Traveling from Fort Worth to Stowell covers 320.5 miles across the Great Plains, typically taking about 5 hours and 48 minutes of drive time. Because this route is primarily highway-focused, you can easily complete the journey in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $49 on fuel to make the trip. You will rely heavily on I-45, US-287, and the North Grand Parkway East to navigate your way toward the coast. This is a straightforward, functional drive that prioritizes efficiency over sightseeing, making it a reliable choice if you need to reach your destination quickly.
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
160.3 miles from Fort Worth, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 51m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 45
173.9 mi
2h 58m
US 287
50.7 mi
56m
North Grand Parkway East
50.2 mi
53m
East Freeway
27.9 mi
32m
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
5.7 mi
6m
South Freeway
3.3 mi
3m
Gulfway Drive
2.6 mi
4m
Interstate 45 North Frontage Road
2.1 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 45
— 173.9 mi, about 2h 58m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Worth, TX and Stowell, TX.
1
Start on South Freeway
174 ft·3 sec·South Freeway
2
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward I 35W SouthUse the straight / slight left lanes.
3
Merge onto I 35W
3.2 mi·3 min·South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Take the exit
0.1 mi·14 sec
Exit 45BToward I 20 East: DallasUse the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 20 East: DallasUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
6
Merge onto I 20
5.7 mi·6 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto US 287
51 mi·56 min·US 287
Exit 444Toward US 287 South: Little Road, WaxahachieUse the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 45 South: Corsicana
9
Merge onto I 45; US 287
174 mi·2 hr 58 min·I 45; US 287
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 72AToward Grand ParkwayUse the slight right lane.
11
Turn straight onto Interstate 45 North Frontage Road
2.1 mi·3 min·Interstate 45 North Frontage Road
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
12
Turn left onto North Grand Parkway West
382 ft·8 sec·North Grand Parkway West
Use the left lane.
13
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward TX 99 Toll East
14
Merge onto TX 99 Toll
50 mi·53 min·North Grand Parkway East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward I 10: Langston Drive, Old Needlepoint Road
16
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 99 Toll
0.6 mi·1 min·East Grand Parkway North
17
Turn left onto East Freeway Frontage Road
0.2 mi·23 sec·East Freeway Frontage Road
18
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward I 10 East
19
Merge onto I 10
28 mi·32 min·East Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit onto TX 73
0.4 mi·27 sec·TX 73
Exit 828Toward TX 73, TX 124: Winnie, Port Arthur
21
Keep slight right at fork
511 ft·12 sec
Toward TX 124 South: Winnie
22
Turn straight onto State Highway 73
0.2 mi·29 sec·State Highway 73
23
Turn right onto TX 124
2.5 mi·4 min·Gulfway Drive
24
Continue on TX 124
63 ft·5 sec·Gulfway Drive
25
Arrive at destination
TX 124
Trip Plan
Since this is a nearly six-hour trek, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refuel. Leaving early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid the heaviest traffic congestion often associated with the major highways on this path. Because fuel costs are estimated at $49, keep an eye on your gauge during the long 173.9-mile stretch on I-45 to ensure you don't run low between major service centers. Flexibility is a key advantage of this one-day route, so don't hesitate to adjust your departure time if weather or local traffic reports suggest delays. Always check your tire pressure before heading out, as the sustained high-speed nature of this drive puts extra demand on your vehicle.
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 160.3 miles from Fort Worth, TX, or about 2h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 173.9 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 71 miles or 1h 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 160.3 miles or 2h 51m 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 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Stowell, 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 320.5 miles and 5h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 71 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 I 45 for about 173.9 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 235.2 — 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
7
3.5 mi into trip|~4m in
Take the exit toward I 20 East: Dallas
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 45B
Toward I 20 East: Dallas
7
3.6 mi into trip|~4m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 20 East: Dallas
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 20 East: Dallas
9
10.1 mi into trip|~12m in|US 287
Keep slight right at fork onto US 287 toward US 287 South: Little Road, Waxahachie
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 444
Toward US 287 South: Little Road, Waxahachie
7
235.2 mi into trip|~4h 8m in
Take the exit toward Grand Parkway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 72A
Toward Grand Parkway
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$48.43 one way
$96.86 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg112 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$53.01
$106.02
premium
$4.54
$57.22
$114.45
diesel
$5.61
$70.76
$141.52
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$48
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 112.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
96.1
1
$33.65
$15.38
Efficient EV
80.1
0
$28.04
$12.82
EV Truck/SUV
128.2
1
$44.87
$20.51
Gas CO2
112 kg
EV CO2
37 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 Apr 14, 2026
Origin
Fort Worth, TX
Late night
in Fort Worth on Sunday
Local time
1:02 AM
CDT
Current temp
83°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
S 15 mph20% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Stowell, TX
Late night
in Stowell on Sunday
Local time
1:02 AM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
77°F
Palestine, TX
160 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
4 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 48m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a high-speed journey, as 97% of this route consists of highway driving. You will settle into a steady rhythm on I-45, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of the trip at 173.9 miles. While the road remains consistent in its highway-heavy design, the transition between US-287 and the North Grand Parkway East provides a change in pace as you move toward the Stowell area. The drive feels like a standard interstate haul rather than a technical backroads excursion. Be prepared for sustained speeds and the typical flow of long-distance traffic found on major Texas corridors.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 173.9 mi on I 45.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 45 and US 287. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.
Driving Effort10/10
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 20 significant decision points across 320.5 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: near the start: Lane positioning matters here; at 3.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 3.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 5h 48m. Total distance: 320.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 173.9 miles on I 45. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Stowell, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: near the start: Lane positioning matters here; at 3.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 3.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.8 hours each way, a round trip means 11.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Stowell, TX before the return drive.
