Groves, TX to Fort Worth, TX is 342.2 miles and takes about 6h 14m via I 45 and US 287, with a fuel budget near $52 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily stays within the Great Plains region, offering a straightforward highway-focused experience. It's a solid option if you're looking for an efficient way to cover ground between Southeast Texas and North Texas. Plan for a full day of driving, but it's definitely manageable without needing an overnight stay.
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
171.1 miles from Groves, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 11m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 45
173.6 mi
2h 57m
US 287
57.6 mi
1h 5m
US 90
39.6 mi
45m
East Grand Parkway North
32.5 mi
34m
Memorial Freeway
15.2 mi
16m
College Street
6.4 mi
8m
West Clayton Street
5.1 mi
6m
South Freeway
3.4 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 45
— 173.6 mi, about 2h 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Groves, TX and Fort Worth, TX.
1
Start on 39th Street
0.6 mi·1 min·39th Street
2
Turn slight right onto East Parkway Street
0.4 mi·44 sec·East Parkway Street
3
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·15 sec
Toward TX 73 West
4
Merge onto TX 73
1.7 mi·2 min·TX 73
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward US 69 South, US 96 South, US 287 South: Beaumont
6
Merge onto US 69; US 96; US 287
15 mi·16 min·Memorial Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto US 69; US 96; US 287
0.2 mi·22 sec·US 69; US 96; US 287
Toward I 10 East, US 69 North, US 96 North, US 287 North: Lake Charles, Lufkin
8
Keep slight left at fork onto US 69; US 96; US 287
1.0 mi·1 min·US 69; US 96; US 287
Toward I 10 East, US 69 North, US 96 North, US 287 North: Lake Charles, Lufkin
9
Take the exit
0.1 mi·17 sec
Exit 851Toward US 90: Liberty
10
Turn straight onto Interstate 10 South Frontage Road
0.2 mi·25 sec·Interstate 10 South Frontage Road
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
11
Turn left onto College Street
6.4 mi·8 min·College Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
12
Continue on US 90
40 mi·45 min·US 90
13
Turn right onto TX 321
0.2 mi·23 sec·North Cleveland Street
14
Turn left onto FM 1960
5.1 mi·6 min·West Clayton Street
15
Turn right onto East Grand Parkway North
0.1 mi·14 sec·East Grand Parkway North
16
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·35 sec
17
Merge onto TX 99 Toll
32 mi·34 min·East Grand Parkway North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·45 sec
Toward Houston, DallasUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Turn right onto Interstate 45 North Frontage Road
2.0 mi·3 min·Interstate 45 North Frontage Road
Use the right lane.
20
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·8 sec
Toward I 45 North
21
Merge onto I 45
174 mi·2 hr 57 min·I 45
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit onto US 287
58 mi·1 hr 5 min·US 287
Exit 247Toward US 287 North: Waxahachie, Fort WorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 437Toward I 35W South, I 35W North: Waco, DentonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·48 sec
Toward I 35W North: DentonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·14 sec
Toward I 35W North: Fort Worth
26
Merge onto I 35W
3.2 mi·3 min·South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Exit 49AToward Allen AvenueUse the slight right lane.
28
Turn straight onto South Freeway
0.1 mi·18 sec·South Freeway
29
Turn left onto East Allen Avenue
210 ft·12 sec·East Allen Avenue
30
Turn left onto South Freeway
258 ft·5 sec·South Freeway
31
Arrive at destination
South Freeway
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 14m estimated duration, starting your drive from Groves, TX early in the morning is recommended to maximize daylight. With only one recommended stop, you can choose a location that best suits your needs for a break or refueling. Keep an eye on fuel levels, especially during the longest stretch on I 45, as services can be spaced out. This 342.2-mile journey is well within the capability of a single day, allowing for flexibility in your departure time and stop planning.
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 171.1 miles from Groves, TX, or about 3h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 173.6 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 75 miles or 1h 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 171.1 miles or 3h 11m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 5m
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 Groves, 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 Groves, TX
This is one driving day of about 342.2 miles and 6h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 75 miles from Groves, 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 45 for about 173.6 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 26
5 decision points cluster between mile 104.1 and 341.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
104.1 mi into trip|~2h in
Take the exit toward Houston, Dallas
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 Houston, Dallas
8
280.1 mi into trip|~5h 3m in|US 287
Take the exit onto US 287 toward US 287 North: Waxahachie, Fort Worth
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 247
Toward US 287 North: Waxahachie, Fort Worth
8
337.7 mi into trip|~6h 8m in
Take the exit toward I 35W South, I 35W North: Waco, Denton
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 437
Toward I 35W South, I 35W North: Waco, Denton
7
337.9 mi into trip|~6h 9m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 35W North: Denton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35W North: Denton
7
341.7 mi into trip|~6h 13m in
Take the exit toward Allen Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 49A
Toward Allen Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$51.71 one way
$103.41 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg120 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$56.60
$113.20
premium
$4.54
$61.10
$122.20
diesel
$5.61
$75.55
$151.11
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$52
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$77–$102
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 119.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
102.7
1
$35.93
$16.43
Efficient EV
85.6
0
$29.94
$13.69
EV Truck/SUV
136.9
1
$47.91
$21.90
Gas CO2
120 kg
EV CO2
40 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 Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Groves, TX
Late night
in Groves on Tuesday
Local time
3:09 AM
CDT
Current temp
83°F
Sunny
S 10 to 15 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 17 at 7:31AM CDT until April 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 17 at 7:25AM CDT until April 18 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX
Destination
Fort Worth, TX
Late night
in Fort Worth on Tuesday
Local time
3:09 AM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 10 to 15 mph6% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 17 at 7:31AM CDT until April 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 17 at 7:25AM CDT until April 18 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Amarillo 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
6h 14m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway, with 96% of it on major roads like I 45 and US 287. You'll experience a consistent pace for the majority of the trip, with the longest uninterrupted stretch being 173.6 miles on I 45. While it's largely a highway-focused drive, be aware that you'll transition onto US 90 for a portion of the journey. Expect a practical, goal-oriented driving experience rather than one filled with frequent scenic detours.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 173.6 mi on I 45.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 45 and US 287. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 104.1 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 26 significant decision points across 342.2 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 104.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 280.1 miles (US 287): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 337.7 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 Groves, TX and Fort Worth, TX, road signs point toward Lufkin, Houston and Dallas.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 14m. Total distance: 342.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 14m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 173.6 miles on I 45. 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 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 104.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 280.1 miles (US 287): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 337.7 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 6.2 hours each way, a round trip means 12.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Fort Worth, TX before the return drive.
