This 771.7-mile journey from Socorro, TX to Garland, TX will take approximately 13 hours and 11 minutes of driving time. Given the distance and duration, it's best planned as a two-day trip to avoid excessive fatigue. The primary roads you'll be using are I-20 and I-10, with a brief stint on East R L Thornton Freeway. With a highway share of 99%, expect a relatively straightforward, long-distance drive across the Great Plains region of Texas. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $117, and you'll encounter 3 designated stops along the way.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
3 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
385.9 miles from Socorro, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 6h 22m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 20
421.1 mi
6h 59m
I 10
148.2 mi
2h 20m
East R L Thornton Freeway
132.6 mi
2h 17m
Tom Landry Freeway
31 mi
36m
US Highway 259 North
16.5 mi
24m
West Freeway
15.2 mi
17m
Horizon Boulevard
2.9 mi
5m
FM 1701
2.1 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 421.1 mi, about 6h 59m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Socorro, TX and Garland, TX.
1
Start on this road
139 ft·13 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto FM 258
249 ft·5 sec·Socorro Road
3
Turn left onto Buford Road
1.1 mi·2 min·Buford Road
4
Continue on FM 1281
2.9 mi·5 min·Horizon Boulevard
5
Turn right onto Gateway Boulevard East
0.6 mi·1 min·Gateway Boulevard East
6
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·18 sec
Toward I 10 East
7
Merge onto I 10
148 mi·2 hr 20 min·I 10
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 20
421 mi·6 hr 59 min·I 20
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
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.
10
Continue on I 30
31 mi·36 min·Tom Landry Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 30; US 67
7.5 mi·9 min·East R L Thornton Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 30; US 67
125 mi·2 hr 8 min·East R L Thornton Freeway
Toward I 30 East: TexarkanaUse the straight / right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·46 sec
Toward US 259: De Kalb, Daingerfield
14
Turn left onto US 259
17 mi·24 min·US Highway 259 North
15
Turn left onto FM 1701
2.1 mi·4 min·FM 1701
16
Arrive at destination
FM 1701
Trip Plan
For this 13-hour drive, splitting it over two days is highly recommended. Aim to start early on your first day to maximize daylight hours. Plan your overnight stop strategically to break up the 421.1-mile stretch on I-20. With only 3 recommended stops, be sure to factor in additional breaks for fuel and rest, especially during the longer segments. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge; while the estimated cost is $117, gas prices can fluctuate, and it's always wise to refuel before reaching a very low level on these long highway stretches.
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.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 3 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 385.9 miles from Socorro, TX, or about 6h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 421.1 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 170 miles or 2h 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 385.9 miles or 6h 22m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 385.9 miles or 6h 22m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 11h 59m
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 Socorro, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Socorro, TX
Aim for roughly 386 miles and 6.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Garland, TX
Aim for roughly 386 miles and 6.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 170 miles from Socorro, TX.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 3 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 20 for about 421.1 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 752.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip|~0m in|FM 258 / Socorro Road
Turn left onto FM 258 / Socorro Road
Navigation decision point
6
152.9 mi into trip|~2h 30m in|I 20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 20
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
574 mi into trip|~9h 29m 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
7
627.7 mi into trip|~10h 33m in|I 30; US 67 / East R L Thornton Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 30; US 67 / East R L Thornton Freeway toward I 30 East: Texarkana
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana
5
752.8 mi into trip|~12h 41m in
Take the exit toward US 259: De Kalb, Daingerfield
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 259: De Kalb, Daingerfield
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$116.61 one way
$233.21 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg270 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$127.63
$255.27
premium
$4.54
$137.78
$275.56
diesel
$5.61
$170.38
$340.76
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$117
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$247–$357
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 270 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $81 in charging
· 2 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
231.5
2
$81.03
$37.04
Efficient EV
192.9
2
$67.52
$30.87
EV Truck/SUV
308.7
3
$108.04
$49.39
Gas CO2
270 kg
EV CO2
90 kg (67% less)
Plan for 2 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 17, 2026
Origin
Socorro, TX
Evening
in Socorro on Saturday
Local time
7:11 PM
MDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Garland, TX
Evening
in Garland on Saturday
Local time
8:11 PM
CDT
Current temp
85°F
Partly Sunny
S 15 mph3% chanceLive 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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
Time zone
1 hour later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
27 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
13h 11m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
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.
Chamizal National Memorial
National Memorial
Chamizal is more than just an urban park to recreate or enjoy a quiet afternoon. These grounds are a reminder of the harmonious settlement of a 100-year boundary dispute between the United States and...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
The character of this drive is overwhelmingly that of a long-distance interstate journey, with a 99% highway share. You'll spend the majority of your time on I-20, which presents the longest uninterrupted stretch of 421.1 miles. Expect consistent speeds and minimal traffic disruptions for much of the route. While the landscape is likely to be characteristic of the Great Plains, the focus here is on efficient travel rather than winding roads or varied terrain. Prepare for a driving experience that prioritizes covering ground.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 421.1 mi on I 20.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and I 10. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near FM 258 / Socorro Road.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 771.7 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (FM 258 / Socorro Road): Navigation decision point; at 152.9 miles (I 20): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 574 miles (I 30 / West Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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.
Moderate complexity with 3 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
13h 11m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 421.1 miles on I 20. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 386 miles on day one.
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 3 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 (FM 258 / Socorro Road): Navigation decision point; at 152.9 miles (I 20): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 574 miles (I 30 / West Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Chamizal National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 13.2 hours each way, a round trip means 26.4 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.
