Trip from Dallas, TX to Canyon, TX

Data updated 0 seconds ago

Drive Time

6h 47m

Distance

378.4 mi

609 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$57

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min

4 AM

6h 36m ★

6 AM

6h 48m

8 AM

7h 11m

10 AM

6h 56m

12 PM

6h 53m

3 PM

6h 57m

5 PM

7h 10m

8 PM

6h 41m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Dallas, TX

Wikimedia Commons

city in Randall County, Texas, United States

Canyon, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Dallas, TX to Canyon, TX covers 378.4 miles and takes about 6h 47m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on US 81, US Highway 287, US Highway 287 East for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 103.4 miles on US 81. At current regular gas prices, budget about $57.18 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

189.2 miles from Dallas, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 21m into the drive .

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Drive Character

This is a 6h 47m highway drive covering 378.4 miles, with most of the trip on US 81 and US Highway 287. The longest continuous stretch is about 103.4 miles on US 81.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 42 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

US 81 is the longest continuous segment at about 103.4 miles.

Elevation Profile

Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes

3,556 ft 428 ft

Total Climb

3,145 ft

Total Descent

31 ft

Highest Point

3,556 ft

~351.4 mi in

Elevation Range

3,128 ft

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 81 and US Highway 287. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.6 miles in near TX 183 / John W Carpenter Freeway.

Route Complexity 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 378.4 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 4.6 miles (TX 183 / John W Carpenter Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 141.5 miles (US 287 / Northwest Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 353.5 miles (US 287): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 20 key points

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

4.6 mi into trip | ~6m in | TX 183 / John W Carpenter Freeway

Keep slight left at fork onto TX 183 / John W Carpenter Freeway toward TX 183: Irving, DFW Airport

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / straight lanes. Exit 433A Toward TX 183: Irving, DFW Airport

141.5 mi into trip | ~2h 31m in | US 287 / Northwest Freeway

Keep slight left at fork onto US 287 / Northwest Freeway toward US 287 North: Vernon, Amarillo

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / straight lanes. Exit 3A Toward US 287 North: Vernon, Amarillo

353.5 mi into trip | ~6h 17m in | US 287

Keep slight left at fork onto US 287 toward I 40 West, US 287 North

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 40 West, US 287 North

361.5 mi into trip | ~6h 27m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 27 South, US 87 South, US 60 West: Canyon, Lubbock

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left lane. Exit 70 Toward I 27 South, US 87 South, US 60 West: Can...

377.6 mi into trip | ~6h 45m in | US 87 / Canyon Expressway

Keep slight left at fork onto US 87 / Canyon Expressway toward US 87 South, to TX 217: Palo Duro Canyon State Park

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward US 87 South, to TX 217: Palo Duro Canyon...

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Dallas, TX and Canyon, TX, road signs point toward Denton and Amarillo.

Denton

30.8 mi in | ~33m

Amarillo

141.5 mi in | ~2h 31m | via US 287

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
US 81	103.4 mi	1h 49m
US Highway 287	75.4 mi	1h 17m
US Highway 287 East	40.5 mi	42m
East 11th Street	28.7 mi	32m
Boykin Drive	26.2 mi	28m
US Highway 287 West	25.7 mi	26m
SH 183 TEXpress	16.5 mi	16m
Canyon Expressway	16 mi	18m

Longest stretch: US 81 — 103.4 mi, about 1h 49m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on North Lamar Street

0.4 mi · 46 sec · North Lamar Street

Use the straight / right lanes.

Take the ramp

133 ft · 3 sec

Toward I 35E North

Turn right

0.5 mi · 58 sec

Toward I 35E North

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 31 sec

Toward I 35E North Use the slight left lane.

Merge onto I 35E

3.5 mi · 4 min · North Stemmons Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto TX 183

0.8 mi · 48 sec · John W Carpenter Freeway

Exit 433A Toward TX 183: Irving, DFW Airport Use the slight left / straight lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto TX 183 TEXpress

1.5 mi · 1 min · SH 183 TEXpress

Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto TX 183 TEXpress

15 mi · 14 min · SH 183 TEXpress

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on TX 121 TEXpress; TX 183 TEXpress

2.0 mi · 2 min · SH 121/183 TEXpress

Continue on TX 183 TEXpress

0.1 mi · 7 sec · SH 183 TEXpress

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on TX 121 TEXpress; TX 183 TEXpress

0.7 mi · 42 sec · SH 121/183 TEXpress

Continue on I 820 TEXpress

6.2 mi · 6 min · I 820 TEXpress

Toward I 820 Express West Toll Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 26 sec

Toward I 35W Express: Fort Worth, Denton

Keep slight right at fork

0.8 mi · 50 sec

Toward I 35W Express North: Denton Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 35W TEXpress

2.3 mi · 2 min · I 35W TEXpress

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min

Toward US 81 North, US 287 North: Decatur Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto US 81; US 287

1.7 mi · 1 min · US 81; US 287

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on US 81; US 287

102 mi · 1 hr 47 min · US 81; US 287

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on US 281; US 287

0.8 mi · 58 sec · Lloyd Ruby Overpass

Continue on US 277; US 281; US 287

2.4 mi · 3 min · Central Freeway

Use the straight lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto US 287

5.3 mi · 5 min · Northwest Freeway

Exit 3A Toward US 287 North: Vernon, Amarillo Use the slight left / straight lanes.

Continue on US 287

40 mi · 42 min · US Highway 287 East

Use the straight / left / right lanes.

Continue on US 70; US 183; US 287

4.1 mi · 4 min · Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on US 287

26 mi · 26 min · US Highway 287 West

Use the straight lane.

Continue on US 287

29 mi · 32 min · East 11th Street

Continue on US 287

2.8 mi · 3 min · Avenue F Northeast

Continue on US 287

14 mi · 14 min · US Highway 287

Continue on US 287

0.7 mi · 1 min · Burnett Street

Continue on US 287

14 mi · 13 min · US Highway 287

Turn straight onto US 287

26 mi · 28 min · Boykin Drive

Continue on US 287

1.6 mi · 1 min · East 2nd Street

Continue on US 287

28 mi · 28 min · US Highway 287

Continue on US 287; FM 1151

1.1 mi · 2 min · East 1st Street

Continue on US 287

20 mi · 20 min · US Highway 287

Keep slight left at fork onto US 287

7.9 mi · 10 min · US 287

Toward I 40 West, US 287 North Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit onto US 287

470 ft · 8 sec · US 287

Exit 70 Toward I 27 South, US 87, US 60, US 287 North: Canyon, Lubbock, Dumas, Pampa, Downtown

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min

Exit 70 Toward I 27 South, US 87 South, US 60 West: Canyon, Lubbock Use the slight left lane.

Merge onto I 27; US 60; US 87

13 mi · 14 min · Canyon Expressway

Keep slight right at fork onto US 60; US 87

2.4 mi · 2 min · Canyon Expressway

Keep slight left at fork onto US 87

0.4 mi · 41 sec · Canyon Expressway

Toward US 87 South, to TX 217: Palo Duro Canyon State Park Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on US 87

0.4 mi · 59 sec · North 23rd Street

Arrive at destination

US 87

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 189.2 miles from Dallas, TX, or about 3h 21m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 103.4 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 83 miles or 1h 29m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 189.2 miles or 3h 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 5h 40m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Canyon, 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 378.4 miles and 6h 47m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 83 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 US 81 for about 103.4 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 189.2 mi from Dallas, TX · 3h 21m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Wichita Falls, TX

189 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

Denton, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 83 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Wichita Falls, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 189.2 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 US 81 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 103.4 miles.

Arriving in Canyon, TX

The final approach into Canyon, 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 Canyon, 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

$57.18 one way

$114.35 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 132 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.20	$62.58	$125.17
premium	$4.54	$67.56	$135.12
diesel	$5.61	$83.55	$167.09

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$57

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$82–$107

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 132.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $40 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	113.5	1	$39.73	$18.16
Efficient EV	94.6	1	$33.11	$15.14
EV Truck/SUV	151.4	1	$52.98	$24.22

Gas CO2

132 kg

EV CO2

44 kg (67% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

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 data refreshed 5 days ago

Origin

Dallas, TX

Late night in Dallas on Wednesday

Local time

5:27 AM

CDT

Current temp

61°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Canyon, TX

Late night in Canyon on Wednesday

Local time

5:27 AM

CDT

Current temp

87°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

26 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

6h 47m on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

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 Canyon, TX covers 378.4 miles and takes about 6h 47m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are US 81, US Highway 287, US Highway 287 East. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 189.2 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 $57.18 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

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.