This 296.8-mile drive from Fort Worth, TX to Markham, TX takes about 5 hours and 48 minutes, making it a feasible day trip. The route is primarily highway-focused, with 89% of it on major roads like US 77 and State Highway 71 South. With an estimated fuel cost of $45, this trip is budget-friendly for a single day's adventure. You'll stay within the Great Plains region throughout your journey. Consider an early start to maximize daylight and enjoy the straightforward path.
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
148.4 miles from Fort Worth, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 42m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 77
85.4 mi
1h 40m
South Freeway
82.3 mi
1h 25m
State Highway 71 South
53.3 mi
1h 11m
Robinson Drive
29.5 mi
33m
East State Highway 71 Bypass
27.4 mi
28m
FM 1468
9.9 mi
17m
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
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Worth, TX and Markham, 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
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 333AToward 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
53 mi·1 hr 11 min·State Highway 71 South
21
Turn left onto FM 1468
9.9 mi·17 min·FM 1468
Use the left lane.
22
Arrive at destination
FM 1468
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour and 48-minute drive, an early morning departure from Fort Worth is recommended to ensure you have ample time to reach Markham without feeling rushed. While the route has only one recommended stop, be mindful of the 85.4-mile stretch on US 77; plan your fuel and rest breaks accordingly before embarking on longer segments. The estimated $45 fuel cost is manageable, but it's always wise to check your tank before leaving. Given the highway-centric nature, keeping an eye on traffic conditions on US 77 will be beneficial for a smooth trip.
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 148.4 miles from Fort Worth, TX, or about 2h 42m 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 65 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 148.4 miles or 2h 42m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Markham, 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 296.8 miles and 5h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 65 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 286.9 — 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
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
6
286.9 mi into trip|~5h 31m in|FM 1468
Turn left onto FM 1468
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$44.85 one way
$89.69 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg104 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$49.09
$98.18
premium
$4.54
$52.99
$105.98
diesel
$5.61
$65.53
$131.06
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$45
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 103.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
89
1
$31.16
$14.25
Efficient EV
74.2
0
$25.97
$11.87
EV Truck/SUV
118.7
1
$41.55
$19.00
Gas CO2
104 kg
EV CO2
35 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 Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Fort Worth, TX
Late night
in Fort Worth on Sunday
Local time
1:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 10 to 15 mph6% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 17 at 7:31AM CDT until April 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 17 at 7:25AM CDT until April 18 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX
Destination
Markham, TX
Late night
in Markham on Sunday
Local time
1:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
72°F
Lexington, TX
148 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
7 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
5h 48m 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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 81.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive for this 296.8-mile journey. With 89% of the route on major roads, you'll experience consistent travel speeds. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 85.4 miles on US 77, offering a chance to settle in for a significant portion of the drive. While mainly highway, the inclusion of South Freeway and State Highway 71 South suggests some variation in road type as you get closer to your destination. The overall feel is one of efficient travel rather than winding scenic byways.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 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 14 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 296.8 miles you will encounter 14 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.
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 Markham, TX, road signs point toward Loop 396 and El Campo.
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 5h 48m. Total distance: 296.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). 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.
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.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.8 hours each way, a round trip means 11.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Markham, TX before the return drive.
