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Trip from Garland, TX to Vernon, TX

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 4, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 20m

Distance

284.3 mi

458 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$41

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
5h 7m ★
6 AM
5h 21m
8 AM
5h 47m
10 AM
5h 30m
12 PM
5h 27m
3 PM
5h 31m
5 PM
5h 46m
8 PM
5h 12m

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

Best Time
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Downtown Garland, TX, TX

Garland, TX

Wikimedia Commons

city in and county sear of Wilbarger County, Texas, United States

Vernon, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Garland, TX to Vernon, TX covers 284.3 miles and takes about 5h 20m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on US 82, US Highway 82 West, US Highway 287 East for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 86.6 miles on US 82. At current regular gas prices, budget about $41.25 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

142.2 miles from Garland, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 42m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 82 86.6 mi 1h 36m
US Highway 82 West 72.5 mi 1h 18m
US Highway 287 East 39.6 mi 41m
East Buck Owens Freeway 22.9 mi 24m
East US Highway 82 12.3 mi 14m
J M Lindsay Boulevard 12.1 mi 13m
Division Street 10 mi 11m
Northwest Freeway 5.3 mi 5m
Longest stretch: US 82 — 86.6 mi, about 1h 36m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Garland, TX and Vernon, TX.

1

Start on FM 1701

1.5 mi · 3 min · FM 1701
2

Turn left onto County Road 3215

0.1 mi · 37 sec · County Road 3215
3

Turn left onto US 82

27 mi · 31 min · US 82
4

Turn right onto US 82

1.6 mi · 1 min · West Main Street
5

Continue on US 82

17 mi · 18 min · US Highway 82 West
6

Continue on US 82

2.0 mi · 2 min · East Front Street
7

Continue on US 82

2.9 mi · 3 min · US Highway 82 East
8

Continue on US 82

3.2 mi · 3 min · Lamar Road
9

Continue on US 82

2.8 mi · 4 min · Lamar Avenue
10

Continue on US 82 Business

3.4 mi · 4 min · Bonham Street
11

Continue on US 82

56 mi · 59 min · US Highway 82 West
12

Continue on US 82

23 mi · 24 min · East Buck Owens Freeway
13

Continue on US 82

12 mi · 14 min · East US Highway 82
Use the straight / right lanes.
14

Continue on US 82

12 mi · 13 min · J M Lindsay Boulevard
15

Continue on US 82

10 mi · 11 min · Division Street
16

Turn straight onto US 82

25 mi · 27 min · US 82
17

Merge onto US 82

35 mi · 37 min · US 82
18

Continue on US 281; US 287

0.8 mi · 58 sec · Lloyd Ruby Overpass
19

Continue on US 277; US 281; US 287

2.4 mi · 3 min · Central Freeway
Use the straight lane.
20

Keep slight left at fork onto US 287

5.3 mi · 5 min · Northwest Freeway
Exit 3A Toward US 287 North: Vernon, Amarillo Use the slight left / straight lanes.
21

Continue on US 287

40 mi · 41 min · US Highway 287 East
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
22

Take the exit onto US 287 Business

1.7 mi · 3 min · US 287 Business
Toward US 287 Business: Vernon Use the slight left / straight lanes.
23

Turn right onto Commerce Street

0.2 mi · 46 sec · Commerce Street
24

Turn left

0.1 mi · 55 sec
25

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

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 142.2 miles from Garland, TX, or about 2h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 86.6 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 63 miles or 1h 17m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 142.2 miles or 2h 42m 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 23m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Vernon, 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 284.3 miles and 5h 20m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 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 US 82 for about 86.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in Grayson County, Texas, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Denison, TX

142 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

Paris, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 63 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Gainesville, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 142.2 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 US 82 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 86.6 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 7

5 decision points cluster between mile 1.7 and 284.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

4
1.7 mi into trip | ~4m in | US 82

Turn left onto US 82

Navigation decision point

9
237.4 mi into trip | ~4h 28m in | US 287 / Northwest Freeway

Keep slight left at fork onto US 287 / Northwest Freeway toward US 287 North: Vernon, Amarillo

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / straight lanes. Exit 3A Toward US 287 North: Vernon, Amarillo
6
282.3 mi into trip | ~5h 15m in | US 287 Business

Take the exit onto US 287 Business toward US 287 Business: Vernon

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

Use the slight left / straight lanes. Toward US 287 Business: Vernon
4
284 mi into trip | ~5h 18m in | Commerce Street

Turn right onto Commerce Street

Navigation decision point

5
284.2 mi into trip | ~5h 19m in

Turn left

Navigation decision point

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$41.25 one way

$82.49 round trip

$3.69/gal 25.4 MPG avg 100 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.08 $45.70 $91.40
premium $4.43 $49.61 $99.21
diesel $5.60 $62.67 $125.34

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$41

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$66–$91

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 99.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.

Driving Electric?

About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 85.3 1 $29.85 $13.65
Efficient EV 71.1 0 $24.88 $11.37
EV Truck/SUV 113.7 1 $39.80 $18.20

Gas CO2

99 kg

EV CO2

33 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 Sep 2, 2026

Origin

Garland, TX

Afternoon in Garland on Friday

Local time

3:06 PM

CDT

Current temp

73°F

Partly Cloudy

SE 5 mph 1% chance Live forecast

Flash Flood Warning

Flash Flood Warning issued September 1 at 7:59PM CDT until September 1 at 11:00PM CDT by NWS Lake Charles LA

Wind Advisory

Wind Advisory issued September 1 at 7:30PM CDT until September 2 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Houston/Galveston TX

Destination

Vernon, TX

Afternoon in Vernon on Friday

Local time

3:06 PM

CDT

Current temp

74°F

Clear

SSE 8 mph 1% chance Live forecast

Flash Flood Warning

Flash Flood Warning issued September 1 at 7:59PM CDT until September 1 at 11:00PM CDT by NWS Lake Charles LA

Wind Advisory

Wind Advisory issued September 1 at 7:30PM CDT until September 2 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Houston/Galveston 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

1 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 20m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

284.3 mi in 5h 20m, mostly highway — 86.6 mi of that is on US 82.

87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 86.6 mi on US 82.

How Hard Is This Drive?

3/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 82 and US Highway 82 West. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 1.7 miles in near US 82.

Driving Effort 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 5h 20m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 1.7 miles (US 82): Navigation decision point; at 237.4 miles (US 287 / Northwest Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 282.3 miles (US 287 Business): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

1,211 ft 386 ft

Total Climb

959 ft

Total Descent

158 ft

Highest Point

1,211 ft

~264 mi in

Elevation Range

825 ft

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Garland, TX to Vernon, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Amarillo along the way.

Amarillo

237.4 mi in | ~4h 28m | via US 287

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 Vernon, TX

Full guide →

Vernon is a city in the North Central Plains region of Texas. Years ago, the Great Western Cattle Trail passed through here, a corollary of the more popular Chisholm Trail to the east. On a more contemporary note, it was the birthplace and childhood home of Roy Orbison. It is the closest town to the Waggoner Ranch, the biggest cattle ranch in the USA under one fence.

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 5h 20m. Total distance: 284.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 20m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (87%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 86.6 miles on US 82. 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.

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 1.7 miles (US 82): Navigation decision point; at 237.4 miles (US 287 / Northwest Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 282.3 miles (US 287 Business): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Not recommended in a single day. At 5.3 hours each way, a round trip means 10.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Vernon, 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, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Return Trip

Vernon, TX to Garland, TX

Plan the drive back the other way.

284.6 mi 5h 21m

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