Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
2h 4m
Distance
104.5 mi
168 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$16
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
Center, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Traveling from Dallas to Center covers 104.5 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 4 minutes. Because this is a relatively short trip, it works perfectly as a straightforward day trip, requiring only one day to complete. You should budget approximately $16 for fuel to cover the distance. Both cities are located within the Great Plains region of Texas, ensuring a consistent geographic feel throughout your journey. Since there are no mandatory stops scheduled, you can easily complete the drive in a single stretch. It is a practical, no-nonsense route that gets you from the heart of the city to your destination without needing an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
52.2 miles from Dallas, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 55m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 4m. Total distance: 104.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise, as this route features zero highway miles. You will navigate via McKinney Avenue, US 75 North, and the Woodall Rodgers Freeway to reach your destination. Because the longest stretch on McKinney Avenue is 0 miles, you should be prepared for frequent transitions between local roads. The lack of highway travel means your speed will be lower and the pace will be dictated by local infrastructure. This drive requires your full attention as you navigate the specific turn-heavy segments that define the route's personality.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Julius Schepps Freeway and TX 14. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.9 miles in.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 104.5 miles you will encounter 9 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 0.9 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 14 toward Wortham, Groesbeck
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn left onto TX 164 / West Yeagua Street
Lane positioning matters here
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Dallas, TX and Center, TX, road signs point toward Wortham and Groesbeck.
Wortham
Groesbeck
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Julius Schepps Freeway | 66.6 mi | 1h 9m |
| TX 14 | 29.7 mi | 42m |
| West Yeagua Street | 6.7 mi | 9m |
| Woodall Rodgers Freeway | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| McKinney Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| North Lamar Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Lcr 800 | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Dallas, TX and Center, 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
Take the exit onto TX 14
Turn left onto TX 164
Turn right onto Lcr 800
Arrive at destination
Since the total drive time is just over two hours, you have significant flexibility with your departure time to avoid local congestion. Keep in mind that the lack of highway segments means your progress depends entirely on local traffic flow, so check your navigation app before heading out. With no formal stops planned, ensure your vehicle is fueled up before you leave, as the $16 fuel estimate assumes a steady trip. Because the route is technical and turn-heavy, prioritize keeping your focus on the road over long-distance cruising. Taking a quick break to stretch before hitting the more complex turn-heavy sections can help you stay alert behind the wheel.
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.
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 23 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 52.2 miles or 55m 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 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Center, 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 104.5 miles and 2h 4m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 52.2 mi from Dallas, TX · 55m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
52 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 23 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 52.2 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 66.6 miles.
The final approach into Center, 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 Center, TX.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$15.79 one way
$31.58 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $17.28 | $34.57 |
| premium | $4.54 | $18.66 | $37.32 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $23.07 | $46.14 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 36.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 31.3 | 0 | $10.97 | $5.02 |
| Efficient EV | 26.1 | 0 | $9.14 | $4.18 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 41.8 | 0 | $14.63 | $6.69 |
Gas CO2
37 kg
EV CO2
12 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Dallas on Thursday
Local time
5:16 PM
CDT
Current temp
83°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
Destination
Evening in Center on Thursday
Local time
5:16 PM
CDT
Current temp
59°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
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Dallas, TX or browse trips ending in Center, TX.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TX road trips.
Explore maps for Dallas, TX or Center, TX on MapSof.net.
