Origin
Clifton, TX
Afternoon in Clifton on Sunday
Local time
3:24 PM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Clifton, TX to Dallas, TX
Drive Time
2h 2m
Distance
98.2 mi
158 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 54m
★
6 AM
2h 2m
8 AM
2h 20m
10 AM
2h 9m
12 PM
2h 7m
3 PM
2h 9m
5 PM
2h 19m
8 PM
1h 57m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Clifton, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Dallas, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from Clifton to Dallas covers 97.4 miles and typically takes about 1 hour and 42 minutes. Because this is a relatively short trip, it works perfectly as a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You can expect to spend roughly $14 on fuel for the journey. The entire route remains within the Great Plains region of Texas, keeping the landscape consistent as you transition from the smaller community of Clifton into the Dallas metro area. Since there are no mandatory stops scheduled, it is a straightforward drive that prioritizes efficiency over sightseeing. This is an ideal route for travelers who prefer a direct connection between two central Texas hubs without the need for complex trip planning.
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
49.1 miles from Clifton, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 10m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate grind, as this route features zero highway miles. You will navigate primarily via North Avenue A, East 2nd Street, and Riverside Drive to reach your destination. Because the journey relies on local thoroughfares, there is no single long stretch of road; in fact, the longest uninterrupted segment on North Avenue A is 0 miles. Your experience behind the wheel will be defined by constant adjustments and attention to local road conditions. This setup makes for a very different feel than high-speed travel, requiring you to stay engaged with the road layout throughout the entire 1 hour and 42 minutes.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 35E is the longest continuous segment at about 58.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35E and State Highway 22. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near North Avenue A.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 98.2 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 0.3 miles (North Avenue A): Navigation decision point; at 0.5 miles (East 2nd Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 39.6 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0.3 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
North Avenue A
Turn left onto North Avenue A
Navigation decision point
6
0.5 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
East 2nd Street
At end of road, turn right onto East 2nd Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
7
39.6 mi into trip
|
~1h in
|
I 35E
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E toward I 35E: Dallas
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 35E: Dallas
7
97.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 1m in
Take the exit toward Continental Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 429A
Toward Continental Avenue
6
97.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 1m in
|
Continental Avenue
Turn right onto Continental Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 35E | 58.1 mi | 1h |
| State Highway 22 | 23 mi | 30m |
| Farm-to-Market Road 219 | 9 mi | 15m |
| North Waco Street | 3.4 mi | 5m |
| South Bosque Street | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| East Jefferson Avenue | 0.7 mi | <1m |
| FM 1991 | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Riverside Drive | 0.4 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 35E
— 58.1 mi, about 1h
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clifton, TX and Dallas, TX.
1
Start on FM 219
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
West 5th Street
2
Turn left onto North Avenue A
0.1 mi
·
35 sec
·
North Avenue A
3
At end of road, turn right onto East 2nd Street
323 ft
·
14 sec
·
East 2nd Street
4
Turn slight left onto Riverside Drive
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Riverside Drive
5
Turn right
0.2 mi
·
40 sec
6
Turn right onto FM 1991
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
FM 1991
7
Turn left onto FM 219
9.0 mi
·
15 min
·
Farm-to-Market Road 219
8
At end of road, turn right onto TX 22
12 mi
·
17 min
·
State Highway 22
9
Continue on TX 22
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
South Bosque Street
10
Continue on TX 22
0.7 mi
·
58 sec
·
East Jefferson Avenue
11
Continue on TX 22
11 mi
·
12 min
·
State Highway 22
12
Turn left onto TX 81
3.4 mi
·
5 min
·
North Waco Street
13
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
14
Merge onto I 35
0.4 mi
·
23 sec
·
Purple Heart Trail
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E
58 mi
·
1 hr
·
I 35E
Toward I 35E: Dallas
Use the slight right lane.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Exit 429A
Toward Continental Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
17
Turn right onto Continental Avenue
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
Continental Avenue
Use the right lane.
18
Turn slight right onto North Lamar Street
433 ft
·
10 sec
·
North Lamar Street
19
Arrive at destination
North Lamar Street
Trip Plan
Since your total drive time is under two hours, you have plenty of flexibility to depart whenever it suits your schedule. Keep in mind that because this route lacks highway stretches, you should build in extra time if you encounter heavy local traffic or slower zones along your path. Budgeting approximately $14 for fuel is a safe bet, though you may want to fill up before leaving Clifton to avoid searching for stations in unfamiliar areas. Given the turn-heavy nature of the route, using a reliable GPS is essential to keep you on track along North Avenue A and Riverside Drive. Taking a quick break before you hit the denser traffic patterns closer to Dallas is a smart way to ensure you arrive feeling refreshed.
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 49.1 miles from Clifton, TX, or about 1h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 58.1 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 80 miles or 1h 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 49.1 miles or 1h 10m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Dallas, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Clifton, 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 Clifton, TX
This is one driving day of about 98.2 miles and 2h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Clifton, 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 I 35E for about 58.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 49.1 mi from Clifton, TX · 1h 10m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
49 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 49.1 miles from Clifton, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Dallas, TX
The final approach into Dallas, 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 Dallas, 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
$15.00 one way
$30.00 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
34 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $16.44 | $32.88 |
| premium | $4.59 | $17.75 | $35.50 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $21.82 | $43.63 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 34.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 29.5 | 0 | $10.31 | $4.71 |
| Efficient EV | 24.6 | 0 | $8.59 | $3.93 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 39.3 | 0 | $13.75 | $6.28 |
Gas CO2
34 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (68% 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
Dallas, TX
Afternoon in Dallas on Sunday
Local time
3:24 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 2m 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 Clifton, TX to Dallas, TX covers 98.2 miles and takes about 2h 2m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 35E, State Highway 22, Farm-to-Market Road 219. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 49.1 miles from Clifton, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $15.00 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 98.2 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (North Avenue A): Navigation decision point; at 0.5 miles (East 2nd Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 39.6 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Clifton, TX to Dallas, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Dallas, TX
More from Clifton, TX
More trips to Dallas, TX
Explore more options from Clifton, TX or browse trips ending in Dallas, TX.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TX road trips.
Explore maps for Clifton, TX or Dallas, TX on MapSof.net.