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Trip from Mathis, TX to Fort Worth, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 19m
Distance
349.5 mi
562 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$48
one way
EV Charging
Excellent
13 DC fast
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 7m
★
6 AM
6h 19m
8 AM
6h 44m
10 AM
6h 28m
12 PM
6h 26m
3 PM
6h 29m
5 PM
6h 43m
8 PM
6h 12m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Mathis, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Fort Worth, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 349.5-mile drive from Mathis, Texas, to Fort Worth, Texas, is designed for a single day of travel, taking approximately 6 hours and 19 minutes. Primarily a highway-focused experience, you'll spend about 67% of your time on major roadways like the Purple Heart Trail, Pickle Parkway, and I-35W. With an estimated fuel cost of $53, this route keeps you within the Great Plains region for its entirety. It’s a manageable distance for a day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop, though you can certainly take your time if you prefer.
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
174.7 miles from Mathis, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 19m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Purple Heart Trail | 97.7 mi | 1h 39m |
| Pickle Parkway | 58.5 mi | 54m |
| I 35W | 49.2 mi | 51m |
| US Highway 181 South | 40.2 mi | 45m |
| State Highway 80 North | 30.8 mi | 35m |
| State Highway 80 | 23.6 mi | 25m |
| North State Highway 359 | 13.1 mi | 17m |
| US 183 | 10.1 mi | 11m |
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
~2,844 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
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
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 Mathis, TX and Fort Worth, TX.
1
Start on TX 359 Bus
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
North Front Street
2
At end of road, turn left onto TX 359
13 mi
·
17 min
·
North State Highway 359
3
At end of road, turn left onto US 181
0.8 mi
·
55 sec
·
South 8th Street
4
Continue on US 181
40 mi
·
45 min
·
US Highway 181 South
5
Continue on US 181
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
South Sunset Strip Drive
6
Turn right onto TX 72; TX 239
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
West Main Street
7
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 72; TX 239
233 ft
·
3 sec
·
East Main Street
8
Continue on FM 792
8.4 mi
·
10 min
·
Helena Road
9
Turn straight onto TX 80
24 mi
·
25 min
·
State Highway 80
10
Continue on TX 80
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
South Nixon Avenue
11
Continue on TX 80; TX 97
31 mi
·
35 min
·
State Highway 80 North
12
Continue on US 183
10 mi
·
11 min
·
US 183
13
Continue on US 183
4.9 mi
·
8 min
·
South Colorado Street
14
Continue on US 183
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
United States Highway 183
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
35 sec
Toward TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco
16
Merge onto TX 130 Toll
59 mi
·
54 min
·
Pickle Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
Toward I 35 North: Waco
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
18
Merge onto I 35
65 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on I 35
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Continue on I 35; US 77
33 mi
·
33 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W
49 mi
·
51 min
·
I 35W
Toward I 35W: Fort Worth
Use the slight left lane.
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 49A
Toward Allen Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
23
Turn straight onto South Freeway
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
South Freeway
24
Turn left onto East Allen Avenue
210 ft
·
12 sec
·
East Allen Avenue
25
Turn left onto South Freeway
258 ft
·
5 sec
·
South Freeway
26
Arrive at destination
South Freeway
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 6-hour, 19-minute journey, consider an early morning departure from Mathis to maximize daylight and avoid potential traffic as you approach Fort Worth. With only one recommended stop, plan it strategically to break up the longest stretch of 97.7 miles on the Purple Heart Trail. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during that longer segment, as services can be more spread out on parkways. The $53 fuel cost is a good estimate, but always factor in a buffer for unexpected detours or higher prices.
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 174.7 miles from Mathis, TX, or about 3h 19m 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 77 miles or 1h 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 174.7 miles or 3h 19m 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 16m
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 Mathis, 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 Mathis, TX
This is one driving day of about 349.5 miles and 6h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 77 miles from Mathis, 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
175 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 77 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 174.7 miles from Mathis, 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.
Hill County Northbound Rest Area
0 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
Circle K
0.1 mi from route
Bell County Northbound Rest Area
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
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
Gonzalo Paiz Park
4.3
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the start, right off the route
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
Mathis, Texas
+13615472113
Visit websiteForest 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 125 decision points cluster between mile 136.1 and 349 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
136.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 43m 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
5
136.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 43m in
|
TX 130 Toll / Pickle Parkway
Merge onto TX 130 Toll / Pickle Parkway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
195.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 38m 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
299.8 mi into trip
|
~5h 26m 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
349 mi into trip
|
~6h 18m 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
$47.87 one way
$95.74 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
122 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $53.47 | $106.94 |
| premium | $4.23 | $58.14 | $116.27 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $65.99 | $131.98 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$48
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 122.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
EV Charging Along Route
13 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent
Austin, TX - Spirit of Texas Drive - Tesla Supercharger
Austin, TX
Tesla
19 DCFC
Luling, TX - Tesla Supercharger
Luling, TX
Tesla
16 DCFC
Kenedy, TX - Tesla Supercharger
Kenedy, TX
Tesla
12 DCFC
Austin, TX - FM 969 - Tesla Supercharger
Austin, TX
Tesla
12 DCFC
Bucees Luling MB.HPC
Luling, TX
MERCEDES_BENZ
10 DCFC
Mathis, TX - Tesla Supercharger
Mathis, TX
Tesla
8 DCFC
Del Valle, TX - Tesla Supercharger
Del Valle, TX
Tesla
8 DCFC
Best Western Luling
Luling, TX
GRAVITI_ENERGY
4 DCFC
Tesla: 6
ChargePoint Network: 3
MERCEDES_BENZ: 1
GRAVITI_ENERGY: 1
EV Connect: 1
FORD_CHARGE: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 104.9 | 1 | $36.70 | $16.78 |
| Efficient EV | 87.4 | 0 | $30.58 | $13.98 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 139.8 | 1 | $48.93 | $22.37 |
Gas CO2
122 kg
EV CO2
41 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.
Origin
Mathis, TX
Late night in Mathis on Tuesday
Local time
4:25 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Mostly Clear
S 8 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 21 at 1:01AM CDT until July 21 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Houston/Galveston TX
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 21 at 1:00AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Lake Charles LA
Destination
Fort Worth, TX
Late night in Fort Worth on Tuesday
Local time
4:25 AM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Clear
SSW 5 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 21 at 1:01AM CDT until July 21 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Houston/Galveston TX
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 21 at 1:00AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Lake Charles LA
96°F
San Marcos, TX
175 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
8 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
6h 19m 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...
4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 265.1
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive for this trip, with 67% of the journey on major roads. You'll encounter a significant uninterrupted stretch of 97.7 miles on the Purple Heart Trail, offering a sustained period of consistent travel. The route transitions between different main roads, including the Pickle Parkway and I-35W, providing a mix of highway experiences. This profile suggests a drive that is largely efficient, with opportunities for steady progress.
67% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 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?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Purple Heart Trail and Pickle Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 136.1 miles in.
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 12 significant decision points across 349.5 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 136.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 136.6 miles (TX 130 Toll / Pickle Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 195.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
875 ft
161 ft
Total Climb
1,047 ft
Total Descent
555 ft
Highest Point
875 ft
~199.7 mi in
Elevation Range
715 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 Mathis, TX to Fort Worth, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Waco along the way.
Waco
136.1 mi in
|
~2h 43m
About the Cities
Starting in Mathis, TX
Full guide →Founded 1890
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 6h 19m. Total distance: 349.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 19m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
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 24 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 24 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 136.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 136.6 miles (TX 130 Toll / Pickle Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 195.1 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 6.3 hours each way, a round trip means 12.6 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.
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, NREL for EV charging, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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