Trip from Monahans, TX to Garland, TX

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

9h 29m

Distance

538.2 mi

866 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$81

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 25 min

4 AM

9h 21m ★

6 AM

9h 29m

8 AM

9h 46m

10 AM

9h 35m

12 PM

9h 33m

3 PM

9h 36m

5 PM

9h 45m

8 PM

9h 24m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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city in Ward and Winkler counties in Texas, United States, that is the county seat of Ward County

Monahans, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This is a long-distance drive covering 538.2 miles from Monahans, TX, to Garland, TX, estimated to take 7 hours and 53 minutes. Primarily utilizing South Main Avenue, East Sealy Avenue, and I-20 East, this route keeps you on major roads for its entirety. With a fuel cost estimated at $82 and two planned stops, it's feasible as a single-day trip, though breaking it up might be more comfortable. You'll be traveling across the Great Plains region of Texas for the duration of this journey. This drive is best suited for those prioritizing efficiency and covering ground.

Trip Pace

Best split across 2 days

Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.

Break Rhythm

2 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

269.1 miles from Monahans, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 34m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 20	337 mi	5h 40m
East R L Thornton Freeway	132.6 mi	2h 17m
Tom Landry Freeway	31 mi	36m
US Highway 259 North	16.5 mi	24m
West Freeway	15.2 mi	17m
East Sealy Avenue	3 mi	5m
FM 1701	2.1 mi	4m
South Main Avenue	<0.1 mi	<1m

Longest stretch: I 20 — 337 mi, about 5h 40m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Monahans, TX and Garland, TX.

Start on this road

104 ft · 9 sec · this road

Turn right onto TX 18

178 ft · 6 sec · South Main Avenue

Turn right onto I 20 Bus

3.0 mi · 5 min · East Sealy Avenue

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 52 sec

Toward I 20 East: Odessa

Merge onto I 20

337 mi · 5 hr 40 min · I 20

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 30

15 mi · 17 min · West Freeway

Exit 421 Toward I 30 East: Downtown Fort Worth Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 30

31 mi · 36 min · Tom Landry Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 30; US 67

7.5 mi · 9 min · East R L Thornton Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 30; US 67

125 mi · 2 hr 8 min · East R L Thornton Freeway

Toward I 30 East: Texarkana Use the straight / right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 46 sec

Toward US 259: De Kalb, Daingerfield

Turn left onto US 259

17 mi · 24 min · US Highway 259 North

Turn left onto FM 1701

2.1 mi · 4 min · FM 1701

Arrive at destination

FM 1701

Trip Plan

For this 7-hour, 53-minute journey, consider an early morning departure from Monahans to maximize daylight and minimize traffic. With two stops planned, aim to break up the 538.2 miles strategically, perhaps around the halfway point for a longer break. The estimated fuel cost of $82 is a good baseline, but be sure to check current prices. Since this is a single-day trip, staying flexible with your stop times can be an advantage. A practical tip for this route is to ensure your vehicle is in good condition before leaving, as you'll be covering significant ground on main roads.

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.

This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.

Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 269.1 miles from Monahans, TX, or about 4h 34m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 337 miles.

Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 118 miles or 2h 2m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 269.1 miles or 4h 34m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Overnight split

Day 1 wrap after about 269.1 miles or 4h 34m

Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 8h 16m

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 Monahans, 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.

Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.

Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Monahans, TX

Aim for roughly 269 miles and 4.7 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Finish the approach into Garland, TX

Aim for roughly 269 miles and 4.7 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 118 miles from Monahans, TX.

This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.

Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on I 20 for about 337 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in and county seat of Titus County, Texas, United States

First major stop

Coffee and fuel

Mount Pleasant, TX

178 mi into the route

Best for: Coffee, fuel, and an easy first stretch

This is a natural early stop once the first hours of the drive are behind you.

Popular next leg

Mount Pleasant, TX to Arlington, TX

184.9 mi · 3h 23m

suburban city in Tarrant County, Texas, United States

Second major stop

Overnight candidate

Arlington, TX

355 mi into the route

Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start

This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.

Find hotels in Arlington, TX

Overnight Options

Night 1

Stephenville, TX

269 mi · about 4.7h in

A practical overnight split lands near Stephenville, TX after about 269 miles or 4.7 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

Big Spring, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 118 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Stephenville, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 269.1 miles from Monahans, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 20 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 337 miles.

Overnight split

Hotel stop

For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 269 miles or 4.7 hours on the road.

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.

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour

Odessa, Texas

Hours: 6 am–11 pm

+14323683548

Altitude Trampoline Park

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~9 min detour

First break 3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour

Odessa, Texas

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+14322726921

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 9

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 519.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

0 mi into trip | ~0m in | TX 18 / South Main Avenue

Turn right onto TX 18 / South Main Avenue

Navigation decision point

3.5 mi into trip | ~6m in | I 20

Merge onto I 20

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

340.5 mi into trip | ~5h 47m in | I 30 / West Freeway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 30 / West Freeway toward I 30 East: Downtown Fort Worth

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 421 Toward I 30 East: Downtown Fort Worth

394.2 mi into trip | ~6h 50m in | I 30; US 67 / East R L Thornton Freeway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 30; US 67 / East R L Thornton Freeway toward I 30 East: Texarkana

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes. Toward I 30 East: Texarkana

519.3 mi into trip | ~8h 58m in

Take the exit toward US 259: De Kalb, Daingerfield

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 259: De Kalb, Daingerfield

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$81.32 one way

$162.65 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 188 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.20	$89.01	$178.03
premium	$4.54	$96.09	$192.18
diesel	$5.61	$118.83	$237.66

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$81

Hotel (1n)

$80–$140

Meals

$50–$100

Total

$211–$321

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 188.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $57 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	161.5	1	$56.51	$25.83
Efficient EV	134.6	1	$47.09	$21.53
EV Truck/SUV	215.3	2	$75.35	$34.44

Gas CO2

188 kg

EV CO2

63 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.

Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026

Origin

Monahans, TX

Late night in Monahans on Tuesday

Local time

5:57 AM

CDT

Current temp

60°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Garland, TX

Late night in Garland on Tuesday

Local time

5:57 AM

CDT

Current temp

81°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.

For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.

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

21 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

9h 29m on the road

This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

The drive is characterized by its consistent use of major roadways, with a 0% highway share, indicating a focus on direct routes rather than interstate travel. You'll experience a steady pace as you navigate through South Main Avenue and East Sealy Avenue before merging onto I-20 East. While there's no specific mention of the longest uninterrupted stretch, the relatively consistent duration suggests a predictable driving experience. Expect a straightforward journey across the Texas landscape, with the road profile indicating a long-distance drive designed for steady progress rather than winding scenic byways.

99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 337 mi on I 20.

How Hard Is This Drive?

5/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and East R L Thornton Freeway. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near TX 18 / South Main Avenue.

Driving Effort 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 538.2 miles you will encounter 9 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: near the start (TX 18 / South Main Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 3.5 miles (I 20): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 340.5 miles (I 30 / West Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

About the Cities

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?

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

9h 29m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (99%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 337 miles on I 20. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 269 miles on day one.

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 is a long drive, so arriving tired and in the dark compounds. 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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

Not recommended in a single day. At 9.5 hours each way, a round trip means 19.0 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Return Trip

Garland, TX to Monahans, TX

Plan the drive back the other way.

538.1 mi 9h 29m

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Trip from Monahans, TX to Garland, TX

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Overnight Options

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

Jim Parker Park

McKinney Park

Ellen Noël Art Museum

White Settlement Museum

City Park

Stonehenge Replica

Memorial Garden Park

Altitude Trampoline Park

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Monahans, TX

Garland, TX

Same local time

21 degrees warmer at arrival

9h 29m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

About the Cities

Arriving in Garland, TX

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Should I split this drive into multiple days?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

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