This 295.3-mile drive from Nolanville, TX to Garland, TX is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can comfortably be completed in about 5 hours and 18 minutes. Given the relatively short duration and the efficient route, it's an ideal candidate for a single-day trip, making it easy to manage without an overnight stay. You'll be navigating primarily on major highways, with an estimated fuel cost of $45 for the trip. Both your origin and destination are situated within the Great Plains region, suggesting a consistent landscape throughout your drive. This route offers a practical and efficient way to travel between these two Texas locations.
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
147.7 miles from Nolanville, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 35m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
East R L Thornton Freeway
132.6 mi
2h 17m
Purple Heart Trail
70.8 mi
1h 12m
I 35E
56.2 mi
58m
US Highway 259 North
16.5 mi
24m
Central Texas Expressway
7.9 mi
8m
South Jack Kultgen Expressway
6.6 mi
7m
FM 1701
2.1 mi
4m
East Central Texas Expressway
0.9 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
East R L Thornton Freeway
— 132.6 mi, about 2h 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Nolanville, TX and Garland, TX.
1
Start on FM 439 Spur
70 ft·4 sec·West Avenue I
2
Turn right onto FM 439 Spur
0.2 mi·45 sec·North Main Street
3
Turn left onto East Central Texas Expressway
0.9 mi·1 min·East Central Texas Expressway
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·25 sec
Toward I 14 East, US 190 East
5
Merge onto I 14; US 190
7.9 mi·8 min·Central Texas Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Merge onto I 35; US 190
38 mi·38 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 35
6.6 mi·7 min·South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 35; US 77
33 mi·33 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E
56 mi·58 min·I 35E
Toward I 35E: DallasUse the slight right lane.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi·41 sec
Exit 427AToward I 30 East: Texarkana, Riverfront Boulevard, Griffin StreetUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
422 ft·5 sec
Toward I 35E North, I 30 West: Denton, Fort Worth, Texarkana
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·32 sec
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Convention Center
13
Keep slight left at fork
385 ft·6 sec
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana
14
Continue on I 30; US 67
7.5 mi·9 min·East R L Thornton Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
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: TexarkanaUse the straight / right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·46 sec
Toward US 259: De Kalb, Daingerfield
17
Turn left onto US 259
17 mi·24 min·US Highway 259 North
18
Turn left onto FM 1701
2.1 mi·4 min·FM 1701
19
Arrive at destination
FM 1701
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour, 18-minute journey, departing early in the morning is your best bet to avoid potential traffic, especially as you approach Garland. With only one recommended stop, you have plenty of flexibility to decide when and where to pull over based on your needs. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $45, and plan your refueling accordingly, perhaps around the 132.6-mile mark on East R L Thornton Freeway. This route is designed for efficiency, so focus on a smooth drive rather than elaborate sightseeing.
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 147.7 miles from Nolanville, TX, or about 2h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 132.6 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 65 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 147.7 miles or 2h 35m 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 12m
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 Nolanville, 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 Nolanville, TX
This is one driving day of about 295.3 miles and 5h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 65 miles from Nolanville, 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 East R L Thornton Freeway for about 132.6 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 86.7 and 151.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
86.7 mi into trip|~1h 30m in|I 35E
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E toward I 35E: Dallas
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 35E: Dallas
8
142.9 mi into trip|~2h 29m in
Take the exit toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Riverfront Boulevard, Griffin Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 427A
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Riverfront Bouleva...
6
143.3 mi into trip|~2h 29m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35E North, I 30 West: Denton, Fort Worth, Texarkana
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 35E North, I 30 West: Denton, Fort Wor...
6
143.4 mi into trip|~2h 29m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Convention Center
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Convention Center
7
151.3 mi into trip|~2h 39m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$44.62 one way
$89.24 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg103 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$48.84
$97.68
premium
$4.54
$52.72
$105.45
diesel
$5.61
$65.20
$130.40
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$45
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 103.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
88.6
1
$31.01
$14.17
Efficient EV
73.8
0
$25.84
$11.81
EV Truck/SUV
118.1
1
$41.34
$18.90
Gas CO2
103 kg
EV CO2
35 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
Nolanville, TX
Morning
in Nolanville on Tuesday
Local time
10:23 AM
CDT
Current temp
85°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Garland, TX
Morning
in Garland on Tuesday
Local time
10:23 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
4 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 18m 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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 50.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience, with 75% of the drive utilizing major roadways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 132.6 miles, primarily on East R L Thornton Freeway, meaning you can cover significant ground before needing to consider a break. The main roads guiding you include East R L Thornton Freeway, Purple Heart Trail, and I 35E, all of which are designed for efficient travel. This profile suggests a driving experience characterized by steady progress and minimal dawdling on local roads.
75% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 132.6 mi on East R L Thornton Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on East R L Thornton Freeway and Purple Heart Trail. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 86.7 miles in near I 35E.
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 14 significant decision points across 295.3 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 86.7 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 142.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 143.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
712 ft301 ft
Total Climb
501 ft
Total Descent
827 ft
Highest Point
712 ft
Elevation Range
411 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Nolanville, TX and Garland, TX, road signs point toward Fort Worth, Texarkana, Convention Center and Daingerfield.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 18m. Total distance: 295.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (75%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 132.6 miles on East R L Thornton Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 86.7 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 142.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 143.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 5.3 hours each way, a round trip means 10.6 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.
