Picnic Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Missouri City, TX to Garland, 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
6h 9m
Distance
312.2 mi
502 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$43
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 57m
★
6 AM
6h 9m
8 AM
6h 35m
10 AM
6h 18m
12 PM
6h 16m
3 PM
6h 20m
5 PM
6h 34m
8 PM
6h 2m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Missouri City, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Garland, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Missouri City to Garland is 312.2 miles and takes about 6h 9m via US 59 and I-69, with a fuel budget near $45 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Texas, traversing the Great Plains region from start to finish. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, making it a straightforward drive. With a recommended one-day travel time, this route is ideal if you're looking for 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
156.1 miles from Missouri City, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 59 | 57.5 mi | 1h 5m |
| I-69 | 42 mi | 44m |
| Eastex Freeway | 39.8 mi | 46m |
| US 271 | 29.8 mi | 34m |
| US Route 259 | 19.2 mi | 21m |
| I 30 | 17.1 mi | 17m |
| US Highway 259 North | 16.5 mi | 24m |
| Kilgore Drive | 13.5 mi | 15m |
Longest stretch:
US 59
— 57.5 mi, about 1h 5m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Missouri City, TX and Garland, 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
7.7 mi
·
10 min
·
Main Street
4
Turn right onto South Loop West Frontage Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
South Loop West Frontage Road
5
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
Toward I 610 East
6
Merge onto I 610
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
South Loop West
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
Toward TX 288 North: Downtown, International Airport Houston
Use the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward TX 288 North: Downtown
Use the slight left lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
Toward TX 288 North: Downtown
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto TX 288
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
442 ft
·
10 sec
Toward TX 288, US 59 North: Dallas, Galveston, Downtown, Cleveland
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Toward I 69 North, US 59 North: Cleveland, Elgin Avenue, Tuam Avenue
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Toward I 69, US 59 North: Cleveland
14
Merge onto I 69; US 59
0.7 mi
·
50 sec
·
Southwest Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I 69; US 59
40 mi
·
46 min
·
Eastex Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 69; US 59
0.7 mi
·
44 sec
·
I 69; US 59
17
Continue on I-69; US 59
42 mi
·
44 min
·
I-69; US 59
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on US 59; FM 942
36 mi
·
40 min
·
US 59; FM 942
19
Take the exit onto US 59
5.7 mi
·
7 min
·
US 59
Toward US 59 North, Loop 287 East: Nacogdoches
20
Keep slight right at fork onto US 59
16 mi
·
17 min
·
US 59
Toward US 59 North: Nacogdoches
21
Turn left
0.7 mi
·
1 min
22
Continue on this road
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
this road
23
Merge onto Loop 224
5.9 mi
·
6 min
·
Southwest Stallings Drive
24
Continue on US 59
0.9 mi
·
58 sec
·
North US Highway 59
25
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Use the left lane.
26
Continue on this road
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
this road
27
Merge onto US 259
11 mi
·
12 min
·
US Highway 259
28
Continue on US 259
3.0 mi
·
3 min
·
US Route 259
29
Continue on US 259
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
South Railroad Avenue
30
Continue on US 259
16 mi
·
18 min
·
US Route 259
31
Turn right onto US 79; US 259
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Highway 79
32
Continue on US 259
13 mi
·
15 min
·
Kilgore Drive
33
Keep slight right at fork onto US 259 Business
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
US 259 Business
34
Turn left onto Houston Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Houston Street
35
Keep slight right at fork onto Houston Street
371 ft
·
7 sec
·
Houston Street
36
Enter roundabout onto TX 135
124 ft
·
1 sec
·
State Highway 135 North
37
Continue on TX 135
11 mi
·
13 min
·
State Highway 135 North
38
Continue on US 271
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Tyler Street
39
Continue on US 271
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
·
South Main Street
40
Turn left onto US 80
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
West Upshur Avenue
41
Turn right onto FM 2685
4.1 mi
·
5 min
·
FM 2865
42
Turn right onto FM 2685
6.5 mi
·
7 min
·
FM 2685
43
Turn right onto TX 155
4.2 mi
·
4 min
·
TX 155
44
Continue on US 271
30 mi
·
34 min
·
US 271
45
Turn right onto Burton Road
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
Burton Road
46
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
47
Merge onto I 30
17 mi
·
17 min
·
I 30
48
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
Toward US 259: De Kalb, Daingerfield
49
Turn left onto US 259
17 mi
·
24 min
·
US Highway 259 North
50
Turn left onto FM 1701
2.1 mi
·
4 min
·
FM 1701
51
Arrive at destination
FM 1701
Trip Plan
Given the 6-hour drive time, starting your trip in the morning will allow you to arrive in Garland with plenty of daylight. The route is mostly highway, so you can plan to make a single stop for gas and a quick break, perhaps around the halfway point, to stay refreshed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without exits is 57.5 miles on US 59. Since this trip is easily completed in one day, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time based on traffic or your preference.
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 156.1 miles from Missouri City, TX, or about 3h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 57.5 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 69 miles or 1h 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 156.1 miles or 3h 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 58m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Garland, 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 312.2 miles and 6h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 69 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 US 59 for about 57.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
156 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 69 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 156.1 miles from Missouri City, 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.
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
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Polk County Northbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Polk County Southbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.9 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
1.8 mi from route
Durst Taylor Museum
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
2.2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Nacogdoches, Texas
Hours: 10 am–4 pm
+19365604443
Visit websitePecan Acres Park
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
3.2 mi from route
~8 min detour
Nacogdoches, Texas
Hours: 6 am–10 pm
+19365592960
Visit websiteEscape Again Rooms
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, ~11 min detour
4.2 mi from route
~11 min detour
Sugar Land, Texas
Hours: 4–10 pm
+18329994572
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 335 decision points cluster between mile 10.2 and 14.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
10.2 mi into trip
|
~13m in
Take the exit toward TX 288 North: Downtown, International Airport Houston
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 TX 288 North: Downtown, International Ai...
7
10.7 mi into trip
|
~14m in
Keep slight left at fork toward TX 288 North: Downtown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward TX 288 North: Downtown
7
11.3 mi into trip
|
~16m in
Keep slight right at fork toward TX 288 North: Downtown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward TX 288 North: Downtown
7
14.4 mi into trip
|
~20m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 69 North, US 59 North: Cleveland, Elgin Avenue, Tuam Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 69 North, US 59 North: Cleveland, Elgi...
7
14.7 mi into trip
|
~20m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 69, US 59 North: Cleveland
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 69, US 59 North: Cleveland
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.76 one way
$85.52 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
109 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $47.76 | $95.53 |
| premium | $4.23 | $51.93 | $103.86 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $58.95 | $117.90 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$43
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 109.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 93.7 | 1 | $32.78 | $14.99 |
| Efficient EV | 78.1 | 0 | $27.32 | $12.49 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 124.9 | 1 | $43.71 | $19.98 |
Gas CO2
109 kg
EV CO2
37 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
Missouri City, TX
Afternoon in Missouri City on Sunday
Local time
2:47 PM
CDT
Current temp
94°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 5 to 10 mph
15% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 1:26PM CDT until July 17 at 3:45PM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 17 at 12:20PM MDT until July 17 at 1:00PM MDT by NWS El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa NM
Destination
Garland, TX
Afternoon in Garland on Sunday
Local time
2:47 PM
CDT
Current temp
91°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 5 mph
16% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 1:26PM CDT until July 17 at 3:45PM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 17 at 12:20PM MDT until July 17 at 1:00PM MDT by NWS El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa NM
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
6h 9m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 87% of the 312.2 miles on main roads like US 59 and I-69. You'll encounter the longest stretch without needing to exit for about 57.5 miles on US 59. Expect a consistent driving experience with frequent exits and interchanges as you navigate through populated areas. The transition to more local roads will occur as you approach your destination.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
51 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 57.5 mi on US 59.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 59 and I-69. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 10.2 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 33 significant decision points across 312.2 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 10.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 11.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
448 ft
62 ft
Total Climb
467 ft
Total Descent
156 ft
Highest Point
448 ft
~200.7 mi in
Elevation Range
386 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 Missouri City, TX and Garland, TX, road signs point toward Loop 287 East: Nacogdoches and Daingerfield.
Loop 287 East: Nacogdoches
134.3 mi in
|
~2h 34m
|
via US 59
Daingerfield
293.3 mi in
|
~5h 38m
About the Cities
Starting in Missouri City, TX
Full guide →Arriving in Garland, TX
Full guide →Founded 1891
Garland is a city in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex area in the State of Texas. Mike Judge, the creator of Beavis and Butthead and King of the Hill, used to live in Garland, as well as some other small towns around Texas. So, yeah. Don't be shocked if you take a wrong turn through a downscale neighborhood and see someone barbecuing hot dogs using one of those things that turns your truck's air filter into a grill. On the other hand, Garland's north side is a palacial monument to suburban living in all its McMansioned, strip malling, Starbucks-sipping glory. Garland is basically an unprepossessing, pleasant place. While it's hard to get too excited about much that happens in Garland, it is just so darned pleasant.
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 9m. Total distance: 312.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 9m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 57.5 miles on US 59. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Garland, 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 10.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 11.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.2 hours each way, a round trip means 12.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Garland, 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, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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