Origin
Van Alstyne, TX
Late night in Van Alstyne on Tuesday
Local time
4:25 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Van Alstyne, TX to Fort Worth, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 26m
Distance
75.6 mi
122 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 20m
★
6 AM
1h 27m
8 AM
1h 40m
10 AM
1h 31m
12 PM
1h 30m
3 PM
1h 32m
5 PM
1h 39m
8 PM
1h 23m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Van Alstyne, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Fort Worth, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from Van Alstyne to Fort Worth covers 75.6 miles of North Texas terrain, typically taking about 1 hour and 26 minutes behind the wheel. Because this journey is relatively short, you can easily complete it as a straightforward day trip without needing an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via the North Central Expressway, TX 121, and the Sam Rayburn Tollway to reach your destination. With an estimated fuel cost of $12, the route is budget-friendly and efficient for commuters or weekend travelers. Both your starting point and arrival city sit within the Great Plains region, ensuring a consistent landscape throughout your transit. This drive serves as a practical connection between these two Texas locations, offering a direct path that prioritizes speed and accessibility.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Sam Rayburn Tollway | 23.2 mi | 24m |
| TX 121 | 21.9 mi | 24m |
| North Central Expressway | 17.4 mi | 18m |
| Airport Freeway | 7.2 mi | 8m |
| North South Freeway | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| South Henry Hynds Expressway | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| West Van Alstyne Parkway | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| US 287 Bus | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Sam Rayburn Tollway
— 23.2 mi, about 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Van Alstyne, TX and Fort Worth, TX.
1
Start on TX 5
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
South Waco Street
2
Turn left onto FM 121
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
West Van Alstyne Parkway
3
Turn left onto South Henry Hynds Expressway Frontage Road
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
·
South Henry Hynds Expressway Frontage Road
4
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
5
Merge onto US 75
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
South Henry Hynds Expressway
6
Continue on US 75
17 mi
·
18 min
·
North Central Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 38C
Toward SRT Toll South: Sam Rayburn Tollway
Use the slight right lane.
8
Merge onto SRT
20 mi
·
21 min
·
Sam Rayburn Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on TX 121
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
TX 121
10
Continue on SRT
3.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Sam Rayburn Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on TX 121
6.9 mi
·
7 min
·
TX 121
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 121
14 mi
·
15 min
·
TX 121
Toward TX 121 South: Forth Worth, Arlington, Grand Praire
Use the left / right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 121
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
Airport Freeway
Exit 25A
Toward TX 121 South: Downtown, Fort Worth
Use the slight right lane.
14
Continue on TX 121
6.9 mi
·
8 min
·
Airport Freeway
Exit 24B
Toward TX 121 South: Downtown, Ft Worth
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
41 sec
Toward I 35W South, US 287 South, US 377 South: Waco
Use the slight left lane.
16
Merge onto I 35W; US 287; US 377
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
North South Freeway
17
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.
18
Continue on South Freeway
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
·
South Freeway
Use the left / straight lanes.
19
Arrive at destination
South Freeway
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
38 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 17 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 37.8 miles from Van Alstyne, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 115 decision points cluster between mile 19.8 and 74.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
19.8 mi into trip
|
~22m in
Take the exit toward SRT Toll South: Sam Rayburn Tollway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 38C
Toward SRT Toll South: Sam Rayburn Tollway
8
51.9 mi into trip
|
~57m in
|
TX 121
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 121 toward TX 121 South: Forth Worth, Arlington, Grand Praire
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left / right lanes.
Toward TX 121 South: Forth Worth, Arlington, Gr...
9
65.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 13m in
|
TX 121 / Airport Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 121 / Airport Freeway toward TX 121 South: Downtown, Fort Worth
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 25A
Toward TX 121 South: Downtown, Fort Worth
8
72.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 21m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35W South, US 287 South, US 377 South: Waco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 35W South, US 287 South, US 377 South:...
8
74.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 24m 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
$11.42 one way
$22.85 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
27 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $12.50 | $25.01 |
| premium | $4.54 | $13.50 | $27.00 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $16.69 | $33.38 |
Estimated Tolls: $3.25
Sam Rayburn Tollway
(23.2 mi)
$1.86
Central Expressway
(17.4 mi)
$1.39
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$11
Tolls
$3
Total
$15
Estimated CO2 emission: 26.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 22.7 | 0 | $7.94 | $3.63 |
| Efficient EV | 18.9 | 0 | $6.61 | $3.02 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 30.2 | 0 | $10.58 | $4.84 |
Gas CO2
26 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (65% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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.
Destination
Fort Worth, TX
Late night in Fort Worth on Tuesday
Local time
4:25 AM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
66°F
Lewisville, TX
38 mi in
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
15 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 26m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 68% of your journey is spent on major thoroughfares. The road maintains a consistent pace, anchored by a 23.2-mile stretch on the Sam Rayburn Tollway that represents your longest uninterrupted segment. You will transition between high-speed expressways and regional highways, requiring you to remain alert as traffic density shifts near the metropolitan area. The character of the drive is functional and utilitarian, designed to move you across the region with minimal fuss. While you won't encounter winding backroads, the mix of tollways and expressways ensures that your progress remains steady from start to finish.
68% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 23.2 mi on Sam Rayburn Tollway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Sam Rayburn Tollway and TX 121. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 19.8 miles in.
Driving Effort
9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 75.6 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: at 19.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 51.9 miles (TX 121): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 65.5 miles (TX 121 / Airport Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
784 ft
467 ft
Total Climb
287 ft
Total Descent
421 ft
Highest Point
784 ft
Elevation Range
317 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 Van Alstyne, TX and Fort Worth, TX, road signs point toward Srt Toll South: Sam Rayburn Tollway, Arlington, Grand Praire and Ft Worth.
Srt Toll South: Sam Rayburn Tollway
19.8 mi in
|
~22m
Arlington
51.9 mi in
|
~57m
|
via TX 121
Grand Praire
51.9 mi in
|
~57m
|
via TX 121
Ft Worth
65.8 mi in
|
~1h 13m
|
via TX 121
About the Cities
Starting in Van Alstyne, 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 1h 26m. Total distance: 75.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (68%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 23.2 miles on Sam Rayburn Tollway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $3.25 in tolls one way, starting with Sam Rayburn 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.
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.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 19.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 51.9 miles (TX 121): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 65.5 miles (TX 121 / Airport Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Fort Worth, TX before heading back.
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, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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