Picnic Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Val Verde Park, 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
7h 16m
Distance
402.7 mi
648 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$55
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 6m
★
6 AM
7h 17m
8 AM
7h 38m
10 AM
7h 24m
12 PM
7h 22m
3 PM
7h 25m
5 PM
7h 37m
8 PM
7h 10m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Val Verde Park, TX
Tito Zzzz
Fort Worth, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Val Verde Park, TX to Fort Worth, TX is 402.7 miles and takes about 7h 16m via US 277 and I 20, with a fuel budget near $61 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip is a straightforward, highway-focused drive across the heart of Texas, transitioning from the wide-open spaces of the Great Plains to the bustling metroplex. You'll spend most of your time on major roads, making it an efficient journey. Given its duration and the 95% highway share, this route is best suited for those looking to cover ground quickly, with minimal fuss and a clear, direct path to their destination.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
201.3 miles from Val Verde Park, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 44m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 277 | 224.1 mi | 4h 5m |
| I 20 | 137.1 mi | 2h 19m |
| West Freeway | 15.2 mi | 17m |
| Judge Mike L Fernandez Loop | 7.1 mi | 7m |
| South Loop 306 | 6.4 mi | 6m |
| Winters Freeway | 2.9 mi | 3m |
| US Highway 87 South | 2.8 mi | 2m |
| US 67 | 1.1 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
US 277
— 224.1 mi, about 4h 5m
Traffic on I-20
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 48 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,819 veh/hr typical · worst 2,291
Quietest
2 AM
~200 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.1×
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 Val Verde Park, TX and Fort Worth, TX.
1
Start on Texas Drive
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Texas Drive
2
At end of road, turn right onto RM 2523
0.5 mi
·
55 sec
·
Ranch-to-Market Road 2523
3
Continue on RM 2523
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
Ranch Road 2523
4
Turn left onto Loop 79
7.1 mi
·
7 min
·
Judge Mike L Fernandez Loop
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Toward US 277 South, US 377 South: Del Rio
6
Turn right onto US 277; US 377
84 mi
·
1 hr 32 min
·
US 277; US 377
7
Turn left onto US 277; Loop 467
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
South Crockett Avenue
8
Take the exit onto US 277
60 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
·
US 277
9
Turn right onto US 87 Frontage Road
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
US 87 Frontage Road
10
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
Toward US 87 South, Loop 306 East: Eden
11
Merge onto US 87; Loop 306
0.1 mi
·
7 sec
·
South Bryant Boulevard
12
Continue on US 87; Loop 306
2.8 mi
·
2 min
·
US Highway 87 South
13
Take the exit onto Loop 306
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
·
Loop 306
Toward Loop 306 North, FM 1223
14
Turn left onto Loop 306; FM 1223
6.4 mi
·
6 min
·
South Loop 306
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Toward US 67 North, US 277 North
16
Merge onto US 67; US 277
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
US 67; US 277
17
Take the exit onto US 277
80 mi
·
1 hr 26 min
·
US 277
Toward US 277 North: Bronte, Abilene
18
Turn left onto US 277
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Danville Drive
19
Take the ramp onto US 277
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
US 277
20
Merge onto US 83; US 84; US 277
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Winters Freeway
21
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
50 sec
Toward I 20 West: Fort Worth
22
Merge onto I 20
137 mi
·
2 hr 19 min
·
I 20
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight left at fork onto I 30
15 mi
·
17 min
·
West Freeway
Exit 421
Toward I 30 East: Downtown Fort Worth
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit onto US 377
0.2 mi
·
12 sec
·
US 377
Exit 15A
Toward I 35W, I 35W Express Toll North, US 377 North: Waco, Denton
Use the slight right lane.
25
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 35W South: Waco
26
Merge onto I 35W; US 287 Bus
0.1 mi
·
6 sec
·
South Freeway
27
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.
28
Continue on South Freeway
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
·
South Freeway
Use the left / straight lanes.
29
Arrive at destination
South Freeway
Trip Plan
For this 7-hour drive, consider an early morning departure from Val Verde Park to maximize daylight and arrive in Fort Worth well before evening. With only 2 planned stops and a longest stretch of over 224 miles on US 277, plan your fuel and rest breaks strategically. You'll want to ensure you fill up before embarking on that long stretch of US 277. Since this is a manageable one-day trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your schedule as needed, but staying on track with your initial plan will ensure a smooth arrival.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 201.3 miles from Val Verde Park, TX, or about 3h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 224.1 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 89 miles or 1h 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 201.3 miles or 3h 44m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 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 Val Verde Park, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Val Verde Park, TX
This is one driving day of about 402.7 miles and 7h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 89 miles from Val Verde Park, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US 277 for about 224.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
201 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 89 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 201.3 miles from Val Verde Park, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 277 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 224.1 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.
Road Ranger
0 mi from route
I-20 Westbound Picnic Area
0 mi from route
I-20 Eastbound Picnic Area
0 mi from route
Rest Area
0 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Eastland County Eastbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Eastland County Westbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.2 mi from route
Callahan County Eastbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Callahan County Westbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.5 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 websiteFort Chadbourne
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Bronte, Texas
Hours: 8 am–4:30 pm
+13257432555
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 205 decision points cluster between mile 8.2 and 401.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
8.2 mi into trip
|
~10m in
Take the exit toward US 277 South, US 377 South: Del Rio
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 277 South, US 377 South: Del Rio
6
163.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 2m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 67 North, US 277 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 67 North, US 277 North
8
385.8 mi into trip
|
~6h 56m 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
401 mi into trip
|
~7h 13m 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
401.8 mi into trip
|
~7h 14m 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
$55.16 one way
$110.31 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
141 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $61.61 | $123.22 |
| premium | $4.23 | $66.98 | $133.97 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $76.04 | $152.07 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$55
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$80–$105
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 140.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $42 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 120.8 | 1 | $42.28 | $19.33 |
| Efficient EV | 100.7 | 1 | $35.24 | $16.11 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 161.1 | 2 | $56.38 | $25.77 |
Gas CO2
141 kg
EV CO2
47 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.
Origin
Val Verde Park, TX
Late night in Val Verde Park on Tuesday
Local time
4:07 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
ESE 10 mph
80% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 9:36PM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 9:36PM CDT until July 19 at 1:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Fort Worth, TX
Late night in Fort Worth on Tuesday
Local time
4:07 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
S 5 mph
19% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 9:36PM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 9:36PM CDT until July 19 at 1:00AM 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
2 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
7h 16m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Amistad National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
An oasis in the desert, Amistad National Recreation Area consists of the US portion of the International Amistad Reservoir. Amistad, a Spanish word meaning "friendship," is known for excellent water-b...
10 mi from route
~25 min detour
Free
near mile 13.9
Park Closure: Diablo East Marina Cove, Scuba Cove, and Walkway Access Are Closed
Caution: Help Prevent Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Infestation
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 95% of the route utilizing major roadways like US 277 and I 20. You'll experience a long, uninterrupted stretch of 224.1 miles on US 277, offering a consistent pace. As you transition to I 20 and West Freeway, expect a shift towards faster speeds and more traffic as you approach the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The overall character is one of efficiency, designed for covering distance rather than leisurely sightseeing, with the majority of the drive being on well-maintained interstates and highways.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 224.1 mi on US 277.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 277 and I 20. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 8.2 miles in.
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 20 significant decision points across 402.7 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 8.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 163.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 385.8 miles (I 30 / West Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,422 ft
652 ft
Total Climb
1,821 ft
Total Descent
2,250 ft
Highest Point
2,422 ft
~115.1 mi in
Elevation Range
1,770 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 Val Verde Park, TX and Fort Worth, TX, road signs point toward Loop 306 East: Eden, Loop 306 North, Fm 1223 and Abilene.
Loop 306 East: Eden
153.5 mi in
|
~2h 51m
Loop 306 North
156.5 mi in
|
~2h 54m
|
via Loop 306
Fm 1223
156.5 mi in
|
~2h 54m
|
via Loop 306
Abilene
164.7 mi in
|
~3h 4m
|
via US 277
About the Cities
Starting in Val Verde Park, 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 7h 16m. Total distance: 402.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 16m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 224.1 miles on US 277. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 23 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 23 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 8.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 163.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 385.8 miles (I 30 / West Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Amistad National Recreation Area. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.3 hours each way, a round trip means 14.6 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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