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Trip from Goldthwaite, TX to Fort Worth, TX

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 50m

Distance

143.1 mi

230 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$22

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 33 min
4 AM
2h 40m ★
6 AM
2h 51m
8 AM
3h 13m
10 AM
2h 58m
12 PM
2h 56m
3 PM
2h 59m
5 PM
3h 11m
8 PM
2h 44m

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 and county seat of Mills County, Texas, United States

Goldthwaite, TX

Wikimedia Commons

city and county seat of Tarrant County, Texas, United States

Fort Worth, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This straightforward 143.1-mile drive from Goldthwaite, TX, to Fort Worth, TX, is designed for a single day, taking approximately 2 hours and 50 minutes. Primarily utilizing North US Highway 281, with segments on US 84 and the Chisholm Trail Parkway, this route offers a highway-focused experience. With a projected fuel cost of around $22, it's an economical option for a quick trip. You'll be traversing the Great Plains region for the entirety of your journey, experiencing a consistent landscape. This drive is well-suited for a day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay.

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

71.5 miles from Goldthwaite, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 25m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
North US Highway 281 33.9 mi 40m
Chisholm Trail Parkway 27.9 mi 31m
US 84 24.4 mi 25m
Northeast Big Bend Trail 24 mi 27m
State Highway 220 12.8 mi 18m
US Highway 67 12.1 mi 13m
South Rice Street 2.3 mi 2m
West Freeway 1.2 mi 1m
Longest stretch: North US Highway 281 — 33.9 mi, about 40m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Goldthwaite, TX and Fort Worth, TX.

1

Start on this road

35 ft · 4 sec · this road
2

Turn right onto 4th Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · 4th Street
3

At end of road, turn right onto US 84

24 mi · 25 min · US 84
4

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 15 sec
Toward US 281: Hamilton, Lampasas
5

Keep slight left at fork

148 ft · 10 sec
Toward US 281 North: Hamilton
6

Turn left onto US 281

15 mi · 20 min · North US Highway 281
7

Continue on US 281

2.3 mi · 2 min · South Rice Street
8

Continue on US 281

19 mi · 20 min · North US Highway 281
9

Continue on US 281

0.6 mi · 43 sec · South Walnut Street
10

At end of road, turn right onto TX 6

0.2 mi · 12 sec · West 2nd Street
11

Continue on TX 6

0.1 mi · 14 sec · East 2nd Street
12

Turn left onto TX 220

0.8 mi · 1 min · North Cedar Street
13

Continue on TX 220

13 mi · 18 min · State Highway 220
14

Merge onto US 67

12 mi · 13 min · US Highway 67
15

Continue on US 67

24 mi · 27 min · Northeast Big Bend Trail
16

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 45 sec
Toward TX 171, CTP: Nolan River Road, County Road 1216
17

Continue on West Katherine P Raines Drive

0.2 mi · 24 sec · West Katherine P Raines Drive
18

Turn left onto CTP

28 mi · 31 min · Chisholm Trail Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Merge onto I 30; US 377

1.2 mi · 1 min · West Freeway
20

Take the exit onto US 377

0.2 mi · 12 sec · US 377
Exit 15A Toward I 35W, I 35W Express Toll North, US 377 North: Waco, Denton Use the slight right lane.
21

Keep slight right at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward I 35W South: Waco
22

Merge onto I 35W; US 287 Bus

0.1 mi · 6 sec · South Freeway
23

Take the exit onto US 287 Bus

0.5 mi · 1 min · US 287 Bus
Exit 49B Toward US 287 Business: Rosedale Street, Allen Avenue Use the slight right lane.
24

Continue on South Freeway

0.4 mi · 46 sec · South Freeway
Use the left / straight lanes.
25

Arrive at destination

South Freeway

Trip Plan

Given the relatively short duration of under 3 hours, this trip offers flexibility in departure time. Leaving Goldthwaite in the morning will get you to Fort Worth with plenty of daylight to spare. Plan for just one primary stop, perhaps midway, to stretch your legs or refuel if needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you approach Fort Worth, as services can become more spread out. The longest stretch on North US Highway 281 is a good place to assess your need for a break before reaching the urban environment of Fort Worth.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 71.5 miles from Goldthwaite, TX, or about 1h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 33.9 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 31 miles or 35m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 71.5 miles or 1h 25m 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 19m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fort Worth, TX than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Goldthwaite, 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 Goldthwaite, TX

This is one driving day of about 143.1 miles and 2h 50m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 miles from Goldthwaite, 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 North US Highway 281 for about 33.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in and county seat of Hood County, Texas, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Granbury, TX

72 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

Springtown, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 31 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Hico, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 71.5 miles from Goldthwaite, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Forest Park Miniature Railroad

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 143.1

Fort Worth, Texas

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+18179665509

Visit website

Play Street Museum - Fort Worth

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 132.9

Fort Worth, Texas

Hours: 8:30 am–8 pm

+18179302577

Visit website

Fort Worth Herd

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 143.1

Fort Worth, Texas

Hours: 11:30 am–4 pm

+18173364373

Visit website

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 25 and 142.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
25 mi into trip | ~27m in

Take the exit toward US 281: Hamilton, Lampasas

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

Toward US 281: Hamilton, Lampasas
6
25.1 mi into trip | ~27m in

Keep slight left at fork toward US 281 North: Hamilton

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward US 281 North: Hamilton
5
61.9 mi into trip | ~1h 11m in | TX 6 / West 2nd Street

At end of road, turn right onto TX 6 / West 2nd Street

Navigation decision point

8
141.4 mi into trip | ~2h 47m in | US 377

Take the exit onto US 377 toward I 35W, I 35W Express Toll North, US 377 North: Waco, Denton

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 15A Toward I 35W, I 35W Express Toll North, US 377...
8
142.2 mi into trip | ~2h 48m in | US 287 Bus

Take the exit onto US 287 Bus toward US 287 Business: Rosedale Street, Allen Avenue

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 49B Toward US 287 Business: Rosedale Street, Allen...

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$21.62 one way

$43.25 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 50 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.20 $23.67 $47.34
premium $4.54 $25.55 $51.10
diesel $5.61 $31.59 $63.19

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$22

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$47–$72

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 50.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 42.9 0 $15.03 $6.87
Efficient EV 35.8 0 $12.52 $5.72
EV Truck/SUV 57.2 0 $20.03 $9.16

Gas CO2

50 kg

EV CO2

17 kg (66% 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

Goldthwaite, TX

Evening in Goldthwaite on Sunday

Local time

5:18 PM

CDT

Current temp

58°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Fort Worth, TX

Evening in Fort Worth on Sunday

Local time

5:18 PM

CDT

Current temp

62°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

4 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

2h 50m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a highway-focused journey for 79% of this route. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 33.9 miles on North US Highway 281, offering a good opportunity to settle in. While largely a highway drive, the transition onto and off of major arteries like US 84 and the Chisholm Trail Parkway will provide some variation. The character remains consistent, emphasizing efficient travel over winding scenic byways. You'll likely find the drive to be direct and purpose-driven, with limited complex road changes.

79% 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: 33.9 mi on North US Highway 281.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on North US Highway 281 and Chisholm Trail Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 25 miles in.

Driving Effort 8/10

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 143.1 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 25 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 25.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 61.9 miles (TX 6 / West 2nd Street): Navigation decision point.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

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

Between Goldthwaite, TX and Fort Worth, TX, road signs point toward Lampasas and County Road 1216.

Lampasas

25 mi in | ~27m

County Road 1216

111.9 mi in | ~2h 13m

About the Cities

Arriving in Fort Worth, TX

Full guide →

“Panther city” · Founded 1849

Fort Worth is a city in the Prairies and Lakes region of Texas. With a population of approximately 1,020,000, it is Texas' 5th largest city. It is part of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, which has a population exceeding 6 million. Sometimes referred to as Cowtown, it is by far closer to its cowboy roots than neighboring Dallas. This article also covers North Richland Hills, a neighboring community.

Top landmarks

  • • Amon Carter Museum of American Art — art museum in Fort Worth, Texas
  • • Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth — art museum
  • • St. Patrick Cathedral in Fort Worth — church located in Fort Worth, 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 2h 50m. Total distance: 143.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (79%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 33.9 miles on North US Highway 281. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

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 Fort Worth, 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 25 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 25.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 61.9 miles (TX 6 / West 2nd Street): Navigation decision point.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Fort Worth, TX before heading back.

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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