Hill County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Lakeway, TX to Garland, 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
6h 27m
Distance
353.2 mi
568 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$48
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 16m
★
6 AM
6h 28m
8 AM
6h 53m
10 AM
6h 37m
12 PM
6h 34m
3 PM
6h 38m
5 PM
6h 51m
8 PM
6h 21m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lakeway, TX
Danny Meneses
Garland, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are planning to travel from Lakeway to Garland, prepare for a 354.4-mile journey that typically takes about 5 hours and 27 minutes. Because this trip is entirely within the Great Plains region of Texas, you will experience consistent terrain throughout the drive. With an estimated fuel cost of $53, it is a manageable trip to complete in a single day. While the route involves navigating local roads rather than high-speed interstates, it remains a straightforward trek for those comfortable with turn-heavy driving. Budgeting for one stop will help keep you refreshed for the duration of the trip.
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
176.6 miles from Lakeway, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 13m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| East R L Thornton Freeway | 132.6 mi | 2h 17m |
| Purple Heart Trail | 113 mi | 1h 55m |
| I 35E | 56.2 mi | 58m |
| US Highway 259 North | 16.5 mi | 24m |
| Ranch Road 620 South | 14.6 mi | 21m |
| State Highway 45 North | 7.1 mi | 7m |
| South Jack Kultgen Expressway | 6.6 mi | 7m |
| FM 1701 | 2.1 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
East R L Thornton Freeway
— 132.6 mi, about 2h 17m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 60 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~4,041 veh/hr typical · worst 4,779
Quietest
2 AM
~585 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 51 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 Lakeway, TX and Garland, TX.
1
Start on this road
112 ft
·
13 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto Lohmans Crossing Road
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Lohmans Crossing Road
3
Turn left onto Lakeway Boulevard
1.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Lakeway Boulevard
4
Turn left onto RM 620
15 mi
·
21 min
·
Ranch Road 620 South
Use the left lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward TX 45 Toll East
6
Continue on TX 45 Toll
7.1 mi
·
7 min
·
State Highway 45 North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
1.3 mi
·
2 min
Toward I 35 North: Waco
Use the slight right lane.
8
Merge onto I 35
80 mi
·
1 hr 22 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 35
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 35; US 77
33 mi
·
33 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E
56 mi
·
58 min
·
I 35E
Toward I 35E: Dallas
Use the slight right lane.
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
Exit 427A
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Riverfront Boulevard, Griffin Street
Use the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork
422 ft
·
5 sec
Toward I 35E North, I 30 West: Denton, Fort Worth, Texarkana
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
32 sec
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Convention Center
15
Keep slight left at fork
385 ft
·
6 sec
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana
16
Continue on I 30; US 67
7.5 mi
·
9 min
·
East R L Thornton Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 30; US 67
125 mi
·
2 hr 8 min
·
East R L Thornton Freeway
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
Toward US 259: De Kalb, Daingerfield
19
Turn left onto US 259
17 mi
·
24 min
·
US Highway 259 North
20
Turn left onto FM 1701
2.1 mi
·
4 min
·
FM 1701
21
Arrive at destination
FM 1701
Trip Plan
Since this is a turn-heavy local drive, aim to depart early in the day to avoid fatigue while navigating the more complex road sections. You have the advantage of total flexibility, but since the trip spans over 350 miles, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refuel. Keep that $53 fuel budget in mind when planning your stops to ensure you have enough coverage for the entire distance. Given the turn-intensive nature of the route, prioritize staying alert and keeping your navigation tools updated to handle the frequent transitions between local roads.
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 176.6 miles from Lakeway, TX, or about 3h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 132.6 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 78 miles or 1h 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 176.6 miles or 3h 13m 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 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Garland, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Lakeway, 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 Lakeway, TX
This is one driving day of about 353.2 miles and 6h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 78 miles from Lakeway, 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 East R L Thornton Freeway for about 132.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
177 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 78 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 176.6 miles from Lakeway, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before East R L Thornton Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 132.6 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.
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
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
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
Bell County Northbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Hopkins County Westbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Hopkins County Eastbound 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
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
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
Love's Travel Stop
0.9 mi from route
Rest Area
1 mi from route
Rest Area
1.1 mi from route
Rest Area
1.1 mi from route
Rest Area
1.1 mi from route
Rest Area
1.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
2.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
2.5 mi from route
City Park
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Dallas, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+19724823055
Visit websiteCultural Activities Center
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
1.3 mi from route
~3 min detour
Temple, Texas
Hours: 8:30 am–4 pm
+12547739926
Visit websiteShenaniganz Entertainment Center
4.4
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Around the midpoint, short detour
Final third
1.5 mi from route
~4 min detour
Rockwall, Texas
Hours: 12–11 pm
+19727221133
Visit websiteNTER - The Great Escape
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
1.5 mi from route
~4 min detour
Waxahachie, Texas
Hours: 5–9 pm
+12149801053
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 145 decision points cluster between mile 23.6 and 209.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
23.6 mi into trip
|
~34m in
Take the exit toward I 35 North: Waco
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 35 North: Waco
7
144.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 40m in
|
I 35E
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E toward I 35E: Dallas
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 35E: Dallas
8
200.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 38m in
Take the exit toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Riverfront Boulevard, Griffin Street
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 427A
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Riverfront Bouleva...
6
201.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 39m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35E North, I 30 West: Denton, Fort Worth, Texarkana
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 35E North, I 30 West: Denton, Fort Wor...
7
209.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 49m in
|
I 30; US 67 / East R L Thornton Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 30; US 67 / East R L Thornton Freeway toward I 30 East: Texarkana
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$48.38 one way
$96.75 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
124 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $54.04 | $108.07 |
| premium | $4.23 | $58.75 | $117.50 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $66.69 | $133.38 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$48
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 123.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 106 | 1 | $37.09 | $16.95 |
| Efficient EV | 88.3 | 1 | $30.91 | $14.13 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 141.3 | 1 | $49.45 | $22.60 |
Gas CO2
124 kg
EV CO2
41 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
Lakeway, TX
Evening in Lakeway on Monday
Local time
7:04 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Mostly Cloudy
SSE 5 mph
6% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 5:03AM CDT until July 17 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 5:02AM CDT until July 17 at 6:45AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Destination
Garland, TX
Evening in Garland on Monday
Local time
7:04 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 0 to 5 mph
4% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 5:03AM CDT until July 17 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 5:02AM CDT until July 17 at 6:45AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
100°F
Italy, TX
177 mi in
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
6h 27m 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.
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 109.6
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a unique experience behind the wheel, as this route features a 0% highway share, meaning you will avoid the typical monotony of interstate driving. The character of the road is defined by its turn-heavy local nature, requiring your full attention as you navigate through segments like Lohmans Crossing Road, Lakeway Boulevard, and Ranch Road 620 South. Because there are no long, uninterrupted stretches—with the longest segment on Lohmans Crossing Road being effectively non-existent—you will find yourself frequently transitioning between turns. This is a technical, hands-on drive that demands engagement rather than a cruise-control approach.
63% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 132.6 mi on East R L Thornton Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on East R L Thornton Freeway and Purple Heart Trail. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 23.6 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 14 significant decision points across 353.2 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 23.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 144.6 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 200.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
870 ft
296 ft
Total Climb
611 ft
Total Descent
981 ft
Highest Point
870 ft
~50.5 mi in
Elevation Range
574 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 Lakeway, TX and Garland, TX, road signs point toward Fort Worth, Texarkana, Convention Center and Daingerfield.
Fort Worth
201.1 mi in
|
~3h 39m
Texarkana
201.1 mi in
|
~3h 39m
Convention Center
201.2 mi in
|
~3h 39m
Daingerfield
334.3 mi in
|
~5h 57m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
The Well Coffee Lounge
Cafe
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Visit website
Sweet Face Sugar Shop & Bakery
Cafe
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Royse City, TX
Hours: Tu-Sa 11:00-20:00
Slow and Steady Coffee
Cafe
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
2.5 mi from route
~6 min detour
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Hours: Mo-Fr 06:30-15:00; Sa 07:00-15:00; Su 08...
Visit website(36) Cafe Homestead / Seminars
Cafe
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
3.1 mi from route
~8 min detour
(24) Brazos Valley Cheese;Brazos valley cheese
Cafe
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
3.2 mi from route
~8 min detour
Dairy Queen
Fast_food
Early in the drive, right off the route
Early stretch
0.1 mi from route
Cuisine: ice_cream;burger
McDonald's
Fast_food
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Halfway reset
0.7 mi from route
~2 min detour
Dallas, TX
Cuisine: burger
Hours: 07:00-20:00
Visit websitePizza Hut
Restaurant
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Halfway reset
0.7 mi from route
~2 min detour
Dallas, TX
Cuisine: pizza
Visit websiteWendy's
Fast_food
Early in the drive, right off the route
Early stretch
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
Temple, TX
Cuisine: burger
Hours: Mo-Th 06:00-01:00, Fr-Sa 06:00-02:00, Su...
Visit websiteSubway
Fast_food
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Halfway reset
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
Dallas, TX
Cuisine: sandwich
Hours: Mo-Sa 08:30-22:00; Su 08:30-21:30
Visit websiteWingstop
Restaurant
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Halfway reset
0.7 mi from route
~2 min detour
Cuisine: wings
Royse City Calaboose
Attraction
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
1.9 mi from route
~5 min detour
Visit website
Royce City Courtyard
Attraction
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Bankhead Highway in Collin County
Memorial
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
1.1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Lisbon Cemetery
Memorial
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
1.6 mi from route
~4 min detour
Cultural Activities Center
Memorial
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
1.7 mi from route
~4 min detour
Royse City's First United Methodist Church Building
Memorial
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
1.8 mi from route
~4 min detour
First United Methodist Church of Royse City
Memorial
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
1.8 mi from route
~4 min detour
Royse City Calaboose
Memorial
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
1.9 mi from route
~5 min detour
Lucky's RV Park
Caravan_site
Early in the drive, right off the route
Early stretch
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Temple, TX
Points of interest from OpenStreetMap contributors. Listings may not reflect current hours or availability.
About the Cities
Starting in Lakeway, TX
Full guide →Lakeway is a city in the Hill Country region of Texas. It is just outside of Austin.
Arriving 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.
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 6h 27m. Total distance: 353.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 27m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 132.6 miles on East R L Thornton Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 41 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 Garland, 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 41 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 23.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 144.6 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 200.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.5 hours each way, a round trip means 12.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Garland, 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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