This 286.8-mile drive from Nassau Bay, TX, to Fort Worth, TX, is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can comfortably be completed in about 5 hours and 13 minutes. With 99% of the trip on highways, it's an ideal candidate for a single-day road trip. You'll primarily be on the North Freeway and US 287, with a brief stint on the Gulf Freeway. Budget around $43 for fuel. Both your origin and destination are within the Great Plains region, so you can expect consistent terrain throughout the drive. This route offers a practical and efficient way to travel 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
143.4 miles from Nassau Bay, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 36m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
North Freeway
198.4 mi
3h 27m
US 287
57.6 mi
1h 5m
Gulf Freeway
22.5 mi
26m
South Freeway
3.4 mi
3m
East NASA Parkway
1 mi
1m
NASA Parkway
0.9 mi
1m
Gulf Freeway Frontage Road
0.6 mi
<1m
Point Lookout Drive
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
North Freeway
— 198.4 mi, about 3h 27m
Traffic on I-45
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 40 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,183 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,862
Quietest
2 AM
~397 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
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Averaged across 100 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 Nassau Bay, TX and Fort Worth, TX.
1
Start on this road
14 ft·3 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto San Sebastian Lane
476 ft·25 sec·San Sebastian Lane
3
Turn right onto Point Lookout Drive
0.5 mi·1 min·Point Lookout Drive
4
Turn left onto NASA 1
0.4 mi·43 sec·East NASA Parkway
5
Continue on NASA 1
0.4 mi·33 sec·NASA Bypass
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.1 mi·16 sec
Toward Sarah Deel Drive, NASA ParkwayUse the slight right lane.
7
Turn straight onto East NASA Parkway
0.6 mi·1 min·East NASA Parkway
Use the left lane.
8
Continue on NASA Parkway
0.9 mi·1 min·NASA Parkway
9
Turn slight right
171 ft·6 sec
Use the right lane.
10
Turn slight right onto Gulf Freeway Frontage Road
0.6 mi·59 sec·Gulf Freeway Frontage Road
11
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward I 45 North
12
Merge onto I 45
23 mi·26 min·Gulf Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 45
198 mi·3 hr 27 min·North Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit onto US 287
58 mi·1 hr 5 min·US 287
Exit 247Toward US 287 North: Waxahachie, Fort WorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 437Toward I 35W South, I 35W North: Waco, DentonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·48 sec
Toward I 35W North: DentonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·14 sec
Toward I 35W North: Fort Worth
18
Merge onto I 35W
3.2 mi·3 min·South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Exit 49AToward Allen AvenueUse the slight right lane.
20
Turn straight onto South Freeway
0.1 mi·18 sec·South Freeway
21
Turn left onto East Allen Avenue
210 ft·12 sec·East Allen Avenue
22
Turn left onto South Freeway
258 ft·5 sec·South Freeway
23
Arrive at destination
South Freeway
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour, 13-minute duration, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day departure. Aim to leave Nassau Bay early to maximize daylight and minimize potential traffic, especially as you approach the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. The longest stretch of 198.4 miles on the North Freeway means you'll want to plan for one substantial stop for fuel and a break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as opportunities for services might be more spread out on the longer highway segments. Your estimated fuel cost is $43, so factor that into your budget.
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 143.4 miles from Nassau Bay, TX, or about 2h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 198.4 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 63 miles or 1h 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 143.4 miles or 2h 36m 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 13m
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 Nassau Bay, 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 Nassau Bay, TX
This is one driving day of about 286.8 miles and 5h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 miles from Nassau Bay, 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 North Freeway for about 198.4 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.4 and 286.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
1.4 mi into trip|~3m in
Take the exit toward Sarah Deel Drive, NASA Parkway
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 Sarah Deel Drive, NASA Parkway
8
224.8 mi into trip|~4h 2m in|US 287
Take the exit onto US 287 toward US 287 North: Waxahachie, Fort Worth
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.
Exit 247
Toward US 287 North: Waxahachie, Fort Worth
8
282.4 mi into trip|~5h 7m in
Take the exit toward I 35W South, I 35W North: Waco, Denton
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.
Exit 437
Toward I 35W South, I 35W North: Waco, Denton
7
282.6 mi into trip|~5h 8m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 35W North: Denton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35W North: Denton
7
286.4 mi into trip|~5h 12m 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
$43.05 one way
$86.11 round trip
$3.81/gal25.4 MPG avg100 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$47.64
$95.28
premium
$4.57
$51.54
$103.09
diesel
$6.28
$70.86
$141.73
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: 100.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
86
1
$30.11
$13.77
Efficient EV
71.7
0
$25.10
$11.47
EV Truck/SUV
114.7
1
$40.15
$18.36
Gas CO2
100 kg
EV CO2
34 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 Oct 22, 2026
Origin
Nassau Bay, TX
Late night
in Nassau Bay on Friday
Local time
3:10 AM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Clear
NE 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Fort Worth, TX
Late night
in Fort Worth on Friday
Local time
3:10 AM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Mostly Clear
ESE 0 to 5 mph1% chanceLive forecast
58°F
Italy, TX
143 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
5 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
5h 13m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway experience on this 286.8-mile trip. With a 99% highway share, the drive is characterized by swift travel, primarily utilizing the North Freeway and US 287. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 198.4 miles on the North Freeway, meaning you can cover significant ground without frequent detours. This highway-focused profile suggests a consistent pace, allowing you to maintain momentum as you transition from the Gulf Coast area towards North Texas.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 198.4 mi on North Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on North Freeway and US 287. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.4 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 286.8 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 1.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 224.8 miles (US 287): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 282.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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
•Kimbell Art Museum — art museum in Fort Worth, Texas
•Amon Carter Museum of American Art — art museum in Fort Worth, Texas
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 13m. Total distance: 286.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 198.4 miles on North Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 24 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 24 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 224.8 miles (US 287): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 282.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Fort Worth, TX before the return drive.
