Garland, TX to Bellmead, TX is 241.5 miles and takes about 4h 22m via I 30 and US Highway 259 South, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This mostly highway drive stays within Texas, connecting two points in the Great Plains region. You'll spend nearly all your time on interstate and major highways, making for a straightforward trip. Given the relatively short duration and straightforward nature, this route is well-suited for a single-day drive.
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
120.7 miles from Garland, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 15m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 30
131.8 mi
2h 16m
South R L Thornton Freeway
88.6 mi
1h 31m
US Highway 259 South
16.3 mi
24m
FM 1701
2.1 mi
5m
North Interstate 35
0.5 mi
<1m
Hogan Lane
0.2 mi
<1m
Behrens Circle
<0.1 mi
<1m
Parrish Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 30
— 131.8 mi, about 2h 16m
Traffic on I-30
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 36 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
7 AM
~3,768 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~449 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 51 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 Garland, TX and Bellmead, TX.
1
Start on FM 1701
2.1 mi·5 min·FM 1701
2
At end of road, turn right onto US 259
16 mi·24 min·US Highway 259 South
3
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·56 sec
4
Merge onto I 30
132 mi·2 hr 16 min·I 30
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 46AToward I 35E: Denton, WacoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·14 sec
Toward I 35E South, I 35E North: Waco, Denton
7
Keep slight left at fork
221 ft·5 sec
Toward I 35E North, I 35E South: Denton, WacoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·30 sec
Toward I 35E South: WacoUse the left / right lanes.
9
Continue on I 35E
0.5 mi·44 sec·South R L Thornton Freeway
10
Continue on I 35E
88 mi·1 hr 30 min·South R L Thornton Freeway
Exit 426Toward Dallas ZooUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 338BToward Behrens CircleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Turn straight onto North Interstate 35
0.4 mi·46 sec·North Interstate 35
13
Turn left onto Behrens Circle
473 ft·20 sec·Behrens Circle
14
Turn right onto Hogan Lane
0.2 mi·24 sec·Hogan Lane
15
Turn right onto Parrish Street
355 ft·12 sec·Parrish Street
16
Turn right onto Inmon Street
336 ft·11 sec·Inmon Street
17
Turn right onto North Interstate 35
198 ft·3 sec·North Interstate 35
18
Arrive at destination
North Interstate 35
Trip Plan
For this 4h 22m drive, leaving Garland, TX in the morning will give you ample time to reach Bellmead, TX before evening. With only one recommended stop, you have a lot of flexibility in pacing yourself. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially before departing, as the estimated cost is around $38. Since the longest stretch without exiting the interstate is 131.8 miles on I 30, plan your refueling and break stops accordingly to avoid needing to find services in less populated areas.
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 120.7 miles from Garland, TX, or about 2h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 131.8 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 53 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 120.7 miles or 2h 15m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bellmead, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Garland, 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 Garland, TX
This is one driving day of about 241.5 miles and 4h 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 miles from Garland, 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 30 for about 131.8 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 150.7 and 240.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
150.7 mi into trip|~2h 46m in
Take the exit toward I 35E: Denton, Waco
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.
Exit 46A
Toward I 35E: Denton, Waco
6
151.3 mi into trip|~2h 48m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35E South, I 35E North: Waco, Denton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 35E South, I 35E North: Waco, Denton
9
151.4 mi into trip|~2h 48m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35E North, I 35E South: Denton, Waco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35E North, I 35E South: Denton, Waco
7
151.4 mi into trip|~2h 48m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35E South: Waco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / right lanes.
Toward I 35E South: Waco
7
240.4 mi into trip|~4h 19m in
Take the exit toward Behrens Circle
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 338B
Toward Behrens Circle
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.08 one way
$66.16 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg85 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$36.95
$73.90
premium
$4.23
$40.17
$80.34
diesel
$4.80
$45.60
$91.20
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 84.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
72.5
0
$25.36
$11.59
Efficient EV
60.4
0
$21.13
$9.66
EV Truck/SUV
96.6
1
$33.81
$15.46
Gas CO2
84 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Garland, TX
Evening
in Garland on Monday
Local time
7:08 PM
CDT
Current temp
91°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 5 mph16% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 4:16PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 2:38PM CDT until July 22 at 11:48AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Bellmead, TX
Evening
in Bellmead on Monday
Local time
7:08 PM
CDT
Current temp
91°F
Mostly Sunny
S 15 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 4:16PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 2:38PM CDT until July 22 at 11:48AM 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
4h 22m 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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 241.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is almost entirely highway, with 99% of the route on major roads. You'll experience a long stretch of 131.8 miles on I 30 before transitioning to other highways. Expect plenty of exits and merges as you navigate this predominantly interstate experience. The final portion of your drive will be on US Highway 259 South, which will likely feel more like cruising through the countryside.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 131.8 mi on I 30.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 30 and South R L Thornton Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 150.7 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 241.5 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: at 150.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 151.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 151.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
734 ft253 ft
Total Climb
861 ft
Total Descent
812 ft
Highest Point
734 ft
~207 mi in
Elevation Range
481 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Garland, TX and Bellmead, TX, road signs point toward Waco, Denton and Dallas Zoo.
Garland is a city in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex area in the State of Texas. Mike Judge, the creator of Beavis and Butthead and King of the Hill, used to live in Garland, as well as some other small towns around Texas. So, yeah. Don't be shocked if you take a wrong turn through a downscale neighborhood and see someone barbecuing hot dogs using one of those things that turns your truck's air filter into a grill. On the other hand, Garland's north side is a palacial monument to suburban living in all its McMansioned, strip malling, Starbucks-sipping glory. Garland is basically an unprepossessing, pleasant place. While it's hard to get too excited about much that happens in Garland, it is just so darned pleasant.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 22m. Total distance: 241.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 22m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 131.8 miles on I 30. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 25 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 Bellmead, 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 25 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 150.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 151.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 151.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Bellmead, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.
