Garland, TX to Midlothian, TX is 175.1 miles and takes about 3h 15m via I 30 and US Highway 259 South, with a fuel budget near $26 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within the Great Plains region, offering a straightforward drive from one Texas city to another. Given its relatively short duration and highway-focused profile, it's a practical option for a single-day trip. You'll primarily be on well-established roadways, making it a predictable journey for most drivers. Consider this drive for its efficiency and ease of navigation.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
87.6 miles from Garland, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 41m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 30
131.8 mi
2h 16m
US Highway 259 South
16.3 mi
24m
North J Elmer Weaver Freeway
9.7 mi
10m
Marvin D Love Freeway
5.3 mi
5m
South R L Thornton Freeway
4.3 mi
4m
East S G Alexander Freeway
2.1 mi
2m
FM 1701
2.1 mi
5m
North 8th Street
0.8 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 Midlothian, 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
3.7 mi·4 min·South R L Thornton Freeway
Exit 426Toward Dallas ZooUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.1 mi·13 sec
Exit 423Toward US 67 South: Cleburne, Kiest Boulevard
12
Keep slight left at fork onto US 67
5.3 mi·5 min·Marvin D Love Freeway
Toward US 67 South: CleburneUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on US 67
2.1 mi·2 min·East S G Alexander Freeway
Use the right lane.
14
Continue on US 67
0.6 mi·36 sec·West S G Alexander Freeway
15
Continue on US 67
9.7 mi·10 min·North J Elmer Weaver Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Toward Ninth StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Turn straight onto North US Highway 67
418 ft·14 sec·North US Highway 67
18
Turn left onto North 9th Street
0.2 mi·27 sec·North 9th Street
19
Continue on North 8th Street
0.8 mi·1 min·North 8th Street
20
Arrive at destination
North 8th Street
Trip Plan
With a drive time of just over 3 hours, this trip is easily manageable in a single day, so you have the flexibility to leave when you're ready. Aim to depart Garland in the morning to maximize daylight and ensure you have plenty of time to reach Midlothian without feeling rushed. The longest stretch is over 130 miles, so plan for a fuel stop before you begin or about halfway through to avoid any concerns, especially since the estimated fuel cost is only $26. Given the highway-intensive nature of this route, keep an eye on traffic conditions around the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex as you start your journey.
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 87.6 miles from Garland, TX, or about 1h 41m 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 39 miles or 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 87.6 miles or 1h 41m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Midlothian, 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 175.1 miles and 3h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 150.7 and 156.2 — 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
156.2 mi into trip|~2h 54m in|US 67 / Marvin D Love Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto US 67 / Marvin D Love Freeway toward US 67 South: Cleburne
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 67 South: Cleburne
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.46 one way
$52.92 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg61 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$28.96
$57.92
premium
$4.54
$31.26
$62.53
diesel
$5.61
$38.66
$77.32
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 61.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
52.5
0
$18.39
$8.40
Efficient EV
43.8
0
$15.32
$7.00
EV Truck/SUV
70
0
$24.51
$11.21
Gas CO2
61 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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
2:50 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Midlothian, TX
Late night
in Midlothian on Sunday
Local time
2:50 AM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
83°F
Greenville, TX
88 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
3 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
3h 15m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 98% of the journey on major roadways. You'll experience long, uninterrupted stretches, including a significant 131.8-mile segment on I 30. The profile suggests a consistent pace, largely on interstates and freeways, which means you can maintain steady speeds for most of the trip. Expect a driving experience that prioritizes getting you to your destination efficiently rather than offering winding scenic byways. The primary roads include I 30, US Highway 259 South, and North J Elmer Weaver Freeway, indicating a predominantly high-speed environment.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 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?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 30 and US Highway 259 South. 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 Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 175.1 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 Midlothian, 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 3h 15m. Total distance: 175.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 15m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). 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.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Midlothian, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Midlothian, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.
