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
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: WacoUse 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: DallasUse the slight right lane.
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi·41 sec
Exit 427AToward I 30 East: Texarkana, Riverfront Boulevard, Griffin StreetUse 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: TexarkanaUse 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 14
5 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
$53.37 one way
$106.74 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg124 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$58.42
$116.83
premium
$4.54
$63.06
$126.12
diesel
$5.61
$77.98
$155.96
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$53
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$78–$103
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, 2026-04-13.
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
$30.90
$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.
Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Lakeway, TX
Late night
in Lakeway on Tuesday
Local time
3:20 AM
CDT
Current temp
87°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Garland, TX
Late night
in Garland on Tuesday
Local time
3:20 AM
CDT
Current temp
81°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
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
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
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
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 Effort8/10
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
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.
