Picnic Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Nacogdoches, TX to Garland, 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
3h 8m
Distance
155.7 mi
251 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 57m
★
6 AM
3h 9m
8 AM
3h 32m
10 AM
3h 17m
12 PM
3h 15m
3 PM
3h 18m
5 PM
3h 31m
8 PM
3h 2m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Nacogdoches, TX
Action Construction Equipment Ltd. - ACE
Trip Overview
Nacogdoches to Garland is 155.7 miles and takes about 3 hours 8 minutes via US 271 and I-30, with a fuel budget near $24 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Great Plains region, offering a straightforward journey from East Texas into the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. It's a highway-focused trip that doesn't require an overnight stop, making it ideal for a quick transition or a day trip. Plan for a relatively efficient drive, with most of your time spent on major roadways.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
77.9 miles from Nacogdoches, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 32m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| State Highway 135 North | 11.4 mi | 13m |
| US Highway 259 | 11.2 mi | 12m |
| FM 2685 | 6.5 mi | 7m |
Longest stretch:
US 271
— 29.8 mi, about 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Nacogdoches, TX and Garland, TX.
1
Start on TX 7 Bus; TX 21 Bus
0.6 mi
·
51 sec
·
East Main Street
2
Continue on TX 21 Bus
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Douglass Road
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
4
Merge onto US 59; Loop 224
4.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Northwest Stallings Drive
5
Continue on US 59
0.9 mi
·
58 sec
·
North US Highway 59
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Use the left lane.
7
Continue on this road
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
this road
8
Merge onto US 259
11 mi
·
12 min
·
US Highway 259
9
Continue on US 259
3.0 mi
·
3 min
·
US Route 259
10
Continue on US 259
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
South Railroad Avenue
11
Continue on US 259
16 mi
·
18 min
·
US Route 259
12
Turn right onto US 79; US 259
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Highway 79
13
Continue on US 259
13 mi
·
15 min
·
Kilgore Drive
14
Keep slight right at fork onto US 259 Business
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
US 259 Business
15
Turn left onto Houston Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Houston Street
16
Keep slight right at fork onto Houston Street
371 ft
·
7 sec
·
Houston Street
17
Enter roundabout onto TX 135
124 ft
·
1 sec
·
State Highway 135 North
18
Continue on TX 135
11 mi
·
13 min
·
State Highway 135 North
19
Continue on US 271
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Tyler Street
20
Continue on US 271
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
·
South Main Street
21
Turn left onto US 80
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
West Upshur Avenue
22
Turn right onto FM 2685
4.1 mi
·
5 min
·
FM 2865
23
Turn right onto FM 2685
6.5 mi
·
7 min
·
FM 2685
24
Turn right onto TX 155
4.2 mi
·
4 min
·
TX 155
25
Continue on US 271
30 mi
·
34 min
·
US 271
26
Turn right onto Burton Road
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
Burton Road
27
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
28
Merge onto I 30
17 mi
·
17 min
·
I 30
29
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
Toward US 259: De Kalb, Daingerfield
30
Turn left onto US 259
17 mi
·
24 min
·
US Highway 259 North
31
Turn left onto FM 1701
2.1 mi
·
4 min
·
FM 1701
32
Arrive at destination
FM 1701
Trip Plan
With a total duration of just over 3 hours, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. Consider leaving Nacogdoches in the morning to take advantage of daylight and avoid potential rush hour traffic as you approach Garland. You'll have one recommended stop, which is a good opportunity to refuel or stretch your legs, especially given the longest stretch without a significant break is nearly 30 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, particularly before entering I-30, as services can sometimes be more spread out on interstates.
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 77.9 miles from Nacogdoches, TX, or about 1h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 29.8 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 34 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 77.9 miles or 1h 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 2h 29m
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 Nacogdoches, 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 Nacogdoches, TX
This is one driving day of about 155.7 miles and 3h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Nacogdoches, 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 271 for about 29.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
78 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 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 77.9 miles from Nacogdoches, 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.
TA
0.1 mi from route
Durst Taylor Museum
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, right off the route
0.2 mi from route
Nacogdoches, Texas
Hours: 10 am–4 pm
+19365604443
Visit websitePecan Acres Park
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
1.1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Nacogdoches, Texas
Hours: 6 am–10 pm
+19365592960
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 185 decision points cluster between mile 6.9 and 136.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
6.9 mi into trip
|
~8m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
4
55.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 5m in
|
US 259 Business
Keep slight right at fork onto US 259 Business
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
4
58.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 9m in
|
Houston Street
Turn left onto Houston Street
Navigation decision point
6
59.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 10m in
|
TX 135 / State Highway 135 North
Enter roundabout onto TX 135 / State Highway 135 North
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
136.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 38m 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
$23.53 one way
$47.05 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
55 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $25.75 | $51.50 |
| premium | $4.54 | $27.80 | $55.60 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $34.38 | $68.75 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 54.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 46.7 | 0 | $16.35 | $7.47 |
| Efficient EV | 38.9 | 0 | $13.62 | $6.23 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 62.3 | 0 | $21.80 | $9.96 |
Gas CO2
54 kg
EV CO2
18 kg (67% 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.
Origin
Nacogdoches, TX
Morning in Nacogdoches on Tuesday
Local time
7:23 AM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Garland, TX
Morning in Garland on Tuesday
Local time
7:23 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.
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
3h 8m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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 primarily a highway-focused drive, with 82% of it being on major roads. You'll encounter stretches on US 271 and US Route 259 before merging onto I-30. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll experience is 29.8 miles on US 271. Expect a mix of high-speed travel and potentially some slower sections as you navigate through various towns and transition between highways. It's a practical drive designed for covering ground efficiently.
82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 29.8 mi on US 271.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 271 and US Route 259. You will hit about 18 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 6.9 miles in.
Driving Effort
6/10
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 155.7 miles you will encounter 18 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 6.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 55.7 miles (US 259 Business): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 58.5 miles (Houston Street): Navigation decision point.
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.
On the drive from Nacogdoches, TX to Garland, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Daingerfield along the way.
Daingerfield
136.8 mi in
|
~2h 38m
About the Cities
Starting in Nacogdoches, TX
Full guide →Nacogdoches is a city in the Piney Woods of Texas. It is the oldest city in the state.
Top landmarks
- • Sterne-Hoya House Museum and Library — historic place in Nacogdoches, Nacogdoches County, Texas
- • Woodmen of the World Building — building in Nacogdoches, Nacogdoches County, Texas, United States
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 3h 8m. Total distance: 155.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 8m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 29.8 miles on US 271. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 2 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 2 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 6.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 55.7 miles (US 259 Business): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 58.5 miles (Houston Street): Navigation decision point.
Possible but tiring. At 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Garland, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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