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Trip from Dallas, TX to Alvin, TX

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

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 40m ★
6 AM
4h 53m
8 AM
5h 20m
10 AM
5h 2m
12 PM
5h 0m
3 PM
5h 4m
5 PM
5h 19m
8 PM
4h 45m

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

Downtown Dallas, TX, TX

Dallas, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Alvin, TX, TX

Alvin, TX

Thomas balabaud

Trip Overview

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 .

Who Is This Route For?

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.

Drive Character

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.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 13 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Julius Schepps Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 237.2 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

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.

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 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.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 9 key points

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

7
0.9 mi into trip | ~1m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 45 South: Houston

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 45 South: Houston
5
1.4 mi into trip | ~2m in | I 45 / Julius Schepps Freeway

Merge onto I 45 / Julius Schepps Freeway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.
6
4.5 mi into trip | ~6m in | I 45 / Julius Schepps Freeway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 45 / Julius Schepps Freeway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
246.5 mi into trip | ~4h 21m in | TX 35

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 40C Toward TX 35 South, I 610 West: Pearland, Alvin
7
246.7 mi into trip | ~4h 21m in | TX 35

Keep slight left at fork onto TX 35 toward TX 35 South: Alvin

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Toward TX 35 South: Alvin

Main Roads

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.

Longest stretch: Julius Schepps Freeway — 237.2 mi, about 4h 9m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Dallas, TX and Alvin, TX.

1

Start on North Lamar Street

433 ft · 14 sec · North Lamar Street
2

Turn right onto McKinney Avenue

0.2 mi · 24 sec · McKinney Avenue
3

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 29 sec
Toward US 75 North
4

Merge onto Spur 366

0.4 mi · 37 sec · Woodall Rodgers Freeway
5

Keep slight right at fork

0.5 mi · 49 sec
Toward I 45 South: Houston Use the slight right lane.
6

Merge onto I 45

3.1 mi · 3 min · Julius Schepps Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
7

Keep slight left at fork onto I 45

234 mi · 4 hr 5 min · Julius Schepps Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Continue on I 45

7.8 mi · 9 min · Gulf Freeway
Use the straight / left lanes.
9

Take the exit onto TX 35

0.3 mi · 32 sec · TX 35
Exit 40C Toward TX 35 South, I 610 West: Pearland, Alvin Use the slight right lane.
10

Keep slight left at fork onto TX 35

17 mi · 27 min · TX 35
Toward TX 35 South: Alvin Use the slight left lane.
11

Turn slight right onto TX 35 Bus

2.2 mi · 4 min · North Gordon Street
12

Turn right onto West Sealy Street

8 ft · 0 sec · West Sealy Street
13

Arrive at destination

West Sealy Street

Trip Plan

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 133.2 miles from Dallas, TX, or about 2h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 237.2 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 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.

Before You Leave

+

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.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from Dallas, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Julius Schepps Freeway for about 237.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in Brazos County, Texas, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

College Station, TX

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.

Pacing Suggestions

Ferris, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 59 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Madisonville, TX

Meal break

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 check

Top up before Julius Schepps Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 237.2 miles.

Arriving in Alvin, TX

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.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$40.25 one way

$80.51 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 93 kg CO2
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.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Dallas, TX

Late night in Dallas on Friday

Local time

1:10 AM

CDT

Current temp

60°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Alvin, TX

Late night in Alvin on Friday

Local time

1:10 AM

CDT

Current temp

77°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

17 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

4h 53m on the road

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Dallas, TX to Alvin, TX covers 266.4 miles and takes about 4h 53m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Julius Schepps Freeway, TX 35, Gulf 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 133.2 miles from Dallas, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $40.25 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
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.
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.
The route from Dallas, TX to Alvin, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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