This 324.7-mile drive from Richmond, TX to Garland, TX will take you approximately 6 hours and 26 minutes, making it a manageable one-day trip. You'll primarily be on US 59 and I-69, also known as the Eastex Freeway, with 91% of the journey on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this drive is around $49. Both your starting and ending points are within the Great Plains region, so you can expect a consistent landscape. This highway-focused route is straightforward and efficient for getting 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
162.3 miles from Richmond, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 10m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 59
57.5 mi
1h 5m
I-69
42 mi
44m
Eastex Freeway
39.8 mi
46m
US 271
29.8 mi
34m
US Route 259
19.2 mi
21m
I 30
17.1 mi
17m
US Highway 259 North
16.5 mi
24m
Southwest Freeway
16.4 mi
20m
Longest stretch:
US 59
— 57.5 mi, about 1h 5m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Richmond, TX and Garland, 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
9.9 mi·15 min·East US Highway 90A
Use the left lane.
4
Take the ramp
240 ft·6 sec
Toward US 59 North, US 59 South: Houston, Victoria
5
Continue on this road
0.1 mi·16 sec·this road
Toward US 59 North, US 59 South: Houston, Victoria
6
Keep slight left at fork
490 ft·13 sec
Toward US 59 North, US 59 South: Houston, Victoria
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·21 sec
Toward US 59 North, US 59 South: Houston, Victoria
8
Turn slight left onto Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
0.7 mi·1 min·Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
9
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·17 sec
Toward US 59 North, I 69 NorthUse the slight left lane.
10
Merge onto I 69; US 59
14 mi·17 min·Southwest Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 69; US 59
2.1 mi·2 min·Southwest Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 69; US 59
40 mi·46 min·Eastex Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 69; US 59
0.7 mi·44 sec·I 69; US 59
14
Continue on I-69; US 59
42 mi·44 min·I-69; US 59
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on US 59; FM 942
36 mi·40 min·US 59; FM 942
16
Take the exit onto US 59
5.7 mi·7 min·US 59
Toward US 59 North, Loop 287 East: Nacogdoches
17
Keep slight right at fork onto US 59
16 mi·17 min·US 59
Toward US 59 North: Nacogdoches
18
Turn left
0.7 mi·1 min
19
Continue on this road
0.3 mi·41 sec·this road
20
Merge onto Loop 224
5.9 mi·6 min·Southwest Stallings Drive
21
Continue on US 59
0.9 mi·58 sec·North US Highway 59
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Use the left lane.
23
Continue on this road
0.1 mi·20 sec·this road
24
Merge onto US 259
11 mi·12 min·US Highway 259
25
Continue on US 259
3.0 mi·3 min·US Route 259
26
Continue on US 259
2.8 mi·3 min·South Railroad Avenue
27
Continue on US 259
16 mi·18 min·US Route 259
28
Turn right onto US 79; US 259
1.8 mi·2 min·Highway 79
29
Continue on US 259
13 mi·15 min·Kilgore Drive
30
Keep slight right at fork onto US 259 Business
2.8 mi·3 min·US 259 Business
31
Turn left onto Houston Street
0.6 mi·1 min·Houston Street
32
Keep slight right at fork onto Houston Street
371 ft·7 sec·Houston Street
33
Enter roundabout onto TX 135
124 ft·1 sec·State Highway 135 North
34
Continue on TX 135
11 mi·13 min·State Highway 135 North
35
Continue on US 271
1.6 mi·1 min·South Tyler Street
36
Continue on US 271
0.3 mi·30 sec·South Main Street
37
Turn left onto US 80
2.1 mi·2 min·West Upshur Avenue
38
Turn right onto FM 2685
4.1 mi·5 min·FM 2865
39
Turn right onto FM 2685
6.5 mi·7 min·FM 2685
40
Turn right onto TX 155
4.2 mi·4 min·TX 155
41
Continue on US 271
30 mi·34 min·US 271
42
Turn right onto Burton Road
0.2 mi·20 sec·Burton Road
43
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·30 sec
44
Merge onto I 30
17 mi·17 min·I 30
45
Take the exit
0.3 mi·46 sec
Toward US 259: De Kalb, Daingerfield
46
Turn left onto US 259
17 mi·24 min·US Highway 259 North
47
Turn left onto FM 1701
2.1 mi·4 min·FM 1701
48
Arrive at destination
FM 1701
Trip Plan
Given the 6-hour and 26-minute duration, leaving Richmond, TX in the morning is your best bet to arrive in Garland, TX with daylight to spare. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost of approximately $49, this trip offers flexibility. Consider making your stop around the halfway point to break up the 57.5-mile longest stretch on US 59. Keep an eye on traffic as you approach the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex as congestion can build.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 162.3 miles from Richmond, TX, or about 3h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 57.5 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 71 miles or 1h 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 162.3 miles or 3h 10m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 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 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 324.7 miles and 6h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 71 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 US 59 for about 57.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
The midpoint is around 162.3 miles from Richmond, 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 29
5 decision points cluster between mile 10.6 and 228.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
10.6 mi into trip|~16m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 59 North, US 59 South: Houston, Victoria
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 59 North, US 59 South: Houston, Victo...
7
10.7 mi into trip|~16m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 59 North, US 59 South: Houston, Victoria
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 59 North, US 59 South: Houston, Victo...
6
11.5 mi into trip|~18m in
Take the ramp toward US 59 North, I 69 North
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward US 59 North, I 69 North
6
26 mi into trip|~36m in|I 69; US 59 / Southwest Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 69; US 59 / Southwest Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
228.1 mi into trip|~4h 28m in|TX 135 / State Highway 135 North
Enter roundabout onto TX 135 / State Highway 135 North
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$49.06 one way
$98.13 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg114 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$53.70
$107.41
premium
$4.54
$57.97
$115.95
diesel
$5.61
$71.69
$143.38
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$49
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$74–$99
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 113.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
97.4
1
$34.09
$15.59
Efficient EV
81.2
0
$28.41
$12.99
EV Truck/SUV
129.9
1
$45.46
$20.78
Gas CO2
114 kg
EV CO2
38 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.
Forecast as of Apr 14, 2026
Origin
Richmond, TX
Morning
in Richmond on Tuesday
Local time
8:26 AM
CDT
Current temp
83°F
Mostly Sunny
S 15 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued April 14 at 3:47PM CDT until April 14 at 11:00PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued April 14 at 3:46PM CDT until April 14 at 11:00PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Destination
Garland, TX
Morning
in Garland on Tuesday
Local time
8:26 AM
CDT
Current temp
83°F
Partly Sunny
S 15 mph9% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued April 14 at 3:47PM CDT until April 14 at 11:00PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued April 14 at 3:46PM CDT until April 14 at 11:00PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
6h 26m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this route, with 91% of the drive utilizing major roadways like US 59 and I-69. The Eastex Freeway will be your main artery for much of the journey. You'll encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 57.5 miles on US 59, offering a good opportunity to settle into a rhythm. While largely a highway drive, its character remains consistent as you traverse the Texas landscape.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
48 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 57.5 mi on US 59.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 59 and I-69. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 10.6 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 29 significant decision points across 324.7 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 10.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11.5 miles: 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.
Between Richmond, TX and Garland, TX, road signs point toward Loop 287 East: Nacogdoches 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 6h 26m. Total distance: 324.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 26m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 57.5 miles on US 59. 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 10.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.4 hours each way, a round trip means 12.9 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.
