If you are planning a trip from Missouri City to Fort Worth, expect a 268.1-mile journey that typically takes about 4 hours and 52 minutes. Because this is a highway-focused drive, you can comfortably complete the trip in a single day without needing an overnight stay. You will primarily utilize TX 6 and I-35W to traverse the Great Plains region. Budgeting approximately $41 for fuel is a safe bet for this distance. Since both your starting point and destination are located within the same region, the landscape remains consistent throughout the drive, offering a straightforward travel experience.
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
134 miles from Missouri City, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 32m 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
Northwest Freeway
35.5 mi
40m
Purple Heart Trail
31.5 mi
31m
West Sam Houston Tollway South
12.2 mi
14m
East State Highway 6
9.1 mi
9m
East Loop 340
4.9 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
TX 6
— 69 mi, about 1h 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Missouri City, TX and Fort Worth, TX.
1
Start on this road
33 ft·2 sec·this road
2
Turn right
0.4 mi·39 sec
3
Merge onto US 90 Alt
0.6 mi·49 sec·Main Street
4
Take the exit
0.4 mi·46 sec
Toward Beltway 8, Sam Houston Tollway
5
Turn left
127 ft·5 sec
Use the left lane.
6
Turn left onto BW 8
0.5 mi·56 sec·South Sam Houston Parkway West
7
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·55 sec
Toward SHT Toll North
8
Merge onto SHT
1.7 mi·1 min·South Sam Houston Tollway West
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on BW 8
1.9 mi·2 min·South Sam Houston Parkway West
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on SHT
12 mi·14 min·West Sam Houston Tollway South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit onto SHT
0.4 mi·27 sec·West Sam Houston Tollway North
Use the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto SHT
0.7 mi·48 sec·West Sam Houston Tollway North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·28 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward US 290 West: AustinUse the slight left lane.
15
Merge onto US 290
35 mi·40 min·Northwest Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
16
Take the exit onto TX 6
0.3 mi·36 sec·TX 6
Toward College Station, BryanUse the slight right lane.
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·19 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Turn right
0.2 mi·12 sec
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Continue on TX 6
11 mi·12 min·TX 6
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Turn straight onto TX 6
58 mi·1 hr 1 min·TX 6
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 6
5.8 mi·5 min·North State Highway 6
22
Continue on TX 6
2.2 mi·3 min·South Main Street
23
Continue on TX 6
37 mi·37 min·North State Highway 6
24
Continue on TX 6
2.2 mi·2 min·South Memorial Street
25
Continue on TX 6
9.1 mi·9 min·East State Highway 6
26
Take the exit onto TX 6
0.3 mi·33 sec·TX 6
27
Turn right onto Loop 340
4.9 mi·6 min·East Loop 340
28
Take the exit
354 ft·10 sec
29
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·23 sec
Toward I 35 North
30
Merge onto I 35; US 77
31 mi·31 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W
49 mi·51 min·I 35W
Toward I 35W: Fort WorthUse the slight left lane.
32
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Exit 49AToward Allen AvenueUse the slight right lane.
33
Turn straight onto South Freeway
0.1 mi·18 sec·South Freeway
34
Turn left onto East Allen Avenue
210 ft·12 sec·East Allen Avenue
35
Turn left onto South Freeway
258 ft·5 sec·South Freeway
36
Arrive at destination
South Freeway
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 4-hour and 52-minute travel time, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh. Since the route is manageable in one day, you have the flexibility to depart whenever suits your schedule, though avoiding peak traffic hours on the interstate sections is always a smart move. Keep your fuel budget of $41 in mind as you plan your refueling stops along the way. Because TX 6 serves as a primary artery for this trip, stay alert for changes in speed limits as you transition between rural stretches and more developed areas. Focusing on maintaining a steady pace will help you 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 134 miles from Missouri City, TX, or about 2h 32m 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 59 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 134 miles or 2h 32m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 1m
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 Missouri City, 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 Missouri City, TX
This is one driving day of about 268.1 miles and 4h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from Missouri City, 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 26
5 decision points cluster between mile 19.5 and 267.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
19.5 mi into trip|~24m 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
55.5 mi into trip|~1h 5m 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
55.8 mi into trip|~1h 6m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
218.4 mi into trip|~3h 59m 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
267.6 mi into trip|~4h 51m 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
$40.51 one way
$81.02 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg94 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$44.34
$88.68
premium
$4.54
$47.87
$95.73
diesel
$5.61
$59.19
$118.39
Estimated Tolls: $1.21
Sam Houston Tollway
(15 mi)$1.21
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
$41
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 93.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
80.4
0
$28.15
$12.87
Efficient EV
67
0
$23.46
$10.72
EV Truck/SUV
107.2
1
$37.53
$17.16
Gas CO2
94 kg
EV CO2
31 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.
Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Missouri City, TX
Late night
in Missouri City on Sunday
Local time
5:28 AM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Fort Worth, TX
Late night
in Fort Worth on Sunday
Local time
5:28 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
5 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 52m 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...
6 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 184.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a mix of road types, as this route consists of 78% highway driving. You will spend a significant amount of time on TX 6, which features a longest uninterrupted stretch of 69 miles, allowing for steady progress. The transition from the local sections onto the major interstates like I-35W shifts the pace from a standard highway cruise to a more high-traffic environment. While not a technical route, the variety between state highways and major interstates ensures the drive stays engaging. You can anticipate a reliable, consistent road personality that moves you efficiently toward Fort Worth.
78% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
36 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 19.5 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 268.1 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 19.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 55.5 miles (TX 6): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 55.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Missouri City, TX and Fort Worth, TX, road signs point toward College Station and Bryan.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 52m. Total distance: 268.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (78%). 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 $1.21 in tolls one way, starting with Sam Houston 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.
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 19.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 55.5 miles (TX 6): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 55.8 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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Fort Worth, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.
