Navarro County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Fort Worth, TX to Taylor Lake Village, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 22, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 21m
Distance
289.4 mi
466 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$43
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 8m
★
6 AM
5h 21m
8 AM
5h 48m
10 AM
5h 31m
12 PM
5h 28m
3 PM
5h 32m
5 PM
5h 47m
8 PM
5h 13m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fort Worth, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Fort Worth to Taylor Lake Village is 289.4 miles and takes about 5h 21m via I 45 and US 287, with a fuel budget near $42 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily stays within Texas, moving from the Great Plains region toward the coast. Expect a straightforward trip with most of your time spent on major highways. With a recommended one-day drive, this route is ideal if you're looking for a direct way to get between these two points without extensive planning.
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
144.7 miles from Fort Worth, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 35m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 45 | 174.8 mi | 2h 59m |
| US 287 | 50.7 mi | 56m |
| North Sam Houston Tollway East | 13.2 mi | 15m |
| HTR | 13 mi | 15m |
| Red Bluff Road | 9 mi | 14m |
| North Sam Houston Parkway East | 5.8 mi | 7m |
| Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway | 5.7 mi | 6m |
| East Sam Houston Tollway North | 4.4 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
I 45
— 174.8 mi, about 2h 59m
Traffic on I-45
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 28 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
1 PM
~1,643 veh/hr typical · worst 2,385
Quietest
2 AM
~247 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 88 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 Taylor Lake Village, 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
3.2 mi
·
3 min
·
South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
Exit 45B
Toward I 20 East: Dallas
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 20 East: Dallas
Use 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 444
Toward US 287 South: Little Road, Waxahachie
Use 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
175 mi
·
2 hr 59 min
·
I 45; US 287
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit onto HTR
13 mi
·
15 min
·
HTR
Exit 72B
Toward Hardy Toll Road South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
494 ft
·
12 sec
Toward BW 8
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Turn straight onto East Hardy Street
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
East Hardy Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
13
Turn left onto North Sam Houston Parkway East
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
North Sam Houston Parkway East
Use the left / straight lanes.
14
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward BW 8 East
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
15
Merge onto BW 8
4.8 mi
·
5 min
·
North Sam Houston Parkway East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on SHT
13 mi
·
15 min
·
North Sam Houston Tollway East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on BW 8
4.3 mi
·
4 min
·
East Sam Houston Parkway North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on SHT
4.4 mi
·
5 min
·
East Sam Houston Tollway North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Toward Red Bluff Road, Pasadena Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Turn straight onto BW 8
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
East Sam Houston Parkway South
Use the straight / left lanes.
21
Turn left onto Red Bluff Road
9.0 mi
·
14 min
·
Red Bluff Road
Use the straight lane.
22
Turn right onto Kirby Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Kirby Road
23
Turn left onto Old Kirby Road
0.3 mi
·
53 sec
·
Old Kirby Road
Use the left lane.
24
Turn sharp right onto Timber Cove Drive
0.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Timber Cove Drive
25
Turn left onto Harborcrest Drive
0.1 mi
·
35 sec
·
Harborcrest Drive
26
Arrive at destination
Harborcrest Drive
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 21m estimated drive time and 289.4 miles, it's best to depart Fort Worth in the morning to maximize daylight. You'll have one stop recommended, and the longest stretch is 174.8 miles on I 45, so consider a break around the halfway point. The fuel cost is estimated at $42, so be sure to factor that into your budget. Since this is a single-day drive, you have flexibility; however, be aware of potential traffic as you get closer to the Houston metropolitan area.
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 144.7 miles from Fort Worth, TX, or about 2h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 174.8 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 64 miles or 1h 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 144.7 miles or 2h 35m 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 10m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Taylor Lake Village, 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 289.4 miles and 5h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 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 174.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
145 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 64 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 144.7 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 45 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 174.8 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.
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Navarro County Southbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.1 mi from route
TA Express
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Walker County Southbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Walker County Northbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
TA Express
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.3 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.7 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
1.4 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
1.6 mi from route
Buc-ee's
2.4 mi from route
NTER - The Great Escape
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, right off the route
First break
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
Waxahachie, Texas
Hours: 5–9 pm
+12149801053
Visit websiteBounce N Play Seabrook
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.5 mi from route
~4 min detour
Seabrook, Texas
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+13466338320
Visit websiteForest 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 websiteSpace Center Houston
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
3.3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Houston, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+12812442100
Visit websiteBreak Free Escape Room
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, ~10 min detour
Home stretch
4.1 mi from route
~10 min detour
Webster, Texas
Hours: 12–9 pm
+12812013556
Visit websiteSheldon Lake State Park & Environmental Learning Center
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, ~11 min detour
Home stretch
4.3 mi from route
~11 min detour
Houston, Texas
Hours: 8 am–5 pm
+12814562800
Visit websiteCarl Barton Jr Park
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Later in the drive, ~11 min detour
Final third
4.5 mi from route
~11 min detour
Conroe, Texas
Hours: 6 am–8:30 pm
+19365223000
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 215 decision points cluster between mile 3.5 and 277.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
236.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 9m in
|
HTR
Take the exit onto HTR toward Hardy Toll Road South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 72B
Toward Hardy Toll Road South
7
277.6 mi into trip
|
~4h 59m in
Take the exit toward Red Bluff Road, Pasadena Boulevard
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 Red Bluff Road, Pasadena Boulevard
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$43.44 one way
$86.89 round trip
$3.81/gal
25.4 MPG avg
101 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.22 | $48.07 | $96.14 |
| premium | $4.57 | $52.01 | $104.02 |
| diesel | $6.28 | $71.51 | $143.01 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.41
Sam Houston Tollway
(17.6 mi)
$1.41
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$43
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 101.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 86.8 | 1 | $30.39 | $13.89 |
| Efficient EV | 72.4 | 0 | $25.32 | $11.58 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 115.8 | 1 | $40.52 | $18.52 |
Gas CO2
101 kg
EV CO2
34 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.
Origin
Fort Worth, TX
Evening in Fort Worth on Thursday
Local time
5:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Mostly Sunny
SE 0 to 5 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Taylor Lake Village, TX
Evening in Taylor Lake Village on Thursday
Local time
5:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Partly Cloudy
N 5 mph
2% chance
Live forecast
58°F
Italy, TX
145 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
14 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 21m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is 83% highway, meaning you'll be on major roads for the vast majority of the 289.4 miles. The longest continuous stretch is 174.8 miles on I 45, so plan for extended periods of cruising. You'll transition from highway driving to surface roads as you approach Taylor Lake Village. Expect a lot of exit and entry ramps as you navigate through populated areas.
83% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 174.8 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 around 3.5 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 21 significant decision points across 289.4 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 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; at 10.1 miles (US 287): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
652 ft
7 ft
Total Climb
127 ft
Total Descent
772 ft
Highest Point
652 ft
Elevation Range
646 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 Taylor Lake Village, TX, road signs point toward Hardy Toll Road South, Bw 8 and Bw 8 East.
Hardy Toll Road South
236.2 mi in
|
~4h 9m
|
via HTR
Bw 8
249.2 mi in
|
~4h 24m
Bw 8 East
250.6 mi in
|
~4h 27m
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 Taylor Lake Village, 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 5h 21m. Total distance: 289.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (83%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 174.8 miles on I 45. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.41 in tolls one way, starting with Sam Houston Tollway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
Yes — we found about 21 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 Taylor Lake Village, 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 21 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: 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; at 10.1 miles (US 287): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.4 hours each way, a round trip means 10.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Taylor Lake Village, 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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