Fort Worth to Marfa is 510.7 miles and takes about 8h 59m via I 20 and TX 349, with a fuel budget near $80 and an overnight recommendation. This long-haul drive spans across Texas, beginning in the Great Plains region and continuing into a similar landscape. Given the nearly 9-hour estimated drive time, planning for two days is sensible to avoid an overly long single day behind the wheel. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on major highways, making it a straightforward, albeit lengthy, trip.
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
255.3 miles from Fort Worth, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 24m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 20
284.4 mi
4h 47m
East 3rd Street
57 mi
1h
TX 349
42.1 mi
43m
South US Higway 67
25.7 mi
29m
West US Highway 90
24.9 mi
26m
South US Highway 67
21.6 mi
24m
Trooper Sammy Long Memorial HIghway
17.7 mi
20m
West Freeway
12.9 mi
14m
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 284.4 mi, about 4h 47m
Traffic on I-20
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 36 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,369 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,769
Quietest
2 AM
~188 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
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 Marfa, TX.
1
Start on South Freeway
54 ft·2 sec·South Freeway
2
Turn right onto Elmwood Avenue
475 ft·23 sec·Elmwood Avenue
3
At end of road, turn right onto Epps Street
0.1 mi·27 sec·Epps Street
4
Continue on East Maddox Avenue
412 ft·20 sec·East Maddox Avenue
5
At end of road, turn right onto South Freeway
321 ft·13 sec·South Freeway
6
Turn left onto East Allen Avenue
210 ft·13 sec·East Allen Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
7
Turn left onto South Freeway
0.4 mi·46 sec·South Freeway
Use the straight / left lanes.
8
Turn left onto East Rosedale Street
1.9 mi·3 min·East Rosedale Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
9
Take the ramp
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 30 WestUse the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto I 30; US 377
13 mi·14 min·West Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 20
284 mi·4 hr 47 min·I 20
Use the slight right lane.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·34 sec
Toward SH 349 Business, SH 349: Lamesa, Rankin
13
Turn left onto East Interstate 20
349 ft·9 sec·East Interstate 20
14
Turn left onto TX 349 Bus
0.5 mi·44 sec·Rankin Highway
15
Continue on TX 349
10 mi·10 min·South State Highway 349
16
Continue on TX 349
42 mi·43 min·TX 349
Use the straight lane.
17
Turn right onto US 67; TX 349
18 mi·20 min·Trooper Sammy Long Memorial HIghway
18
Continue on US 67
57 mi·1 hr·East 3rd Street
19
Take the exit onto La Entrada al Pacifico Corridor
0.2 mi·27 sec·La Entrada al Pacifico Corridor
Exit 246Toward US 67 south, FM 1776: Alpine, Sul Ross State University
20
Continue on US 67
0.1 mi·18 sec·Interstate 10 West
21
Turn left onto US 67
26 mi·29 min·South US Higway 67
22
Continue on US 67
22 mi·24 min·South US Highway 67
23
Continue on US 67; US 90
7.6 mi·8 min·East US Highway 90
24
Continue on US 67; US 90
1.6 mi·1 min·East Avenue E
25
Continue on US 67; US 90
25 mi·26 min·West US Highway 90
26
Continue on US 67; US 90
0.4 mi·1 min·East San Antonio Street
27
Turn right onto TX 17
183 ft·10 sec·South Highland Street
28
Turn left
190 ft·14 sec
29
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
With an 8h 59m estimated duration, this trip is best split over two days. Aim to depart Fort Worth early in the morning to maximize daylight for your first leg. Consider stopping for the night after completing the longest stretch on I 20, around the 284.4-mile mark, to break up the drive evenly. Keep an eye on fuel, as there are only two recommended stops, and the total fuel cost is estimated at $80. Ensure you have enough gas before entering longer, more remote sections.
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 255.3 miles from Fort Worth, TX, or about 4h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 284.4 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 112 miles or 1h 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 255.3 miles or 4h 24m 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 255.3 miles or 4h 24m
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 52m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Marfa, 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 255 miles and 4.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Marfa, TX
Aim for roughly 255 miles and 4.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 112 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 I 20 for about 284.4 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 428.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Epps Street
At end of road, turn right onto Epps Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
6
0.3 mi into trip|~1m in|South Freeway
At end of road, turn right onto South Freeway
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
7
0.4 mi into trip|~1m in|East Allen Avenue
Turn left onto East Allen Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
6
0.4 mi into trip|~1m in|South Freeway
Turn left onto South Freeway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
6
428.6 mi into trip|~7h 26m in|La Entrada al Pacifico Corridor
Take the exit onto La Entrada al Pacifico Corridor toward US 67 south, FM 1776: Alpine, Sul Ross State University
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 246
Toward US 67 south, FM 1776: Alpine, Sul Ross S...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$69.95 one way
$139.90 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg179 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$78.13
$156.27
premium
$4.23
$84.95
$169.90
diesel
$4.80
$96.43
$192.86
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$70
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$200–$310
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 178.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $54 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
153.2
1
$53.62
$24.51
Efficient EV
127.7
1
$44.69
$20.43
EV Truck/SUV
204.3
2
$71.50
$32.68
Gas CO2
179 kg
EV CO2
60 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.
Forecast as of Jul 16, 2026
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 mph45% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 5:23PM CDT until July 16 at 8:30PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 16 at 5:19PM CDT until July 16 at 5:30PM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA
Destination
Marfa, TX
Morning
in Marfa on Sunday
Local time
9:41 AM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
NE 5 to 10 mph44% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 5:23PM CDT until July 16 at 8:30PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 16 at 5:19PM CDT until July 16 at 5:30PM 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
9 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
8h 59m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 79% of the 510.7 miles covered on major roads like I 20. You'll encounter a stretch of 284.4 miles on I 20, which means extended periods of consistent cruising. The transition to surface roads, specifically TX 349, will occur later in the drive. Expect a significant portion of the mileage to involve the predictable pace of interstate travel before reaching more rural conditions.
79% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 284.4 mi on I 20.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and East 3rd Street. You will hit about 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Epps Street.
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 510.7 miles you will encounter 16 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: at 0.1 miles (Epps Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.3 miles (South Freeway): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.4 miles (East Allen Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
4,693 ft652 ft
Total Climb
4,338 ft
Total Descent
298 ft
Highest Point
4,693 ft
~510.7 mi in
Elevation Range
4,041 ft
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 Marfa, TX, road signs point toward Sh 349 Business, Sh 349: Lamesa, Rankin, Fm 1776: Alpine and Sul Ross State University.
Sh 349 Business
300.9 mi in|~5h 10m
Sh 349: Lamesa
300.9 mi in|~5h 10m
Rankin
300.9 mi in|~5h 10m
Fm 1776: Alpine
428.6 mi in|~7h 26m|via La Entrada al Pacifico Corridor
Sul Ross State University
428.6 mi in|~7h 26m|via La Entrada al Pacifico Corridor
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
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
8h 59m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (79%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 284.4 miles on I 20. 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 255 miles on day one.
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.
It helps. This is a long drive, so arriving tired and in the dark compounds. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Marfa, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Epps Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.3 miles (South Freeway): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.4 miles (East Allen Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 9.0 hours each way, a round trip means 18.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Marfa, TX before the return drive.
