Garland, TX to Brushy Creek, TX is 328.8 miles and takes about 5h 57m via I 30, with a fuel budget near $50 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Great Plains region of Texas, offering a straightforward drive with minimal variation. Most of the route is highway, making it an efficient option for a single-day trip. You'll spend the majority of your time on major interstates, so plan for a consistent cruising experience. If you're looking for a direct path between these two Texas points, this route gets you there without much fuss.
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
164.4 miles from Garland, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 2m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 30
131.8 mi
2h 16m
South R L Thornton Freeway
89.9 mi
1h 32m
Purple Heart Trail
37.9 mi
39m
I 35
37.6 mi
38m
US Highway 259 South
16.3 mi
24m
North Jack Kultgen Expressway
6.6 mi
7m
FM 1701
2.1 mi
5m
West Old Settlers Boulevard
1.1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 30
— 131.8 mi, about 2h 16m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Garland, TX and Brushy Creek, 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
89 mi·1 hr 31 min·South R L Thornton Freeway
Exit 426Toward Dallas ZooUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 35; US 77
6.6 mi·7 min·North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 35
38 mi·39 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
38 mi·38 min·I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi·48 sec
Exit 254Toward Old Settlers BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
15
Turn straight onto North Interstate 35
0.8 mi·1 min·North Interstate 35
16
Turn right onto FM 3406
1.1 mi·1 min·West Old Settlers Boulevard
17
Turn left onto Creek Bend Boulevard
1.1 mi·2 min·Creek Bend Boulevard
Use the left lane.
18
Continue on Brightwater Boulevard
0.9 mi·2 min·Brightwater Boulevard
Use the left lane.
19
Turn left onto Great Oaks Drive
0.4 mi·53 sec·Great Oaks Drive
Use the left lane.
20
Turn right onto Hillside Drive
0.2 mi·33 sec·Hillside Drive
21
Turn left onto Hillbrook Drive
297 ft·10 sec·Hillbrook Drive
22
Turn right onto Stoney Hill
476 ft·13 sec·Stoney Hill
23
Arrive at destination
Stoney Hill
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5h 57m drive, consider leaving Garland, TX, in the morning to avoid rush hour traffic. With a fuel cost estimated at $50, filling up before you depart is a good idea. This route is designed for a single day, so you won't need to worry about overnight stops. The longest stretch of uninterrupted driving is over 130 miles on I 30, so plan your single stop for stretching your legs or refueling around that point. Keep an eye on your GPS as you approach Brushy Creek, as the transition from highway to surface roads will become more frequent.
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 164.4 miles from Garland, TX, or about 3h 2m 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 72 miles or 1h 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 164.4 miles or 3h 2m 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 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Brushy Creek, 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 328.8 miles and 5h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 72 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 150.7 and 323.8 — 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
323.8 mi into trip|~5h 46m in
Take the exit toward Old Settlers Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 254
Toward Old Settlers Boulevard
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$49.68 one way
$99.36 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg115 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$54.38
$108.76
premium
$4.54
$58.71
$117.41
diesel
$5.61
$72.59
$145.19
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$50
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$75–$100
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 115 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
98.6
1
$34.52
$15.78
Efficient EV
82.2
0
$28.77
$13.15
EV Truck/SUV
131.5
1
$46.03
$21.04
Gas CO2
115 kg
EV CO2
38 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 15, 2026
Origin
Garland, TX
Late night
in Garland on Sunday
Local time
3:11 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Brushy Creek, TX
Late night
in Brushy Creek on Sunday
Local time
3:11 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
16 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 57m 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...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 238.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway, with 87% of the 328.8 miles on major roads like I 30 and South R L Thornton Freeway. You'll encounter the longest continuous stretch of highway at 131.8 miles on I 30, which means fewer turns but potentially more dense exit traffic in populated areas. The remaining portion will be on surface roads, likely with more local traffic and a lower speed limit. Expect a steady pace for most of the journey.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 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 15 significant decision points across 328.8 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.
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 Brushy Creek, 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 5h 57m. Total distance: 328.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). 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 40 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 Brushy Creek, 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 40 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.0 hours each way, a round trip means 11.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Brushy Creek, TX before the return drive.
