Trip from Fort Worth, TX to Palmhurst, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 22, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
8h 58m
Distance
513.8 mi
827 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$77
one way
EV Charging
Excellent
20 DC fast
Best Time to Leave
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fort Worth, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Palmhurst, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Trip Overview
Fort Worth, TX to Palmhurst, TX is 513.8 miles and takes about 8h 58m via I 35W South, South Freeway, and North Jack Kultgen Expressway, with a fuel budget near $74 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route covers a substantial distance entirely within Texas, transitioning from the Great Plains region. Given the nearly 9-hour drive time, it's best considered a two-day trip to allow for comfortable pacing and rest. You'll be on a mix of major freeways and surface roads for a significant portion of the drive. Plan for a full day of driving if you decide to tackle it all at once, or break it up to enjoy the scenery along the way.
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
256.9 miles from Fort Worth, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 16m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| TX 130 Toll | 86.1 mi | 1h 19m |
| South Freeway | 82.3 mi | 1h 25m |
| South Nueces Street | 66.2 mi | 1h 10m |
| I 37 | 60.5 mi | 1h 1m |
| Falfurrias Expressway | 55.8 mi | 58m |
| Purple Heart Trail | 37.9 mi | 39m |
| I 10 | 32.5 mi | 33m |
| I 35 | 26.5 mi | 26m |
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 60 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~2,839 veh/hr typical · worst 3,735
Quietest
2 AM
~452 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
Averaged across 104 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 Palmhurst, TX.
Start on South Freeway
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 35W
Continue on I 35; US 77
Continue on I 35
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
Take the exit
Continue on TX 130 Toll
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 10; TX 130
Continue on I 10; US 90; TX 130
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10; US 90; TX 130
Keep slight right at fork onto I 410
Merge onto I 410; TX 130
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 37
Take the exit onto US 281 South
Keep slight left at fork onto US 281
Keep slight left at fork onto I 69C; US 281
Keep slight left at fork onto I 69C; US 281
Keep slight left at fork onto I 69C; US 281
Take the exit
Continue on North Expressway 281
Continue on US 281 Business
Turn right onto US 281 Business; TX 107
Turn left onto US 281 Business; TX 107
Turn right onto TX 107
Turn left onto TX 107
Turn left onto FM 1924
Turn left onto TX 107
Turn right
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 513.8-mile distance and an estimated 8h 58m of driving, splitting this trip into two days is highly recommended. Aim to start your first day early to maximize daylight hours. With two recommended days, you can comfortably stop around the halfway point, allowing for a full day of rest. The fuel cost is estimated at $74, so factor that into your budget. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you move between different freeway sections, and utilize the planned stops for breaks and refueling.
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.
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 113 miles or 1h 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 256.9 miles or 4h 16m 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 256.9 miles or 4h 16m
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 46m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Palmhurst, 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 257 miles and 4.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Palmhurst, TX
Aim for roughly 257 miles and 4.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
First major stop
Coffee and fuel
170 mi into the route
Best for: Coffee, fuel, and an easy first stretch
This is a natural early stop once the first hours of the drive are behind you.
Second major stop
Overnight candidate
339 mi into the route
Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start
This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.
Find hotels in George West, TXOvernight Options
Night 1
257 mi · about 4.5h in
A practical overnight split lands near San Antonio, TX after about 257 miles or 4.5 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
A short stop after about 113 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 256.9 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 TX 130 Toll if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 86.1 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 257 miles or 4.5 hours on the road.
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.
Brooks County Rest Area
Pilot Travel Center
Road Ranger
TA
Love's Travel Stop
Love's Travel Stop
Hill County Northbound Rest Area
Pilot Travel Center
Rest Area
Rest Area
Live Oak County Southbound Rest Area
Live Oak County Northbound Rest Area
Picnic Area
Picnic Area
Flying J Travel Center
Walburg Travel Center & Food Court
Flying J Travel Center
Pilot Travel Center
Love's Travel Stop
Buc-ee's
QuikTrip
QuikTrip
QuikTrip
QuikTrip
QuikTrip
QuikTrip
Circle K
Petro Stopping Centers
Ascent Travel Center
Love's Travel Stop
Flying J Travel Plaza
Pilot Travel Center
Jud's Travel Center
Hill County Southbound Rest Area
QuikTrip
Road Ranger
Pilot Travel Center
Love's Travel Stop
Love's Travel Stop
TA
Buc-ee's
TA
Service Plaza
QuikTrip
Bell County Southbound Rest Area
Flying J Travel Center
Forest Park Miniature Railroad
Near the start, short detour
Fort Worth, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+18179665509
Visit websiteLions Park
Near the end, short detour
Mission, Texas
Hours: Open 24 hours
+19565808650
Visit websiteBannworth Park
Near the end, ~9 min detour
Mission, Texas
Hours: 6 am–10 pm
+19565808650
Zinnia Park
Near the end, ~11 min detour
McAllen, Texas
Hours: 6 am–11 pm
+19566811000
Visit websiteFort Worth Herd
Near the start, ~12 min detour
Fort Worth, Texas
Hours: 11:30 am–4 pm
+18173364373
Visit websiteMcAllen Nature Center
Near the end, ~12 min detour
McAllen, Texas
Hours: 8 am–6 pm
+19566813333
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 245 decision points cluster between mile 153.6 and 496.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Take the exit toward TX 130 Toll South: San Antonio
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork toward I 10 West: San Antonio
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 37, US 281 North: San Antonio, Corpus Christi
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward I 37 South: Corpus Christi
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward US 281 Business South: Edinburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$77.13 one way
$154.26 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.22 | $85.34 | $170.69 |
| premium | $4.57 | $92.34 | $184.68 |
| diesel | $6.28 | $126.95 | $253.91 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$77
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$207–$317
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 179.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
EV Charging Along Route
20 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent
Hillsboro, TX - Tesla Supercharger
Hillsboro, TX
24 DCFC
Waco, TX - Tesla Supercharger
Bellmead, TX
22 DCFC
Fort Worth, TX - Whitmore Street - Tesla Supercharger
Fort Worth, TX
16 DCFC
Fort Worth, TX - Tesla Supercharger
Fort Worth, TX
16 DCFC
Haltom City, TX - Tesla Supercharger
Haltom City, TX
12 DCFC
Edgecliff Village, TX - Tesla Supercharger
Edgecliff Village, TX
12 DCFC
Burleson, TX - Tesla Supercharger
Burleson, TX
12 DCFC
TA State Highway 77, Hillsboro, TX
Hillsboro, TX
12 DCFC
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $54 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 154.1 | 1 | $53.95 | $24.66 |
| Efficient EV | 128.5 | 1 | $44.96 | $20.55 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 205.5 | 2 | $71.93 | $32.88 |
Gas CO2
180 kg
EV CO2
60 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
Late night in Fort Worth on Thursday
Local time
4:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Clear
Destination
Palmhurst, TX
Late night in Palmhurst on Thursday
Local time
4:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Partly Cloudy
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
18 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
8h 58m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Welcome to San Antonio Missions, a National Park Service site and the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Texas. Each mission in the park is a center of community and has been since the early 1700s. Th...
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is primarily a long-haul trip. You'll be on freeways for the entirety of your route, meaning you'll encounter a consistent flow of traffic and numerous exits. The longest stretch without a significant change in road type is not specified, but expect to transition between different freeway designations like I 35W South, South Freeway, and North Jack Kultgen Expressway. The nearly 9-hour duration suggests a steady pace with minimal stops needed for navigation changes.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on TX 130 Toll and South Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 153.6 miles in.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 24 significant decision points across 513.8 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 153.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 240.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 281.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
576 ft
Total Descent
1,068 ft
Highest Point
912 ft
~146.8 mi in
Elevation Range
839 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.
On the drive from Fort Worth, TX to Palmhurst, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Corpus Christi along the way.
Corpus Christi
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
- • Kimbell Art Museum — art museum in Fort Worth, Texas
- • Amon Carter Museum of American Art — art museum in Fort Worth, Texas
- • Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth — art museum
Arriving in Palmhurst, TX
Full guide →City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Frequently Asked Questions
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, NREL for EV charging, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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