Trip from Fort Worth, TX to Wharton, TX

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 20, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 17m

Distance

278.2 mi

448 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$38

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

5h 4m ★

6 AM

5h 17m

8 AM

5h 44m

10 AM

5h 27m

12 PM

5h 24m

3 PM

5h 28m

5 PM

5h 43m

8 PM

5h 9m

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

Wharton, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Fort Worth to Wharton is 278.2 miles and takes about 5h 17m via South Freeway and East State Highway 6, with a fuel budget near $40 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Texas, moving from the Great Plains region to another part of the Great Plains. You'll spend most of your time on highways, making for a straightforward drive. Given the relatively short duration, this is a manageable one-day excursion. It's a practical route 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

139.1 miles from Fort Worth, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 26m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
South Freeway	82.3 mi	1h 25m
East State Highway 6	46.6 mi	46m
North Earl Rudder Freeway	30.1 mi	31m
TX 60	23.2 mi	34m
State Highway 6	22.4 mi	25m
13th Street	15.1 mi	22m
North Meyer Street	14.1 mi	17m
South State Highway 6	13.7 mi	14m

Longest stretch: South Freeway — 82.3 mi, about 1h 25m

Traffic on I-35

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 28 FHWA count stations on your route.

Peak

2 PM

~2,798 veh/hr typical · worst 3,547

Quietest

2 AM

~420 veh/hr

Peak-to-quiet ratio

6.7×

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 Wharton, 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

0.1 mi · 8 sec · North Jack Kultgen Expressway

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 53 sec

Exit 337 Toward US 77 Business: Elm Avenue Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn straight onto North Jack Kultgen Expressway

0.1 mi · 16 sec · North Jack Kultgen Expressway

Turn left onto US 77 Bus

1.0 mi · 1 min · North Loop Drive

Continue on Loop 484

2.7 mi · 3 min · Marlin Highway

Continue on TX 6

9.1 mi · 9 min · East State Highway 6

Continue on TX 6

2.1 mi · 2 min · North Memorial Street

Continue on TX 6

37 mi · 37 min · East State Highway 6

Continue on TX 6

2.2 mi · 3 min · North Main Street

Continue on TX 6

6.2 mi · 6 min · North State Highway 6

Continue on US 79; TX 6

2.1 mi · 2 min · North Market Street

Continue on US 190; TX 6

14 mi · 14 min · South State Highway 6

Continue on US 190; TX 6

30 mi · 31 min · North Earl Rudder Freeway

Continue on TX 6

22 mi · 25 min · State Highway 6

Use the straight / right lanes.

Continue on US 290 Business

1.3 mi · 1 min · US 290 Business

Toward US 290 East, TX 6 South Use the straight lane.

Turn right onto TX 159

0.2 mi · 25 sec · Austin Street

Use the straight / left / right lanes.

Turn left onto TX 159

15 mi · 22 min · 13th Street

Continue on TX 159

0.1 mi · 18 sec · East Main Street

Turn sharp left onto TX 36

1.4 mi · 2 min · South Front Street

Use the left lane.

Continue on TX 36

9.9 mi · 10 min · State Highway 36

Continue on TX 36

14 mi · 17 min · North Meyer Street

Turn right onto Legion Street

0.3 mi · 43 sec · Legion Street

Turn right onto TX 60

23 mi · 34 min · TX 60

Turn left onto West Caney Street

264 ft · 13 sec · West Caney Street

Turn right onto Polk Street

364 ft · 18 sec · Polk Street

Turn right onto TX 60

156 ft · 2 sec · West Milam Street

Arrive at destination

TX 60

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 5-hour drive, aim to depart Fort Worth in the morning to allow ample daylight for your arrival in Wharton. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $40, you can easily complete this trip in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without a clear break is over 82 miles. Plan your fuel stops accordingly, perhaps around the halfway point or just before you leave the main freeway sections. This route is direct, so flexibility in your departure time is a key advantage.

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 139.1 miles from Fort Worth, TX, or about 2h 26m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 82.3 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 61 miles or 1h 3m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 139.1 miles or 2h 26m 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 9m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Wharton, 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 278.2 miles and 5h 17m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 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 South Freeway for about 82.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Houston, TX

139 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

Italy, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 61 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Houston, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 139.1 miles from Fort Worth, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

1.7 mi from route

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

Home stretch 3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour

East Bernard, Texas

+17137322095

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

Cowboy Up Hang Gliding

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

Home stretch 5 mi from route ~12 min detour

Wharton, Texas

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+18327402004

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 11

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 229.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

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

0.3 mi into trip | ~0m in | I 35W / South Freeway

Merge onto I 35W / South Freeway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

82.7 mi into trip | ~1h 26m in

Take the exit toward US 77 Business: Elm Avenue

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 337 Toward US 77 Business: Elm Avenue

213.8 mi into trip | ~3h 47m in | TX 159 / Austin Street

Turn right onto TX 159 / Austin Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / left / right lanes.

229.2 mi into trip | ~4h 10m in | TX 36 / South Front Street

Turn sharp left onto TX 36 / South Front Street

Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$38.10 one way

$76.21 round trip

$3.48/gal 25.4 MPG avg 97 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$3.89	$42.56	$85.12
premium	$4.23	$46.28	$92.55
diesel	$4.80	$52.53	$105.06

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$38

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$63–$88

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 97.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.

Driving Electric?

About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	83.5	1	$29.21	$13.35
Efficient EV	69.6	0	$24.34	$11.13
EV Truck/SUV	111.3	1	$38.95	$17.80

Gas CO2

97 kg

EV CO2

33 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 18, 2026

Origin

Fort Worth, TX

Late night in Fort Worth on Monday

Local time

12:54 AM

CDT

Current temp

76°F

Partly Cloudy

S 10 mph 3% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:59PM CDT until July 19 at 6:17PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:59PM CDT until July 19 at 5:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX

Destination

Wharton, TX

Late night in Wharton on Monday

Local time

12:54 AM

CDT

Current temp

76°F

Mostly Cloudy

S 5 mph 3% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:59PM CDT until July 19 at 6:17PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:59PM CDT until July 19 at 5:00AM 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

Very similar conditions

Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.

Road read

5h 17m 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

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...

6 mi from route ~16 min detour Free near mile 76.8

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

This route is predominantly highway driving, with 85% of the miles on freeways. You'll encounter your longest continuous stretch on the South Freeway, covering 82.3 miles. As you get closer to Wharton, expect a transition from the wider, faster highways to East State Highway 6 and then North Earl Rudder Freeway, which will likely have more local traffic and varying exit densities. The overall feel is one of steady, consistent travel for most of the trip.

85% 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: 82.3 mi on South Freeway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

4/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on South Freeway and East State Highway 6. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.

Driving Effort 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 5h 17m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start: Lane positioning matters here; at 0.3 miles (I 35W / South Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 82.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

829 ft 102 ft

Total Climb

263 ft

Total Descent

813 ft

Highest Point

829 ft

~19.9 mi in

Elevation Range

727 ft

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 Wharton, TX

Full guide →

Founded 1846

Top landmarks

• Wharton County Courthouse Historic Commercial District — historic district in Wharton, Wharton County, Texas

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 17m. Total distance: 278.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 17m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (85%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 82.3 miles on South Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — we found about 13 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.

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 13 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Not recommended in a single day. At 5.3 hours each way, a round trip means 10.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Wharton, 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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Trip from Fort Worth, TX to Wharton, TX

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Traffic on I-35

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

Love's Travel Stop

Hill County Northbound Rest Area

QuikTrip

QuikTrip

Love's Travel Stop

Hill County Southbound Rest Area

Road Ranger

Love's Travel Stop

Love's Travel Stop

Buc-ee's

TA

Buc-ee's

Pilot Travel Center

Dinosaur Park

Riverfront Park

Forest Park Miniature Railroad

20th Century Technology Museum

Circle of Seven Ranch

Fort Worth Herd

Cowboy Up Hang Gliding

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Fort Worth, TX

Wharton, TX

Same local time

Very similar conditions

5h 17m on the road

National Parks Near This Route

Waco Mammoth National Monument

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Elevation Profile

About the Cities

Starting in Fort Worth, TX

Arriving in Wharton, TX

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Are there national parks near this route?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

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