Origin
Dallas, TX
Afternoon in Dallas on Sunday
Local time
1:38 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Dallas, TX to Balch Springs, TX
Drive Time
22m
Distance
14.9 mi
24 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$2
one way
Photo: Jeff Stapleton
Trip Overview
If you are looking to travel from Dallas to Balch Springs, you are in for a quick 14.9-mile journey that typically takes about 22 minutes. This trip stays entirely within the Great Plains region of Texas, making it a straightforward, one-day excursion. You will navigate through city streets using McKinney Avenue, US 75 North, and the Woodall Rodgers Freeway rather than relying on long-distance highway travel. With an estimated fuel cost of just $2, it is a highly economical way to reach your destination. Because the trip is so brief, there is no need to worry about overnight lodging or planning multiple rest stops along the way.
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
7.4 miles from Dallas, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 9m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate cruise, as this route features zero percent highway share. You will be maneuvering through urban corridors, requiring your full attention as you navigate city infrastructure. The path lacks a long, uninterrupted stretch, so you should prepare for a constant flow of traffic signals and turns. Because this drive is composed entirely of local roads, the personality of the route is defined by city navigation rather than open-road cruising. It is a practical, utilitarian transit that requires you to stay alert to your surroundings throughout the entire 22-minute duration.
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.
C F Hawn Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 5.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near Spur 366 / Woodall Rodgers Freeway.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 14.9 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 0.5 miles (Spur 366 / Woodall Rodgers Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; 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.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.5 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
Spur 366 / Woodall Rodgers Freeway
Merge onto Spur 366 / Woodall Rodgers Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
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 none lane.
7
4.5 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
US 175 / C F Hawn Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 175 / C F Hawn Freeway toward US 175 South: Kaufman
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 175 South: Kaufman
6
9.8 mi into trip
|
~12m in
Take the exit toward Elam Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Elam Road
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| C F Hawn Freeway | 5.4 mi | 6m |
| Elam Road | 4.2 mi | 7m |
| Julius Schepps Freeway | 3.1 mi | 3m |
| Hickory Tree Road | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Woodall Rodgers Freeway | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| McKinney Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| North Lamar Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Terry Drive | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
C F Hawn Freeway
— 5.4 mi, about 6m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dallas, TX and Balch Springs, 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
Use the none lane.
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 none lane.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto US 175
5.3 mi
·
6 min
·
C F Hawn Freeway
Toward US 175 South: Kaufman
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
Toward Elam Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Turn straight onto C F Hawn Freeway
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
C F Hawn Freeway
10
Turn slight left onto Elam Road
4.2 mi
·
7 min
·
Elam Road
Use the none lane.
11
Turn left onto Hickory Tree Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Hickory Tree Road
Use the left lane.
12
Turn left onto Terry Drive
47 ft
·
1 sec
·
Terry Drive
13
Arrive at destination
Terry Drive
Trip Plan
Since this is a short trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though you should keep an eye on local traffic patterns to avoid potential delays on city streets. You won't need to pace out any formal stops, allowing you to head straight to Balch Springs without interruption. Budgeting $2 for fuel is sufficient for this drive, but keep in mind that urban driving can be less fuel-efficient than highway travel. A helpful tip for this specific route is to familiarize yourself with the McKinney Avenue and Woodall Rodgers Freeway transition points before you head out. This preparation will help you manage the various turns more confidently as you exit the Dallas area.
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 7.4 miles from Dallas, TX, or about 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 5.4 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 14.9 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 7.4 miles or 9m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Balch Springs, 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 14.9 miles and 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Dallas, 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 C F Hawn Freeway for about 5.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 7.4 mi from Dallas, TX · 9m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
7 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 14.9 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 7.4 miles from Dallas, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Balch Springs, TX
The final approach into Balch Springs, 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 Balch Springs, 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
$2.28 one way
$4.55 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
5 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $2.49 | $4.99 |
| premium | $4.59 | $2.69 | $5.39 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $3.31 | $6.62 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$27–$52
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 5.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 60% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 4.5 | 0 | $1.56 | $0.72 |
| Efficient EV | 3.7 | 0 | $1.30 | $0.60 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 6 | 0 | $2.09 | $0.95 |
Gas CO2
5 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (60% 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
Balch Springs, TX
Afternoon in Balch Springs on Sunday
Local time
1:38 PM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
49°F
Mesquite, TX
7 mi in
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
1 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
22m 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 Dallas, TX to Balch Springs, TX covers 14.9 miles and takes about 22m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are C F Hawn Freeway, Elam Road, Julius Schepps Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 7.4 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 $2.28 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 10 significant decision points across 14.9 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 0.5 miles (Spur 366 / Woodall Rodgers Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; 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.
The route from Dallas, TX to Balch Springs, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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