Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Pearland, TX to Fort Worth, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 5m
Distance
277.8 mi
447 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$38
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 52m
★
6 AM
5h 5m
8 AM
5h 32m
10 AM
5h 15m
12 PM
5h 12m
3 PM
5h 16m
5 PM
5h 31m
8 PM
4h 57m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Pearland, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Fort Worth, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Pearland, TX to Fort Worth, TX is 277.8 miles and takes about 5h 5m via North Freeway and US 287, with a fuel budget near $42 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Texas, traversing the Great Plains region from start to finish. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, making for a straightforward trip. With a recommended one-day drive, this route is ideal if you're looking for an efficient way to get from the Houston area to North Texas.
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
138.9 miles from Pearland, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 32m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North Freeway | 198.4 mi | 3h 27m |
| US 287 | 57.6 mi | 1h 5m |
| Gulf Freeway | 6.9 mi | 8m |
| Telephone Road | 5.3 mi | 8m |
| South Freeway | 3.4 mi | 3m |
| South Main Street | 2.4 mi | 3m |
| Reveille Street | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| TX 35 | 1.4 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
North Freeway
— 198.4 mi, about 3h 27m
Traffic on I-45
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 20 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,315 veh/hr typical · worst 3,925
Quietest
2 AM
~414 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 48 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 Pearland, TX and Fort Worth, TX.
1
Start on TX 35
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
South Main Street
2
Continue on TX 35
5.3 mi
·
8 min
·
Telephone Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
3
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 35
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Reveille Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
4
Take the ramp onto TX 35
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
TX 35
Toward Central Business District
5
Merge onto I 45
6.9 mi
·
8 min
·
Gulf Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Continue on I 45
198 mi
·
3 hr 27 min
·
North Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit onto US 287
58 mi
·
1 hr 5 min
·
US 287
Exit 247
Toward US 287 North: Waxahachie, Fort Worth
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Exit 437
Toward I 35W South, I 35W North: Waco, Denton
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
Toward I 35W North: Denton
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
Toward I 35W North: Fort Worth
11
Merge onto I 35W
3.2 mi
·
3 min
·
South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 49A
Toward Allen Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
13
Turn straight onto South Freeway
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
South Freeway
14
Turn left onto East Allen Avenue
210 ft
·
12 sec
·
East Allen Avenue
15
Turn left onto South Freeway
258 ft
·
5 sec
·
South Freeway
16
Arrive at destination
South Freeway
Trip Plan
Since this is a manageable one-day drive, you have the flexibility to depart when you're ready. Leaving in the morning will allow you to reach Fort Worth with plenty of daylight. The longest continuous stretch without significant exit activity is nearly 200 miles on North Freeway, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly before you begin that segment. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach Fort Worth, as urban areas can sometimes have more dispersed services. The $42 fuel estimate is a good baseline for budgeting, but always check current prices.
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 138.9 miles from Pearland, TX, or about 2h 32m 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 61 miles or 1h 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 138.9 miles or 2h 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 4h 7m
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 Pearland, 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 Pearland, TX
This is one driving day of about 277.8 miles and 5h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 miles from Pearland, 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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
139 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 138.9 miles from Pearland, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before North Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 198.4 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
Road Ranger
0.1 mi from route
TA Express
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Navarro County Northbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
TA Express
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Walker County Southbound Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Walker County Northbound Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Navarro County Southbound Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
2.3 mi from route
Buc-ee's
2.4 mi from route
Dennis Johnston Park
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
First break
1.5 mi from route
~4 min detour
Spring, Texas
Hours: 7 am–10 pm
+17132740930
Visit websiteNTER - The Great Escape
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.2 mi from route
~3 min detour
Waxahachie, Texas
Hours: 5–9 pm
+12149801053
Visit websiteForest 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 websiteCandy Cane Park
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
3.3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Conroe, Texas
Hours: 9 am–11 pm
+19365223804
Visit websiteDowntown Aquarium
4.1
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the start, short detour
First break
3.1 mi from route
~8 min detour
Houston, Texas
Hours: 10 am–8:30 pm
+17132233474
Visit websiteWaugh Drive Bat Colony
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, ~9 min detour
First break
3.6 mi from route
~9 min detour
Houston, Texas
Hours: Open 24 hours
+17137520314
Visit websiteBarbara Fish Daniel Nature Play Area and Picnic Pavilion
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
First break
3.3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Houston, Texas
Hours: 7 am–8 pm
+17137520314
Visit websiteCidercade Houston
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, ~10 min detour
First break
3.9 mi from route
~10 min detour
Houston, Texas
Hours: 10 am–12 pm
+13462417524
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 115 decision points cluster between mile 7.7 and 277.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
7.7 mi into trip
|
~12m in
|
TX 35 / Reveille Street
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 35 / Reveille Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
8
215.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 53m 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
273.4 mi into trip
|
~4h 58m 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
273.6 mi into trip
|
~4h 59m 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
277.4 mi into trip
|
~5h 3m 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
$38.05 one way
$76.10 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
97 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $42.50 | $85.00 |
| premium | $4.23 | $46.21 | $92.42 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $52.45 | $104.91 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 97.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 83.3 | 1 | $29.17 | $13.33 |
| Efficient EV | 69.5 | 0 | $24.31 | $11.11 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 111.1 | 1 | $38.89 | $17.78 |
Gas CO2
97 kg
EV CO2
33 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.
Origin
Pearland, TX
Afternoon in Pearland on Sunday
Local time
3:59 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 5 to 10 mph
4% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:59PM CDT until July 19 at 6:17PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:59PM CDT until July 19 at 5:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Fort Worth, TX
Afternoon in Fort Worth on Sunday
Local time
3:59 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Partly Cloudy
S 10 mph
3% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:59PM CDT until July 19 at 6:17PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:59PM CDT until July 19 at 5:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
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
1 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 5m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is primarily highway driving, with 96% of the trip on major roads. You'll encounter a long stretch of 198.4 miles on North Freeway, suggesting a period of less frequent exits. The transition to surface roads will occur after this long highway segment. Expect a significant number of exits as you approach and navigate urban areas on US 287.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 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?
9/10
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 7.7 miles in near TX 35 / Reveille Street.
Driving Effort
9/10
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 11 significant decision points across 277.8 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 7.7 miles (TX 35 / Reveille Street): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 215.8 miles (US 287): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 273.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
658 ft
48 ft
Total Climb
1,055 ft
Total Descent
451 ft
Highest Point
658 ft
~238.1 mi in
Elevation Range
610 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Pearland, TX
Full guide →Founded 1894
Pearland is in the North Barrier Coast region of Texas.
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 5m. Total distance: 277.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). 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 21 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 21 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 7.7 miles (TX 35 / Reveille Street): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 215.8 miles (US 287): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 273.4 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 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.2 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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