Slaton, TX to Fort Worth, TX is 300.8 miles and takes about 5h 11m via US 84, with a fuel budget near $44 and enough daylight to finish in a day. You'll be traveling across Texas, starting in the Great Plains region and ending in the same region, with no change in state. This route is predominantly highway driving, making it a straightforward trip for a single day. Plan for a total of 5 hours and 11 minutes of wheels-turning time, plus any stops you choose to make along the way.
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
150.4 miles from Slaton, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 35m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 84
183 mi
3h 5m
US Highway 84
73.9 mi
1h 14m
East Highway 84
20 mi
20m
West Freeway
15.2 mi
17m
Trooper Jerry Don Davis Memorial Highway
2.4 mi
2m
West Division Street
1.2 mi
2m
North Avenue F
1.1 mi
2m
North US Highway 84
1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
US 84
— 183 mi, about 3h 5m
Traffic on I-20
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 56 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,680 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,135
Quietest
2 AM
~202 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Slaton, TX and Fort Worth, TX.
1
Start on this road
231 ft·19 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto South 8th Street
207 ft·7 sec·South 8th Street
3
Turn right onto West Lubbock Street
384 ft·16 sec·West Lubbock Street
4
Turn left onto US 84 Bus; FM 400
0.2 mi·22 sec·South 9th Street
5
Turn right onto FM 41
1.2 mi·2 min·West Division Street
6
Turn sharp left onto South Highway 84
0.2 mi·27 sec·South Highway 84
7
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·18 sec
8
Merge onto US 84
2.4 mi·2 min·Trooper Jerry Don Davis Memorial Highway
9
Continue on US 84
20 mi·20 min·East Highway 84
10
Continue on US 84
1.0 mi·1 min·North US Highway 84
11
Turn left onto Spur 575
0.1 mi·16 sec·East 15th Street
12
Turn right onto TX 207
0.4 mi·37 sec·Ralls Road
13
Turn straight onto TX 207
1.1 mi·2 min·North Avenue F
14
At end of road, turn left onto US 84
74 mi·1 hr 14 min·US Highway 84
15
Keep slight left at fork onto US 84
183 mi·3 hr 5 min·US 84
Toward I 20 East, US 84 East: AbileneUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 30
15 mi·17 min·West Freeway
Exit 421Toward I 30 East: Downtown Fort WorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit onto US 377
0.2 mi·12 sec·US 377
Exit 15AToward I 35W, I 35W Express Toll North, US 377 North: Waco, DentonUse the slight right lane.
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 35W South: Waco
19
Merge onto I 35W; US 287 Bus
0.1 mi·6 sec·South Freeway
20
Take the exit onto US 287 Bus
0.5 mi·1 min·US 287 Bus
Exit 49BToward US 287 Business: Rosedale Street, Allen AvenueUse the slight right lane.
21
Continue on South Freeway
0.4 mi·46 sec·South Freeway
Use the left / straight lanes.
22
Arrive at destination
South Freeway
Trip Plan
With a total travel time of just over 5 hours, this is a comfortable one-day drive. You could depart Slaton in the morning and arrive in Fort Worth by early afternoon. The longest stretch without a significant change in road type is 183 miles on US 84, so consider your fuel level before embarking on this segment. Given the relatively short duration and single recommended day, you have flexibility in when you leave and how long you stop. A good time to depart would be mid-morning to avoid early morning traffic and still allow ample daylight for arrival.
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 150.4 miles from Slaton, TX, or about 2h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 183 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 66 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 150.4 miles or 2h 35m 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 12m
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 Slaton, 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 Slaton, TX
This is one driving day of about 300.8 miles and 5h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 66 miles from Slaton, 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 84 for about 183 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 299.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|South 8th Street
Turn right onto South 8th Street
Navigation decision point
8
100.9 mi into trip|~1h 45m in|US 84
Keep slight left at fork onto US 84 toward I 20 East, US 84 East: Abilene
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 20 East, US 84 East: Abilene
8
283.9 mi into trip|~4h 50m in|I 30 / West Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 30 / West Freeway toward I 30 East: Downtown Fort Worth
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 421
Toward I 30 East: Downtown Fort Worth
8
299.2 mi into trip|~5h 8m in|US 377
Take the exit onto US 377 toward I 35W, I 35W Express Toll North, US 377 North: Waco, Denton
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 15A
Toward I 35W, I 35W Express Toll North, US 377...
8
299.9 mi into trip|~5h 9m 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
$41.20 one way
$82.40 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg105 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$46.02
$92.04
premium
$4.23
$50.03
$100.07
diesel
$4.80
$56.80
$113.59
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 105.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
90.2
1
$31.58
$14.44
Efficient EV
75.2
0
$26.32
$12.03
EV Truck/SUV
120.3
1
$42.11
$19.25
Gas CO2
105 kg
EV CO2
35 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
Slaton, TX
Evening
in Slaton on Monday
Local time
7:07 PM
CDT
Current temp
83°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SSE 15 mph17% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 3:29PM CDT by NWS Norman OK
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 2:38PM CDT until July 22 at 11:48AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Fort Worth, TX
Evening
in Fort Worth on Monday
Local time
7:07 PM
CDT
Current temp
92°F
Partly Sunny
S 10 to 15 mph11% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 3:29PM CDT by NWS Norman OK
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 2:38PM CDT until July 22 at 11:48AM 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
9 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
5h 11m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is a high-speed trip with 98% of the 300.8 miles on highways, primarily US 84. You'll experience a long stretch of uninterrupted driving for 183 miles on US 84. Expect a consistent cruising experience with minimal time spent on slower surface roads. Given the highway focus, be prepared for the potential of frequent exits as you approach your destination.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 183 mi on US 84.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 84 and US Highway 84. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near South 8th Street.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 300.8 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: near the start (South 8th Street): Navigation decision point; at 100.9 miles (US 84): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 283.9 miles (I 30 / West Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 5h 11m. Total distance: 300.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 11m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 183 miles on US 84. 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: near the start (South 8th Street): Navigation decision point; at 100.9 miles (US 84): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 283.9 miles (I 30 / West Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.4 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.
