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Drive Time
6h 16m
Distance
359.5 mi
579 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$54
one way
EV Charging
None
0 DC fast
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Dallas, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Gardendale, TX
Jeff Stapleton
The drive from Dallas, TX to Gardendale, TX covers 359.5 miles and takes about 6h 16m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 20, Tom Landry Freeway, West Freeway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 299.7 miles on I 20. At current regular gas prices, budget about $54.32 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
179.8 miles from Dallas, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 10m into the drive .
Loading map...
This is a 6h 16m highway drive covering 359.5 miles, with most of the trip on I 20 and Tom Landry Freeway. The longest continuous stretch is about 299.7 miles on I 20.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and Tom Landry Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 359.5 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 0.6 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 0.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 0.8 miles: 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.
Take the ramp toward I 30, I 35E
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward I 30 West, I 35E South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward I 30 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Merge onto I 30 / Tom Landry Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Merge onto I 20
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 20 | 299.7 mi | 5h 4m |
| Tom Landry Freeway | 29.9 mi | 35m |
| West Freeway | 15.5 mi | 17m |
| FM 554 | 6.2 mi | 7m |
| Northeast Loop 338 | 2.8 mi | 3m |
| Ray C. Stoker, Jr. Memorial Highway | 2.6 mi | 3m |
| Southeast Loop 338 | 0.7 mi | <1m |
| Elm Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Dallas, TX and Gardendale, TX.
Start on North Lamar Street
Turn right onto Elm Street
Continue on Elm Street
Take the ramp
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 30
Continue on I 30; US 377
Merge onto I 20
Take the exit
Turn left onto East Interstate 20
Turn right onto Loop 338
Continue on Loop 338
Continue on Loop 338
Take the exit
Turn straight onto FM 554
Turn left onto East Goldenrod Drive
Turn right onto North Gardendale Avenue
Arrive at destination
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.
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 80 miles or 1h 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 179.8 miles or 3h 10m 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 12m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gardendale, 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 359.5 miles and 6h 16m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 179.8 mi from Dallas, TX · 3h 10m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
180 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 179.8 miles from Dallas, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 20 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 299.7 miles.
The final approach into Gardendale, 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 Gardendale, 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.
Regular Gas
$54.32 one way
$108.64 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $59.46 | $118.92 |
| premium | $4.54 | $64.19 | $128.37 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $79.37 | $158.75 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$54
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$79–$104
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 125.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 107.9 | 1 | $37.75 | $17.26 |
| Efficient EV | 89.9 | 1 | $31.46 | $14.38 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 143.8 | 1 | $50.33 | $23.01 |
Gas CO2
126 kg
EV CO2
42 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in Dallas on Tuesday
Local time
11:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
83°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
Destination
Night in Gardendale on Tuesday
Local time
11:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
76°F
Brownwood, TX
180 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
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
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.
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