This 398.9-mile drive from Fort Worth, Texas, to Spearman, Texas, is a straightforward, highway-focused journey across the Great Plains. Expect to spend around 7 hours and 16 minutes behind the wheel, making it a manageable day trip for most. The route primarily utilizes US 81 and TX 70, with a significant portion on US Highway 287 East. With a projected fuel cost of about $60, this trip is budget-friendly. You'll encounter two planned stops along the way, offering opportunities to break up the drive. This is a classic Texas road trip, perfect for those who prefer efficient travel.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
199.5 miles from Fort Worth, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 33m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 81
103.4 mi
1h 49m
TX 70
47 mi
47m
US Highway 287 East
40.5 mi
42m
State Highway 70
38.9 mi
51m
East 11th Street
28.7 mi
32m
US Highway 287
27.3 mi
28m
Boykin Drive
26.2 mi
28m
US Highway 287 West
25.7 mi
26m
Longest stretch:
US 81
— 103.4 mi, about 1h 49m
Traffic on I-40
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 4 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~442 veh/hr typical
· worst 553
Quietest
3 AM
~107 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
4.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 36 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 Spearman, 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
8.9 mi·8 min·I 35W TEXpress
Toward I 35W Express North: I 35W TEXpress NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward US 81 North, US 287 North: DecaturUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto US 81; US 287
1.7 mi·1 min·US 81; US 287
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on US 81; US 287
102 mi·1 hr 47 min·US 81; US 287
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on US 281; US 287
0.8 mi·58 sec·Lloyd Ruby Overpass
15
Continue on US 277; US 281; US 287
2.4 mi·3 min·Central Freeway
Use the straight lane.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto US 287
5.3 mi·5 min·Northwest Freeway
Exit 3AToward US 287 North: Vernon, AmarilloUse the slight left / straight lanes.
17
Continue on US 287
40 mi·42 min·US Highway 287 East
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
18
Continue on US 70; US 183; US 287
4.1 mi·4 min·Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on US 287
26 mi·26 min·US Highway 287 West
Use the straight lane.
20
Continue on US 287
29 mi·32 min·East 11th Street
21
Continue on US 287
2.8 mi·3 min·Avenue F Northeast
22
Continue on US 287
14 mi·14 min·US Highway 287
23
Continue on US 287
0.7 mi·1 min·Burnett Street
24
Continue on US 287
14 mi·13 min·US Highway 287
25
Turn straight onto US 287
26 mi·28 min·Boykin Drive
26
Continue on US 287
1.6 mi·1 min·East 2nd Street
27
Turn right onto TX 70
17 mi·25 min·State Highway 70
28
Continue on TX 70
0.3 mi·26 sec·I 40 Service Road
29
Take the ramp onto TX 70
2.7 mi·2 min·TX 70
Toward I 40 West: Amarillo
30
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Exit 121Toward TX 70 North: Pampa
31
Continue on TX 70
0.5 mi·53 sec·I 40 Service Road
32
Turn right onto TX 70
22 mi·25 min·State Highway 70
33
Turn right onto Loop 171
2.9 mi·2 min·Loop 171
34
Continue on TX 273; Loop 171
0.1 mi·13 sec·State Highway 273
35
Turn left onto Loop 171
6.2 mi·6 min·Loop 171
36
At end of road, turn right onto TX 70
44 mi·44 min·TX 70
37
Turn left onto FM 759
9.8 mi·10 min·FM 759
38
Keep slight right at fork onto FM 759
12 mi·12 min·FM 759
39
Turn right onto FM 759; FM 760
340 ft·11 sec·Northeast Court Street
40
Turn left onto FM 759; FM 760
177 ft·3 sec·Northwest Court
41
Arrive at destination
FM 759; FM 760
Trip Plan
For this 7-hour, 16-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Fort Worth to maximize daylight and ensure you reach Spearman with ample time before sunset. With only two recommended stops, plan them strategically to coincide with your longest stretches, especially the 103.4-mile segment on US 81. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as services can become less frequent in more rural sections. The $60 fuel cost is an estimate, so topping off before leaving Fort Worth is a wise precaution. This drive is well-suited for a single day, offering flexibility in your timing.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 199.5 miles from Fort Worth, TX, or about 3h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 103.4 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 88 miles or 1h 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 199.5 miles or 3h 33m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 14m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Spearman, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Fort Worth, TX
This is one driving day of about 398.9 miles and 7h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 88 miles from Fort Worth, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US 81 for about 103.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 118.5 — 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.
7
11.2 mi into trip|~13m in
Take the exit toward US 81 North, US 287 North: Decatur
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.
Toward US 81 North, US 287 North: Decatur
9
118.5 mi into trip|~2h 8m in|US 287 / Northwest Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto US 287 / Northwest Freeway toward US 287 North: Vernon, Amarillo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 3A
Toward US 287 North: Vernon, Amarillo
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$54.64 one way
$109.27 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg140 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$61.03
$122.06
premium
$4.23
$66.35
$132.70
diesel
$4.80
$75.32
$150.64
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$55
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$80–$105
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 139.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $42 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
119.7
1
$41.88
$19.15
Efficient EV
99.7
1
$34.90
$15.96
EV Truck/SUV
159.6
1
$55.85
$25.53
Gas CO2
140 kg
EV CO2
47 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.
Forecast as of Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Fort Worth, TX
Late night
in Fort Worth on Sunday
Local time
5:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
S 5 mph19% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 10:46PM CDT until July 17 at 3:45AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 9:36PM CDT until July 19 at 3:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Spearman, TX
Late night
in Spearman on Sunday
Local time
5:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Mostly Clear
S 10 mph5% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 10:46PM CDT until July 17 at 3:45AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 9:36PM CDT until July 19 at 3:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio 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
10 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
7h 16m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is largely a highway-focused drive, with 81% of the route on major roads. You'll experience long stretches of open road, including a continuous 103.4-mile segment on US 81. The character of the drive is consistent, offering a predictable pace as you traverse the flat terrain of the Great Plains. While not overly complex, the extended mileage on primary highways means you'll be settling into a steady rhythm for much of the journey. It’s a route built for making miles efficiently.
81% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
41 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 103.4 mi on US 81.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 81 and TX 70. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Epps Street.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 398.9 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 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.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
3,231 ft652 ft
Total Climb
2,716 ft
Total Descent
266 ft
Highest Point
3,231 ft
~313.5 mi in
Elevation Range
2,579 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 Spearman, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Amarillo along the way.
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 7h 16m. Total distance: 398.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 16m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 103.4 miles on US 81. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 20 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 Spearman, 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 20 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.3 hours each way, a round trip means 14.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Spearman, TX before the return drive.
