Llano Estacado Picnic Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Fort Worth, TX to Sundown, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 10m
Distance
354.3 mi
570 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$49
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 58m
★
6 AM
6h 10m
8 AM
6h 36m
10 AM
6h 19m
12 PM
6h 17m
3 PM
6h 21m
5 PM
6h 35m
8 PM
6h 3m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fort Worth, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Sundown, TX
Al d'Vilas
Trip Overview
Fort Worth to Sundown is 354.3 miles and takes about 6h 10m via I-20 and US-84, with a fuel budget near $53 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Great Plains region, traversing Texas for its entirety. Given its mostly highway profile and manageable duration, this route is a straightforward, single-day drive. Plan for a consistent pace on well-maintained roads, making it a practical choice for getting from point A to point B efficiently.
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
177.1 miles from Fort Worth, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 5m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 20 | 182.3 mi | 3h 4m |
| US 84 | 74.5 mi | 1h 14m |
| FM 1585 | 26.1 mi | 26m |
| Highway 84 | 20 mi | 19m |
| West Freeway | 12.9 mi | 14m |
| East Highway 84 | 6.8 mi | 6m |
| Loop 289 | 5.6 mi | 6m |
| Marsha Sharp Freeway | 5.4 mi | 6m |
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 182.3 mi, about 3h 4m
Traffic on I-20
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 28 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,680 veh/hr typical · worst 2,135
Quietest
2 AM
~202 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.3×
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 Sundown, 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
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
·
South Freeway
Use the straight / left lanes.
8
Turn left onto East Rosedale Street
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
East Rosedale Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
9
Take the ramp
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 30 West
Use the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto I 30; US 377
13 mi
·
14 min
·
West Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 20
182 mi
·
3 hr 4 min
·
I 20
Use the slight right lane.
12
Take the exit onto US 84
0.3 mi
·
19 sec
·
US 84
Exit 238A
Toward US 84 West: Snyder, Lubbock
13
Keep slight left at fork onto US 84
74 mi
·
1 hr 14 min
·
US 84
14
Turn right onto Loop 46
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South Avenue F
15
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 207
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
·
North Avenue F
16
Turn straight onto TX 207
0.4 mi
·
38 sec
·
Ralls Road
17
Turn left onto Spur 575
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
East 15th Street
18
Turn right onto US 84
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
North US Highway 84
19
Continue on US 84
20 mi
·
19 min
·
Highway 84
20
Continue on US 84
4.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Trooper Jerry Don Davis Memorial Highway
21
Continue on US 84
6.8 mi
·
6 min
·
East Highway 84
22
Continue on US 84
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Slaton Road
23
Turn left onto Southeast Loop 289
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
Southeast Loop 289
24
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
25
Merge onto Loop 289
5.6 mi
·
6 min
·
Loop 289
26
Take the exit onto Spur 327
0.6 mi
·
48 sec
·
Spur 327
Toward Spur 327: Brownfield
27
Keep slight left at fork onto Spur 327
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Spur 327
Toward Spur 327: Brownfield
28
Turn straight onto Marsha Sharp Freeway
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
Marsha Sharp Freeway
29
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
30
Merge onto US 62; US 82
5.2 mi
·
5 min
·
Marsha Sharp Freeway
31
Turn right onto FM 1585
26 mi
·
26 min
·
FM 1585
32
Turn left onto FM 303; FM 1585
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
FM 303; FM 1585
33
Turn left onto FM 301
22 ft
·
0 sec
·
East Richardson Street
34
Arrive at destination
FM 301
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 6-hour drive, consider leaving Fort Worth in the morning to ensure you arrive in Sundown with plenty of daylight. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility to break up the 354.3 miles as needed, perhaps around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 182.3-mile stretch on I-20 where services might be spaced out. The fuel cost estimate of $53 is a good benchmark for budgeting your gas for the trip.
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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 177.1 miles from Fort Worth, TX, or about 3h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 182.3 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 78 miles or 1h 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 177.1 miles or 3h 5m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 4m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sundown, 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 354.3 miles and 6h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 78 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 20 for about 182.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
177 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 78 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 177.1 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 I 20 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 182.3 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.
Picnic Area
0 mi from route
Picnic Area
0 mi from route
I-20 Westbound Picnic Area
0 mi from route
I-20 Eastbound Picnic Area
0 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Eastland County Eastbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Eastland County Westbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Nolan County Eastbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Eagles Landing Travel Plaza
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.2 mi from route
Callahan County Eastbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Callahan County Westbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Waterfall Overlook
0.2 mi from route
Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Hill Arbor
0.3 mi from route
Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.5 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 websiteAdamson-Spalding Storybook Garden
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
2.5 mi from route
~6 min detour
Abilene, Texas
Visit websiteParamount Theatre
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
2.7 mi from route
~7 min detour
Abilene, Texas
+13256769620
Visit website12th Armored Division Memorial
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
2.8 mi from route
~7 min detour
Abilene, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+13256776515
Visit websiteThe Discovery Center & Truth Bookstore
4.4
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour
Halfway reset
3.5 mi from route
~9 min detour
Abilene, Texas
Hours: 1–5 pm
+13256735050
Visit websiteFort 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 websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 255 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 198.8 — 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.
6
198.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 27m in
|
US 84
Take the exit onto US 84 toward US 84 West: Snyder, Lubbock
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 238A
Toward US 84 West: Snyder, Lubbock
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$48.53 one way
$97.06 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
124 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $54.21 | $108.41 |
| premium | $4.23 | $58.93 | $117.87 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $66.90 | $133.80 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$49
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$74–$99
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 124 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 106.3 | 1 | $37.20 | $17.01 |
| Efficient EV | 88.6 | 1 | $31.00 | $14.17 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 141.7 | 1 | $49.60 | $22.68 |
Gas CO2
124 kg
EV CO2
41 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 Sunday
Local time
1:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 5 mph
13% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 5:03AM CDT until July 17 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 5:02AM CDT until July 17 at 6:45AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Destination
Sundown, TX
Late night in Sundown on Sunday
Local time
1:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Mostly Cloudy
SSE 10 mph
6% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 5:03AM CDT until July 17 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 5:02AM CDT until July 17 at 6:45AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
103°F
Sweetwater, TX
177 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
11 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
6h 10m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 94% of the 354.3 miles on major roads like I-20 and US-84. You'll experience a long stretch of 182.3 miles on I-20, offering a consistent cruising experience. The transition to FM 1585 marks the end of the high-speed highway portion, shifting the feel to more rural, two-lane travel for the final miles into Sundown.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 182.3 mi on I 20.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and US 84. 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 Effort
9/10
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 25 significant decision points across 354.3 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
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
3,538 ft
652 ft
Total Climb
3,045 ft
Total Descent
159 ft
Highest Point
3,538 ft
~354.3 mi in
Elevation Range
2,886 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 Sundown, TX, road signs point toward Lubbock and Spur 327: Brownfield.
Lubbock
198.8 mi in
|
~3h 27m
|
via US 84
Spur 327: Brownfield
316.6 mi in
|
~5h 29m
|
via Spur 327
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 Sundown, TX
Full guide →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 6h 10m. Total distance: 354.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 10m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 182.3 miles on I 20. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 35 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 Sundown, 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 35 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 6.2 hours each way, a round trip means 12.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Sundown, 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, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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