Bell County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Fort Worth, TX to Somerset, 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
5h 6m
Distance
283.7 mi
457 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$39
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 53m
★
6 AM
5h 6m
8 AM
5h 33m
10 AM
5h 16m
12 PM
5h 13m
3 PM
5h 17m
5 PM
5h 32m
8 PM
4h 58m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fort Worth, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Somerset, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are planning to travel from Fort Worth to Somerset, expect a drive covering 283.7 miles that typically takes about 5 hours and 6 minutes. This journey stays entirely within the Great Plains region of Texas, making it a straightforward trip that is easily manageable as a single-day excursion. You should budget approximately $43 for fuel to cover the distance comfortably. Navigating this route involves a mix of I-35W South, the South Freeway, and the North Jack Kultgen Expressway. Because the duration is just over five hours, you can choose to power through in one go or break it up with a single planned stop to keep your energy levels high.
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
141.9 miles from Fort Worth, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 28m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Purple Heart Trail | 103.6 mi | 1h 50m |
| South Freeway | 82.3 mi | 1h 25m |
| I 35 | 55.8 mi | 58m |
| North Pan Am Expressway | 18.5 mi | 22m |
| South Pan Am Expressway | 10.4 mi | 12m |
| North Jack Kultgen Expressway | 6.6 mi | 7m |
| Anderson Loop | 3 mi | 3m |
| Interstate Highway 35 | 1.7 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Purple Heart Trail
— 103.6 mi, about 1h 50m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 124 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~3,264 veh/hr typical · worst 3,886
Quietest
2 AM
~550 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.9×
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 Somerset, 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
56 mi
·
58 min
·
I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35; US 290
50 mi
·
54 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Toward 32nd Street, Dean Keeton Street
Use the slight left lane.
8
Continue on I 35
1.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Interstate Highway 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 35
12 mi
·
12 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 35
10.0 mi
·
11 min
·
North Pan Am Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
6.4 mi
·
8 min
·
North Pan Am Expressway
Toward I 35 South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
North Pan Am Expressway
Toward I 35 South: Lower Level, Laredo
Use the slight left lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87
10 mi
·
12 min
·
South Pan Am Expressway
Toward I 10 East, US 87 South, Spur 536: Houston, South Alamo Street
Use the slight right lane.
14
Continue on I 35
4.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 140
Toward Loop 1604: Somerset
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Turn straight onto Interstate 35 South
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
Interstate 35 South
17
Turn left onto Loop 1604
3.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Anderson Loop
18
Continue on Loop 1604
0.6 mi
·
52 sec
·
South TX 1604 Loop West
19
Turn right onto FM 2790
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
·
Somerset Road
20
Turn right onto K Street
61 ft
·
1 sec
·
K Street
21
Arrive at destination
K Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 283.7-mile trek, try to depart early in the morning to beat the heaviest traffic congestion often found near major city corridors. Since the route is manageable in a single day, your primary goal should be to pace your one recommended stop strategically around the halfway point to prevent fatigue. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $43 estimate can fluctuate depending on your vehicle's efficiency and local price variations. Given that this is a turn-heavy drive, ensure your GPS is updated before you leave Fort Worth so you can navigate the transitions between I-35W and local connectors with confidence. Staying flexible with your timing is a major advantage on this route, allowing you to avoid peak travel hours.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 141.9 miles from Fort Worth, TX, or about 2h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 103.6 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 62 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 141.9 miles or 2h 28m 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 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Somerset, 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 283.7 miles and 5h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 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 Purple Heart Trail for about 103.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
142 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 62 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 141.9 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 Purple Heart Trail if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 103.6 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.
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Hill County Northbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
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
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
TA
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
Marlstone Retail Center
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
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Bell County Southbound Rest Area
0.4 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.4 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
2.3 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
2.4 mi from route
San Antonio River Lock & Dam
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 9 am–10 pm
+12102271373
Visit websiteSan Antonio Museum of Art
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.6 mi from route
~2 min detour
Moderately
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+12109788100
Visit websiteSan Antonio Fire Museum
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.9 mi from route
~2 min detour
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 10 am–3:30 pm
+12103907236
Visit websiteGO RIO San Antonio River Cruises
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
1 mi from route
~2 min detour
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 10 am–10 pm
+12102274746
Visit websiteThe Amazing Mirror Maze
4.4
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.9 mi from route
~2 min detour
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 10:30 am–8 pm
+12102242288
Visit websiteSpanish Governor's Palace
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+12102077527
Visit websiteHemisfair
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.2 mi from route
~3 min detour
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 5 am–12 pm
+12107094750
Visit websiteSan Antonio | The Saga
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 9–9:30 pm
+12102259800
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 182.9 and 279.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
182.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 11m in
|
I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail toward 32nd Street, Dean Keeton Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward 32nd Street, Dean Keeton Street
7
256.4 mi into trip
|
~4h 32m in
|
I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway toward I 35 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35 South
8
262.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 40m in
|
I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway toward I 35 South: Lower Level, Laredo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 35 South: Lower Level, Laredo
8
264.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 43m in
|
I 10; US 87 / South Pan Am Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87 / South Pan Am Expressway toward I 10 East, US 87 South, Spur 536: Houston, South Alamo Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 10 East, US 87 South, Spur 536: Housto...
7
279.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 59m in
Take the exit toward Loop 1604: Somerset
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 140
Toward Loop 1604: Somerset
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.86 one way
$77.72 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
99 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $43.40 | $86.81 |
| premium | $4.23 | $47.19 | $94.38 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $53.57 | $107.14 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 99.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 85.1 | 1 | $29.79 | $13.62 |
| Efficient EV | 70.9 | 0 | $24.82 | $11.35 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 113.5 | 1 | $39.72 | $18.16 |
Gas CO2
99 kg
EV CO2
33 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 Monday
Local time
12:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Partly Cloudy
S 10 mph
3% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 8:32PM CDT until July 19 at 9:45AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 8:22PM CDT until July 19 at 6:00AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Destination
Somerset, TX
Late night in Somerset on Monday
Local time
12:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Mostly Cloudy
SE 10 mph
3% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 8:32PM CDT until July 19 at 9:45AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 8:22PM CDT until July 19 at 6:00AM 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
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
5h 6m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 78.3
View on nps.gov
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...
9 mi from route
~23 min detour
Free
near mile 264.1
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local driving experience as you make your way south toward Somerset. Unlike a monotonous interstate slog, this route requires more active attention behind the wheel due to its technical, winding nature. While you will utilize major thoroughfares like the North Jack Kultgen Expressway, the path is characterized by its local road connectivity rather than long, high-speed highway stretches. You will find that the road demands consistent focus, especially when transitioning between the various freeways and local connectors. This is a drive where the character of the road shifts frequently, ensuring you stay engaged with the pavement rather than coasting on autopilot.
62% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 103.6 mi on Purple Heart Trail.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Purple Heart Trail and South Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 182.9 miles in near I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 283.7 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 182.9 miles (I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 256.4 miles (I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 262.8 miles (I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
849 ft
469 ft
Total Climb
827 ft
Total Descent
832 ft
Highest Point
849 ft
~162.1 mi in
Elevation Range
380 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 Somerset, TX, road signs point toward Laredo and Spur 536: Houston.
Laredo
262.8 mi in
|
~4h 40m
|
via I 35
Spur 536: Houston
264.9 mi in
|
~4h 43m
|
via I 10; US 87
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 Somerset, TX
Full guide →Founded 1909
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 5h 6m. Total distance: 283.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 103.6 miles on Purple Heart Trail. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 29 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 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 Somerset, 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 29 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 182.9 miles (I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 256.4 miles (I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 262.8 miles (I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument and San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Somerset, 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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