Fort Worth to Nash is 205.7 miles and takes about 3h 40m via East R L Thornton Freeway, with a fuel budget near $32 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays entirely within Texas, moving from the Great Plains region of Fort Worth to another part of the Great Plains near Nash. Given that it's a single-day trip with a high percentage of highway driving, it's a straightforward option for getting from point A to point B efficiently. You'll spend most of your time on major freeways, making it a practical choice for a quick transit.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
102.9 miles from Fort Worth, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 54m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
East R L Thornton Freeway
172.2 mi
2h 57m
Tom Landry Freeway
30 mi
35m
South Freeway
1.1 mi
1m
North Kings Highway
0.7 mi
1m
Mall Drive
0.2 mi
<1m
US 287 Bus
0.2 mi
<1m
Epps Street
0.1 mi
<1m
Elmwood Avenue
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
East R L Thornton Freeway
— 172.2 mi, about 2h 57m
Traffic on I-30
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 52 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
7 AM
~3,899 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,499
Quietest
2 AM
~453 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 100 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 Nash, 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
0.5 mi·56 sec·South Freeway
Use the straight / left lanes.
8
Take the ramp onto US 287 Bus
0.2 mi·29 sec·US 287 Bus
Toward I 35W North
9
Merge onto I 35W; US 287 Bus
0.4 mi·28 sec·South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 51CToward I 30 East: DallasUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 30
30 mi·35 min·Tom Landry Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 30; US 67
7.5 mi·9 min·East R L Thornton Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 30; US 67
165 mi·2 hr 47 min·East R L Thornton Freeway
Toward I 30 East: TexarkanaUse the straight / right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward FM 989: Kings Highway
15
Continue on Mall Drive
0.2 mi·38 sec·Mall Drive
16
Turn right onto FM 989
0.7 mi·1 min·North Kings Highway
17
Arrive at destination
FM 989
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 3h 40m drive, consider leaving Fort Worth in the morning to avoid peak traffic, especially if you are traveling on a weekday. With 205.7 miles and a fuel cost estimate of $32, planning one stop for fuel or a quick break should be sufficient. The majority of the route is on major freeways, so pay attention to your GPS for any potential lane changes required for your intended highway. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility in your departure time and can adjust your pace as needed.
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 102.9 miles from Fort Worth, TX, or about 1h 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 172.2 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 45 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 102.9 miles or 1h 54m 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 1m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Nash, 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 205.7 miles and 3h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 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 East R L Thornton Freeway for about 172.2 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 39.8 — 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.
7
1.6 mi into trip|~3m in
Take the exit toward I 30 East: Dallas
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 51C
Toward I 30 East: Dallas
7
39.8 mi into trip|~49m in|I 30; US 67 / East R L Thornton Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 30; US 67 / East R L Thornton Freeway toward I 30 East: Texarkana
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.03 one way
$62.07 round trip
$3.83/gal25.4 MPG avg72 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$35.11
$70.23
premium
$4.72
$38.18
$76.37
diesel
$5.80
$46.95
$93.89
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 72 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
61.7
0
$21.60
$9.87
Efficient EV
51.4
0
$18.00
$8.23
EV Truck/SUV
82.3
1
$28.80
$13.16
Gas CO2
72 kg
EV CO2
24 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 Oct 16, 2026
Origin
Fort Worth, TX
Morning
in Fort Worth on Saturday
Local time
8:48 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Mostly Sunny
N 20 to 25 mph6% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Watch
Freeze Watch issued October 16 at 6:22AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 16 at 6:11AM CDT until October 17 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX
Destination
Nash, TX
Morning
in Nash on Saturday
Local time
8:48 AM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Mostly Sunny
N 15 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Watch
Freeze Watch issued October 16 at 6:22AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 16 at 6:11AM CDT until October 17 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi 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
4 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
3h 40m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll be on the highway for 99% of this 205.7-mile trip. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 172.2 miles, primarily on the East R L Thornton Freeway. This means you'll experience a consistent cruising speed for the vast majority of your travel time. Expect dense exits and merging traffic as you navigate through urban and suburban areas before transitioning to more open highway driving.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 172.2 mi on East R L Thornton Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on East R L Thornton Freeway and Tom Landry Freeway. You will hit about 12 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 Effort6/10
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 205.7 miles you will encounter 12 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.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 40m. Total distance: 205.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 172.2 miles on East R L Thornton Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 20 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 Nash, 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 1 meaningful breaks. There are 20 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Nash, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.
