Traveling from Texas City to Garland covers 331.8 miles and typically takes about 5 hours and 33 minutes of driving time. Because this route is a turn-heavy local drive rather than a straight interstate haul, it is best approached as a dedicated day trip. You should budget approximately $51 for fuel to complete the journey. Both cities sit within the Great Plains region, meaning the landscape remains consistent as you move across the state. While it is possible to power through in one day, the nature of the local roads requires your full attention. Plan accordingly to ensure you have enough time to navigate the slower, winding sections comfortably.
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
168.1 miles from Texas City, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 14m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 59
57.5 mi
1h 5m
I-69
42 mi
44m
Eastex Freeway
39.3 mi
45m
US 271
29.8 mi
34m
Gulf Freeway
28.2 mi
32m
US Route 259
19.2 mi
21m
I 30
17.1 mi
17m
US Highway 259 North
16.5 mi
24m
Longest stretch:
US 59
— 57.5 mi, about 1h 5m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Texas City, TX and Garland, TX.
1
Start on this road
48 ft·8 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto Spur 197
0.7 mi·1 min·6th Street
3
Turn left onto 9th Avenue North
1.4 mi·2 min·9th Avenue North
Use the left lane.
4
Continue on FM 1764
1.6 mi·2 min·Palmer Highway
5
Continue on FM 1764
5.8 mi·7 min·Emmett F Lowry Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Merge onto I 45
28 mi·32 min·Gulf Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 45Toward TX 288 South, I 69, US 59: Lake Jackson, Freeport, Cleveland, Victoria, Texas Southern UniversityUse the straight / right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward TX 288 South, US 59, I 69: Lake Jackson, Freeport, Victoria, Cleveland
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 69 North, US 59 North: ClevelandUse the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto I 69; US 59
39 mi·45 min·Eastex Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 69; US 59
0.7 mi·44 sec·I 69; US 59
12
Continue on I-69; US 59
42 mi·44 min·I-69; US 59
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on US 59; FM 942
36 mi·40 min·US 59; FM 942
14
Take the exit onto US 59
5.7 mi·7 min·US 59
Toward US 59 North, Loop 287 East: Nacogdoches
15
Keep slight right at fork onto US 59
16 mi·17 min·US 59
Toward US 59 North: Nacogdoches
16
Turn left
0.7 mi·1 min
17
Continue on this road
0.3 mi·41 sec·this road
18
Merge onto Loop 224
5.9 mi·6 min·Southwest Stallings Drive
19
Continue on US 59
0.9 mi·58 sec·North US Highway 59
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Use the left lane.
21
Continue on this road
0.1 mi·20 sec·this road
22
Merge onto US 259
11 mi·12 min·US Highway 259
23
Continue on US 259
3.0 mi·3 min·US Route 259
24
Continue on US 259
2.8 mi·3 min·South Railroad Avenue
25
Continue on US 259
16 mi·18 min·US Route 259
26
Turn right onto US 79; US 259
1.8 mi·2 min·Highway 79
27
Continue on US 259
13 mi·15 min·Kilgore Drive
28
Keep slight right at fork onto US 259 Business
2.8 mi·3 min·US 259 Business
29
Turn left onto Houston Street
0.6 mi·1 min·Houston Street
30
Keep slight right at fork onto Houston Street
371 ft·7 sec·Houston Street
31
Enter roundabout onto TX 135
124 ft·1 sec·State Highway 135 North
32
Continue on TX 135
11 mi·13 min·State Highway 135 North
33
Continue on US 271
1.6 mi·1 min·South Tyler Street
34
Continue on US 271
0.3 mi·30 sec·South Main Street
35
Turn left onto US 80
2.1 mi·2 min·West Upshur Avenue
36
Turn right onto FM 2685
4.1 mi·5 min·FM 2865
37
Turn right onto FM 2685
6.5 mi·7 min·FM 2685
38
Turn right onto TX 155
4.2 mi·4 min·TX 155
39
Continue on US 271
30 mi·34 min·US 271
40
Turn right onto Burton Road
0.2 mi·20 sec·Burton Road
41
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·30 sec
42
Merge onto I 30
17 mi·17 min·I 30
43
Take the exit
0.3 mi·46 sec
Toward US 259: De Kalb, Daingerfield
44
Turn left onto US 259
17 mi·24 min·US Highway 259 North
45
Turn left onto FM 1701
2.1 mi·4 min·FM 1701
46
Arrive at destination
FM 1701
Trip Plan
Since you are navigating 331.8 miles of local roads, departing early in the morning is essential to avoid fatigue and maximize daylight. You will likely need at least one scheduled stop during the 5h 33m journey to stretch your legs and reset. Keep your fuel budget of $51 in mind and top off before leaving Texas City, as local roads can lead to unpredictable fuel consumption compared to steady highway driving. Pay close attention to the turn-heavy nature of the route, as navigation will require more frequent glances at your map than a standard highway trip. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, so don't be afraid to pull over if the local traffic flow gets taxing.
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 168.1 miles from Texas City, TX, or about 3h 14m 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 74 miles or 1h 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 168.1 miles or 3h 14m 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 21m
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 Texas City, 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 Texas City, TX
This is one driving day of about 336.1 miles and 6h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 74 miles from Texas City, 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 28
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.7 and 239.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.7 mi into trip|~1m in|9th Avenue North
Turn left onto 9th Avenue North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
37.6 mi into trip|~45m in
Take the exit toward TX 288 South, I 69, US 59: Lake Jackson, Freeport, Cleveland, Victoria, Texas Southern University
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Exit 45
Toward TX 288 South, I 69, US 59: Lake Jackson,...
6
38.4 mi into trip|~47m in
Keep slight left at fork toward TX 288 South, US 59, I 69: Lake Jackson, Freeport, Victoria, Cleveland
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward TX 288 South, US 59, I 69: Lake Jackson,...
8
39.3 mi into trip|~48m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 69 North, US 59 North: Cleveland
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 69 North, US 59 North: Cleveland
6
239.6 mi into trip|~4h 39m 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
$50.79 one way
$101.57 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg118 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$55.59
$111.18
premium
$4.54
$60.01
$120.02
diesel
$5.61
$74.21
$148.41
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$51
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$76–$101
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 117.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
100.8
1
$35.29
$16.13
Efficient EV
84
0
$29.41
$13.44
EV Truck/SUV
134.4
1
$47.05
$21.51
Gas CO2
118 kg
EV CO2
39 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 13, 2026
Origin
Texas City, TX
Late night
in Texas City on Sunday
Local time
5:02 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Garland, TX
Late night
in Garland on Sunday
Local time
5:02 AM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 15 mph50% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 13 at 10:42AM CDT until April 13 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX
Fire Weather Watch
Fire Weather Watch issued April 13 at 10:42AM CDT until April 14 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Amarillo 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
23 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
6h 37m 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 unique experience behind the wheel, as this route relies on local infrastructure like 6th Street, 9th Avenue North, and Palmer Highway instead of major interstates. With a 0% highway share, this is a turn-heavy local drive that demands constant focus and frequent adjustments to your speed. You won't find long, monotonous stretches here; instead, the road requires active navigation through various local corridors. The character of the drive is defined by these technical segments, which offer a different pace than the typical high-speed transit. Be prepared for a hands-on driving experience that keeps you engaged from start to finish.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
46 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 0.7 miles in near 9th Avenue North.
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 28 significant decision points across 336.1 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 0.7 miles (9th Avenue North): Lane positioning matters here; at 37.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 38.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
519 ft6 ft
Total Climb
719 ft
Total Descent
339 ft
Highest Point
519 ft
~192.1 mi in
Elevation Range
513 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Texas City, TX and Garland, TX, road signs point toward Freeport, Cleveland, Victoria, Texas Southern University, 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 37m. Total distance: 336.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 37m 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 0.7 miles (9th Avenue North): Lane positioning matters here; at 37.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 38.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.6 hours each way, a round trip means 13.2 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.
