Bell County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Fort Worth, TX to Rockport, 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 43m
Distance
373.9 mi
602 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$51
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 31m
★
6 AM
6h 43m
8 AM
7h 7m
10 AM
6h 52m
12 PM
6h 49m
3 PM
6h 53m
5 PM
7h 6m
8 PM
6h 36m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fort Worth, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Rockport, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Fort Worth to Rockport is 373.9 miles and takes about 6h 43m via South Freeway, TX 130 Toll, and North United States Highway 183, with a fuel budget near $54 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip takes you from the Great Plains region of Texas down to the Gulf Coast, also within the Great Plains region. For the most part, you'll be on well-maintained highways, making for a straightforward drive. Given the distance and duration, it's entirely feasible as a single-day excursion, but planning your departure time is key to maximizing daylight driving.
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
187 miles from Fort Worth, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 11m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South Freeway | 82.3 mi | 1h 25m |
| TX 130 Toll | 58.5 mi | 54m |
| North United States Highway 183 | 43.5 mi | 47m |
| Purple Heart Trail | 37.9 mi | 39m |
| South US Highway 183/ US 87 | 26.7 mi | 28m |
| I 35 | 26.5 mi | 26m |
| South US Highway 183 | 24.6 mi | 27m |
| US 183 | 10.1 mi | 11m |
Longest stretch:
South Freeway
— 82.3 mi, about 1h 25m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 60 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~2,844 veh/hr typical · worst 3,686
Quietest
2 AM
~446 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.4×
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 Rockport, 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
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Continue on I 35
38 mi
·
39 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
26 mi
·
26 min
·
I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
55 sec
Exit 265
Toward TX 130 Toll South: San Antonio
Use the slight right lane.
8
Continue on TX 130 Toll
59 mi
·
54 min
·
TX 130 Toll
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Exit 470
Toward US 183 South: Lockhart
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on US 183
0.5 mi
·
35 sec
·
United States Highway 183
11
Continue on US 183
4.9 mi
·
8 min
·
North Colorado Street
12
Continue on US 183
10 mi
·
11 min
·
US 183
13
Continue on US 183
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
North Magnolia Avenue
14
Turn left onto US 90; US 183
5.0 mi
·
6 min
·
East Pierce Street
15
Continue on US 183
43 mi
·
47 min
·
North United States Highway 183
16
Continue on US 77 Alt; US 183
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
North Esplanade Street
17
Continue on US 77 Alt; US 87; US 183
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
South US Highway 183
18
Continue on US 77 Alt; US 183
27 mi
·
28 min
·
South US Highway 183/ US 87
19
Continue on US 77 Alt; US 183
3.7 mi
·
5 min
·
North Jefferson Street
20
Continue on US 77 Alt; US 183
23 mi
·
24 min
·
South US Highway 183
21
Continue on US 77 Alt; US 183
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
North Alamo Street
22
Continue on US 77
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
North Alamo Street
23
Turn left onto FM 774
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
East Empresario Street
24
Turn right onto FM 2678
9.6 mi
·
9 min
·
FM 2678
Use the right lane.
25
Continue on FM 136
10.0 mi
·
11 min
·
Farm to Market Road 136
26
Turn left onto TX 188
7.2 mi
·
7 min
·
State Highway 188
27
Turn left onto FM 1069
5.0 mi
·
6 min
·
FM 1069 North
28
Continue on FM 1069
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
West Market Street
29
Arrive at destination
Loop 70
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 6-hour, 43-minute drive, aim for an early morning departure from Fort Worth to avoid any potential traffic and to ensure you have ample daylight. With only one recommended stop indicated, you have flexibility in pacing yourself. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially as you move onto the non-toll sections of North United States Highway 183, as fuel stations might become less frequent. Your estimated fuel cost of $54 is a helpful budget point, but it's always wise to have a little extra for unexpected needs. Since this is a manageable one-day trip, you can decide on the fly whether to stop for a longer break or push through.
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 187 miles from Fort Worth, TX, or about 3h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 82.3 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 82 miles or 1h 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 187 miles or 3h 11m 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 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Rockport, 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 373.9 miles and 6h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 82 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 South Freeway for about 82.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
187 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 82 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 187 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 South Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 82.3 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.
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Hill County Northbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Walburg Travel Center & Food Court
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Circle K
0.1 mi from route
Ascent Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Hill County Southbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
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
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.3 mi from route
Bell County Southbound Rest Area
0.4 mi from route
Texas Maritime Museum
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.6 mi from route
~1 min detour
Rockport, Texas
Hours: 10 am–4 pm
+13617291271
Visit websiteForest 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 websiteVillage of Salado Visitors Center
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Early stretch
2.1 mi from route
~5 min detour
Salado, Texas
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+12549478634
Visit websiteDoris D Miller Park
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, ~11 min detour
Early stretch
4.4 mi from route
~11 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 105 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 339.6 — 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
6
127.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 12m in
|
I 35
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
153.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 39m in
Take the exit toward TX 130 Toll South: San Antonio
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 265
Toward TX 130 Toll South: San Antonio
7
212.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 35m in
Take the exit toward US 183 South: Lockhart
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 470
Toward US 183 South: Lockhart
6
339.6 mi into trip
|
~6h 4m in
|
FM 2678
Turn right onto FM 2678
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$51.21 one way
$102.43 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
131 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $57.20 | $114.41 |
| premium | $4.23 | $62.19 | $124.39 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $70.60 | $141.20 |
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: 130.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 112.2 | 1 | $39.26 | $17.95 |
| Efficient EV | 93.5 | 1 | $32.72 | $14.96 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 149.6 | 1 | $52.35 | $23.93 |
Gas CO2
131 kg
EV CO2
44 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.
Origin
Fort Worth, TX
Late night in Fort Worth on Monday
Local time
2:19 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Mostly Cloudy
SSE 5 to 10 mph
13% chance
Live forecast
Tornado Warning
Tornado Warning issued July 17 at 1:35AM CDT until July 17 at 2:15AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 1:00AM CDT until July 17 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Rockport, TX
Late night in Rockport on Monday
Local time
2:19 AM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Partly Cloudy
SSE 12 mph
8% chance
Live forecast
Tornado Warning
Tornado Warning issued July 17 at 1:35AM CDT until July 17 at 2:15AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 1:00AM CDT until July 17 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
96°F
San Marcos, TX
187 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
8 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
6h 43m 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...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 77.4
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway, with 81% of the route utilizing major roadways. You'll encounter the longest continuous stretch of highway, 82.3 miles, on South Freeway. Expect the highway portion to conclude around the point where North United States Highway 183 transitions away from its toll sections, shifting towards more of a rural cruising feel. The high percentage of highway driving means you'll experience fewer interruptions from frequent exits and city traffic for significant portions of the trip.
81% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 82.3 mi on South Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on South Freeway and TX 130 Toll. You will hit about 10 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 373.9 miles you will encounter 10 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 127.1 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 153.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
705 ft
8 ft
Total Climb
285 ft
Total Descent
930 ft
Highest Point
705 ft
~160.3 mi in
Elevation Range
697 ft
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 Rockport, TX
Full guide →Founded 1870
Rockport is a small city in the South Barrier Coast region of Texas, about 45 minutes north up the Gulf of Mexico coast from Corpus Christi. It's right between Copano Bay to the west, on the coast of Aransas Bay. Aransas Bay is around 4 miles wide at this point, with the Gulf of Mexico beyond.
Top landmarks
- • T. H. Mathis House — historic place in Rockport, Aransas County, Texas
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 43m. Total distance: 373.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 43m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (81%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 82.3 miles on South Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 27 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 Rockport, 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 27 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start: Lane positioning matters here; at 127.1 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 153.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.7 hours each way, a round trip means 13.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Rockport, 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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