Origin
Melissa, TX
Late night in Melissa on Tuesday
Local time
3:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Melissa, TX to Fort Worth, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 16m
Distance
66.2 mi
106 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 11m
★
6 AM
1h 17m
8 AM
1h 29m
10 AM
1h 21m
12 PM
1h 20m
3 PM
1h 21m
5 PM
1h 28m
8 PM
1h 13m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Melissa, TX
Victor Gavela
Fort Worth, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Spanning 66.2 miles, the drive from Melissa to Fort Worth is a straightforward journey across the Great Plains that typically takes about 1 hour and 16 minutes. Because of the relatively short distance, this trip is perfectly manageable as a single-day excursion, requiring no overnight stays. You will primarily navigate via the Central Expressway, TX 121, and the Sam Rayburn Tollway. With an estimated fuel cost of just $10, it is an affordable route for a quick change of scenery. Whether you are heading into the city for business or leisure, this path offers a reliable connection between these two North Texas locations.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Sam Rayburn Tollway | 23.2 mi | 24m |
| TX 121 | 21.9 mi | 24m |
| Central Expressway | 7.4 mi | 7m |
| Airport Freeway | 7.2 mi | 8m |
| North South Freeway | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| McKinney Street | 1 mi | 1m |
| Sam Rayburn Highway | 1 mi | 1m |
| US 287 Bus | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Sam Rayburn Tollway
— 23.2 mi, about 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Melissa, TX and Fort Worth, TX.
1
Start on FM 545
375 ft
·
22 sec
·
West Cooper Street
2
Turn left onto TX 5
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
McKinney Street
3
Turn right onto TX 121
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Sam Rayburn Highway
4
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 75 South, TX 121 South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Merge onto US 75; TX 121
7.4 mi
·
7 min
·
Central Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 38C
Toward SRT Toll South: Sam Rayburn Tollway
Use the slight right lane.
7
Merge onto SRT
20 mi
·
21 min
·
Sam Rayburn Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on TX 121
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
TX 121
9
Continue on SRT
3.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Sam Rayburn Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on TX 121
6.9 mi
·
7 min
·
TX 121
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 121
14 mi
·
15 min
·
TX 121
Toward TX 121 South: Forth Worth, Arlington, Grand Praire
Use the left / right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 121
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
Airport Freeway
Exit 25A
Toward TX 121 South: Downtown, Fort Worth
Use the slight right lane.
13
Continue on TX 121
6.9 mi
·
8 min
·
Airport Freeway
Exit 24B
Toward TX 121 South: Downtown, Ft Worth
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
41 sec
Toward I 35W South, US 287 South, US 377 South: Waco
Use the slight left lane.
15
Merge onto I 35W; US 287; US 377
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
North South Freeway
16
Take the exit onto US 287 Bus
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
US 287 Bus
Exit 49B
Toward US 287 Business: Rosedale Street, Allen Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
17
Continue on South Freeway
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
·
South Freeway
Use the left / straight lanes.
18
Arrive at destination
South Freeway
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
33 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 15 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 33.1 miles from Melissa, 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.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 125 decision points cluster between mile 2.1 and 65.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
2.1 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 75 South, TX 121 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 75 South, TX 121 South
8
42.4 mi into trip
|
~47m in
|
TX 121
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 121 toward TX 121 South: Forth Worth, Arlington, Grand Praire
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left / right lanes.
Toward TX 121 South: Forth Worth, Arlington, Gr...
9
56.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 3m in
|
TX 121 / Airport Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 121 / Airport Freeway toward TX 121 South: Downtown, Fort Worth
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 25A
Toward TX 121 South: Downtown, Fort Worth
8
63.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 11m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35W South, US 287 South, US 377 South: Waco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 35W South, US 287 South, US 377 South:...
8
65.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 14m in
|
US 287 Bus
Take the exit onto US 287 Bus toward US 287 Business: Rosedale Street, Allen Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 49B
Toward US 287 Business: Rosedale Street, Allen...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$10.00 one way
$20.01 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
23 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $10.95 | $21.90 |
| premium | $4.54 | $11.82 | $23.64 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $14.62 | $29.23 |
Estimated Tolls: $2.45
Sam Rayburn Tollway
(23.2 mi)
$1.86
Central Expressway
(7.4 mi)
$0.59
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$10
Tolls
$2
Total
$12
Estimated CO2 emission: 23.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 19.9 | 0 | $6.95 | $3.18 |
| Efficient EV | 16.6 | 0 | $5.79 | $2.65 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 26.5 | 0 | $9.27 | $4.24 |
Gas CO2
23 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (65% 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 Tuesday
Local time
3:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
83°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
S 15 mph
20% chance
Live forecast
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
4 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
1h 16m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a mixed driving experience that transitions between suburban corridors and major highway arteries. With 59% of your travel occurring on highways, you will encounter a blend of fast-paced stretches and more congested local transitions. Your longest uninterrupted segment is a 23.2-mile run along the Sam Rayburn Tollway, which allows for consistent highway speeds. The route is highly functional rather than scenic, moving you efficiently through the region. You should be prepared for varying traffic densities as you navigate from the outskirts of Melissa toward the heart of Fort Worth.
59% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 23.2 mi on Sam Rayburn Tollway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 2.1 miles in.
Driving Effort
9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 66.2 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 42.4 miles (TX 121): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 56.1 miles (TX 121 / Airport Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
728 ft
455 ft
Total Climb
458 ft
Total Descent
486 ft
Highest Point
728 ft
~18.9 mi in
Elevation Range
272 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.
Between Melissa, TX and Fort Worth, TX, road signs point toward Srt Toll South: Sam Rayburn Tollway, Arlington, Grand Praire and Ft Worth.
Srt Toll South: Sam Rayburn Tollway
10.3 mi in
|
~12m
Arlington
42.4 mi in
|
~47m
|
via TX 121
Grand Praire
42.4 mi in
|
~47m
|
via TX 121
Ft Worth
56.3 mi in
|
~1h 3m
|
via TX 121
About the Cities
Starting in Melissa, TX
Full guide →Founded 1853
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 1h 16m. Total distance: 66.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 16m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (59%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 23.2 miles on Sam Rayburn Tollway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.45 in tolls one way, starting with Sam Rayburn Tollway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
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.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 42.4 miles (TX 121): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 56.1 miles (TX 121 / Airport Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Fort Worth, TX before heading back.
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, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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