Waskom, TX to Fort Worth, TX is 200.9 miles and takes about 3h 31m via US 80 and I-20, with a fuel budget near $29 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Great Plains region of Texas, offering a straightforward drive across the state. With a high percentage of highway driving, it's a practical choice for a quick transfer or a day trip if you're looking to cover ground efficiently. You'll spend most of your time on major roadways, making it a predictable and easy-to-navigate option.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
100.5 miles from Waskom, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 43m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 80
133.8 mi
2h 16m
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
22 mi
23m
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
19.7 mi
21m
I 20
19.3 mi
20m
South Freeway
3.4 mi
3m
West Texas Avenue
1.6 mi
2m
I-20 Frontage Road
<0.1 mi
<1m
East Allen Avenue
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
US 80
— 133.8 mi, about 2h 16m
Traffic on I-20
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 48 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,882 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,424
Quietest
2 AM
~287 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 105 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 Waskom, TX and Fort Worth, TX.
1
Start on South Lake Street
105 ft·9 sec·South Lake Street
2
Turn left onto US 80
1.6 mi·2 min·West Texas Avenue
3
Continue on US 80
404 ft·10 sec·I-20 Frontage Road
4
Take the ramp onto US 80
134 mi·2 hr 16 min·US 80
Toward I 20 West: DallasUse the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 20
19 mi·20 min·I 20
Toward I 20 West: Fort WorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Merge onto I 20
22 mi·23 min·Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 20
20 mi·21 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 437Toward I 35W South, I 35W North: Waco, DentonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·48 sec
Toward I 35W North: DentonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·14 sec
Toward I 35W North: Fort Worth
11
Merge onto I 35W
3.2 mi·3 min·South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Exit 49AToward Allen AvenueUse the slight right lane.
13
Turn straight onto South Freeway
0.1 mi·18 sec·South Freeway
14
Turn left onto East Allen Avenue
210 ft·12 sec·East Allen Avenue
15
Turn left onto South Freeway
258 ft·5 sec·South Freeway
16
Arrive at destination
South Freeway
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 31m estimated drive time, leaving Waskom anytime in the morning will allow you to reach Fort Worth with plenty of daylight remaining. The route is designed for a single day, so you won't need to plan for an overnight stay. While there's only one recommended stop, consider breaking up the longest stretch of 133.8 miles on US 80 with a brief rest. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is around $29, and it's always wise to top off before embarking on longer highway segments.
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 100.5 miles from Waskom, TX, or about 1h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 133.8 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 44 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 100.5 miles or 1h 43m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 51m
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 Waskom, 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 Waskom, TX
This is one driving day of about 200.9 miles and 3h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 miles from Waskom, 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 80 for about 133.8 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.7 and 200.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
1.7 mi into trip|~3m in|US 80
Take the ramp onto US 80 toward I 20 West: Dallas
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 20 West: Dallas
7
135.5 mi into trip|~2h 19m in|I 20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 20 toward I 20 West: Fort Worth
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 20 West: Fort Worth
8
196.5 mi into trip|~3h 25m in
Take the exit toward I 35W South, I 35W North: Waco, Denton
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.
Exit 437
Toward I 35W South, I 35W North: Waco, Denton
7
196.7 mi into trip|~3h 25m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 35W North: Denton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35W North: Denton
7
200.5 mi into trip|~3h 30m in
Take the exit toward Allen Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 49A
Toward Allen Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.31 one way
$60.62 round trip
$3.83/gal25.4 MPG avg70 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$34.30
$68.59
premium
$4.72
$37.29
$74.59
diesel
$5.80
$45.85
$91.70
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 70.3 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
60.3
0
$21.09
$9.64
Efficient EV
50.2
0
$17.58
$8.04
EV Truck/SUV
80.4
1
$28.13
$12.86
Gas CO2
70 kg
EV CO2
24 kg (66% 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.
Forecast as of Oct 16, 2026
Origin
Waskom, TX
Morning
in Waskom on Saturday
Local time
9:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Mostly Sunny
N 15 to 20 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Watch
Freeze Watch issued October 16 at 6:22AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 16 at 6:11AM CDT until October 17 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX
Destination
Fort Worth, TX
Morning
in Fort Worth on Saturday
Local time
9:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny
N 20 to 25 mph38% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Watch
Freeze Watch issued October 16 at 6:22AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 16 at 6:11AM CDT until October 17 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi 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
6 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
3h 31m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is primarily highway driving, with 89% of the 200.9 miles on major roads. You'll experience a significant stretch of 133.8 miles on US 80 before transitioning to other highways like Lyndon B Johnson Freeway and Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway. Expect continuous highway cruising for the majority of your drive, with fewer turns and more direct travel until you approach the Fort Worth area.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 133.8 mi on US 80.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 80 and Lyndon B Johnson Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.7 miles in near US 80.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 200.9 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 1.7 miles (US 80): Lane positioning matters here; at 135.5 miles (I 20): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 196.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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
•Kimbell Art Museum — art museum in Fort Worth, Texas
•Amon Carter Museum of American Art — art museum in Fort Worth, Texas
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 31m. Total distance: 200.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 133.8 miles on US 80. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 24 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 24 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.7 miles (US 80): Lane positioning matters here; at 135.5 miles (I 20): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 196.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Fort Worth, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.
