Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Fort Worth, TX to Palacios, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 3m
Distance
308.1 mi
496 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$42
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 51m
★
6 AM
6h 4m
8 AM
6h 30m
10 AM
6h 13m
12 PM
6h 10m
3 PM
6h 14m
5 PM
6h 28m
8 PM
5h 56m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fort Worth, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Palacios, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Fort Worth to Palacios is 308.1 miles and takes about 6 hours and 3 minutes via US 77 and State Highway 71 South, with a fuel budget near $45 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This mostly highway drive will take you out of the Great Plains region of Texas and through a portion of the same region as you head towards the coast. With a recommended one-day drive, you'll want to get an early start to make the most of your daylight hours. The 89% highway share means you'll spend most of your time on high-speed roads, making for a straightforward trip.
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
154 miles from Fort Worth, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 49m 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 | 61.2 mi | 1h 22m |
| Robinson Drive | 29.5 mi | 33m |
| East State Highway 71 Bypass | 27.4 mi | 28m |
| TX 35 | 12.4 mi | 18m |
| 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
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 28 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~2,798 veh/hr typical · worst 3,547
Quietest
2 AM
~420 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.7×
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 Palacios, 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
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 333A
Toward 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
61 mi
·
1 hr 22 min
·
State Highway 71 South
21
Turn right onto TX 35
12 mi
·
18 min
·
TX 35
22
Turn slight right
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
23
Turn straight onto TX 35
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
Henderson Avenue
24
Turn left onto CR 304
0.4 mi
·
59 sec
·
4th Street
25
Turn right onto Ritchie Avenue
0.1 mi
·
33 sec
·
Ritchie Avenue
26
Arrive at destination
Ritchie Avenue
Trip Plan
Consider departing Fort Worth early in the morning, ideally between 7 and 8 AM, to comfortably complete this 6-hour drive before sunset. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost estimate of around $45, you won't need extensive planning. The longest stretch without exiting a main highway is 85.4 miles on US 77, so ensure you have enough fuel before embarking on that segment. This route is well-suited for a single-day trip, but if you prefer a more relaxed pace, you could break it up by stopping overnight roughly halfway.
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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 154 miles from Fort Worth, TX, or about 2h 49m 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 68 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 154 miles or 2h 49m 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 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Palacios, 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 308.1 miles and 6h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 68 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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
154 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 68 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 154 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 US 77 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 85.4 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.
Hill County Northbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Hill County Southbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
QuikTrip
1 mi from route
290 Travel Plaza
1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
1.1 mi from route
Colorado County Eastbound Rest Area
2.1 mi from route
Colorado County Westbound Rest Area
2.1 mi from 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 websiteDoris D Miller Park
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
3.3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Waco, Texas
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteFort 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 websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 165 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 87.3 — 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
5
87.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 32m in
|
Robinson Drive
Enter roundabout onto Robinson Drive
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.20 one way
$84.40 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
108 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $47.14 | $94.27 |
| premium | $4.23 | $51.25 | $102.50 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $58.18 | $116.35 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 107.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 92.4 | 1 | $32.35 | $14.79 |
| Efficient EV | 77 | 0 | $26.96 | $12.32 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 123.2 | 1 | $43.13 | $19.72 |
Gas CO2
108 kg
EV CO2
36 kg (67% 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 Monday
Local time
9:15 AM
CDT
Current temp
92°F
Partly Sunny
S 10 to 15 mph
11% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 2:10PM CDT until July 17 at 5:15PM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 1:26PM CDT until July 17 at 3:45PM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Destination
Palacios, TX
Morning in Palacios on Monday
Local time
9:15 AM
CDT
Current temp
90°F
Mostly Sunny
S 15 mph
3% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 2:10PM CDT until July 17 at 5:15PM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 1:26PM CDT until July 17 at 3:45PM CDT by NWS San Angelo 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
2 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
6h 3m 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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 85
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
You'll be on the highway for about 89% of this 308.1-mile trip, primarily using US 77 and State Highway 71 South. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 85.4 miles on US 77. Expect a fairly consistent cruising experience with minimal interruptions from surface streets until you get closer to your destination. The profile is mostly highway, so plan for steady progress.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 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 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.
Driving Effort
5/10
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 308.1 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: 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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
788 ft
13 ft
Total Climb
329 ft
Total Descent
968 ft
Highest Point
788 ft
~22 mi in
Elevation Range
775 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 Palacios, TX, road signs point toward Loop 396 and El Campo.
Loop 396
86.8 mi in
|
~1h 30m
El Campo
233.3 mi in
|
~4h 19m
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 Palacios, TX
Full guide →Founded 1903
Palacios is a city of 4,400 people (2020) on Matagorda Bay in the Gulf Coast region of Texas, 1½-2 hours southwest of Houston. It is especially noted for birding opportunities.
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 6h 3m. Total distance: 308.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 3m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
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.
Yes — we found about 15 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 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 Palacios, 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 15 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 6.1 hours each way, a round trip means 12.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Palacios, 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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