Hill County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Mission Bend, TX to Fort Worth, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 48m
Distance
261.5 mi
421 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$36
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 35m
★
6 AM
4h 48m
8 AM
5h 15m
10 AM
4h 57m
12 PM
4h 55m
3 PM
4h 59m
5 PM
5h 14m
8 PM
4h 40m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Mission Bend, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Fort Worth, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Mission Bend, TX to Fort Worth, TX is 261.5 miles and takes about 4 hours 48 minutes via TX 6 and I-35W, with a fuel budget near $40 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route primarily travels through the Great Plains region of Texas, offering a straightforward, highway-focused experience. Given its manageable distance and duration, it's well-suited for a single day's drive. You'll spend most of your time on major roadways, making it an efficient way to cover ground between these two Texas cities.
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
130.7 miles from Mission Bend, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 30m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| TX 6 | 69 mi | 1h 15m |
| I 35W | 49.2 mi | 51m |
| North State Highway 6 | 43.3 mi | 43m |
| Purple Heart Trail | 31.5 mi | 31m |
| West Grand Parkway South | 19.9 mi | 23m |
| Northwest Freeway | 19.4 mi | 22m |
| East State Highway 6 | 9.1 mi | 9m |
| East Loop 340 | 4.9 mi | 6m |
Longest stretch:
TX 6
— 69 mi, about 1h 15m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 14 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~2,798 veh/hr typical · worst 3,547
Quietest
2 AM
~420 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.7×
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 Mission Bend, TX and Fort Worth, TX.
1
Start on Marisol Drive
0.1 mi
·
29 sec
·
Marisol Drive
2
Turn right onto Los Altos Drive
277 ft
·
12 sec
·
Los Altos Drive
3
Turn left onto Addicks Clodine Road
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
Addicks Clodine Road
4
Turn left onto Bellaire Boulevard
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Bellaire Boulevard
Use the left lane.
5
Turn right onto FM 1464
0.6 mi
·
58 sec
·
FM 1464
Use the left lane.
6
Turn sharp left onto FM 1093
0.3 mi
·
29 sec
·
Westheimer Road
Use the left lane.
7
Continue on FM 1093
0.7 mi
·
59 sec
·
Farm to Market 1093 Road
8
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Toward WPT Toll West
9
Merge onto WPT
3.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Fort Bend Westpark Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
1.0 mi
·
2 min
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto TX 99
20 mi
·
23 min
·
West Grand Parkway South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Toward US 290 West, US 290 East: Austin, Houston
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 290 West: Austin
Use the slight left lane.
14
Merge onto US 290; TX 6
19 mi
·
22 min
·
Northwest Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit onto TX 6
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
TX 6
Toward College Station, Bryan
Use the slight right lane.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Turn right
0.2 mi
·
12 sec
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Continue on TX 6
11 mi
·
12 min
·
TX 6
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Turn straight onto TX 6
58 mi
·
1 hr 1 min
·
TX 6
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 6
5.8 mi
·
5 min
·
North State Highway 6
21
Continue on TX 6
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
South Main Street
22
Continue on TX 6
37 mi
·
37 min
·
North State Highway 6
23
Continue on TX 6
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
South Memorial Street
24
Continue on TX 6
9.1 mi
·
9 min
·
East State Highway 6
25
Take the exit onto TX 6
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
TX 6
26
Turn right onto Loop 340
4.9 mi
·
6 min
·
East Loop 340
27
Take the exit
354 ft
·
10 sec
28
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
23 sec
Toward I 35 North
29
Merge onto I 35; US 77
31 mi
·
31 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W
49 mi
·
51 min
·
I 35W
Toward I 35W: Fort Worth
Use the slight left lane.
31
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 49A
Toward Allen Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
32
Turn straight onto South Freeway
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
South Freeway
33
Turn left onto East Allen Avenue
210 ft
·
12 sec
·
East Allen Avenue
34
Turn left onto South Freeway
258 ft
·
5 sec
·
South Freeway
35
Arrive at destination
South Freeway
Trip Plan
With a drive time under 5 hours, this route is easily achievable in a single day, so you can leave whenever is most convenient. Plan for one stop to break up the drive and refuel; the longest stretch without a significant change in road is 69 miles on TX 6. Given the $40 fuel cost estimate, it's wise to fill up before you leave Mission Bend to ensure you have ample range. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach Fort Worth, as services can sometimes be more spread out on certain highway segments.
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 130.7 miles from Mission Bend, TX, or about 2h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 69 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 58 miles or 1h 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 130.7 miles or 2h 30m 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 57m
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 Mission Bend, 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 Mission Bend, TX
This is one driving day of about 261.5 miles and 4h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Mission Bend, 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 69 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
131 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 58 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 130.7 miles from Mission Bend, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before TX 6 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 69 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.
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
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
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
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 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 websiteCullinan Park
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, ~10 min detour
4.1 mi from route
~10 min detour
Sugar Land, Texas
Hours: 6 am–8 pm
+12812752825
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 websiteAndretti Indoor Karting & Games Katy
4.1
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the start, ~11 min detour
First break
4.6 mi from route
~11 min detour
Katy, Texas
Hours: 11 am–11 pm
+18329742201
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 265 decision points cluster between mile 28.2 and 211.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
28.2 mi into trip
|
~36m in
Take the exit toward US 290 West, US 290 East: Austin, Houston
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.
Toward US 290 West, US 290 East: Austin, Housto...
7
28.5 mi into trip
|
~37m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 290 West: Austin
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward US 290 West: Austin
7
48.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 1m in
|
TX 6
Take the exit onto TX 6 toward College Station, Bryan
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward College Station, Bryan
7
49.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 2m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
211.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 55m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.82 one way
$71.63 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
92 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $40.01 | $80.01 |
| premium | $4.23 | $43.50 | $87.00 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $49.38 | $98.75 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.25
Fort Bend Westpark Tollway
(3.6 mi)
$0.25
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 91.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 78.5 | 0 | $27.46 | $12.55 |
| Efficient EV | 65.4 | 0 | $22.88 | $10.46 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 104.6 | 1 | $36.61 | $16.74 |
Gas CO2
91 kg
EV CO2
31 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
Mission Bend, TX
Afternoon in Mission Bend on Sunday
Local time
12:41 PM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 5 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 2:52AM CDT until July 19 at 8:30AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 2:46AM CDT until July 18 at 5:10PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Fort Worth, TX
Afternoon in Fort Worth on Sunday
Local time
12:41 PM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Mostly Clear
S 10 mph
2% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 2:52AM CDT until July 19 at 8:30AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 2:46AM CDT until July 18 at 5:10PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
96°F
Groesbeck, TX
131 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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 48m 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 180.3
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is largely a highway-focused drive, with 81% of the journey on major roadways. You'll experience significant stretches on TX 6, including one segment of 69 miles without a major break. While the overall profile is that of a high-speed transit, expect the character of the road to shift as you transition between different highway systems. The majority of your time will be spent on these faster, more direct roads designed for covering distance efficiently.
81% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 69 mi on TX 6.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 28.2 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 26 significant decision points across 261.5 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 28.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 28.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 48.9 miles (TX 6): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
836 ft
90 ft
Total Climb
852 ft
Total Descent
289 ft
Highest Point
836 ft
~242.8 mi in
Elevation Range
746 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 Mission Bend, TX and Fort Worth, TX, road signs point toward Houston, College Station and Bryan.
Houston
28.2 mi in
|
~36m
College Station
48.9 mi in
|
~1h 1m
|
via TX 6
Bryan
48.9 mi in
|
~1h 1m
|
via TX 6
About the Cities
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 4h 48m. Total distance: 261.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (81%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 69 miles on TX 6. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.25 in tolls one way, starting with Fort Bend Westpark 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.
Yes — we found about 13 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 13 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 28.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 28.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 48.9 miles (TX 6): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.6 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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