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Trip from La Blanca, 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
8h 52m
Distance
484.9 mi
780 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$66
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
8h 44m
★
6 AM
8h 52m
8 AM
9h 8m
10 AM
8h 58m
12 PM
8h 56m
3 PM
8h 59m
5 PM
9h 8m
8 PM
8h 48m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
La Blanca, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Fort Worth, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
La Blanca to Fort Worth is 484.9 miles and takes about 8h 52m via I 69C, Purple Heart Trail, and Pickle Parkway, with a fuel budget near $76 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Texas, beginning in the Great Plains region and ending in the same area. With a highway share of 67%, you'll spend most of your time on major roadways, making for a relatively straightforward trip. This drive is best suited for an overnight journey, allowing you to break up the nearly 9 hours of driving time comfortably.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
242.5 miles from La Blanca, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 39m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 69C | 141.7 mi | 2h 35m |
| Purple Heart Trail | 97.7 mi | 1h 39m |
| Pickle Parkway | 58.5 mi | 54m |
| I 35W | 49.2 mi | 51m |
| King David Drive | 31.8 mi | 39m |
| State Highway 80 North | 30.8 mi | 35m |
| State Highway 80 | 23.6 mi | 25m |
| Nueces Street | 11.1 mi | 14m |
Longest stretch:
I 69C
— 141.7 mi, about 2h 35m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 60 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~2,844 veh/hr typical · worst 3,686
Quietest
2 AM
~446 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.4×
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 La Blanca, TX and Fort Worth, TX.
1
Start on FM 493
45 ft
·
8 sec
·
La Blanca Road
2
Turn left onto TX 107
3.4 mi
·
5 min
·
TX 107
3
Turn right onto FM 2128
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Richardson Road
4
Continue on FM 2128
0.5 mi
·
40 sec
·
East Schunior Street
5
Continue on FM 2128
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
East Richardson Street
6
Continue on FM 2128
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
East Richardson Road
7
Turn right onto North Expressway 281
181 ft
·
3 sec
·
North Expressway 281
8
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Toward I 69C North, US 281 North
9
Merge onto I 69C; US 281
71 mi
·
1 hr 15 min
·
I 69C; US 281
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 69C; US 281
70 mi
·
1 hr 19 min
·
I 69C; US 281
11
Keep slight left at fork onto US 281
11 mi
·
14 min
·
Nueces Street
12
Turn right onto TX 72
32 mi
·
39 min
·
King David Drive
13
Continue on TX 72; TX 239
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
West Main Street
14
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 72; TX 239
233 ft
·
3 sec
·
East Main Street
15
Continue on FM 792
8.4 mi
·
10 min
·
Helena Road
16
Turn straight onto TX 80
24 mi
·
25 min
·
State Highway 80
17
Continue on TX 80
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
South Nixon Avenue
18
Continue on TX 80; TX 97
31 mi
·
35 min
·
State Highway 80 North
19
Continue on US 183
10 mi
·
11 min
·
US 183
20
Continue on US 183
4.9 mi
·
8 min
·
South Colorado Street
21
Continue on US 183
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
United States Highway 183
22
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
35 sec
Toward TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco
23
Merge onto TX 130 Toll
59 mi
·
54 min
·
Pickle Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
Toward I 35 North: Waco
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
25
Merge onto I 35
65 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Continue on I 35
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Continue on I 35; US 77
33 mi
·
33 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W
49 mi
·
51 min
·
I 35W
Toward I 35W: Fort Worth
Use the slight left lane.
29
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 49A
Toward Allen Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
30
Turn straight onto South Freeway
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
South Freeway
31
Turn left onto East Allen Avenue
210 ft
·
12 sec
·
East Allen Avenue
32
Turn left onto South Freeway
258 ft
·
5 sec
·
South Freeway
33
Arrive at destination
South Freeway
Trip Plan
Given the nearly 9-hour drive time, splitting this trip over two days is highly recommended for a more relaxed experience. Aim to depart early in the morning to maximize daylight, especially if you plan to drive straight through. Allocate about 4.5 hours of driving for each day, allowing for meals and stretching. Pay close attention to your fuel levels, as the longest stretch without exits is over 140 miles on I 69C. Plan your refueling stops accordingly to avoid any issues.
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.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 242.5 miles from La Blanca, TX, or about 4h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 141.7 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 107 miles or 1h 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 242.5 miles or 4h 39m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 242.5 miles or 4h 39m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 7h 49m
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 La Blanca, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from La Blanca, TX
Aim for roughly 242 miles and 4.4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Fort Worth, TX
Aim for roughly 242 miles and 4.4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 107 miles from La Blanca, TX.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 69C for about 141.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Overnight candidate
242 mi into the route
Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start
This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.
Find hotels in San Antonio, TXOvernight Options
Night 1
242 mi · about 4.4h in
A practical overnight split lands near San Antonio, TX after about 242 miles or 4.4 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 107 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 242.5 miles from La Blanca, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 69C if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 141.7 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 242 miles or 4.4 hours on the road.
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.
Hill County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Rest Area
0 mi from route
Brooks County Rest Area
0 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
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
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
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
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Circle K
0.1 mi from route
Ascent Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Bell County Northbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
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
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Forest 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 websiteVillage of Salado Visitors Center
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
2.7 mi from route
~7 min detour
Salado, Texas
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+12549478634
Visit websiteFort Worth Herd
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, ~12 min detour
Home stretch
4.7 mi from route
~12 min detour
Fort Worth, Texas
Hours: 11:30 am–4 pm
+18173364373
Visit websiteSouth Texas Motorcycle Museum
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, ~12 min detour
4.6 mi from route
~12 min detour
Edinburg, Texas
Hours: Closed
+19562920770
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 175 decision points cluster between mile 6.8 and 484.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
6.8 mi into trip
|
~10m in
Take the ramp toward I 69C North, US 281 North
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 69C North, US 281 North
6
271.6 mi into trip
|
~5h 16m in
Keep slight left at fork toward TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco
7
330.6 mi into trip
|
~6h 11m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35 North: Waco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35 North: Waco
7
435.3 mi into trip
|
~7h 59m 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
484.5 mi into trip
|
~8h 51m 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
$66.42 one way
$132.83 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
170 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $74.19 | $148.37 |
| premium | $4.23 | $80.66 | $161.32 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $91.56 | $183.12 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$66
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$196–$306
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 169.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $51 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 145.5 | 1 | $50.91 | $23.28 |
| Efficient EV | 121.2 | 1 | $42.43 | $19.40 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 194 | 2 | $67.89 | $31.03 |
Gas CO2
170 kg
EV CO2
57 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.
Origin
La Blanca, TX
Evening in La Blanca on Monday
Local time
7:08 PM
CDT
Current temp
95°F
Mostly Sunny
SE 17 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 16 at 6:07PM CDT until July 16 at 6:45PM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 6:07PM CDT by NWS Fort Worth TX
Destination
Fort Worth, TX
Evening in Fort Worth on Monday
Local time
7:08 PM
CDT
Current temp
89°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 10 mph
45% chance
Live forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 16 at 6:07PM CDT until July 16 at 6:45PM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 6:07PM CDT by NWS Fort Worth 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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
6 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
8h 52m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
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...
4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 401.3
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
With 67% of this 484.9-mile route on highways, you'll experience mostly high-speed cruising. Your longest uninterrupted stretch will be 141.7 miles on I 69C. The remaining portion will transition to surface roads, likely with more frequent intersections and lower speed limits as you approach your destination. Expect a steady progression with minimal changes in terrain.
67% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 141.7 mi on I 69C.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 69C and Purple Heart Trail. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 6.8 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 17 significant decision points across 484.9 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 6.8 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 271.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 330.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
736 ft
70 ft
Total Climb
727 ft
Total Descent
144 ft
Highest Point
736 ft
~346.4 mi in
Elevation Range
666 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.
On the drive from La Blanca, TX to Fort Worth, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Waco along the way.
Waco
271.6 mi in
|
~5h 16m
About the Cities
Starting in La Blanca, TX
Full guide →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).
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 141.7 miles on I 69C. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 242 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 32 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 32 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 6.8 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 271.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 330.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 8.9 hours each way, a round trip means 17.7 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.
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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