Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Tulia, TX to Fort Worth, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 23m
Distance
323.3 mi
520 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$44
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 11m
★
6 AM
6h 23m
8 AM
6h 48m
10 AM
6h 32m
12 PM
6h 30m
3 PM
6h 33m
5 PM
6h 47m
8 PM
6h 16m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Tulia, TX
Action Construction Equipment Ltd. - ACE
Fort Worth, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Tulia to Fort Worth is 323 miles and takes about 6 hours 23 minutes via US Highway 287, with a fuel budget near $47 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route cuts across the heart of Texas, moving from the flatter landscapes of the Great Plains near Tulia into the more rolling terrain as you approach Fort Worth. It's a straightforward, predominantly highway drive, making it a solid option for a single-day trip if you're looking to cover ground efficiently. Plan for a mostly highway experience with minimal deviations, ideal for those who prefer to stick to main arteries.
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
161.7 miles from Tulia, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 29m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Central East Freeway | 99.2 mi | 1h 46m |
| US Highway 287 | 68.2 mi | 1h 13m |
| US Highway 287 East | 40.5 mi | 42m |
| 9th Street | 29.8 mi | 44m |
| Southeast 2nd Street | 26.4 mi | 39m |
| State Highway 86 | 24.9 mi | 37m |
| Northwest Freeway | 5.2 mi | 5m |
| US 81 | 4.6 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
Central East Freeway
— 99.2 mi, about 1h 46m
Traffic on I-44
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,816 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~229 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
12.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 51 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 Tulia, TX and Fort Worth, TX.
1
Start on TX 86
26 mi
·
39 min
·
Southeast 2nd Street
2
Continue on TX 86
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Lone Star Street
3
Continue on TX 86
16 mi
·
23 min
·
State Highway 86
4
Continue on TX 86
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
West Main Street
5
Continue on TX 86
9.1 mi
·
13 min
·
State Highway 86
6
Turn left onto TX 70; TX 86
30 mi
·
44 min
·
9th Street
7
Continue on TX 86
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Harper Street
8
Turn right onto US 287
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
·
Burnett Street
9
Continue on US 287
14 mi
·
14 min
·
US Highway 287
10
Continue on US 287
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Avenue F Northwest
11
Continue on US 287
54 mi
·
58 min
·
US Highway 287
12
Continue on US 287
4.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on US 70; US 183; US 287
41 mi
·
42 min
·
US Highway 287 East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on US 287
4.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Northwest Freeway
15
Keep slight right at fork onto US 287
0.6 mi
·
42 sec
·
Northwest Freeway
Toward I 44 West, US 277 South, US 281 South, US 287 South: Wichita Falls
16
Merge onto I 44; US 277; US 281; US 287
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Central Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on US 277; US 281; US 287
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Lloyd Ruby Overpass
Use the straight lane.
18
Continue on US 281; US 287
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Central East Freeway
19
Keep slight right at fork onto US 82; US 287
1.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Central East Freeway
20
Keep slight right at fork onto US 82; US 287
97 mi
·
1 hr 43 min
·
Central East Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on US 81; US 287
4.6 mi
·
4 min
·
US 81; US 287
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Merge onto I 35W; US 287
4.5 mi
·
4 min
·
North Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
33 sec
Toward I 35W Express Toll South
Use the slight left lane.
24
Merge onto I 35W TEXpress
4.0 mi
·
3 min
·
I 35W TEXpress
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Merge onto I 35W
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
North South Freeway
26
Take the exit onto US 287 Bus
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
US 287 Bus
Exit 49B
Toward US 287 Business: Rosedale Street, Allen Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
27
Continue on South Freeway
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
·
South Freeway
Use the left / straight lanes.
28
Arrive at destination
South Freeway
Trip Plan
Given this is a single-day drive, leaving early in the morning from Tulia is your best bet to maximize daylight and arrive in Fort Worth with time to spare. With a duration of over 6 hours, consider one substantial stop for lunch or a break around the halfway point to stay refreshed. Keep an eye on fuel levels, especially during the longer 99.2-mile stretch on Central East Freeway, as services might be less frequent in some sections. The $47 fuel cost is an estimate, so check current prices and your vehicle's MPG. This route is efficient enough that you don't need to split it, giving you flexibility on when to depart.
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 161.7 miles from Tulia, TX, or about 3h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.2 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 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 161.7 miles or 3h 29m 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 19m
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 Tulia, 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 Tulia, TX
This is one driving day of about 323.3 miles and 6h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 71 miles from Tulia, 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 Central East Freeway for about 99.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 71 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 161.7 miles from Tulia, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Central East Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 99.2 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.
Wise County Northbound
0 mi from route
Wichita County Southbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Texas Travel Information Center at Wichita Falls
0 mi from route
Rest Area
0 mi from route
Safety Rest Areas: Hardeman County Northbound
0.1 mi from route
Safety Rest Areas: Hardeman County Southbound
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Wichita County Northbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.3 mi from route
Maniac’s Mansion (TAG’s)
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Final third
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
Wichita Falls, Texas
Hours: 5–9 pm
+19402575543
Visit websiteMuseum of North Texas History
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Final third
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
Wichita Falls, Texas
Hours: 10 am–4 pm
+19403227628
Visit websiteForest 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 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 websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 115 decision points cluster between mile 204.5 and 322.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
204.5 mi into trip
|
~4h 14m in
|
US 287 / Northwest Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 287 / Northwest Freeway toward I 44 West, US 277 South, US 281 South, US 287 South: Wichita Falls
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 44 West, US 277 South, US 281 South, U...
5
205 mi into trip
|
~4h 14m in
|
I 44; US 277; US 281; US 287 / Central Freeway
Merge onto I 44; US 277; US 281; US 287 / Central Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
211.1 mi into trip
|
~4h 21m in
|
US 82; US 287 / Central East Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 82; US 287 / Central East Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
316.8 mi into trip
|
~6h 15m in
Take the exit toward I 35W Express Toll South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 35W Express Toll South
8
322.4 mi into trip
|
~6h 21m 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
$44.28 one way
$88.56 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
113 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $49.46 | $98.92 |
| premium | $4.23 | $53.78 | $107.55 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $61.05 | $122.09 |
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: 113.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 97 | 1 | $33.95 | $15.52 |
| Efficient EV | 80.8 | 0 | $28.29 | $12.93 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 129.3 | 1 | $45.26 | $20.69 |
Gas CO2
113 kg
EV CO2
38 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
Tulia, TX
Late night in Tulia on Monday
Local time
12:54 AM
CDT
Current temp
87°F
Mostly Sunny
S 10 to 15 mph
12% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 11:03AM CDT until July 17 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 11:01AM CDT until July 17 at 12:45PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Destination
Fort Worth, TX
Late night in Fort Worth on Monday
Local time
12:54 AM
CDT
Current temp
92°F
Mostly Sunny
S 5 to 10 mph
10% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 11:03AM CDT until July 17 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 11:01AM CDT until July 17 at 12:45PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa 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
5 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 23m 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?
You'll spend about 79% of your time on highways, with the longest continuous stretch covering 99.2 miles on Central East Freeway. This means you'll experience extended periods of highway cruising before transitioning to surface roads. Expect a consistent flow of traffic, particularly as you get closer to the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. The route is characterized by its largely open highway segments, offering a predictable driving experience for most of the 323 miles.
79% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 99.2 mi on Central East Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Central East Freeway and US Highway 287. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 204.5 miles in near US 287 / Northwest Freeway.
Driving Effort
9/10
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 11 significant decision points across 323.3 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 204.5 miles (US 287 / Northwest Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 205 miles (I 44; US 277; US 281; US 287 / Central Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 211.1 miles (US 82; US 287 / Central East Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
3,482 ft
652 ft
Total Climb
122 ft
Total Descent
2,951 ft
Highest Point
3,482 ft
Elevation Range
2,829 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Tulia, 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 6h 23m. Total distance: 323.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 23m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 99.2 miles on Central East Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 18 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 18 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 204.5 miles (US 287 / Northwest Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 205 miles (I 44; US 277; US 281; US 287 / Central Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 211.1 miles (US 82; US 287 / Central East Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.4 hours each way, a round trip means 12.8 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, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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