Origin
Marshall, TX
Late night in Marshall on Sunday
Local time
1:02 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Marshall, TX to Fort Worth, TX
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 15m
Distance
185.3 mi
298 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$28
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 4m
★
6 AM
3h 16m
8 AM
3h 39m
10 AM
3h 24m
12 PM
3h 22m
3 PM
3h 25m
5 PM
3h 38m
8 PM
3h 9m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Marshall, TX
Thomas balabaud
Fort Worth, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Marshall, TX to Fort Worth, TX is 185.3 miles and takes about 3h 15m via I 20, with a fuel budget near $28 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily sticks to major highways, making it a straightforward hop between two points in the Great Plains region. With a substantial highway share of 86%, you'll experience a consistent pace for most of the journey. Consider this route if you're looking for an efficient and predictable drive with minimal detours, perfect for a quick trip between East Texas and the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.
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
92.7 miles from Marshall, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 36m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 20 | 130.3 mi | 2h 12m |
| Lyndon B Johnson Freeway | 22 mi | 23m |
| Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway | 19.7 mi | 21m |
| East Grand Avenue | 4.8 mi | 5m |
| South Freeway | 3.4 mi | 3m |
| FM 968 | 2.7 mi | 3m |
| FM 3251 | 0.7 mi | <1m |
| South Bolivar Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 130.3 mi, about 2h 12m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Marshall, TX and Fort Worth, TX.
1
Start on West Houston Street
342 ft
·
12 sec
·
West Houston Street
2
At end of road, turn left onto South Bolivar Street
0.3 mi
·
48 sec
·
South Bolivar Street
3
Turn left onto US 80
4.8 mi
·
5 min
·
East Grand Avenue
4
Turn left onto FM 968
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
FM 968
5
Turn left onto FM 3251
0.7 mi
·
58 sec
·
FM 3251
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
7
Merge onto I 20
111 mi
·
1 hr 51 min
·
I 20
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 20
19 mi
·
20 min
·
I 20
Toward I 20 West: Fort Worth
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 20
22 mi
·
23 min
·
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 20
20 mi
·
21 min
·
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Exit 437
Toward I 35W South, I 35W North: Waco, Denton
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
Toward I 35W North: Denton
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
Toward I 35W North: Fort Worth
14
Merge onto I 35W
3.2 mi
·
3 min
·
South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 49A
Toward Allen Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
16
Turn straight onto South Freeway
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
South Freeway
17
Turn left onto East Allen Avenue
210 ft
·
12 sec
·
East Allen Avenue
18
Turn left onto South Freeway
258 ft
·
5 sec
·
South Freeway
19
Arrive at destination
South Freeway
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of about 3 hours and 15 minutes, this is easily a single-day trip. You can leave Marshall, TX anytime and arrive in Fort Worth, TX with plenty of daylight to spare. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost estimated at $28, planning is simple. The longest stretch on I 20 is over 130 miles, so consider filling up your tank before you hit that segment to avoid any last-minute searches for fuel. This flexibility allows you to depart on your schedule and reach your destination without feeling rushed.
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 92.7 miles from Marshall, TX, or about 1h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 130.3 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 41 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 92.7 miles or 1h 36m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 38m
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 Marshall, 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 Marshall, TX
This is one driving day of about 185.3 miles and 3h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 41 miles from Marshall, 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 I 20 for about 130.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
93 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 41 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 92.7 miles from Marshall, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 20 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 130.3 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 145 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 184.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
South Bolivar Street
At end of road, turn left onto South Bolivar Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
7
119.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 4m in
|
I 20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 20 toward I 20 West: Fort Worth
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 20 West: Fort Worth
8
180.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 9m in
Take the exit toward I 35W South, I 35W North: Waco, Denton
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 437
Toward I 35W South, I 35W North: Waco, Denton
7
181.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 9m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 35W North: Denton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35W North: Denton
7
184.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 14m 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
$28.00 one way
$56.00 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
65 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $30.65 | $61.29 |
| premium | $4.54 | $33.08 | $66.17 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $40.91 | $81.82 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 64.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 55.6 | 0 | $19.46 | $8.89 |
| Efficient EV | 46.3 | 0 | $16.21 | $7.41 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 74.1 | 0 | $25.94 | $11.86 |
Gas CO2
65 kg
EV CO2
22 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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.
Destination
Fort Worth, TX
Late night in Fort Worth on Sunday
Local time
1:02 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
3h 15m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
This is an 86% highway-focused drive, meaning you'll spend the vast majority of your time on high-speed interstates. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 130.3 miles on I 20, so be prepared for a sustained period of driving without many opportunities to exit. The route is designed for efficiency, offering a consistent driving experience that prioritizes covering ground quickly. Expect a straightforward path with minimal complex road changes, ideal for those who prefer predictable travel.
86% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 130.3 mi on I 20.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and Lyndon B Johnson Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near South Bolivar Street.
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 185.3 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 0.1 miles (South Bolivar Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 119.9 miles (I 20): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 180.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
About the Cities
Starting in Marshall, TX
Full guide →Founded 1841
Marshall is a city in the Central Piney Woods of Texas. This is the third-largest city in this region.
Top landmarks
- • Marshall — historic place in Abilene, Taylor County, Texas
- • Old Harrison County Courthouse — historic place in Marshall, Harrison County, Texas
- • First Methodist Church — historic place in Marshall, Harrison County, 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 15m. Total distance: 185.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 15m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 130.3 miles on I 20. 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 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (South Bolivar Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 119.9 miles (I 20): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 180.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.5 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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