

52 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

Mansfield, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 23 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Waxahachie, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 51.8 miles from Fort Worth, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your 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 website

NTER - The Great Escape

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 44.4

Waxahachie, Texas

Hours: 5–9 pm

+12149801053

Visit website

Fort 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 website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 11

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 77.2 — 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
6
77.2 mi into trip | ~1h 26m in

Take the exit toward TX 31 Business: Waco, Athens

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 231 Toward TX 31 Business: Waco, Athens

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$15.65 one way

$31.31 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 36 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.20 $17.13 $34.27
premium $4.54 $18.50 $36.99
diesel $5.61 $22.87 $45.75

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$16

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$41–$66

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 36.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 31.1 0 $10.88 $4.97
Efficient EV 25.9 0 $9.07 $4.14
EV Truck/SUV 41.4 0 $14.50 $6.63

Gas CO2

36 kg

EV CO2

12 kg (67% 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 14, 2026

Origin

Fort Worth, TX

Late night in Fort Worth on Sunday

Local time

2:48 AM

CDT

Current temp

83°F

Slight Chance Rain Showers

S 15 mph 20% chance Live forecast

Destination

Malakoff, TX

Late night in Malakoff on Sunday

Local time

2:48 AM

CDT

Current temp

54°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

29 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

1h 58m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a highway-focused experience for about 80% of this 103.6-mile route. You'll spend a significant portion on major roadways like US 287 and I-45, which generally means consistent speeds and less focus on local scenery. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 50.7 miles on US 287, offering a period of smooth, albeit potentially monotonous, driving. As you transition to East State Highway 31, the character might shift slightly, but the overall feel remains one of efficient travel on well-maintained highways.

80% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 50.7 mi on US 287.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 287 and I 45. 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 9/10

Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 103.6 miles you will encounter 11 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 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.

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 Malakoff, TX, road signs point toward Waxahachie and Athens.

Waxahachie

10.1 mi in | ~12m | via US 287

Athens

77.2 mi in | ~1h 26m

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 Malakoff, 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 1h 58m. Total distance: 103.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (80%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 50.7 miles on US 287. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

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 Malakoff, TX before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.

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.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Malakoff, TX before heading back.

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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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