Traveling from Richmond to Fort Worth covers approximately 264.4 miles and typically takes about 4 hours and 1 minute of driving time. Because this route is a turn-heavy local drive rather than a straight interstate shot, it is best approached as a dedicated one-day trip. Budgeting around $39 for fuel should keep you covered for the journey across the Texas Great Plains. While the trip is manageable in a single day, the winding nature of the roads means you should prioritize comfort over speed. Since both your start and end points are located within the Great Plains, you will remain in a consistent regional environment 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
131.9 miles from Richmond, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 32m 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
22.7 mi
26m
Northwest Freeway
19.4 mi
22m
East State Highway 6
9.1 mi
9m
East Loop 340
4.9 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
TX 6
— 69 mi, about 1h 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Richmond, TX and Fort Worth, TX.
1
Start on US 90 Alt
68 ft·3 sec·Jackson Street
2
Turn slight right onto US 90 Alt
0.5 mi·45 sec·US 90 Alt
3
Continue on US 90 Alt
0.7 mi·59 sec·East US Highway 90A
4
Turn left
0.3 mi·58 sec
5
Turn left onto FM 359
2.1 mi·3 min·FM 359
Use the left / straight lanes.
6
Continue on Mason Road
2.6 mi·4 min·Mason Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
7
Turn left onto TX 99
1.4 mi·2 min·West Grand Parkway South Frontage Road
Use the left lane.
8
Take the ramp onto TX 99
0.2 mi·31 sec·TX 99
Toward TX 99 North
9
Merge onto TX 99
23 mi·26 min·West Grand Parkway South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward US 290 West, US 290 East: Austin, HoustonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward US 290 West: AustinUse the slight left lane.
12
Merge onto US 290; TX 6
19 mi·22 min·Northwest Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit onto TX 6
0.3 mi·36 sec·TX 6
Toward College Station, BryanUse the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·19 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Turn right
0.2 mi·12 sec
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Continue on TX 6
11 mi·12 min·TX 6
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Turn straight onto TX 6
58 mi·1 hr 1 min·TX 6
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 6
5.8 mi·5 min·North State Highway 6
19
Continue on TX 6
2.2 mi·3 min·South Main Street
20
Continue on TX 6
37 mi·37 min·North State Highway 6
21
Continue on TX 6
2.2 mi·2 min·South Memorial Street
22
Continue on TX 6
9.1 mi·9 min·East State Highway 6
23
Take the exit onto TX 6
0.3 mi·33 sec·TX 6
24
Turn right onto Loop 340
4.9 mi·6 min·East Loop 340
25
Take the exit
354 ft·10 sec
26
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·23 sec
Toward I 35 North
27
Merge onto I 35; US 77
31 mi·31 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W
49 mi·51 min·I 35W
Toward I 35W: Fort WorthUse the slight left lane.
29
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Exit 49AToward Allen AvenueUse the slight right lane.
30
Turn straight onto South Freeway
0.1 mi·18 sec·South Freeway
31
Turn left onto East Allen Avenue
210 ft·12 sec·East Allen Avenue
32
Turn left onto South Freeway
258 ft·5 sec·South Freeway
33
Arrive at destination
South Freeway
Trip Plan
To keep your 4-hour drive stress-free, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refuel. Since the route relies heavily on local roads, avoid leaving during peak traffic hours if you want to maintain your estimated time of arrival. Keep your $39 fuel budget in mind when selecting gas stations, as local roads may offer different pricing than major highway corridors. Because you have no long uninterrupted stretches, use your single planned stop to reset your focus before tackling the next series of turns. Staying flexible with your departure time is your biggest advantage for this specific trip, allowing you to bypass the densest parts of local congestion.
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 131.9 miles from Richmond, TX, or about 2h 32m 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 58 miles or 1h 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 131.9 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
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 Richmond, 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 Richmond, TX
This is one driving day of about 263.7 miles and 4h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Richmond, 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 30.5 and 214.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
30.5 mi into trip|~39m 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
30.8 mi into trip|~40m 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
51.1 mi into trip|~1h 4m 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
51.4 mi into trip|~1h 5m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
214.1 mi into trip|~3h 58m 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
$39.85 one way
$79.69 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg92 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$43.61
$87.23
premium
$4.54
$47.08
$94.16
diesel
$5.61
$58.22
$116.44
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
79.1
0
$27.69
$12.66
Efficient EV
65.9
0
$23.07
$10.55
EV Truck/SUV
105.5
1
$36.92
$16.88
Gas CO2
92 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Richmond, TX
Morning
in Richmond on Tuesday
Local time
8:26 AM
CDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Fort Worth, TX
Morning
in Fort Worth on Tuesday
Local time
8:26 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
24 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
4h 50m 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...
4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 181.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a hands-on driving experience as you navigate your way north. This route is defined by its local road character, utilizing Highway 90A, Mason Road, and the West Grand Parkway South Frontage Road rather than high-speed interstates. With a 0% highway share, you won't be settling into a mindless cruise; instead, you should prepare for constant adjustments and turns. The longest stretch without a turn is 0 miles on Highway 90A, confirming that this is a technical drive that requires your full attention. The road's personality is distinctly local, keeping you engaged with the pavement from Richmond all the way to Fort Worth.
83% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
33 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?
9/10
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 30.5 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
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 21 significant decision points across 263.7 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 30.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 30.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 51.1 miles (TX 6): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
819 ft92 ft
Total Climb
804 ft
Total Descent
244 ft
Highest Point
819 ft
~244.9 mi in
Elevation Range
727 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Richmond, TX and Fort Worth, TX, road signs point toward Houston, College Station and Bryan.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 50m. Total distance: 263.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (83%). 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.
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 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 30.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 30.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 51.1 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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Fort Worth, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.
