Trip from Dallas, TX to Dalhart, TX

Drive Time

7h 57m

Distance

447.4 mi

720 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$68

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 26 min

4 AM

7h 49m ★

6 AM

7h 58m

8 AM

8h 15m

10 AM

8h 4m

12 PM

8h 2m

3 PM

8h 5m

5 PM

8h 14m

8 PM

7h 52m

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

Dalhart, TX

Jeff Stapleton

Trip Overview

Traveling from Dallas to Dalhart covers 447.4 miles across the Great Plains of Texas. Expect to spend approximately 7 hours and 57 minutes behind the wheel, making this a long but manageable single-day haul. You will start your journey on major arteries like I-35E North, North Stemmons Freeway, and the John W. Carpenter Freeway before transitioning toward the Texas Panhandle. Budgeting around $67 for fuel is a smart move for this trek. Because the drive is nearly eight hours, you should decide if you prefer a steady, one-day push or a more relaxed pace. Since both cities are anchored in the Great Plains, you will experience a consistent regional landscape throughout the entire 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

2 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

223.7 miles from Dallas, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 57m into the drive .

Drive Character

This journey is defined as a turn-heavy local drive rather than a straightforward interstate sprint. While you begin on major Dallas freeways, the route shifts into a more technical experience that requires your constant attention. With a 0% highway share noted for the primary segments, expect to navigate through various local roads rather than relying on long, monotonous stretches of interstate. The character of the road is demanding and requires you to stay alert through every turn. You will find that the rhythm of the drive changes significantly as you move away from the urban sprawl and deeper into the quiet, expansive stretches of the Texas plains.

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

There are about 49 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.

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 0.8 miles in.

Route Complexity 10/10

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

This is a demanding drive. With 24 significant decision points across 447.4 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 0.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; 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 31 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 24 key points

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

0.8 mi into trip | ~1m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 35E North

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Toward I 35E North

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

31 mi into trip | ~33m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 35W Express North: Denton

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

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

34.1 mi into trip | ~36m in

Take the exit toward US 81 North, US 287 North: Decatur

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

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

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

Towns Along This Route

Between Dallas, TX and Dalhart, TX, road signs point toward Denton, Amarillo, Sh 354 West and Fm 1319 East.

Denton

30.8 mi in | ~33m

Amarillo

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

Sh 354 West

396.9 mi in | ~7h 3m

Fm 1319 East

396.9 mi in | ~7h 3m

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
US 87	40.3 mi	42m
East 11th Street	28.7 mi	32m
Boykin Drive	26.2 mi	28m
US Highway 287 West	25.7 mi	26m
TX 354	21.4 mi	21m

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on North Lamar Street

0.4 mi · 46 sec · North Lamar Street

Use the none / 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 none lane.

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 none lane.

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 none / 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 none / 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

Use the none lane.

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 none / straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on US 81; US 287

102 mi · 1 hr 47 min · US 81; US 287

Use the none / 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 right at fork onto East Interstate Drive

329 ft · 8 sec · East Interstate Drive

Toward East 3rd Avenue

Keep slight right at fork onto Southeast 3rd Avenue

2.6 mi · 3 min · Southeast 3rd Avenue

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 26 sec

Merge onto Loop 335

4.1 mi · 4 min · North Lakeside Drive

Continue on Loop 335

0.6 mi · 36 sec · East Loop 335 North

Continue on Loop 335

4.7 mi · 5 min · East Saint Francis Avenue

Turn right onto Dumas Drive

0.1 mi · 15 sec · Dumas Drive

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 22 sec

Merge onto US 87; US 287

31 mi · 30 min · US 87; US 287

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 46 sec

Toward SH 354 West, FM 1319 East

Turn left onto TX 354

21 mi · 21 min · TX 354

Turn right onto US 385

15 mi · 15 min · Rock Island Avenue

Take the ramp onto US 385

4.7 mi · 5 min · US 385

Use the none lane.

Continue on US 87; US 385

9.5 mi · 11 min · US 87; US 385

Use the none lane.

Arrive at destination

US 87; US 385

Trip Plan

To tackle this 447.4-mile route effectively, aim to depart early in the morning to account for the nearly eight-hour duration. Planning for at least two strategic stops will help you manage the fatigue that comes with a turn-heavy local drive. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $67 budget is an estimate that can fluctuate based on your vehicle's efficiency and local pricing along the way. Since this is a long, single-day endeavor, remain flexible with your timing to avoid driving the final, more technical segments after dark. A helpful tip for this specific path is to prioritize your rest stops early in the trip, ensuring you stay sharp for the more demanding road segments as you approach Dalhart.

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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 223.7 miles from Dallas, TX, or about 3h 57m 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 98 miles or 1h 45m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 223.7 miles or 3h 57m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 6h 53m

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

Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Dallas, TX

This is one driving day of about 447.4 miles and 7h 57m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 98 miles from Dallas, TX.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

Plan about 2 real breaks 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 223.7 mi from Dallas, TX · 3h 57m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Wichita Falls, TX

224 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

Wichita Falls, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 98 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Childress, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 223.7 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 Dalhart, TX

The final approach into Dalhart, 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 Dalhart, 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

$68.34 one way

$136.69 round trip

$3.88/gal 25.4 MPG avg 157 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$74.90	$149.79
premium	$4.59	$80.87	$161.73
diesel	$5.64	$99.40	$198.79

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$68

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$93–$118

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 156.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $47 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	134.2	1	$46.98	$21.48
Efficient EV	111.9	1	$39.15	$17.90
EV Truck/SUV	179	2	$62.64	$28.63

Gas CO2

157 kg

EV CO2

52 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 3 days ago

Origin

Dallas, TX

Afternoon in Dallas on Sunday

Local time

2:57 PM

CDT

Current temp

61°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Dalhart, TX

Afternoon in Dalhart on Sunday

Local time

2:57 PM

CDT

Current temp

40°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

21 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

7h 57m 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 Dalhart, TX covers 447.4 miles and takes about 7h 57m 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 223.7 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 $68.34 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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.