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Trip from Dallas, TX to Chandler, TX

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

1h 46m

Distance

98.9 mi

159 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$15

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 23 min
4 AM
1h 39m ★
6 AM
1h 46m
8 AM
2h 2m
10 AM
1h 52m
12 PM
1h 50m
3 PM
1h 53m
5 PM
2h 1m
8 PM
1h 42m

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

city in Henderson County, Texas, United States

Chandler, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

If you are planning a quick getaway from Dallas to Chandler, you are looking at a manageable 98.9-mile journey. This trip typically takes about 1 hour and 46 minutes to complete, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day excursion. You will primarily navigate via Commerce Street, I-45 South, and I-30 to reach your destination within the same Great Plains region. Budgeting approximately $15 for fuel should cover your travel costs comfortably. Since the entire route is well under two hours, there is no need to plan for an overnight stay unless you prefer a slower pace.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

49.5 miles from Dallas, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 55m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 46m. Total distance: 98.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (83%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a straight-shot interstate sprint for this 98.9-mile trip. Because the highway share is 0%, you should prepare for a more hands-on driving experience that requires your full attention on local roads and street transitions. The route shifts away from typical highway cruising, meaning you won't encounter long, uninterrupted stretches of high-speed travel. Navigating these local corridors keeps the drive engaging and dynamic as you transition from the urban environment of Dallas toward Chandler. Keep your focus sharp, as the frequent turns make this a very different experience compared to standard freeway driving.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 20 is the longest continuous segment at about 53.3 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and US 80. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.2 miles in.

Driving Effort 10/10

Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 98.9 miles you will encounter 13 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 1.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 1.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 1.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 13 key points

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

5
1.2 mi into trip | ~2m in

Take the ramp toward I 45 South

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / left lanes. Toward I 45 South
8
1.4 mi into trip | ~3m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 30

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 30
5
1.6 mi into trip | ~3m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 30 East

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward I 30 East
5
2 mi into trip | ~4m in | I 30; US 67 / East R L Thornton Freeway

Merge onto I 30; US 67 / East R L Thornton Freeway

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
7.8 mi into trip | ~11m in | US 80

Keep slight right at fork onto US 80 toward US 80 East: Terrell

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes. Exit 53B Toward US 80 East: Terrell

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

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

On the drive from Dallas, TX to Chandler, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Loop 49 Toll along the way.

Loop 49 Toll

84.8 mi in | ~1h 30m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 20 53.3 mi 53m
US 80 19.2 mi 20m
Toll 49 9.1 mi 9m
East R L Thornton Freeway 5.9 mi 7m
Spur 557 4.5 mi 4m
State Highway 31 West 2.4 mi 2m
East Highway 31 1.5 mi 1m
Commerce Street 0.9 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 20 — 53.3 mi, about 53m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on North Lamar Street

0.3 mi · 53 sec · North Lamar Street
2

Turn left onto Commerce Street

0.9 mi · 1 min · Commerce Street
3

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 25 sec
Toward I 45 South Use the straight / left lanes.
4

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 25 sec
Toward I 30 Use the slight right lane.
5

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 52 sec
Toward I 30 East
6

Merge onto I 30; US 67

5.9 mi · 7 min · East R L Thornton Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Keep slight right at fork onto US 80

19 mi · 20 min · US 80
Exit 53B Toward US 80 East: Terrell Use the straight / right lanes.
8

Continue on Spur 557

4.5 mi · 4 min · Spur 557
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Merge onto I 20

53 mi · 53 min · I 20
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 52 sec
Toward Loop 49 Toll
11

Turn right

0.4 mi · 28 sec
12

Merge onto Loop 49 Toll

9.1 mi · 9 min · Toll 49
13

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 45 sec
Toward TX 31: Chandler, Tyler
14

Keep slight right at fork

194 ft · 5 sec
15

Merge onto TX 31

2.4 mi · 2 min · State Highway 31 West
16

Continue on TX 31

1.5 mi · 1 min · East Highway 31
17

Arrive at destination

TX 31

Trip Plan

Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though avoiding peak traffic hours in the Dallas area is always a smart move. Because the drive is under two hours and does not include any mandatory stops, you can easily complete the journey without needing a dedicated break. Keep that $15 fuel budget in mind when you head out, and ensure your tank is topped off before leaving the city to avoid unnecessary detours. A practical tip for this specific route is to familiarize yourself with the turn-heavy nature of the path beforehand; having a reliable navigation app ready will help you manage the frequent transitions between Commerce Street, I-45, and I-30 smoothly.

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 49.5 miles from Dallas, TX, or about 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 53.3 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 22 miles or 26m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 49.5 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 26m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Chandler, 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.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Dallas, TX

This is one driving day of about 98.9 miles and 1h 46m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Dallas, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 20 for about 53.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 49.5 mi from Dallas, TX · 55m into the drive

city in Kaufman County, Texas, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Terrell, TX

49 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

Forney, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 22 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Wills Point, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 49.5 miles from Dallas, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Chandler, TX

The final approach into Chandler, TX usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$14.94 one way

$29.89 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 35 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.20 $16.36 $32.71
premium $4.54 $17.66 $35.32
diesel $5.61 $21.84 $43.67

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$15

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$40–$65

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 34.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 29.7 0 $10.38 $4.75
Efficient EV 24.7 0 $8.65 $3.96
EV Truck/SUV 39.6 0 $13.85 $6.33

Gas CO2

35 kg

EV CO2

12 kg (66% 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Dallas, TX

Afternoon in Dallas on Thursday

Local time

4:50 PM

CDT

Current temp

60°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Chandler, TX

Afternoon in Chandler on Thursday

Local time

4:50 PM

CDT

Current temp

59°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

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

1h 46m 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 Chandler, TX covers 98.9 miles and takes about 1h 46m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 20, US 80, Toll 49. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 49.5 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 $14.94 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 98.9 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 1.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 1.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
On the drive from Dallas, TX to Chandler, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Loop 49 Toll along the way.

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Return Trip

Chandler, TX to Dallas, TX

Plan the drive back the other way.

99 mi 1h 47m

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