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Trip from Weslaco, 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
9h 7m
Distance
498.6 mi
802 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$75
one way
EV Charging
Excellent
24 DC fast
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
8h 59m
★
6 AM
9h 7m
8 AM
9h 23m
10 AM
9h 13m
12 PM
9h 11m
3 PM
9h 14m
5 PM
9h 23m
8 PM
9h 2m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Weslaco, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Fort Worth, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This approximately 498.6-mile drive from Weslaco, TX, to Fort Worth, TX, will take you about 9 hours and 7 minutes of pure driving time. Given the duration, it's best split over two days, with an estimated fuel cost of $75. You'll primarily be on roads like the Purple Heart Trail, I-69C, and Pickle Parkway, with 68% of the journey on highways. This route focuses on efficient travel, making it a practical choice for getting between these two Texas locations. Both your origin and destination fall within the Great Plains region, so expect a consistent landscape throughout.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
249.3 miles from Weslaco, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 46m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Purple Heart Trail | 97.7 mi | 1h 39m |
| I 69C | 92 mi | 1h 43m |
| Pickle Parkway | 58.5 mi | 54m |
| US 281 | 57.1 mi | 1h |
| I 35W | 49.2 mi | 51m |
| King David Drive | 31.8 mi | 39m |
| State Highway 80 North | 30.8 mi | 35m |
| State Highway 80 | 23.6 mi | 25m |
Longest stretch:
Purple Heart Trail
— 97.7 mi, about 1h 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Weslaco, TX and Fort Worth, TX.
1
Start on US 83 Bus
60 ft
·
9 sec
·
US 83 Bus
2
Turn left onto FM 88
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Texas Boulevard
3
Turn left onto West Expressway 83
0.5 mi
·
55 sec
·
West Expressway 83
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Toward I 2 West, US 83 West
5
Merge onto I 2; US 83
11 mi
·
12 min
·
I 2; US 83
Toward McAllen
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Exit 146A
Toward I 69C North, US 281: Edinburg
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 69C
22 mi
·
23 min
·
I 69C
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on US 281
57 mi
·
1 hr
·
US 281
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 69C; US 281
70 mi
·
1 hr 19 min
·
I 69C; US 281
10
Keep slight left at fork onto US 281
11 mi
·
14 min
·
Nueces Street
11
Turn right onto TX 72
32 mi
·
39 min
·
King David Drive
12
Continue on TX 72; TX 239
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
West Main Street
13
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 72; TX 239
233 ft
·
3 sec
·
East Main Street
14
Continue on FM 792
8.4 mi
·
10 min
·
Helena Road
15
Turn straight onto TX 80
24 mi
·
25 min
·
State Highway 80
16
Continue on TX 80
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
South Nixon Avenue
17
Continue on TX 80; TX 97
31 mi
·
35 min
·
State Highway 80 North
18
Continue on US 183
10 mi
·
11 min
·
US 183
19
Continue on US 183
4.9 mi
·
8 min
·
South Colorado Street
20
Continue on US 183
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
United States Highway 183
21
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
35 sec
Toward TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco
22
Merge onto TX 130 Toll
59 mi
·
54 min
·
Pickle Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
Toward I 35 North: Waco
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
24
Merge onto I 35
65 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Continue on I 35
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Continue on I 35; US 77
33 mi
·
33 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W
49 mi
·
51 min
·
I 35W
Toward I 35W: Fort Worth
Use the slight left lane.
28
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 49A
Toward Allen Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
29
Turn straight onto South Freeway
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
South Freeway
30
Turn left onto East Allen Avenue
210 ft
·
12 sec
·
East Allen Avenue
31
Turn left onto South Freeway
258 ft
·
5 sec
·
South Freeway
32
Arrive at destination
South Freeway
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 9-hour drive, plan to break it into two days to avoid fatigue. Aim to depart early in the morning to maximize daylight hours. With two recommended stops, you can strategically plan your breaks to coincide with the longest stretches of driving. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially before embarking on the 97.7-mile section on the Purple Heart Trail, to ensure a smooth journey. This route is designed for steady progress, so choose a pace that feels comfortable for you.
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.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 249.3 miles from Weslaco, TX, or about 4h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 97.7 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 110 miles or 2h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 249.3 miles or 4h 46m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 249.3 miles or 4h 46m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 8h 3m
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 Weslaco, 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.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Weslaco, TX
Aim for roughly 249 miles and 4.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Fort Worth, TX
Aim for roughly 249 miles and 4.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 110 miles from Weslaco, TX.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Purple Heart Trail for about 97.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Overnight candidate
249 mi into the route
Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start
This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.
Find hotels in New Braunfels, TXOvernight Options
Night 1
249 mi · about 4.6h in
A practical overnight split lands near New Braunfels, TX after about 249 miles or 4.6 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 110 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 249.3 miles from Weslaco, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Purple Heart Trail if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 97.7 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 249 miles or 4.6 hours on the road.
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.
Hill County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Rest Area
0 mi from route
Brooks County Rest Area
0 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Hill County Southbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Circle K
0.1 mi from route
Bell County Northbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Bell County Southbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Walburg Travel Center & Food Court
0.2 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.5 mi from route
Gibson Park
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, right off the route
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Weslaco, Texas
Hours: 7 am–9 pm
+19564473407
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 websiteEstero Llano Grande State Park
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Weslaco, Texas
Hours: 8 am–10 pm
+19565653919
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 websiteLa Sal Del Rey
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, ~11 min detour
First break
4.5 mi from route
~11 min detour
Edinburg, Texas
Hours: 7 am–8 pm
+19567847500
Visit websitePioneer Farms
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour
Final third
4.7 mi from route
~12 min detour
Austin, Texas
Hours: 10 am–2 pm
+15128371215
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 175 decision points cluster between mile 1.7 and 498.2 — 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
|
I 2; US 83
Merge onto I 2; US 83 toward McAllen
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward McAllen
8
12.5 mi into trip
|
~15m in
Take the exit toward I 69C North, US 281: Edinburg
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 146A
Toward I 69C North, US 281: Edinburg
7
344.3 mi into trip
|
~6h 26m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35 North: Waco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35 North: Waco
7
449 mi into trip
|
~8h 14m in
|
I 35W
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W toward I 35W: Fort Worth
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 35W: Fort Worth
7
498.2 mi into trip
|
~9h 5m 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
$75.34 one way
$150.68 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
175 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $82.47 | $164.93 |
| premium | $4.54 | $89.02 | $178.04 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $110.08 | $220.17 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$75
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$205–$315
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 174.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
24 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent
ABIA Retail Center - Tesla Supercharger
Austin, TX
Tesla
20 DCFC
Circle K - Tesla Supercharger
Falfurrias, TX
Tesla
19 DCFC
Buc-ee's - Tesla Supercharger
Luling, TX
Tesla
16 DCFC
Burger King - Tesla Supercharger
Kenedy, TX
Tesla
12 DCFC
Circle K - Tesla Supercharger
Austin, TX
Tesla
12 DCFC
Circle K - Tesla Supercharger
Alice, TX
Tesla
11 DCFC
Love's Travel Center - Tesla Supercharger
Three Rivers, TX
Tesla
8 DCFC
Del Valle, TX - Tesla Supercharger
Del Valle, TX
Tesla
8 DCFC
Tesla: 8
ChargePoint Network: 6
EV Connect: 3
FORD_CHARGE: 3
Blink Network: 2
SYNERGEV: 1
Non-Networked: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $52 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 149.6 | 1 | $52.35 | $23.93 |
| Efficient EV | 124.7 | 1 | $43.63 | $19.94 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 199.4 | 2 | $69.80 | $31.91 |
Gas CO2
174 kg
EV CO2
58 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
Weslaco, TX
Late night in Weslaco on Tuesday
Local time
3:13 AM
CDT
Current temp
94°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Fort Worth, TX
Late night in Fort Worth on Tuesday
Local time
3:13 AM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
32 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
9h 7m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
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.
Waco Mammoth National Monument
National Monument
Standing as tall as 14 feet and weighing 20,000 pounds, Columbian mammoths roamed across what is present-day Texas thousands of years ago. Today, the fossil specimens represent the nation's first and...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 412.7
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 68% of the route utilizing faster roads. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 97.7 miles on the Purple Heart Trail, offering a significant period of uninterrupted driving. While the highway component ensures efficiency, the mix of roads provides some variation. Expect a pace that prioritizes covering distance, moving you steadily from South Texas towards the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.
68% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 97.7 mi on Purple Heart Trail.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Purple Heart Trail and I 69C. 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 I 2; US 83.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 498.6 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 (I 2; US 83): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 344.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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.
On the drive from Weslaco, TX to Fort Worth, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Waco along the way.
Waco
285.3 mi in
|
~5h 30m
About the Cities
Starting in Weslaco, TX
Full guide →Founded 1919
Weslaco is a town in the Rio Grande Valley along the border between Texas and Tamaulipas, Mexico. It is a popular area for birdwatching.
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).
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 97.7 miles on Purple Heart Trail. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 249 miles on day one.
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 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.7 miles (I 2; US 83): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 344.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 9.1 hours each way, a round trip means 18.2 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, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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