Hill County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Helotes, TX to Fort Worth, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 54m
Distance
273.8 mi
441 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$38
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 41m
★
6 AM
4h 54m
8 AM
5h 21m
10 AM
5h 4m
12 PM
5h 1m
3 PM
5h 5m
5 PM
5h 20m
8 PM
4h 46m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Helotes, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Fort Worth, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Helotes to Fort Worth is 273.8 miles and takes about 4h 54m via Purple Heart Trail and I 35W, with a fuel budget near $40 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Texas, traversing the Great Plains region for its entirety. Expect a drive that largely utilizes surface roads, offering a more local feel compared to a pure interstate experience. With a single recommended day, this route is very manageable for a straightforward drive.
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
136.9 miles from Helotes, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 30m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Purple Heart Trail | 188.3 mi | 3h 18m |
| I 35W | 49.2 mi | 51m |
| Anderson Loop | 20.3 mi | 21m |
| South Jack Kultgen Expressway | 6.6 mi | 7m |
| FM 1560 North | 2 mi | 3m |
| Interstate Highway 35 | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| North Pan Am Expressway | 1.6 mi | 1m |
| Bandera Road | 1.4 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Purple Heart Trail
— 188.3 mi, about 3h 18m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 108 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~3,524 veh/hr typical · worst 4,208
Quietest
2 AM
~595 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Helotes, TX and Fort Worth, TX.
1
Start on TX 16
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Bandera Road
2
Turn slight left
0.1 mi
·
29 sec
3
Continue on FM 1560
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
FM 1560 North
Use the left lane.
4
Continue on West Hausman Road
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
West Hausman Road
5
Turn left onto North Loop 1604 West
0.3 mi
·
29 sec
·
North Loop 1604 West
Use the left lane.
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
7
Merge onto Loop 1604
20 mi
·
21 min
·
Anderson Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
Toward I 35: San Antonio, Austin
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
Toward I 35 North, I 35 South: Austin, San Antonio
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 35 North: Austin
Use the slight left lane.
11
Merge onto I 35
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North Pan Am Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 35
12 mi
·
12 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 35
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Interstate Highway 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 35
48 mi
·
52 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35; US 290
96 mi
·
1 hr 40 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on I 35
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on I 35; US 77
33 mi
·
33 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W
49 mi
·
51 min
·
I 35W
Toward I 35W: Fort Worth
Use the slight left lane.
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 49A
Toward Allen Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
20
Turn straight onto South Freeway
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
South Freeway
21
Turn left onto East Allen Avenue
210 ft
·
12 sec
·
East Allen Avenue
22
Turn left onto South Freeway
258 ft
·
5 sec
·
South Freeway
23
Arrive at destination
South Freeway
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 273.8-mile drive, consider departing in the morning to allow ample time for the 4h 54m estimated travel time. With only one recommended day and a $40 fuel estimate, you have flexibility. Plan for your single stop to be around the halfway point, or adjust based on your comfort level. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as surface road driving can sometimes be less predictable for fuel availability than major interstates. The 188.3-mile stretch on Purple Heart Trail means you'll be on local roads for a considerable duration, so factor that into your 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 136.9 miles from Helotes, TX, or about 2h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 188.3 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 60 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 136.9 miles or 2h 30m 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 1m
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 Helotes, 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 Helotes, TX
This is one driving day of about 273.8 miles and 4h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 miles from Helotes, 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 Purple Heart Trail for about 188.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
137 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 60 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 136.9 miles from Helotes, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Purple Heart Trail if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 188.3 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.
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Hill County Southbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Ascent Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Bell County Northbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Bell County Southbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Walburg Travel Center & Food Court
0.2 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Marlstone Retail Center
0.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.5 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.5 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.5 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.6 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.6 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.6 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.6 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.6 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.6 mi from route
Cultural Activities Center
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Halfway reset
0.2 mi from route
~1 min detour
Temple, Texas
Hours: 8:30 am–4 pm
+12547739926
Visit websiteChildren's Park
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, right off the route
Early stretch
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
San Marcos, Texas
Hours: 6 am–11 pm
+15123938400
Visit websiteCalaboose African American History Museum
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
1.2 mi from route
~3 min detour
San Marcos, Texas
Hours: 10 am–2 pm
+15123938421
Visit websiteThe Sophienburg Museum & Archives
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
First break
1.5 mi from route
~4 min detour
New Braunfels, Texas
Hours: 10 am–4 pm
+18306291572
Visit websiteVillage of Salado Visitors Center
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Halfway reset
1 mi from route
~2 min detour
Salado, Texas
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+12549478634
Visit websitePioneer Farms
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Early stretch
2.1 mi from route
~5 min detour
Austin, Texas
Hours: 10 am–2 pm
+15128371215
Visit websiteHelotes Hill Country Zip Lines
5.0
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
2.5 mi from route
~6 min detour
Helotes, Texas
Hours: 8 am–7:30 pm
+12106958783
Visit websiteForest Park Miniature Railroad
4.4
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2.2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Fort Worth, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+18179665509
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 125 decision points cluster between mile 3.6 and 273.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
3.6 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
North Loop 1604 West
Turn left onto North Loop 1604 West
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
24.4 mi into trip
|
~28m in
Take the exit toward I 35: San Antonio, Austin
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 I 35: San Antonio, Austin
7
24.8 mi into trip
|
~29m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35 North: Austin
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 35 North: Austin
7
224.1 mi into trip
|
~4h 1m in
|
I 35W
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W toward I 35W: Fort Worth
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 35W: Fort Worth
7
273.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 53m 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
$37.50 one way
$75.00 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
96 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $41.89 | $83.78 |
| premium | $4.23 | $45.54 | $91.09 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $51.70 | $103.40 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 95.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 82.1 | 1 | $28.75 | $13.14 |
| Efficient EV | 68.5 | 0 | $23.96 | $10.95 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 109.5 | 1 | $38.33 | $17.52 |
Gas CO2
96 kg
EV CO2
32 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.
Origin
Helotes, TX
Late night in Helotes on Tuesday
Local time
4:20 AM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SSE 10 mph
55% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 2:46PM CDT by NWS Fort Worth TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 2:39PM CDT until July 16 at 5:45PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Destination
Fort Worth, TX
Late night in Fort Worth on Tuesday
Local time
4:20 AM
CDT
Current temp
89°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 10 mph
45% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 2:46PM CDT by NWS Fort Worth TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 2:39PM CDT until July 16 at 5:45PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa 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
5 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
4h 54m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Waco Mammoth National Monument
National Monument
Standing as tall as 14 feet and weighing 20,000 pounds, Columbian mammoths roamed across what is present-day Texas thousands of years ago. Today, the fossil specimens represent the nation's first and...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 188.8
View on nps.gov
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Welcome to San Antonio Missions, a National Park Service site and the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Texas. Each mission in the park is a center of community and has been since the early 1700s. Th...
20 mi from route
~50 min detour
Free
near mile 18.9
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly surface roads, with only 22% of the route on highways. You'll experience a significant stretch of 188.3 miles on Purple Heart Trail before reaching I 35W. The transition from surface streets to the interstate will involve merging with faster traffic. Expect numerous exits and potential slowdowns as you navigate through populated areas on the non-highway portions.
Only 22% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 188.3 mi on Purple Heart Trail.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 3.6 miles in near North Loop 1604 West.
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 12 significant decision points across 273.8 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 3.6 miles (North Loop 1604 West): Lane positioning matters here; at 24.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 24.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,038 ft
509 ft
Total Climb
531 ft
Total Descent
916 ft
Highest Point
1,038 ft
Elevation Range
529 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Helotes, TX and Fort Worth, TX, road signs point toward Austin and San Antonio.
Austin
24.4 mi in
|
~28m
San Antonio
24.7 mi in
|
~29m
About the Cities
Starting in Helotes, TX
Full guide →Founded 1880
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 4h 54m. Total distance: 273.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 188.3 miles on Purple Heart Trail. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 38 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 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. There are 38 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.6 miles (North Loop 1604 West): Lane positioning matters here; at 24.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 24.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument and San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Fort Worth, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.
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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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