Origin
Carrollton, TX
Afternoon in Carrollton on Sunday
Local time
3:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Carrollton, TX to DeSoto, TX
Drive Time
41m
Distance
31.7 mi
51 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 38m
★
6 AM
0h 41m
8 AM
0h 48m
10 AM
0h 44m
12 PM
0h 43m
3 PM
0h 44m
5 PM
0h 48m
8 PM
0h 39m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Carrollton, TX
Jeff Stapleton
DeSoto, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Trip Overview
Traveling from Carrollton to DeSoto covers 31.7 miles within the Great Plains region of Texas. You can expect a quick transit time of approximately 41 minutes, making this a straightforward day trip that requires no overnight stops. Budget about $5 for fuel to complete the journey. Since the entire route is contained within the same region, you will experience a consistent environment from start to finish. This drive is highly efficient for those looking to move between these two points without unnecessary delays.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
15.9 miles from Carrollton, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 20m into the drive .
Drive Character
This is a highway-focused drive, with 86% of your time spent navigating major thoroughfares. You will rely heavily on the North Stemmons Freeway, South Stemmons Freeway, and the South R L Thornton Freeway to bridge the gap between your origin and destination. Expect a fast-paced experience, as the longest uninterrupted stretch covers 11.7 miles on the South R L Thornton Freeway. The road personality is defined by these high-speed arterial connections rather than slower local surface streets, ensuring a direct and mechanical commute.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 12 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
South R L Thornton Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 11.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on South R L Thornton Freeway and North Stemmons Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.2 miles in near South Interstate 35E.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 31.7 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 1.2 miles (South Interstate 35E): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.5 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.6 miles (I 35E / South Stemmons Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
1.2 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
South Interstate 35E
Turn left onto South Interstate 35E
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
1.5 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Take the ramp toward I 35E South, US 77 South
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 35E South, US 77 South
5
1.6 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
I 35E / South Stemmons Freeway
Merge onto I 35E / South Stemmons Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
6
7 mi into trip
|
~9m in
|
I 35E / North Stemmons Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35E / North Stemmons Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
7
28.7 mi into trip
|
~35m in
Take the exit toward FM 1382: Belt Line Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 414
Toward FM 1382: Belt Line Road
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Carrollton, TX to DeSoto, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Dallas Zoo along the way.
Dallas Zoo
17.6 mi in
|
~23m
|
via I 35E
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South R L Thornton Freeway | 11.7 mi | 12m |
| North Stemmons Freeway | 10 mi | 12m |
| South Stemmons Freeway | 5.4 mi | 6m |
| East Belt Line Road | 3.2 mi | 7m |
| North Beckley Avenue | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| South Interstate 35E | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| North Hampton Road | <0.1 mi | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
South R L Thornton Freeway
— 11.7 mi, about 12m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carrollton, TX and DeSoto, TX.
1
Start on East Belt Line Road
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
East Belt Line Road
Use the none lane.
2
Turn left onto South Interstate 35E
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
·
South Interstate 35E
Use the left lane.
3
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
Toward I 35E South, US 77 South
4
Merge onto I 35E
5.4 mi
·
6 min
·
South Stemmons Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35E
10 mi
·
12 min
·
North Stemmons Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on I 35E
0.5 mi
·
44 sec
·
South R L Thornton Freeway
7
Continue on I 35E
11 mi
·
12 min
·
South R L Thornton Freeway
Exit 426
Toward Dallas Zoo
Use the none lane.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 414
Toward FM 1382: Belt Line Road
Use the slight right lane.
9
Turn straight onto North Beckley Avenue
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
North Beckley Avenue
10
Turn right onto FM 1382
2.0 mi
·
4 min
·
East Belt Line Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Turn right onto North Hampton Road
33 ft
·
0 sec
·
North Hampton Road
12
Arrive at destination
North Hampton Road
Trip Plan
Because this is a short, 41-minute trip, you have significant flexibility regarding your departure time. Since there are zero scheduled stops required, you can easily complete the drive in one go without needing to plan for rest breaks or meals. Keep in mind that the heavy reliance on freeway infrastructure means traffic volume will be your biggest variable; checking local traffic reports before you leave can save you time. Given the low $5 fuel cost, you don't need to worry about complex refueling logistics along the way. Focus on staying alert during the freeway transitions to ensure a smooth arrival in DeSoto.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 15.9 miles from Carrollton, TX, or about 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 11.7 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 31.7 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 15.9 miles or 20m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near DeSoto, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Carrollton, 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 Carrollton, TX
This is one driving day of about 31.7 miles and 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Carrollton, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on South R L Thornton Freeway for about 11.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 15.9 mi from Carrollton, TX · 20m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
16 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 31.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 15.9 miles from Carrollton, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in DeSoto, TX
The final approach into DeSoto, 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 DeSoto, TX.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$4.84 one way
$9.68 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
11 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $5.31 | $10.61 |
| premium | $4.59 | $5.73 | $11.46 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $7.04 | $14.09 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$30–$55
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 11.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 9.5 | 0 | $3.33 | $1.52 |
| Efficient EV | 7.9 | 0 | $2.77 | $1.27 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 12.7 | 0 | $4.44 | $2.03 |
Gas CO2
11 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (64% 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
DeSoto, TX
Afternoon in DeSoto on Sunday
Local time
3:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
59°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.
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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
41m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Carrollton, TX to DeSoto, TX covers 31.7 miles and takes about 41m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are South R L Thornton Freeway, North Stemmons Freeway, South Stemmons Freeway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 15.9 miles from Carrollton, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $4.84 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 31.7 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.2 miles (South Interstate 35E): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.5 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.6 miles (I 35E / South Stemmons Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Carrollton, TX to DeSoto, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Dallas Zoo along the way.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From DeSoto, TX
More trips to DeSoto, TX
Explore more options from Carrollton, TX or browse trips ending in DeSoto, TX.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TX road trips.
Explore maps for Carrollton, TX or DeSoto, TX on MapSof.net.