Hill County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Sweeny, TX to Fort Worth, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 57m
Distance
306.6 mi
493 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$42
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 44m
★
6 AM
5h 57m
8 AM
6h 23m
10 AM
6h 7m
12 PM
6h 4m
3 PM
6h 8m
5 PM
6h 22m
8 PM
5h 50m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Sweeny, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Fort Worth, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Sweeny, TX to Fort Worth, TX is 306.6 miles and takes about 5h 57m via TX 6 and I-35W, with a fuel budget near $45 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive keeps you within Texas, moving from the Great Plains region to another part of the Great Plains. Most of the route is on highways, making it a fairly straightforward trip. If you're looking for a direct connection between these two Texas locations, this 306.6-mile route offers a practical way to get there without needing an overnight stop.
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
153.3 miles from Sweeny, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 15m 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 |
| North Columbia Drive | 32.1 mi | 49m |
| Purple Heart Trail | 31.5 mi | 31m |
| West Grand Parkway South | 19.9 mi | 23m |
| Northwest Freeway | 19.4 mi | 22m |
| East State Highway 6 | 9.1 mi | 9m |
Longest stretch:
TX 6
— 69 mi, about 1h 15m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 28 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~2,798 veh/hr typical · worst 3,547
Quietest
2 AM
~420 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
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 Sweeny, TX and Fort Worth, TX.
1
Start on FM 524
78 ft
·
4 sec
·
North Main Street
2
Turn right onto FM 1459
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
East 2nd Street
3
Continue on FM 1459
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
·
North McKinney Street
4
Continue on FM 1459
3.4 mi
·
6 min
·
East 7th Street
5
Turn right onto TX 35
4.6 mi
·
6 min
·
TX 35
6
Turn sharp left onto TX 36
32 mi
·
49 min
·
North Columbia Drive
Use the left lane.
7
Continue on FM 723
5.2 mi
·
7 min
·
Houston Street
8
Continue on FM 723
4.1 mi
·
5 min
·
FM 723
9
Continue on FM 723
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
FM 723
10
Turn right onto FM 1093
0.4 mi
·
40 sec
·
FM 1093
11
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Toward WPT Toll East
12
Merge onto WPT
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Westpark Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
1.2 mi
·
2 min
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto TX 99
20 mi
·
23 min
·
West Grand Parkway South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Toward US 290 West, US 290 East: Austin, Houston
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 290 West: Austin
Use the slight left lane.
17
Merge onto US 290; TX 6
19 mi
·
22 min
·
Northwest Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit onto TX 6
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
TX 6
Toward College Station, Bryan
Use the slight right lane.
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Turn right
0.2 mi
·
12 sec
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Continue on TX 6
11 mi
·
12 min
·
TX 6
Use the straight / right lanes.
22
Turn straight onto TX 6
58 mi
·
1 hr 1 min
·
TX 6
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 6
5.8 mi
·
5 min
·
North State Highway 6
24
Continue on TX 6
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
South Main Street
25
Continue on TX 6
37 mi
·
37 min
·
North State Highway 6
26
Continue on TX 6
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
South Memorial Street
27
Continue on TX 6
9.1 mi
·
9 min
·
East State Highway 6
28
Take the exit onto TX 6
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
TX 6
29
Turn right onto Loop 340
4.9 mi
·
6 min
·
East Loop 340
30
Take the exit
354 ft
·
10 sec
31
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
23 sec
Toward I 35 North
32
Merge onto I 35; US 77
31 mi
·
31 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W
49 mi
·
51 min
·
I 35W
Toward I 35W: Fort Worth
Use the slight left lane.
34
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 49A
Toward Allen Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
35
Turn straight onto South Freeway
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
South Freeway
36
Turn left onto East Allen Avenue
210 ft
·
12 sec
·
East Allen Avenue
37
Turn left onto South Freeway
258 ft
·
5 sec
·
South Freeway
38
Arrive at destination
South Freeway
Trip Plan
Given the 5 hour 57 minute estimated drive time, leaving Sweeny in the morning should get you to Fort Worth with plenty of daylight to spare. You have one recommended stop on this route, which is a good opportunity to stretch your legs and refuel. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 69-mile stretch on TX 6, as services might be more spread out in that section. The $45 fuel cost is an estimate, so it's wise to confirm current prices. This trip is well within the range of a single day's drive, offering flexibility in your departure time.
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 153.3 miles from Sweeny, TX, or about 3h 15m 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 67 miles or 1h 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 153.3 miles or 3h 15m 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 59m
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 Sweeny, 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 Sweeny, TX
This is one driving day of about 306.6 miles and 5h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 67 miles from Sweeny, 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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
153 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 67 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 153.3 miles from Sweeny, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before TX 6 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 69 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Hill County Southbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
Forest Park Miniature Railroad
4.4
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2.2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Fort Worth, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+18179665509
Visit websiteThe Black Cowboy Museum
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
First break
2.8 mi from route
~7 min detour
Rosenberg, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+18324516202
Visit websiteFort Worth Herd
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, ~12 min detour
Home stretch
4.7 mi from route
~12 min detour
Fort Worth, Texas
Hours: 11:30 am–4 pm
+18173364373
Visit websiteDoris D Miller Park
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Later in the drive, ~12 min detour
Final third
4.8 mi from route
~12 min detour
Waco, Texas
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 255 decision points cluster between mile 9.1 and 94.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
9.1 mi into trip
|
~14m in
|
TX 36 / North Columbia Drive
Turn sharp left onto TX 36 / North Columbia Drive
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
73.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 46m 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
73.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 46m 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
94 mi into trip
|
~2h 11m 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
94.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 11m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.99 one way
$83.99 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
107 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $46.91 | $93.81 |
| premium | $4.23 | $51.00 | $102.00 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $57.89 | $115.78 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.07
Westpark Tollway
(1 mi)
$0.07
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 107.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 92 | 1 | $32.19 | $14.72 |
| Efficient EV | 76.7 | 0 | $26.83 | $12.26 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 122.6 | 1 | $42.92 | $19.62 |
Gas CO2
107 kg
EV CO2
36 kg (66% 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.
Origin
Sweeny, TX
Night in Sweeny on Monday
Local time
9:03 PM
CDT
Current temp
91°F
Mostly Sunny
S 10 mph
8% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 2:31PM CDT until July 19 at 1:30PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 2:31PM CDT until July 19 at 6:30AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Fort Worth, TX
Night in Fort Worth on Monday
Local time
9:03 PM
CDT
Current temp
92°F
Partly Sunny
S 10 to 15 mph
11% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 2:31PM CDT until July 19 at 1:30PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 2:31PM CDT until July 19 at 6:30AM 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
1 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 57m 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...
7 mi from route
~16 min detour
Free
near mile 222
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 72% of this drive on highways. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 69 miles, primarily on TX 6. Expect a transition from highway cruising to more local roads as you approach Fort Worth. The density of exits can increase as you get closer to the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.
72% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
38 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?
10/10
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 9.1 miles in near TX 36 / North Columbia Drive.
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 25 significant decision points across 306.6 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 9.1 miles (TX 36 / North Columbia Drive): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here; at 73.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 73.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
780 ft
31 ft
Total Climb
779 ft
Total Descent
158 ft
Highest Point
780 ft
~284.7 mi in
Elevation Range
749 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Sweeny, TX and Fort Worth, TX, road signs point toward Wpt Toll East, Houston, College Station and Bryan.
Wpt Toll East
51.1 mi in
|
~1h 18m
Houston
73.4 mi in
|
~1h 46m
College Station
94 mi in
|
~2h 11m
|
via TX 6
Bryan
94 mi in
|
~2h 11m
|
via TX 6
About the Cities
Starting in Sweeny, TX
Full guide →Arriving in Fort Worth, TX
Full guide →“Panther city” · Founded 1849
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
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 5h 57m. Total distance: 306.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (72%). 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.
Expect about $0.07 in tolls one way, starting with Westpark Tollway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
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 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. There are 13 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 9.1 miles (TX 36 / North Columbia Drive): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here; at 73.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 73.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.0 hours each way, a round trip means 11.9 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.
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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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