Fort Worth to Saint Jo is 88.5 miles and takes about 1 hour 36 minutes via I 35 and I 35W TEXpress, with a fuel budget near $13 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Great Plains region, making it a straightforward drive without significant elevation changes. The primary focus is on efficient travel, with most of the route utilizing major freeways. It's a practical choice if you need to get from the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex north into North Texas quickly.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
44.2 miles from Fort Worth, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 48m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 35
28.7 mi
29m
North Freeway
17.8 mi
19m
I 35W TEXpress
16.3 mi
16m
J M Lindsay Boulevard
12.1 mi
13m
Division Street
9.8 mi
11m
South Freeway
1.8 mi
2m
North Interstate 35
0.7 mi
1m
I 35E
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 28.7 mi, about 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Worth, TX and Saint Jo, 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
1.2 mi·1 min·South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit onto I 35W TEXpress
16 mi·16 min·I 35W TEXpress
Toward I 35W Express North: I 35W TEXpress NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 35W
18 mi·19 min·North Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 35E; US 77
0.4 mi·26 sec·I 35E; US 77
13
Continue on I 35; US 77
29 mi·29 min·I 35; US 77
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.1 mi·18 sec
Exit 498Toward US 82: Wichita Falls, ShermanUse the slight right lane.
15
Turn straight onto North Interstate 35
0.7 mi·1 min·North Interstate 35
16
Turn left onto US 82
175 ft·7 sec·Summitt Avenue
17
Continue on US 82
12 mi·13 min·J M Lindsay Boulevard
18
Continue on US 82
9.8 mi·11 min·Division Street
19
Arrive at destination
US 82
Trip Plan
Given the short duration of 1 hour 36 minutes, you have a lot of flexibility with your departure time. Leaving Fort Worth in the morning will help you avoid potential rush hour traffic on I 35W. With a fuel cost estimated at $13, filling up before you leave is a good idea. There are no specific stops recommended on this route, so you can easily make it in one go. The drive is short enough that you won't need to worry about splitting it up, but be aware of the 28.7-mile stretch on I 35 where you'll be on the highway without many immediate exit opportunities.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 44.2 miles from Fort Worth, TX, or about 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 28.7 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 19 miles or 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 44.2 miles or 48m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Saint Jo, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Fort Worth, TX
This is one driving day of about 88.5 miles and 1h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Fort Worth, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 35 for about 28.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
The midpoint is around 44.2 miles from Fort Worth, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 65.6 — 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.
6
0.4 mi into trip|~1m in|South Freeway
Turn left onto South Freeway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
8
65.6 mi into trip|~1h 10m in
Take the exit toward US 82: Wichita Falls, Sherman
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 498
Toward US 82: Wichita Falls, Sherman
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.37 one way
$26.75 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg31 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$14.64
$29.27
premium
$4.54
$15.80
$31.60
diesel
$5.61
$19.54
$39.08
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 31 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
26.6
0
$9.29
$4.25
Efficient EV
22.1
0
$7.74
$3.54
EV Truck/SUV
35.4
0
$12.39
$5.66
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (68% 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 Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Fort Worth, TX
Late night
in Fort Worth on Tuesday
Local time
5:20 AM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Mostly Cloudy
SSE 10 mph14% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued April 20 at 3:22PM CDT until April 20 at 6:00PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Fire Weather Watch
Fire Weather Watch issued April 20 at 2:28PM CDT until April 22 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX
Destination
Saint Jo, TX
Late night
in Saint Jo on Tuesday
Local time
5:20 AM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 10 mph7% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued April 20 at 3:22PM CDT until April 20 at 6:00PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Fire Weather Watch
Fire Weather Watch issued April 20 at 2:28PM CDT until April 22 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX
85°F
Denton, TX
44 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
1 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
1h 36m 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 spend about 75% of this drive on highways, covering a significant portion on I 35. The longest continuous stretch on a main road is 28.7 miles on I 35. Expect a relatively consistent highway experience for most of the trip, transitioning to surface roads as you approach Saint Jo. The density of exits on the initial freeway segments will be noticeable.
75% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 28.7 mi on I 35.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and North Freeway. You will hit about 11 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 88.5 miles you will encounter 11 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.
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 Saint Jo, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Sherman along the way.
Sherman
65.6 mi in|~1h 10m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 36m. Total distance: 88.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (75%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 28.7 miles on I 35. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Saint Jo, TX before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Saint Jo, TX before heading back.
