Trip from Richmond, TX to Garland, TX

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

6h 26m

Distance

324.7 mi

522 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$44

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min

4 AM

6h 14m ★

6 AM

6h 26m

8 AM

6h 51m

10 AM

6h 35m

12 PM

6h 32m

3 PM

6h 36m

5 PM

6h 50m

8 PM

6h 19m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time

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city in Fort Bend County, Texas, United States

Richmond, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Garland, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

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.

Start on US 90 Alt

68 ft · 3 sec · Jackson Street

Turn slight right onto US 90 Alt

0.5 mi · 45 sec · US 90 Alt

Continue on US 90 Alt

9.9 mi · 15 min · East US Highway 90A

Use the left lane.

Take the ramp

240 ft · 6 sec

Toward US 59 North, US 59 South: Houston, Victoria

Continue on this road

0.1 mi · 16 sec · this road

Toward US 59 North, US 59 South: Houston, Victoria

Keep slight left at fork

490 ft · 13 sec

Toward US 59 North, US 59 South: Houston, Victoria

Keep slight right at fork

0.1 mi · 21 sec

Toward US 59 North, US 59 South: Houston, Victoria

Turn slight left onto Southwest Freeway Frontage Road

0.7 mi · 1 min · Southwest Freeway Frontage Road

Use the left / straight lanes.

Take the ramp

0.1 mi · 17 sec

Toward US 59 North, I 69 North Use the slight left lane.

Merge onto I 69; US 59

14 mi · 17 min · Southwest Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 69; US 59

2.1 mi · 2 min · Southwest Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 69; US 59

40 mi · 46 min · Eastex Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 69; US 59

0.7 mi · 44 sec · I 69; US 59

Continue on I-69; US 59

42 mi · 44 min · I-69; US 59

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on US 59; FM 942

36 mi · 40 min · US 59; FM 942

Take the exit onto US 59

5.7 mi · 7 min · US 59

Toward US 59 North, Loop 287 East: Nacogdoches

Keep slight right at fork onto US 59

16 mi · 17 min · US 59

Toward US 59 North: Nacogdoches

Turn left

0.7 mi · 1 min

Continue on this road

0.3 mi · 41 sec · this road

Merge onto Loop 224

5.9 mi · 6 min · Southwest Stallings Drive

Continue on US 59

0.9 mi · 58 sec · North US Highway 59

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 24 sec

Use the left lane.

Continue on this road

0.1 mi · 20 sec · this road

Merge onto US 259

11 mi · 12 min · US Highway 259

Continue on US 259

3.0 mi · 3 min · US Route 259

Continue on US 259

2.8 mi · 3 min · South Railroad Avenue

Continue on US 259

16 mi · 18 min · US Route 259

Turn right onto US 79; US 259

1.8 mi · 2 min · Highway 79

Continue on US 259

13 mi · 15 min · Kilgore Drive

Keep slight right at fork onto US 259 Business

2.8 mi · 3 min · US 259 Business

Turn left onto Houston Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · Houston Street

Keep slight right at fork onto Houston Street

371 ft · 7 sec · Houston Street

Enter roundabout onto TX 135

124 ft · 1 sec · State Highway 135 North

Continue on TX 135

11 mi · 13 min · State Highway 135 North

Continue on US 271

1.6 mi · 1 min · South Tyler Street

Continue on US 271

0.3 mi · 30 sec · South Main Street

Turn left onto US 80

2.1 mi · 2 min · West Upshur Avenue

Turn right onto FM 2685

4.1 mi · 5 min · FM 2865

Turn right onto FM 2685

6.5 mi · 7 min · FM 2685

Turn right onto TX 155

4.2 mi · 4 min · TX 155

Continue on US 271

30 mi · 34 min · US 271

Turn right onto Burton Road

0.2 mi · 20 sec · Burton Road

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 30 sec

Merge onto I 30

17 mi · 17 min · I 30

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 46 sec

Toward US 259: De Kalb, Daingerfield

Turn left onto US 259

17 mi · 24 min · US Highway 259 North

Turn left onto FM 1701

2.1 mi · 4 min · FM 1701

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.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Lufkin, TX

162 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

Houston, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 71 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Lufkin, TX

1.8 mi from route

The Escape Game Houston (Galleria)

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour

Houston, Texas

Hours: 8 am–12 pm

+17136365541

Visit website

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

First break 4.2 mi from route ~11 min detour

Houston, Texas

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+17137520314

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

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.

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...

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...

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

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.

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

$44.47 one way

$88.95 round trip

$3.48/gal 25.4 MPG avg 114 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$3.89	$49.68	$99.35
premium	$4.23	$54.01	$108.02
diesel	$4.80	$61.31	$122.62

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$44

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$69–$94

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, 2026-07-13.

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 Jul 17, 2026

Origin

Richmond, TX

Morning in Richmond on Tuesday

Local time

10:09 AM

CDT

Current temp

93°F

Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

S 10 mph 18% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued July 17 at 10:45AM CDT until July 17 at 1:45PM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued July 17 at 10:31AM CDT until July 18 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX

Destination

Garland, TX

Morning in Garland on Tuesday

Local time

10:09 AM

CDT

Current temp

91°F

Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

SW 5 to 10 mph 16% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued July 17 at 10:45AM CDT until July 17 at 1:45PM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued July 17 at 10:31AM CDT until July 18 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS San Angelo 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

2 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

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.

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 Effort 10/10

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.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

446 ft 55 ft

Total Climb

631 ft

Total Descent

337 ft

Highest Point

446 ft

~185.5 mi in

Elevation Range

390 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 Garland, TX, road signs point toward Loop 287 East: Nacogdoches and Daingerfield.

Loop 287 East: Nacogdoches

146.7 mi in | ~2h 51m | via US 59

Daingerfield

305.7 mi in | ~5h 55m

About the Cities

Starting in Richmond, TX

Full guide →

Founded 1837

Top landmarks

• John M. and Lottie D. Moore House — building in Richmond, Fort Bend County, Texas
• Lamar–Calder House — building in Richmond, Fort Bend County, Texas
• Fort Bend County Courthouse — historic place in Richmond, Fort Bend County, Texas

Arriving in Garland, TX

Full guide →

Founded 1891

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.

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 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.

Yes — we found about 13 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 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. There are 13 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

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.

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, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Explore more options from Richmond, TX or browse trips ending in Garland, TX.

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Trip from Richmond, TX to Garland, TX

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

Picnic Area

Love's Travel Stop

Flying J Travel Center

Polk County Northbound Rest Area

Polk County Southbound Rest Area

Pilot Travel Center

Love's Travel Stop

Love's Travel Stop

TA

QuikTrip

QuikTrip

Service Plaza

Love's Travel Stop

The Escape Game Houston (Galleria)

ExitusVR

Houston Zoo

Children's Museum Houston

Waugh Drive Bat Colony

The Black Cowboy Museum

Midtown Park

Barbara Fish Daniel Nature Play Area and Picnic Pavilion

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Richmond, TX

Garland, TX

Same local time

2 degrees cooler at arrival

6h 26m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Elevation Profile

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Starting in Richmond, TX

Arriving in Garland, TX

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

Continue From Garland, TX

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