Forest Park Miniature Railroad
Near the start, short detour
Fort Worth, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+18179665509
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 37m
Distance
335.3 mi
540 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$51
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fort Worth, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Port O'Connor, TX
Nate Biddle
This 335.3-mile drive from Fort Worth, TX to Port O'Connor, TX is designed for a single, focused day of travel, taking approximately 6 hours and 37 minutes. You'll primarily be on US 77, making for a direct and efficient journey. With an estimated fuel cost of $51, this route is budget-friendly for a day trip. The predominantly highway-focused profile means you'll spend a good amount of time covering ground efficiently. As both your origin and destination are within the Great Plains region, expect a consistent landscape throughout your travels. This trip is well-suited for those who want to reach their destination without overnight stops.
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
167.7 miles from Fort Worth, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 4m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 77 | 120.2 mi | 2h 20m |
| South Freeway | 82.3 mi | 1h 25m |
| United States Highway 77 | 44.5 mi | 53m |
| Robinson Drive | 29.5 mi | 33m |
| Port Lavaca Drive | 21.3 mi | 25m |
| FM 1289 | 11.2 mi | 19m |
| State Highway 185 East | 6.9 mi | 12m |
| North Jack Kultgen Expressway | 4.3 mi | 4m |
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Worth, TX and Port O'Connor, TX.
Start on South Freeway
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 35W
Continue on I 35; US 77
Take the exit
Turn straight onto South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Turn left onto Loop 396
Enter roundabout onto Robinson Drive
Continue on Robinson Drive
Continue on US 77
Turn left onto US 77; US 190; TX 36
Continue on US 77; US 190; TX 36
Continue on US 77; US 190; TX 36
Take the exit onto US 77
Turn right onto US 77; US 90 Alt
Continue on US 77; US 90 Alt
Turn left onto US 77
Turn left onto US 87
Continue on US 87
Keep slight left at fork onto US 87
Turn right onto FM 1090
Turn right onto TX 238
Continue on TX 238
Turn left onto FM 1289
At end of road, turn left onto TX 185
Continue on TX 185
Turn right onto TX 185
Arrive at destination
To make the most of this 6-hour and 37-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Fort Worth to maximize daylight and minimize traffic. With the longest stretch being over 120 miles, plan for your single recommended stop strategically, perhaps around the halfway point or where you anticipate needing a break. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially before embarking on the longer segments of US 77. Given the highway-focused nature, you'll likely find ample services, but it's always wise to top off when you have the opportunity. This route is manageable in one day, so flexibility with your stop is key.
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 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 74 miles or 1h 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 167.7 miles or 3h 4m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 11m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Port O'Connor, TX than in the middle of the route.
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 335.3 miles and 6h 37m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
168 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.
A short stop after about 74 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 167.7 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 120.2 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Near the start, short detour
Fort Worth, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+18179665509
Visit websiteNear the start, ~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.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 285.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Take the ramp toward I 35W South
Lane positioning matters here
Merge onto I 35W / South Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward Loop 396
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Turn left onto Loop 396 / South Valley Mills Drive
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto US 87 / East Goodwin Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$50.66 one way
$101.33 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $55.46 | $110.91 |
| premium | $4.54 | $59.87 | $119.73 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $74.03 | $148.06 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$51
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$76–$101
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 117.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 100.6 | 1 | $35.21 | $16.09 |
| Efficient EV | 83.8 | 0 | $29.34 | $13.41 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 134.1 | 1 | $46.94 | $21.46 |
Gas CO2
117 kg
EV CO2
39 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Fort Worth on Tuesday
Local time
3:54 AM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Mostly Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 17 at 11:07PM CDT by NWS Norman OK
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 17 at 10:45PM CDT until April 17 at 11:30PM CDT by NWS Norman OK
Destination
Late night in Port O'Connor on Tuesday
Local time
3:54 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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.
Expect a highway-focused drive for 82% of this 335.3-mile route. The character of the road is largely dictated by US 77, which will carry you for the majority of the journey. You'll encounter a significant uninterrupted stretch of 120.2 miles on US 77, indicating long, consistent periods of driving. This means you'll be covering significant distances with relative ease, characteristic of a dedicated highway route designed for efficient travel rather than winding scenic byways. The drive will likely feel direct and purpose-driven.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 77 and South Freeway. You will hit about 17 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.
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 335.3 miles you will encounter 17 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.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Fort Worth, TX to Port O'Connor, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Loop 396 along the way.
Loop 396
“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
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 37m. Total distance: 335.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 37m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Fort Worth, TX or browse trips ending in Port O'Connor, TX.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TX road trips.