Trip from Fort Worth, TX to South Alamo, TX

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 22, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

8h 56m

Distance

514.9 mi

829 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$77

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 25 min

4 AM

8h 48m ★

6 AM

8h 56m

8 AM

9h 13m

10 AM

9h 2m

12 PM

9h 0m

3 PM

9h 3m

5 PM

9h 12m

8 PM

8h 52m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time

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city and county seat of Tarrant County, Texas, United States

Fort Worth, TX

Wikimedia Commons

South Alamo, TX

Mark Direen

Trip Overview

Fort Worth to South Alamo is 514.9 miles and takes about 8h 56m via TX 130 Toll, with a fuel budget near $75 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route is a long-haul drive that stays within Texas, moving from the Great Plains region to the Great Plains region. It's a primarily highway route, meaning you'll cover a lot of ground efficiently. Given the duration, you might consider breaking it into two days for a more relaxed pace, especially if you plan on making more than the suggested two stops.

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

257.5 miles from Fort Worth, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 17m 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 69C	27.9 mi	30m

Longest stretch: TX 130 Toll — 86.1 mi, about 1h 19m

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

12a 6a noon 6p 11p

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 South Alamo, TX.

Start on South Freeway

174 ft · 3 sec · South Freeway

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 33 sec

Toward I 35W South Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Merge onto I 35W

82 mi · 1 hr 25 min · South Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 35; US 77

6.6 mi · 7 min · North Jack Kultgen Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 35

38 mi · 39 min · Purple Heart Trail

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 35

26 mi · 26 min · I 35

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 55 sec

Exit 265 Toward TX 130 Toll South: San Antonio Use the slight right lane.

Continue on TX 130 Toll

86 mi · 1 hr 19 min · TX 130 Toll

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min

Toward I 10 West: San Antonio Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 10; TX 130

11 mi · 11 min · I 10; TX 130

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 10; US 90; TX 130

9.4 mi · 9 min · I 10; US 90; TX 130

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 10; US 90; TX 130

12 mi · 12 min · I 10; US 90; TX 130

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 410

1.4 mi · 1 min · Connally Loop

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 410; TX 130

6.7 mi · 7 min · Connally Loop

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 28 sec

Exit 41 Toward I 37, US 281 North: San Antonio, Corpus Christi Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min

Toward I 37 South: Corpus Christi Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 37

60 mi · 1 hr 1 min · I 37

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit onto US 281 South

15 mi · 19 min · US 281 South

Toward US 281 South Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto US 281

66 mi · 1 hr 10 min · South Nueces Street

Keep slight left at fork onto I 69C; US 281

9.5 mi · 10 min · I 69C; US 281

Keep slight left at fork onto I 69C; US 281

56 mi · 58 min · Falfurrias Expressway

Use the straight / right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 69C; US 281

18 mi · 20 min · I 69C; US 281

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 2 East; US 83 East

0.5 mi · 33 sec · I 2 East; US 83 East

Continue on I 2; US 83

3.0 mi · 3 min · I 2; US 83

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 31 sec

Exit 150B Toward Tower Road Use the slight right lane.

Turn straight onto East Expressway 83

0.4 mi · 46 sec · East Expressway 83

Turn right onto North Tower Road

2.3 mi · 4 min · North Tower Road

Use the straight / left / right lanes.

Turn left onto El Gato Road

0.4 mi · 1 min · El Gato Road

Turn left onto 2nd Street

0.1 mi · 28 sec · 2nd Street

Arrive at destination

2nd Street

Trip Plan

For this 8-hour drive, consider an early morning departure to maximize daylight. Since it's a long-haul, splitting the 514.9 miles over two days is a good idea, with your first day covering roughly half the distance. Plan for at least two stops, and budget around $75 for fuel. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially on the TX 130 Toll, as services can be spaced out. You'll spend a significant portion of the drive on TX 130 Toll, so ensure your vehicle is in good condition before you set off.

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 drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.

Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 257.5 miles from Fort Worth, TX, or about 4h 17m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 86.1 miles.

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 257.5 miles or 4h 17m 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 257.5 miles or 4h 17m

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 48m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near South Alamo, 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 South Alamo, TX

Aim for roughly 257 miles and 4.5 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 113 miles from Fort Worth, TX.

This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.

Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on TX 130 Toll for about 86.1 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

First major stop

Coffee and fuel

Cleburne, TX

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.

city in and county seat of Live Oak County, Texas, United States

Second major stop

Overnight candidate

George West, TX

340 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, TX

Overnight Options

Night 1

San Antonio, TX

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 hotels

Pacing Suggestions

Cleburne, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 113 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

San Antonio, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 257.5 miles from Fort Worth, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before TX 130 Toll if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 86.1 miles.

Overnight split

0.9 mi from route

Forest 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 website

Basilica Of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle - National Shrine

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

Home stretch 4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour

San Juan, Texas

+19567870033

Visit website

Fort 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 website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 22

5 decision points cluster between mile 153.6 and 511.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

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

240.4 mi into trip | ~3h 59m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 10 West: San Antonio

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward I 10 West: San Antonio

281.6 mi into trip | ~4h 43m in

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 41 Toward I 37, US 281 North: San Antonio, Corpus...

281.8 mi into trip | ~4h 43m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 37 South: Corpus Christi

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward I 37 South: Corpus Christi

511.4 mi into trip | ~8h 49m in

Take the exit toward Tower Road

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 150B Toward Tower Road

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$77.30 one way

$154.59 round trip

$3.81/gal 25.4 MPG avg 180 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.22	$85.53	$171.05
premium	$4.57	$92.54	$185.08
diesel	$6.28	$127.22	$254.45

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: 180.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.

Driving Electric?

About $54 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	154.5	1	$54.06	$24.72
Efficient EV	128.7	1	$45.05	$20.60
EV Truck/SUV	206	2	$72.09	$32.95

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.

Forecast as of Oct 22, 2026

Origin

Fort Worth, TX

Evening in Fort Worth on Thursday

Local time

5:20 PM

CDT

Current temp

54°F

Clear

0 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Destination

South Alamo, TX

Evening in South Alamo on Thursday

Local time

5:20 PM

CDT

Current temp

72°F

Slight Chance Rain Showers

N 3 mph 18% chance Live forecast

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 56m 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...

2 mi from route ~5 min detour Free near mile 284.1

View on nps.gov

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...

7 mi from route ~18 min detour Free near mile 88.8

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 has a 77% highway share, so expect to spend most of your time on major roads. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 86.1 miles on TX 130 Toll. Around mile 130 (estimated based on highway share and longest stretch), you'll transition from the high-speed toll road to surface streets like South Nueces Street, so be prepared for a change in speed and traffic flow as you approach your destination. You'll notice the shift from rapid highway cruising to navigating more local roads.

77% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 86.1 mi on TX 130 Toll.

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.

Driving Effort 10/10

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 22 significant decision points across 514.9 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

916 ft 75 ft

Total Climb

552 ft

Total Descent

1,110 ft

Highest Point

916 ft

~147.1 mi in

Elevation Range

841 ft

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 South Alamo, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Corpus Christi along the way.

Corpus Christi

281.6 mi in | ~4h 43m

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 South Alamo, TX

Full guide →

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 86.1 miles on TX 130 Toll. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 257 miles on day one.

Yes — we found about 50 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 South Alamo, 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 50 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

Yes — San Antonio Missions National Historical Park and Waco Mammoth National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Not recommended in a single day. At 8.9 hours each way, a round trip means 17.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at South Alamo, 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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