Lopezville to Fort Worth is 483.2 miles and takes about 8h 49m via I 69C, Purple Heart Trail, and Pickle Parkway, with a fuel budget near $70 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily traverses the Great Plains, moving from one part of Texas to another. With a highway share of 67%, much of this trip will be on major roadways, offering a straightforward path. This route is recommended for 2 days, suggesting you might want to break up the nearly 9-hour drive to make the most of your travel time.
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
241.6 miles from Lopezville, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 37m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 69C
144.5 mi
2h 38m
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
— 144.5 mi, about 2h 38m
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
12a6anoon6p11p
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 Lopezville, TX and Fort Worth, TX.
1
Start on East Minnesota Road
23 ft·2 sec·East Minnesota Road
2
Turn right onto North Veterans Boulevard
0.5 mi·54 sec·North Veterans Boulevard
3
Continue on South I Road
1.5 mi·2 min·South I Road
4
Turn left onto East Wisconsin Road
0.2 mi·30 sec·East Wisconsin Road
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward I 69C North, US 281 North
6
Merge onto I 69C; US 281
74 mi·1 hr 18 min·I 69C; US 281
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 69C; US 281
70 mi·1 hr 19 min·I 69C; US 281
8
Keep slight left at fork onto US 281
11 mi·14 min·Nueces Street
9
Turn right onto TX 72
32 mi·39 min·King David Drive
10
Continue on TX 72; TX 239
0.8 mi·1 min·West Main Street
11
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 72; TX 239
233 ft·3 sec·East Main Street
12
Continue on FM 792
8.4 mi·10 min·Helena Road
13
Turn straight onto TX 80
24 mi·25 min·State Highway 80
14
Continue on TX 80
1.0 mi·2 min·South Nixon Avenue
15
Continue on TX 80; TX 97
31 mi·35 min·State Highway 80 North
16
Continue on US 183
10 mi·11 min·US 183
17
Continue on US 183
4.9 mi·8 min·South Colorado Street
18
Continue on US 183
0.2 mi·16 sec·United States Highway 183
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·35 sec
Toward TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco
20
Merge onto TX 130 Toll
59 mi·54 min·Pickle Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·49 sec
Toward I 35 North: WacoUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
22
Merge onto I 35
65 mi·1 hr 6 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on I 35
6.6 mi·7 min·South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Continue on I 35; US 77
33 mi·33 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W
49 mi·51 min·I 35W
Toward I 35W: Fort WorthUse the slight left lane.
26
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Exit 49AToward Allen AvenueUse the slight right lane.
27
Turn straight onto South Freeway
0.1 mi·18 sec·South Freeway
28
Turn left onto East Allen Avenue
210 ft·12 sec·East Allen Avenue
29
Turn left onto South Freeway
258 ft·5 sec·South Freeway
30
Arrive at destination
South Freeway
Trip Plan
Given the nearly 9-hour drive time, splitting this trip over 2 days is a wise choice. Plan to depart early in the morning to maximize your daylight hours, especially if you decide to tackle it in one go. With 2 recommended stops, consider breaking the drive roughly in half, perhaps after about 4.5 hours. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $70 budget is an estimate, and prices can fluctuate. A good point to consider stopping for the night would be around the halfway mark of the 483.2-mile journey.
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 241.6 miles from Lopezville, TX, or about 4h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 144.5 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 106 miles or 1h 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 241.6 miles or 4h 37m 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 241.6 miles or 4h 37m
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 46m
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 Lopezville, 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 Lopezville, 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 106 miles from Lopezville, 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 144.5 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.2 and 482.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
2.2 mi into trip|~4m 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
269.8 mi into trip|~5h 13m 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
328.8 mi into trip|~6h 8m 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
433.5 mi into trip|~7h 56m 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
482.7 mi into trip|~8h 48m 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
$66.18 one way
$132.37 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg169 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$73.93
$147.85
premium
$4.23
$80.37
$160.75
diesel
$4.80
$91.24
$182.47
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: 169.1 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
1
$50.74
$23.19
Efficient EV
120.8
1
$42.28
$19.33
EV Truck/SUV
193.3
2
$67.65
$30.92
Gas CO2
169 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.
Forecast as of Jul 16, 2026
Origin
Lopezville, TX
Evening
in Lopezville on Monday
Local time
7:16 PM
CDT
Current temp
97°F
Partly Sunny
SE 17 mph1% chanceLive 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
7:16 PM
CDT
Current temp
89°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 10 mph45% chanceLive 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
8 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 49m 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 399.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route has a highway share of 67%, meaning you'll spend a significant portion of your time on major freeways. The longest stretch without a significant road change is 144.5 miles on I 69C. Expect to encounter stretches of rural cruising interspersed with more developed areas as you get closer to Fort Worth. The transition from highway driving to surface streets will become noticeable as you approach your destination.
67% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 144.5 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 2.2 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 16 significant decision points across 483.2 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 2.2 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 269.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 328.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
716 ft77 ft
Total Climb
664 ft
Total Descent
114 ft
Highest Point
716 ft
~345.1 mi in
Elevation Range
639 ft
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 Lopezville, TX to Fort Worth, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Waco along the way.
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
The longest stretch is about 144.5 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.
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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.2 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 269.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 328.8 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 8.8 hours each way, a round trip means 17.6 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.
