Origin
Richardson, TX
Late night in Richardson on Sunday
Local time
3:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Richardson, TX to Fort Worth, TX
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
51m
Distance
44.5 mi
72 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 48m
★
6 AM
0h 52m
8 AM
1h 0m
10 AM
0h 55m
12 PM
0h 54m
3 PM
0h 55m
5 PM
1h 0m
8 PM
0h 49m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Richardson, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Fort Worth, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling between Richardson and Fort Worth covers 43.2 miles, making this a straightforward journey that fits easily into a single day. You can expect to spend about 45 minutes on the road, depending on local traffic conditions. Since both cities are located within the Great Plains region of Texas, the landscape remains consistent throughout your transit. Budgeting roughly $6 for fuel is sufficient for this direct trip, which requires no planned stops to reach your destination. Because the travel time is so short, there is no need to consider an overnight stay, allowing you to easily complete the trek in one go.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| SH 183 TEXpress | 13.6 mi | 13m |
| Airport Freeway | 8 mi | 9m |
| Lyndon B Johnson Freeway | 4.8 mi | 5m |
| SH 121/183 TEXpress | 2.7 mi | 2m |
| Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway | 2.4 mi | 2m |
| South Stemmons Freeway | 2.2 mi | 2m |
| Loop 12 TEXpress | 2.2 mi | 2m |
| South Central Expressway | 1.8 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
SH 183 TEXpress
— 13.6 mi, about 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Richardson, TX and Fort Worth, TX.
1
Start on this road
99 ft
·
13 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto East Main Street
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
East Main Street
3
Continue on West Main Street
0.2 mi
·
39 sec
·
West Main Street
4
Turn left onto South Central Expressway
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
South Central Expressway
Use the straight / left lanes.
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward US 75 South
6
Merge onto US 75
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
South Central Expressway
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 21
Toward I 635
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.9 mi
·
55 sec
Toward I 635 West
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 635
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 635
4.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 27C
Toward I 35E South: Dallas
Use the left / straight lanes.
12
Merge onto I 35E
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
South Stemmons Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto North Walton Walker Boulevard
0.6 mi
·
39 sec
·
North Walton Walker Boulevard
Exit 436A
Toward Loop 12 South: Irving, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport
14
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
Use the slight right lane.
15
Merge onto Loop 12 TEXpress
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Loop 12 TEXpress
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto TX 183 TEXpress
13 mi
·
13 min
·
SH 183 TEXpress
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on TX 121 TEXpress; TX 183 TEXpress
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
SH 121/183 TEXpress
18
Continue on TX 183 TEXpress
0.1 mi
·
7 sec
·
SH 183 TEXpress
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on TX 121 TEXpress; TX 183 TEXpress
0.7 mi
·
42 sec
·
SH 121/183 TEXpress
20
Take the exit
1.0 mi
·
2 min
Toward I 820 South, TX 121 South, TX 183 West
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Merge onto TX 121; TX 183
0.8 mi
·
58 sec
·
Airport Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 121
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
Airport Freeway
Exit 25A
Toward TX 121 South: Downtown, Fort Worth
Use the slight right lane.
23
Continue on TX 121
6.9 mi
·
8 min
·
Airport Freeway
Exit 24B
Toward TX 121 South: Downtown, Ft Worth
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
41 sec
Toward I 35W South, US 287 South, US 377 South: Waco
Use the slight left lane.
25
Merge onto I 35W; US 287; US 377
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
North South Freeway
26
Take the exit onto US 287 Bus
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
US 287 Bus
Exit 49B
Toward US 287 Business: Rosedale Street, Allen Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
27
Continue on South Freeway
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
·
South Freeway
Use the left / straight lanes.
28
Arrive at destination
South Freeway
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
22 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 10 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 22.2 miles from Richardson, 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.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 205 decision points cluster between mile 2.4 and 43.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
2.4 mi into trip
|
~4m in
Take the exit toward I 635
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Exit 21
Toward I 635
7
2.6 mi into trip
|
~4m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 635 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 635 West
9
34.4 mi into trip
|
~39m in
|
TX 121 / Airport Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 121 / Airport Freeway toward TX 121 South: Downtown, Fort Worth
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 25A
Toward TX 121 South: Downtown, Fort Worth
8
41.6 mi into trip
|
~47m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35W South, US 287 South, US 377 South: Waco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 35W South, US 287 South, US 377 South:...
8
43.6 mi into trip
|
~50m in
|
US 287 Bus
Take the exit onto US 287 Bus toward US 287 Business: Rosedale Street, Allen Avenue
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 49B
Toward US 287 Business: Rosedale Street, Allen...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$6.72 one way
$13.45 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
16 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $7.36 | $14.72 |
| premium | $4.54 | $7.95 | $15.89 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $9.83 | $19.65 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.14
Central Expressway
(1.8 mi)
$0.14
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$7
Tolls
$0
Total
$7
Estimated CO2 emission: 15.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 13.4 | 0 | $4.67 | $2.14 |
| Efficient EV | 11.1 | 0 | $3.89 | $1.78 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 17.8 | 0 | $6.23 | $2.85 |
Gas CO2
16 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (69% 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.
Destination
Fort Worth, TX
Late night in Fort Worth on Sunday
Local time
3:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
13 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
51m 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?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate cruise, as this route contains 0% highway travel. You will navigate primarily via East Main Street, West Main Street, and the South Central Expressway. Because there are no long, uninterrupted stretches, you will need to stay alert and manage frequent turns throughout the 43.2-mile distance. The experience behind the wheel is defined by steady, local navigation rather than open-road driving. You should prepare for a hands-on driving experience that demands your full attention as you transition between these specific local thoroughfares.
85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 13.6 mi on SH 183 TEXpress.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on SH 183 TEXpress and Airport Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.4 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 20 decision points packed into just 44.5 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 51m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 2.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 34.4 miles (TX 121 / Airport Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Richardson, TX and Fort Worth, TX, road signs point toward Loop 12 South: Irving, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport and Ft Worth.
Loop 12 South: Irving
13.3 mi in
|
~16m
|
via North Walton Walker Boulevard
Dallas Fort Worth International Airport
13.3 mi in
|
~16m
|
via North Walton Walker Boulevard
Ft Worth
34.6 mi in
|
~39m
|
via TX 121
About the Cities
Starting in Richardson, TX
Full guide →Founded 1840
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 51m. Total distance: 44.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 13.6 miles on SH 183 TEXpress. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.14 in tolls one way, starting with Central Expressway. 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.
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.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 2.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 34.4 miles (TX 121 / Airport Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Fort Worth, TX before heading back.
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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