Trip from Austin, TX to Dalhart, TX

Drive Time

10h 16m

Distance

571.4 mi

920 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$87

one way

EV Charging

Sparse

2 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 27 min

4 AM

10h 8m ★

6 AM

10h 17m

8 AM

10h 35m

10 AM

10h 23m

12 PM

10h 22m

3 PM

10h 24m

5 PM

10h 35m

8 PM

10h 11m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Austin, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Dalhart, TX

Jeff Stapleton

Trip Overview

The drive from Austin, TX to Dalhart, TX covers 571.4 miles and takes about 10h 16m behind the wheel. It usually feels better as a 2-day road trip than as one long push.

The route leans on Marshall Formby Memorial Highway, US 84, North US Highway 183 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is long-distance drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 109.9 miles on Marshall Formby Memorial Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $87.28 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

285.7 miles from Austin, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 5h 16m into the drive .

Drive Character

At 571.4 miles and 10h 16m of driving, this is a route where fuel stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single turn. The main roads are Marshall Formby Memorial Highway and US 84.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 61 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

Marshall Formby Memorial Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 109.9 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

At 10h 16m, this is a long-haul route where pacing matters more than any single turn. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near Red River Street.

Route Complexity 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 35 significant decision points across 571.4 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 0.3 miles (Red River Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.5 miles (East 7th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.5 miles (I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 35 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

0.3 mi into trip | ~0m in | Red River Street

Turn left onto Red River Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

0.5 mi into trip | ~1m in | East 7th Street

Turn right onto East 7th Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

1.5 mi into trip | ~3m in | I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail

Keep slight right at fork onto I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

5.5 mi into trip | ~7m in

Take the exit toward US 183 North: Lampasas

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 240B Toward US 183 North: Lampasas

256.9 mi into trip | ~4h 47m in | US 84

Take the exit onto US 84 toward US 84 West: Snyder, Lubbock

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 238A Toward US 84 West: Snyder, Lubbock

Towns Along This Route

Between Austin, TX and Dalhart, TX, road signs point toward Lubbock and Fm 2590.

Lubbock

256.9 mi in | ~4h 47m | via US 84

Fm 2590

487.1 mi in | ~8h 43m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Marshall Formby Memorial Highway	109.9 mi	1h 51m
US 84	104.9 mi	1h 49m
North US Highway 183	72.6 mi	1h 18m
State Highway 153	69 mi	1h 14m
US 385	33.1 mi	34m
East Commerce Street	22 mi	25m
Highway 84	20 mi	19m
Tascosa Road	17.7 mi	19m

Longest stretch: Marshall Formby Memorial Highway — 109.9 mi, about 1h 51m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Austin, TX and Dalhart, TX.

Start on East 5th Street

0.3 mi · 52 sec · East 5th Street

Use the straight / right lanes.

Turn left onto Red River Street

0.1 mi · 20 sec · Red River Street

Use the left lane.

Turn right onto East 7th Street

0.1 mi · 17 sec · East 7th Street

Use the right lane.

Turn left onto North Interstate 35

0.2 mi · 26 sec · North Interstate 35

Use the left lane.

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 22 sec

Toward I 35 North, US 290 East

Merge onto I 35; US 290

0.6 mi · 42 sec · Purple Heart Trail

Keep slight right at fork onto I 35; US 290

4.0 mi · 4 min · Purple Heart Trail

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.9 mi · 1 min

Exit 240B Toward US 183 North: Lampasas Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto US 183

11 mi · 13 min · US 183

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on 183A Toll

15 mi · 14 min · 183A Toll

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on US 183

36 mi · 38 min · North US Highway 183

Continue on US 183

2.3 mi · 4 min · South Key Avenue

Continue on US 183; US 190; US 281

0.2 mi · 14 sec · North US Highway 281

Keep slight left at fork onto US 183; US 190

37 mi · 40 min · North US Highway 183

At end of road, turn left onto US 84; US 183; TX 16

30 mi · 34 min · US 84; US 183; TX 16

Turn left onto US 67; US 84; US 183; US 377

1.7 mi · 2 min · Early Boulevard

Continue on US 67; US 84; US 377

22 mi · 25 min · East Commerce Street

Keep slight right at fork onto US 84; US 283

7.2 mi · 8 min · Wallis Avenue

Turn right onto TX 153

0.9 mi · 1 min · East Walnut Street

Continue on TX 153; TX 206

1.0 mi · 1 min · West Walnut Street

Continue on TX 153

69 mi · 1 hr 14 min · State Highway 153

Keep slight right at fork onto TX 153

19 ft · 0 sec · State Highway 153

Turn right onto TX 70

10 mi · 10 min · State Highway 70

Continue on TX 70

0.8 mi · 1 min · Lamar Street

Turn left onto Northwest Georgia Avenue

0.1 mi · 16 sec · Northwest Georgia Avenue

Take the ramp

340 ft · 8 sec

Toward I 20 West: Midland

Merge onto I 20; US 84

6.0 mi · 5 min · I 20; US 84

Take the exit onto US 84

0.3 mi · 19 sec · US 84

Exit 238A Toward US 84 West: Snyder, Lubbock

Keep slight left at fork onto US 84

74 mi · 1 hr 14 min · US 84

Turn right onto Loop 46

1.0 mi · 1 min · South Avenue F

Keep slight left at fork onto TX 207

0.1 mi · 10 sec · North Avenue F

Turn straight onto TX 207

0.4 mi · 38 sec · Ralls Road

Turn left onto Spur 575

0.1 mi · 17 sec · East 15th Street

Turn right onto US 84

1.0 mi · 1 min · North US Highway 84

Continue on US 84

20 mi · 19 min · Highway 84

Continue on US 84

4.6 mi · 4 min · Trooper Jerry Don Davis Memorial Highway

Continue on US 84

6.8 mi · 6 min · East Highway 84

Continue on US 84

4.5 mi · 5 min · Slaton Road

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 26 sec

Turn slight right onto Interstate 27

321 ft · 6 sec · Interstate 27

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 31 sec

Merge onto I 27; US 87

110 mi · 1 hr 51 min · Marshall Formby Memorial Highway

Continue on I 27; US 60; US 87

4.7 mi · 4 min · Canyon Expressway

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 22 sec

Toward Loop 335: Sundown Lane, Hollywood Road

Turn straight onto Canyon Drive

1.2 mi · 2 min · Canyon Drive

Turn left onto Loop 335

0.2 mi · 13 sec · West Hollywood Road

Take the exit onto Loop 335

0.6 mi · 57 sec · Loop 335

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 22 sec

Toward FM 2590

Continue on West Hollywood Road

1.4 mi · 1 min · West Hollywood Road

Continue on Loop 335

0.4 mi · 28 sec · West Loop 335 South

Continue on Loop 335

4.3 mi · 4 min · Helium Road

Continue on Loop 335

1.6 mi · 1 min · West Loop 335 South

Continue on Loop 335

2.6 mi · 3 min · South Soncy Road

Turn slight right

0.5 mi · 59 sec

Turn left onto RM 1061

338 ft · 12 sec · Tascosa Road

Use the left lane.

Continue on RM 1061

13 mi · 14 min · Ranch Road 1061

Continue on RM 1061

18 mi · 18 min · Tascosa Road

At end of road, turn right onto US 385

28 mi · 29 min · US 385

Take the ramp onto US 385

4.7 mi · 5 min · US 385

Continue on US 87; US 385

9.5 mi · 11 min · US 87; US 385

Arrive at destination

US 87; US 385

Trip Plan

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 285.7 miles from Austin, TX, or about 5h 16m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 109.9 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 126 miles or 2h 22m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 285.7 miles or 5h 16m 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 285.7 miles or 5h 16m

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 9h 12m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Dalhart, TX than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Austin, 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 Austin, TX

Aim for roughly 286 miles and 5.1 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Finish the approach into Dalhart, TX

Aim for roughly 286 miles and 5.1 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 126 miles from Austin, 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 Marshall Formby Memorial Highway for about 109.9 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 285.7 mi from Austin, TX · 5h 16m into the drive

First major stop

Coffee and fuel

Killeen, TX

189 mi into the route

Best for: Coffee, fuel, and an easy first stretch

This is a natural early stop once the first hours of the drive are behind you.

Popular next leg

Killeen, TX to Lubbock, TX

334.3 mi · 5h 16m

Second major stop

Overnight candidate

Lubbock, TX

377 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 Lubbock, TX

Overnight Options

Night 1

Sweetwater, TX

286 mi · about 5.1h in

A practical overnight split lands near Sweetwater, TX after about 286 miles or 5.1 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

Killeen, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 126 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Rotan, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 285.7 miles from Austin, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Marshall Formby Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 109.9 miles.

Overnight split

Hotel stop

For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 286 miles or 5.1 hours on the road.

Arriving in Dalhart, TX

The final approach into Dalhart, TX usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Dalhart, TX.

On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach Dalhart, TX with some flexibility left in the schedule.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument

National Monument

13,000 years ago, Alibates Flint was used by mammoth hunters as a source of flint for tools. Learn how important this site was to the survival, commerce, and culture of the people of the High Plains.

28 mi from route ~70 min detour Free near mile 512.3

View on nps.gov

Lake Meredith National Recreation Area

National Recreation Area

Set within the wide‑open Texas Plains, Lake Meredith National Recreation Area offers a peaceful retreat in the heart of rugged grasslands. Over thousands of years, the Canadian River carved dramatic 2...

29 mi from route ~73 min detour Free near mile 512.3

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$87.28 one way

$174.57 round trip

$3.88/gal 25.4 MPG avg 200 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$95.65	$191.31
premium	$4.59	$103.28	$206.56
diesel	$5.64	$126.95	$253.89

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$87

Hotel (1n)

$80–$140

Meals

$50–$100

Total

$217–$327

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 199.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

EV Charging Along Route

2 DC fast chargers · Coverage: sparse

Krispy Kreme - Tesla Supercharger

Austin, TX

Tesla

16 DCFC

Lakehills Plaza - Tesla Supercharger

Austin, TX

Tesla

12 DCFC

Tesla: 2

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $60 in charging · 2 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	171.4	2	$60.00	$27.43
Efficient EV	142.9	1	$50.00	$22.86
EV Truck/SUV	228.6	2	$80.00	$36.57

Gas CO2

200 kg

EV CO2

67 kg (67% less)

Plan for 2 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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 data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Austin, TX

Morning in Austin on Monday

Local time

8:15 AM

CDT

Current temp

65°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Dalhart, TX

Morning in Dalhart on Monday

Local time

8:15 AM

CDT

Current temp

40°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

25 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

10h 16m 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Austin, TX to Dalhart, TX covers 571.4 miles and takes about 10h 16m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Marshall Formby Memorial Highway, US 84, North US Highway 183. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.

Yes. This route is usually more comfortable as a 2-day drive. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 286 miles on day one.

The midpoint is about 285.7 miles from Austin, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $87.28 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

Plan about 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Between Austin, TX and Dalhart, TX, road signs point toward Lubbock and Fm 2590.

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Return Trip

Dalhart, TX to Austin, TX

Plan the drive back the other way.

580.4 mi 8h 54m

Explore more options from Austin, TX or browse trips ending in Dalhart, TX.

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Trip from Austin, TX to Dalhart, TX

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Overnight Options

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Dalhart, TX

National Parks Near This Route

Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument

Lake Meredith National Recreation Area

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Austin, TX

Dalhart, TX

Same local time

25 degrees cooler at arrival

10h 16m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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