Hill County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Marion, TX to Fort Worth, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 16, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 24m
Distance
260.4 mi
419 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$40
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 11m
★
6 AM
4h 24m
8 AM
4h 51m
10 AM
4h 34m
12 PM
4h 31m
3 PM
4h 35m
5 PM
4h 50m
8 PM
4h 16m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Marion, TX
Thomas balabaud
Fort Worth, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Marion, TX to Fort Worth, TX is 260.4 miles and takes about 4h 24m via Purple Heart Trail, Pickle Parkway, and I 35W, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Great Plains region, offering a straightforward drive across Texas. With a recommended single day for travel, it's a manageable distance for most drivers. Plan for a relatively direct route with a good portion on major highways. This route is best for those looking for an efficient way to get between these two Texas cities without extensive detours.
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
130.2 miles from Marion, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 9m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Purple Heart Trail | 97.7 mi | 1h 39m |
| Pickle Parkway | 86 mi | 1h 19m |
| I 35W | 49.2 mi | 51m |
| I 10 | 15 mi | 15m |
| South Jack Kultgen Expressway | 6.6 mi | 7m |
| Farm-to-Market Road 465 | 3.1 mi | 5m |
| South Center Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| South Freeway | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Purple Heart Trail
— 97.7 mi, about 1h 39m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 60 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~2,839 veh/hr typical · worst 3,735
Quietest
2 AM
~452 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 104 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 Marion, TX and Fort Worth, TX.
1
Start on FM 465
0.5 mi
·
55 sec
·
South Center Street
2
Continue on FM 465
3.1 mi
·
5 min
·
Farm-to-Market Road 465
3
Continue on FM 465
440 ft
·
8 sec
·
Linne Road
4
Turn slight right
0.1 mi
·
32 sec
5
At end of road, turn right onto West Interstate 10
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
West Interstate 10
6
Take the ramp
231 ft
·
5 sec
Toward I 10 East
7
Merge onto I 10; US 90; TX 130
4.1 mi
·
4 min
·
I 10; US 90; TX 130
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 10; TX 130
11 mi
·
10 min
·
I 10; TX 130
Toward I 10 East: Houston, Austin, Waco
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
1.0 mi
·
2 min
Exit 614
Toward TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on TX 130 Toll
86 mi
·
1 hr 19 min
·
Pickle Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
Toward I 35 North: Waco
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 35
65 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 35
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 35; US 77
33 mi
·
33 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W
49 mi
·
51 min
·
I 35W
Toward I 35W: Fort Worth
Use the slight left lane.
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 49A
Toward Allen Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
17
Turn straight onto South Freeway
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
South Freeway
18
Turn left onto East Allen Avenue
210 ft
·
12 sec
·
East Allen Avenue
19
Turn left onto South Freeway
258 ft
·
5 sec
·
South Freeway
20
Arrive at destination
South Freeway
Trip Plan
For this 4h 24m drive, leaving in the morning is ideal to maximize daylight. Since it's a single-day trip covering 260.4 miles, you can afford to be flexible with stops. You'll have one recommended stop, but feel free to take more breaks as needed, especially during the 97.7-mile stretch on the Purple Heart Trail. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge; the estimated cost is $38, but it's always wise to top off before embarking on longer highway segments. Be aware of the transition from highway to surface roads as you approach your destination; this often means more local traffic.
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 130.2 miles from Marion, TX, or about 2h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 97.7 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 57 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 130.2 miles or 2h 9m 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 34m
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 Marion, 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 Marion, TX
This is one driving day of about 260.4 miles and 4h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 miles from Marion, 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 Purple Heart Trail for about 97.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
130 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 57 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 130.2 miles from Marion, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Purple Heart Trail if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 97.7 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.
Road Ranger
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
Flying J 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
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Circle K
0.1 mi from route
Bell County Northbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Jud's Travel Center
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
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 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 115 decision points cluster between mile 3.8 and 259.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
3.8 mi into trip
|
~7m in
|
West Interstate 10
At end of road, turn right onto West Interstate 10
Navigation decision point
8
19 mi into trip
|
~22m in
Take the exit toward TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 614
Toward TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco
7
106 mi into trip
|
~1h 43m 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
210.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 31m 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
259.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 23m 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
$39.87 one way
$79.74 round trip
$3.89/gal
25.4 MPG avg
91 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.29 | $44.00 | $88.00 |
| premium | $4.64 | $47.55 | $95.10 |
| diesel | $6.18 | $63.35 | $126.69 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 91.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 78.1 | 0 | $27.34 | $12.50 |
| Efficient EV | 65.1 | 0 | $22.79 | $10.42 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 104.2 | 1 | $36.46 | $16.67 |
Gas CO2
91 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (67% 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
Marion, TX
Morning in Marion on Friday
Local time
6:42 AM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Partly Cloudy
SE 5 mph
4% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued October 15 at 6:31AM CDT until October 15 at 8:00AM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued October 15 at 6:07AM CDT until October 15 at 8:00AM CDT by NWS Lubbock TX
Destination
Fort Worth, TX
Morning in Fort Worth on Friday
Local time
6:42 AM
CDT
Current temp
90°F
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 5 to 10 mph
20% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued October 15 at 6:31AM CDT until October 15 at 8:00AM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued October 15 at 6:07AM CDT until October 15 at 8:00AM CDT by NWS Lubbock TX
63°F
Troy, TX
130 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
20 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
4h 24m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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 179.6
View on nps.gov
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Welcome to San Antonio Missions, a National Park Service site and the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Texas. Each mission in the park is a center of community and has been since the early 1700s. Th...
25 mi from route
~62 min detour
Free
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
About 60% of this 260.4-mile drive is on major highways. You'll encounter your longest continuous stretch on the Purple Heart Trail, covering 97.7 miles, before transitioning to other roads. The profile is mixed highway and surface, so expect some stretches of cruising on interstates followed by sections with more local traffic and potentially more frequent intersections. This mix means you'll experience both high-speed travel and more varied driving conditions as you get closer to Fort Worth.
60% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 97.7 mi on Purple Heart Trail.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.8 miles in near West Interstate 10.
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 11 significant decision points across 260.4 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 3.8 miles (West Interstate 10): Navigation decision point; at 19 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 106 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
904 ft
485 ft
Total Climb
895 ft
Total Descent
887 ft
Highest Point
904 ft
~111.6 mi in
Elevation Range
419 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 Marion, TX to Fort Worth, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Waco along the way.
Waco
19 mi in
|
~22m
About the Cities
Starting in Marion, 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
- • Kimbell Art Museum — art museum in Fort Worth, Texas
- • Amon Carter Museum of American Art — art museum in Fort Worth, Texas
- • Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth — art museum
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 4h 24m. Total distance: 260.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 97.7 miles on Purple Heart Trail. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 27 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 27 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.8 miles (West Interstate 10): Navigation decision point; at 19 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 106 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument and San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.8 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.
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