Hill County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Magnolia, TX to Fort Worth, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 6, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 55m
Distance
218.9 mi
352 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$32
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 43m
★
6 AM
3h 56m
8 AM
4h 21m
10 AM
4h 5m
12 PM
4h 2m
3 PM
4h 6m
5 PM
4h 20m
8 PM
3h 48m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Magnolia, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Fort Worth, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Magnolia, TX to Fort Worth, TX is 218.9 miles and takes about 3 hours 55 minutes via TX 6 and I-35W, with a fuel budget near $33 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive is a straightforward, highway-focused trip that keeps you within the Great Plains region for its entirety, as you stay within Texas. Given its relatively short duration and focus on major roadways, it’s a practical choice for a single-day journey. You’ll experience a consistent driving environment for most of the trip, making it easy to plan your timing.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
109.4 miles from Magnolia, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 59m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| TX 6 | 50 mi | 53m |
| I 35W | 49.2 mi | 51m |
| North State Highway 6 | 43.3 mi | 43m |
| Purple Heart Trail | 31.5 mi | 31m |
| Aggie Expressway | 15.5 mi | 17m |
| East State Highway 6 | 9.1 mi | 9m |
| State Highway 105 | 5.8 mi | 6m |
| East Loop 340 | 4.9 mi | 6m |
Longest stretch:
TX 6
— 50 mi, about 53m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 28 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~2,789 veh/hr typical · worst 3,569
Quietest
2 AM
~423 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 96 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 Magnolia, TX and Fort Worth, TX.
1
Start on FM 1774
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Farm to Market Road 1774
2
Turn right onto FM 1486
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
South Farm to Market Road 1486
3
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
4
Merge onto TX 249 Toll
15 mi
·
17 min
·
Aggie Expressway
5
Continue on TX 105
5.8 mi
·
6 min
·
State Highway 105
6
Turn right onto TX 105
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
State Highway 6
7
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
8
Merge onto TX 6
50 mi
·
53 min
·
TX 6
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 6
5.8 mi
·
5 min
·
North State Highway 6
10
Continue on TX 6
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
South Main Street
11
Continue on TX 6
37 mi
·
37 min
·
North State Highway 6
12
Continue on TX 6
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
South Memorial Street
13
Continue on TX 6
9.1 mi
·
9 min
·
East State Highway 6
14
Take the exit onto TX 6
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
TX 6
15
Turn right onto Loop 340
4.9 mi
·
6 min
·
East Loop 340
16
Take the exit
354 ft
·
10 sec
17
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
23 sec
Toward I 35 North
18
Merge onto I 35; US 77
31 mi
·
31 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W
49 mi
·
51 min
·
I 35W
Toward I 35W: Fort Worth
Use the slight left lane.
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 49A
Toward Allen Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
21
Turn straight onto South Freeway
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
South Freeway
22
Turn left onto East Allen Avenue
210 ft
·
12 sec
·
East Allen Avenue
23
Turn left onto South Freeway
258 ft
·
5 sec
·
South Freeway
24
Arrive at destination
South Freeway
Trip Plan
For this approximately 4-hour drive, leaving in the morning will give you plenty of flexibility. With only one recommended stop, you can decide to push through or take a break as needed. Watch for the transition onto I-35W as it’s a significant change in traffic flow and speed. Given the $33 fuel cost estimate, ensure your tank is full before departing Magnolia, TX, as refueling options are most convenient on the main highways. This is a manageable one-day trip, so you can easily adjust your departure time based on your morning.
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 109.4 miles from Magnolia, TX, or about 1h 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 50 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 48 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 109.4 miles or 1h 59m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 13m
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 Magnolia, 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 Magnolia, TX
This is one driving day of about 218.9 miles and 3h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 miles from Magnolia, 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 TX 6 for about 50 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
109 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 48 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 109.4 miles from Magnolia, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Hill County Southbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
TA
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 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 websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 165 decision points cluster between mile 25.6 and 218.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
25.6 mi into trip
|
~31m in
|
TX 6
Merge onto TX 6
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
137.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 31m in
|
I 35; US 77 / Purple Heart Trail
Merge onto I 35; US 77 / Purple Heart Trail
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
169.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 2m 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
218.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 54m 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
5
218.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 55m in
|
East Allen Avenue
Turn left onto East Allen Avenue
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.76 one way
$63.52 round trip
$3.69/gal
25.4 MPG avg
77 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.08 | $35.19 | $70.38 |
| premium | $4.43 | $38.20 | $76.39 |
| diesel | $5.60 | $48.25 | $96.51 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 76.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 65.7 | 0 | $22.98 | $10.51 |
| Efficient EV | 54.7 | 0 | $19.15 | $8.76 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 87.6 | 1 | $30.65 | $14.01 |
Gas CO2
77 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Magnolia, TX
Night in Magnolia on Saturday
Local time
11:03 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Partly Cloudy
S 0 to 5 mph
13% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued September 4 at 9:50PM CDT until September 5 at 12:45AM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued September 4 at 9:38PM CDT until September 5 at 12:46PM CDT by NWS Houston/Galveston TX
Destination
Fort Worth, TX
Night in Fort Worth on Saturday
Local time
11:03 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Mostly Clear
S 0 to 10 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued September 4 at 9:50PM CDT until September 5 at 12:45AM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued September 4 at 9:38PM CDT until September 5 at 12:46PM CDT by NWS Houston/Galveston TX
73°F
Groesbeck, TX
109 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
3 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
3h 55m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 135.8
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 79% of the journey on major roadways. You'll experience stretches of consistent speed, including a longest uninterrupted stretch of 50 miles on TX 6. Expect a driving experience characterized by efficient travel on well-maintained highways, rather than winding scenic byways. The transition between roads like TX 6 and I-35W is designed for smooth continuation, minimizing disruptions to your progress.
79% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 50 mi on TX 6.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on TX 6 and I 35W. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 25.6 miles in near TX 6.
Driving Effort
7/10
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 218.9 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 25.6 miles (TX 6): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 137.7 miles (I 35; US 77 / Purple Heart Trail): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 169.2 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
724 ft
243 ft
Total Climb
560 ft
Total Descent
176 ft
Highest Point
724 ft
~203.2 mi in
Elevation Range
481 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Magnolia, TX
Full guide →Founded 1968
Magnolia is a city in the North Barrier Coast of Texas.
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 3h 55m. Total distance: 218.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (79%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 50 miles on TX 6. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 10 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 10 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 25.6 miles (TX 6): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 137.7 miles (I 35; US 77 / Purple Heart Trail): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 169.2 miles (I 35W): 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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.9 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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Fort Worth, TX
More trips to Fort Worth, TX
Explore more options from Magnolia, TX or browse trips ending in Fort Worth, TX.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TX road trips.