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Trip from Garland, TX to Pasadena, TX

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

6h

Distance

306.5 mi

493 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$46

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
5h 48m ★
6 AM
6h 1m
8 AM
6h 27m
10 AM
6h 10m
12 PM
6h 7m
3 PM
6h 11m
5 PM
6h 25m
8 PM
5h 53m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in Los Angeles County, California, United States

Pasadena, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 306.5-mile drive from Garland, TX, to Pasadena, TX, is estimated to take around 6 hours, making it a feasible day trip for most travelers. You'll navigate a mix of roads, with about 48% on highways, and should budget approximately $46 for fuel. The route is characterized by frequent turns, suggesting a more local and engaging driving experience rather than a straight, monotonous interstate journey. Given its duration and profile, it’s best tackled in one go, allowing you to arrive at your destination within the day. Both Garland and Pasadena are situated within the Great Plains region, so expect a consistent regional landscape throughout your journey.

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

153.2 miles from Garland, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 5m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Diboll Relief Route 108.2 mi 1h 58m
US 271 22.6 mi 25m
South US Highway 59 19.4 mi 22m
US Route 259 19.3 mi 21m
I 30 17.1 mi 17m
US Highway 259 South 16.3 mi 24m
South Henderson Boulevard 16.3 mi 19m
State Highway 135 11.3 mi 13m
Longest stretch: Diboll Relief Route — 108.2 mi, about 1h 58m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Garland, TX and Pasadena, 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

17 mi · 17 min · I 30
5

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 30 sec
Toward US 271 to US 67, SH 49, FM 1734: Mount Pleasant, Paris, Pittsburg
6

Turn straight onto Lakewood Drive

0.2 mi · 26 sec · Lakewood Drive
7

Turn left onto US 271

0.5 mi · 58 sec · West Ferguson Road
8

Turn straight onto US 271

5.5 mi · 6 min · Bill Ratliff Freeway
9

Continue on South US Highway 271

4.2 mi · 4 min · South US Highway 271
10

Continue on US 271

23 mi · 25 min · US 271
11

Turn straight onto TX 155

1.4 mi · 1 min · TX 155
12

Turn left onto FM 2685

6.5 mi · 7 min · FM 2685
13

At end of road, turn left onto FM 2685

4.1 mi · 5 min · FM 2685
14

At end of road, turn left onto US 80

2.1 mi · 2 min · West Upshur Avenue
15

Turn right onto US 271

0.3 mi · 22 sec · North Main Street
16

Turn slight right onto US 271

1.6 mi · 1 min · South Tyler Street
17

Turn left onto TX 135

11 mi · 13 min · State Highway 135
18

Keep slight left at fork

48 ft · 0 sec
19

Enter roundabout onto Houston Street

103 ft · 1 sec · Houston Street
20

Continue on Houston Street

0.7 mi · 1 min · Houston Street
21

At end of road, turn right onto US 259 Business; TX 42

16 mi · 19 min · South Henderson Boulevard
22

Continue on US 79; US 259

1.7 mi · 2 min · Highway 79
23

Turn left onto US 259

16 mi · 18 min · US Route 259
24

Continue on US 259

2.9 mi · 3 min · North Railroad Avenue
25

Continue on US 259

3.0 mi · 3 min · US Route 259
26

Continue on US 259

11 mi · 12 min · US Highway 259
27

Take the exit

224 ft · 6 sec
Toward US 59 South: Lufkin
28

Continue on this road

420 ft · 11 sec · this road
29

Continue on this road

0.1 mi · 16 sec · this road
30

Turn left

104 ft · 4 sec
31

Turn right onto US 59

0.7 mi · 47 sec · North US Highway 59
32

Continue on US 59

6.4 mi · 7 min · Northwest Stallings Drive
33

Continue on US 59; TX 7; TX 21; Loop 224

0.4 mi · 25 sec · Stallings Drive
34

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 25 sec
35

Turn straight

223 ft · 6 sec
36

Merge onto US 59

1.3 mi · 1 min · South Street
37

Continue on US 59

19 mi · 22 min · South US Highway 59
38

Take the exit

396 ft · 9 sec
Toward South First Street
39

Turn straight onto South Medford Drive

0.2 mi · 23 sec · South Medford Drive
40

Turn left onto US 59 Bus

4.1 mi · 5 min · South First Street
41

Continue on US 59

1.3 mi · 1 min · US 59
42

Continue on US 59

108 mi · 1 hr 58 min · Diboll Relief Route
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
43

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min
Toward I 610 East Use the straight / slight right lanes.
44

Merge onto I 610

9.5 mi · 11 min · North Loop East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
45

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Exit 30B Toward TX 225 East: Pasadena, La Porte Use the straight / right lanes.
46

Merge onto TX 225

2.1 mi · 2 min · La Porte Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
47

Continue on TX 225

0.5 mi · 36 sec · Pasadena Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
48

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 22 sec
Toward Shaver Street, Main Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.
49

Turn straight onto Pasadena Freeway Frontage Road

0.3 mi · 38 sec · Pasadena Freeway Frontage Road
50

Turn right onto South Shaver Street

1.4 mi · 2 min · South Shaver Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
51

Turn left onto Southmore Avenue

0.1 mi · 20 sec · Southmore Avenue
Use the left lane.
52

Turn left onto South Main Street

84 ft · 1 sec · South Main Street
Use the left lane.
53

Arrive at destination

South Main Street

Trip Plan

For this 6-hour drive covering 306.5 miles, consider an early morning departure from Garland, TX, to maximize your daylight hours and minimize traffic. With one recommended stop, plan to take a break around the halfway point or after completing the 108.2-mile stretch on the Diboll Relief Route. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as highway percentages are moderate; the estimated fuel cost is $46. Being a single-day trip, flexibility is key. A practical tip: utilize a GPS with real-time traffic updates, as the 'turn-heavy' nature of this route can make it susceptible to local delays.

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 153.2 miles from Garland, TX, or about 3h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 108.2 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 67 miles or 1h 23m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 153.2 miles or 3h 5m 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 56m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pasadena, 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 306.5 miles and 6h.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 67 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 Diboll Relief Route for about 108.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Nacogdoches, TX, TX

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Nacogdoches, TX

153 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

Gladewater, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 67 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Nacogdoches, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 153.2 miles from Garland, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Diboll Relief Route if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 108.2 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.

Pecan Acres Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour

Nacogdoches, Texas

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+19365592960

Visit website

Durst Taylor Museum

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour

Nacogdoches, Texas

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+19365604443

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 28

5 decision points cluster between mile 291 and 306.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
291 mi into trip | ~5h 39m in

Take the exit toward I 610 East

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 610 East
8
301.2 mi into trip | ~5h 52m in

Take the exit toward TX 225 East: Pasadena, La Porte

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / right lanes. Exit 30B Toward TX 225 East: Pasadena, La Porte
7
304.5 mi into trip | ~5h 57m in

Take the exit toward Shaver Street, Main Street

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 Shaver Street, Main Street
6
305 mi into trip | ~5h 58m in | South Shaver Street

Turn right onto South Shaver Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.
7
306.5 mi into trip | ~6h in | South Main Street

Turn left onto South Main Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$46.31 one way

$92.63 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 107 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.20 $50.69 $101.39
premium $4.54 $54.72 $109.45
diesel $5.61 $67.67 $135.34

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$46

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$71–$96

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 107.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 92 1 $32.18 $14.71
Efficient EV 76.6 0 $26.82 $12.26
EV Truck/SUV 122.6 1 $42.91 $19.62

Gas CO2

107 kg

EV CO2

36 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 Apr 18, 2026

Origin

Garland, TX

Late night in Garland on Tuesday

Local time

4:10 AM

CDT

Current temp

63°F

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

N 15 mph 48% chance Live forecast

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 18 at 10:06AM CDT until April 18 at 10:30AM CDT by NWS Fort Worth TX

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 18 at 10:04AM CDT until April 18 at 10:30AM CDT by NWS Fort Worth TX

Destination

Pasadena, TX

Late night in Pasadena on Tuesday

Local time

4:10 AM

CDT

Current temp

84°F

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

S 5 to 10 mph 63% chance Live forecast

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 18 at 10:06AM CDT until April 18 at 10:30AM CDT by NWS Fort Worth TX

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 18 at 10:04AM CDT until April 18 at 10:30AM CDT by NWS Fort Worth 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

21 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

6h on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' for this 306.5-mile trip. While 48% of the route utilizes highways like US 271 and South US Highway 59, you’ll also encounter numerous turns on local roads, particularly on the Diboll Relief Route. The longest uninterrupted stretch you’ll experience is 108.2 miles on this Diboll Relief Route, offering a brief period of more consistent driving before you encounter more changes in direction. This blend means you'll be actively engaged with navigation, making it a more dynamic journey than a pure interstate cruise.

Only 48% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
53 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 108.2 mi on Diboll Relief Route.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 291 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 28 significant decision points across 306.5 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 291 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 301.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 304.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 Pasadena, TX, road signs point toward Sh 49, Fm 1734: Mount Pleasant, Paris and Pittsburg.

Sh 49

35.9 mi in | ~47m

Fm 1734: Mount Pleasant

35.9 mi in | ~47m

Paris

35.9 mi in | ~47m

Pittsburg

35.9 mi in | ~47m

About the Cities

Starting in Garland, TX

Full guide →

Founded 1891

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.

Arriving in Pasadena, TX

Full guide →

Founded 1893

Pasadena is in the North Barrier Coast of 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 6h. Total distance: 306.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 108.2 miles on Diboll Relief Route. 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 Pasadena, 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 291 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 301.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 304.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Not recommended in a single day. At 6.0 hours each way, a round trip means 12.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Pasadena, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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