Origin
Dallas, TX
Late night in Dallas on Friday
Local time
1:10 AM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Compiled by the Trip.ovh editorial team · Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026 · Methodology
Drive Time
4h 53m
Distance
266.4 mi
429 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$40
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Dallas, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Alvin, TX
Thomas balabaud
This 266.4-mile journey from Dallas, TX to Alvin, TX is a straightforward, highway-focused drive that can easily be completed in a single day. You'll spend approximately 4 hours and 53 minutes on the road, traversing major routes like the Julius Schepps Freeway and TX 35. With 99% of the drive on highways, expect a consistent pace. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $40. Since both your origin and destination are within the Great Plains region of Texas, you won't experience significant landscape changes, making this a convenient option for a day trip.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
133.2 miles from Dallas, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 21m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 53m. Total distance: 266.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience, with 99% of your travel occurring on major roadways. This means you'll likely encounter consistent speeds and a predictable driving environment for most of the 266.4 miles. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is a significant 237.2 miles, primarily on the Julius Schepps Freeway, which suggests long periods of open road. While the route is primarily highway, be aware of potential transitions as you approach your destination.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Julius Schepps Freeway and TX 35. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.9 miles in.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 266.4 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 0.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 1.4 miles (I 45 / Julius Schepps Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 4.5 miles (I 45 / Julius Schepps Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Keep slight right at fork toward I 45 South: Houston
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Merge onto I 45 / Julius Schepps Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork onto I 45 / Julius Schepps Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit onto TX 35 toward TX 35 South, I 610 West: Pearland, Alvin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 35 toward TX 35 South: Alvin
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Julius Schepps Freeway | 237.2 mi | 4h 9m |
| TX 35 | 17.7 mi | 27m |
| Gulf Freeway | 7.8 mi | 9m |
| North Gordon Street | 2.2 mi | 4m |
| Woodall Rodgers Freeway | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| McKinney Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| North Lamar Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| West Sealy Street | <0.1 mi | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Step-by-step road directions between Dallas, TX and Alvin, TX.
Start on North Lamar Street
Turn right onto McKinney Avenue
Take the ramp
Merge onto Spur 366
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 45
Keep slight left at fork onto I 45
Continue on I 45
Take the exit onto TX 35
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 35
Turn slight right onto TX 35 Bus
Turn right onto West Sealy Street
Arrive at destination
Given the 4-hour 53-minute duration, starting your drive from Dallas in the morning is advisable to maximize daylight and arrive in Alvin with plenty of time. With only one recommended stop for this 266.4-mile trip, you have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially before embarking on the longest stretch of 237.2 miles. The estimated $40 fuel cost is a good benchmark for budgeting. Consider taking advantage of the highway focus to make good time, but remain alert for any changes in road conditions as you get closer to Alvin.
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.
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 59 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 133.2 miles or 2h 21m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Alvin, TX than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Dallas, 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 Dallas, TX
This is one driving day of about 266.4 miles and 4h 53m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 133.2 mi from Dallas, TX · 2h 21m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
133 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.
A short stop after about 59 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 133.2 miles from Dallas, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Julius Schepps Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 237.2 miles.
The final approach into Alvin, 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 Alvin, TX.
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.
Regular Gas
$40.25 one way
$80.51 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $44.06 | $88.12 |
| premium | $4.54 | $47.56 | $95.13 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $58.82 | $117.64 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 93.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 79.9 | 0 | $27.97 | $12.79 |
| Efficient EV | 66.6 | 0 | $23.31 | $10.66 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 106.6 | 1 | $37.30 | $17.05 |
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Dallas on Friday
Local time
1:10 AM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Alvin on Friday
Local time
1:10 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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