Garland, TX to Spring, TX is 281.4 miles and takes about 5h 31m via Diboll Relief Route and US 59, with a fuel budget near $42 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Great Plains region, offering a straightforward trip between two Texas cities. You'll spend a good portion of your time on surface roads, so expect a steady pace rather than high-speed highway cruising. With just one recommended stop and a relatively short duration, this route is easily manageable for a single day of travel.
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
140.7 miles from Garland, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 50m into the drive
.
Step-by-step road directions between Garland, TX and Spring, 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
84 mi·1 hr 29 min·Diboll Relief Route
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
43
Take the exit
0.3 mi·25 sec
Toward TX 99 TollUse the slight right lane.
44
Turn straight onto Eastex Freeway Frontage Road
1.4 mi·2 min·Eastex Freeway Frontage Road
Use the straight / uturn lanes.
45
Turn right onto North Grand Parkway East
0.9 mi·1 min·North Grand Parkway East
46
Continue on this road
0.3 mi·44 sec·this road
Toward TX 99 Toll West
47
Merge onto TX 99 Toll
9.2 mi·9 min·North Grand Parkway East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
48
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward Riley Fuzzel RoadUse the slight right lane.
49
Turn straight onto North Grand Parkway East
0.9 mi·1 min·North Grand Parkway East
50
Continue on Riley Fuzzel Road
1.2 mi·2 min·Riley Fuzzel Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
51
Turn left onto Aldine Westfield Road
0.3 mi·39 sec·Aldine Westfield Road
Use the left lane.
52
Turn right onto East Noble Street
370 ft·21 sec·East Noble Street
53
Turn left onto East Hardy Road
258 ft·11 sec·East Hardy Road
54
Arrive at destination
East Hardy Road
Trip Plan
For this single-day trip, leaving Garland in the morning will give you ample time to reach Spring before evening. The route has only one suggested stop, so plan your breaks accordingly, perhaps around the halfway point or when you notice the shift to surface roads. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially as you transition to the Diboll Relief Route, to ensure you don't need to detour for gas. The 56% highway share means you'll have plenty of opportunities to adjust your speed and take in the surroundings at a more relaxed pace.
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 140.7 miles from Garland, TX, or about 2h 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 83.6 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 62 miles or 1h 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 140.7 miles or 2h 50m 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 32m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Spring, 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 281.4 miles and 5h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 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 83.6 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 28
5 decision points cluster between mile 35.9 and 278.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
35.9 mi into trip|~47m in
Take the exit toward US 271 to US 67, SH 49, FM 1734: Mount Pleasant, Paris, Pittsburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 271 to US 67, SH 49, FM 1734: Mount P...
5
96.5 mi into trip|~1h 58m in|Houston Street
Enter roundabout onto Houston Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
97.2 mi into trip|~2h in|US 259 Business; TX 42 / South Henderson Boulevard
At end of road, turn right onto US 259 Business; TX 42 / South Henderson Boulevard
Navigation decision point
6
266.4 mi into trip|~5h 11m in
Take the exit toward TX 99 Toll
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward TX 99 Toll
6
278.5 mi into trip|~5h 26m in
Take the exit toward Riley Fuzzel Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Riley Fuzzel Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.54 one way
$77.09 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg99 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$43.05
$86.10
premium
$4.23
$46.81
$93.62
diesel
$4.80
$53.13
$106.27
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 98.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
84.4
1
$29.55
$13.51
Efficient EV
70.4
0
$24.62
$11.26
EV Truck/SUV
112.6
1
$39.40
$18.01
Gas CO2
98 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
Garland, TX
Evening
in Garland on Monday
Local time
8:19 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 5 mph10% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:07PM CDT until July 18 at 8:23AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:07PM CDT until July 19 at 8:07AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Spring, TX
Evening
in Spring on Monday
Local time
8:19 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 5 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:07PM CDT until July 18 at 8:23AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:07PM CDT until July 19 at 8:07AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
97°F
Carthage, TX
141 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
5h 31m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
The drive features a 56% highway share, meaning you'll transition from higher-speed travel to surface roads for a significant part of the trip. The longest stretch without a major road change is 83.6 miles on the Diboll Relief Route. You'll notice the change from highway cruising to navigating more surface roads as you progress. Expect to encounter more local traffic and intersections once you leave the main highway sections.
Only 56% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
54 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 83.6 mi on Diboll Relief Route.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 35.9 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
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 281.4 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 35.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 96.5 miles (Houston Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 97.2 miles (US 259 Business; TX 42 / South Henderson Boulevard): Navigation decision point.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
408 ft104 ft
Total Climb
208 ft
Total Descent
478 ft
Highest Point
408 ft
~120.6 mi in
Elevation Range
303 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 Spring, TX, road signs point toward Sh 49, Fm 1734: Mount Pleasant, Paris and Pittsburg.
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 31m. Total distance: 281.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 83.6 miles on Diboll Relief Route. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 10 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 Spring, 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 10 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 35.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 96.5 miles (Houston Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 97.2 miles (US 259 Business; TX 42 / South Henderson Boulevard): Navigation decision point.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 11.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Spring, TX before the return drive.
