Hill County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Needville, TX to Fort Worth, 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
5h 10m
Distance
276.8 mi
446 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$42
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 58m
★
6 AM
5h 11m
8 AM
5h 38m
10 AM
5h 20m
12 PM
5h 18m
3 PM
5h 22m
5 PM
5h 37m
8 PM
5h 3m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Needville, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Fort Worth, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 276.8-mile drive from Needville, Texas, to Fort Worth, Texas, is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can comfortably be completed in about 5 hours and 10 minutes. Given its manageable length and duration, it's an ideal candidate for a single-day road trip. You'll be spending a significant portion of your time on major highways, with 82% of the route being on interstates, making for efficient travel. Factor in approximately $42 for fuel, and you're looking at a cost-effective excursion. Both your origin and destination are situated within the Great Plains region, so expect a consistent landscape throughout your travels.
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
138.4 miles from Needville, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 44m 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 |
| Purple Heart Trail | 31.5 mi | 31m |
| West Grand Parkway South | 19.9 mi | 23m |
| Northwest Freeway | 19.4 mi | 22m |
| TX-36 | 11.1 mi | 17m |
| East State Highway 6 | 9.1 mi | 9m |
Longest stretch:
TX 6
— 69 mi, about 1h 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Needville, TX and Fort Worth, TX.
1
Start on FM 1236
0.3 mi
·
29 sec
·
School Street
2
Turn left onto TX 36
11 mi
·
17 min
·
TX-36
3
Continue on FM 723
5.2 mi
·
7 min
·
Houston Street
4
Continue on FM 723
4.1 mi
·
5 min
·
FM 723
5
Continue on FM 723
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
FM 723
6
Turn right onto FM 1093
0.4 mi
·
40 sec
·
FM 1093
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Toward WPT Toll East
8
Merge onto WPT
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Westpark Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
1.2 mi
·
2 min
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto TX 99
20 mi
·
23 min
·
West Grand Parkway South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Toward US 290 West, US 290 East: Austin, Houston
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 290 West: Austin
Use the slight left lane.
13
Merge onto US 290; TX 6
19 mi
·
22 min
·
Northwest Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit onto TX 6
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
TX 6
Toward College Station, Bryan
Use the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Turn right
0.2 mi
·
12 sec
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Continue on TX 6
11 mi
·
12 min
·
TX 6
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Turn straight onto TX 6
58 mi
·
1 hr 1 min
·
TX 6
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 6
5.8 mi
·
5 min
·
North State Highway 6
20
Continue on TX 6
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
South Main Street
21
Continue on TX 6
37 mi
·
37 min
·
North State Highway 6
22
Continue on TX 6
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
South Memorial Street
23
Continue on TX 6
9.1 mi
·
9 min
·
East State Highway 6
24
Take the exit onto TX 6
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
TX 6
25
Turn right onto Loop 340
4.9 mi
·
6 min
·
East Loop 340
26
Take the exit
354 ft
·
10 sec
27
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
23 sec
Toward I 35 North
28
Merge onto I 35; US 77
31 mi
·
31 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W
49 mi
·
51 min
·
I 35W
Toward I 35W: Fort Worth
Use the slight left lane.
30
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 49A
Toward Allen Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
31
Turn straight onto South Freeway
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
South Freeway
32
Turn left onto East Allen Avenue
210 ft
·
12 sec
·
East Allen Avenue
33
Turn left onto South Freeway
258 ft
·
5 sec
·
South Freeway
34
Arrive at destination
South Freeway
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour and 10-minute drive, an early morning departure from Needville is recommended to maximize your time in Fort Worth and avoid potential afternoon traffic. With just one primary stop likely needed, plan it around the halfway point or when you feel ready for a break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without a major town is 69 miles on TX-6, so ensure you're topped up before embarking on that segment. The $42 fuel cost is a good estimate, but always check current prices. This is a very manageable one-day trip, so you have the flexibility to adjust your timing as needed.
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 138.4 miles from Needville, TX, or about 2h 44m 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 61 miles or 1h 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 138.4 miles or 2h 44m 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 18m
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 Needville, 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 Needville, TX
This is one driving day of about 276.8 miles and 5h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 miles from Needville, 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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
138 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 61 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 138.4 miles from Needville, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before TX 6 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 69 miles.
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
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Hill County Southbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
Forest Park Miniature Railroad
4.4
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2.2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Fort Worth, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+18179665509
Visit websitePlay Street Museum - Katy
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, ~10 min detour
First break
3.9 mi from route
~10 min detour
Katy, Texas
Hours: 8:30 am–6 pm
+12816664217
Visit websiteFort Worth Herd
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, ~12 min detour
Home stretch
4.7 mi from route
~12 min detour
Fort Worth, Texas
Hours: 11:30 am–4 pm
+18173364373
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 235 decision points cluster between mile 43.6 and 227.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
43.6 mi into trip
|
~59m in
Take the exit toward US 290 West, US 290 East: Austin, Houston
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.
Toward US 290 West, US 290 East: Austin, Housto...
7
43.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 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
64.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 24m 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
64.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 25m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
227.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 18m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.83 one way
$83.65 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
97 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $45.78 | $91.56 |
| premium | $4.54 | $49.42 | $98.84 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $61.11 | $122.23 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.07
Westpark Tollway
(1 mi)
$0.07
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
$42
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 96.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 83 | 1 | $29.06 | $13.29 |
| Efficient EV | 69.2 | 0 | $24.22 | $11.07 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 110.7 | 1 | $38.75 | $17.72 |
Gas CO2
97 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (67% 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
Needville, TX
Morning in Needville on Tuesday
Local time
10:21 AM
CDT
Current temp
90°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Fort Worth, TX
Morning in Fort Worth on Tuesday
Local time
10:21 AM
CDT
Current temp
62°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
28 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 10m 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...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
Free
near mile 200.5
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
The personality of this drive leans heavily towards the highway experience, with 82% of the journey utilizing high-speed roads. You'll primarily navigate TX-6 and I-35W, which are designed for steady progress. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 69 miles on TX-6, providing a solid block of consistent driving. While the profile is generally highway-focused, expect the transition between these main arteries to be the most varied part of the drive. This route prioritizes getting you to your destination efficiently rather than offering a winding, scenic path.
82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
34 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 43.6 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 23 significant decision points across 276.8 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 43.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 43.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 64.2 miles (TX 6): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Needville, TX and Fort Worth, TX, road signs point toward Wpt Toll East, Houston, College Station and Bryan.
Wpt Toll East
21.3 mi in
|
~32m
Houston
43.6 mi in
|
~59m
College Station
64.2 mi in
|
~1h 24m
|
via TX 6
Bryan
64.2 mi in
|
~1h 24m
|
via TX 6
About the Cities
Starting in Needville, TX
Full guide →Arriving in Fort Worth, TX
Full guide →“Panther city” · Founded 1849
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
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 5h 10m. Total distance: 276.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 10m 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 69 miles on TX 6. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.07 in tolls one way, starting with Westpark 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.
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 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 13 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 43.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 43.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 64.2 miles (TX 6): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.4 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.
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 NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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