Origin
Dallas, TX
Afternoon in Dallas on Sunday
Local time
2:24 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Dallas, TX to Hughes Springs, TX
Drive Time
2h 37m
Distance
141.4 mi
228 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$22
one way
Dallas, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Hughes Springs, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Trip Overview
If you are planning a quick getaway from Dallas to Hughes Springs, expect a straightforward journey covering approximately 141.4 miles. You should budget about 2 hours and 37 minutes of driving time, making this an ideal candidate for a one-day trip. Your path takes you out of the city via Commerce Street, transitioning onto I-45 South and I-30. With a fuel cost estimated at $21, it is a budget-friendly excursion that doesn't require an overnight stay. Both your starting point and destination are nestled within the Great Plains region of Texas, ensuring a consistent landscape throughout your travels. Whether you are heading out for business or a change of scenery, this route offers a manageable pace for a solo driver or a small group.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
70.7 miles from Dallas, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 16m into the drive .
Drive Character
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. While the journey utilizes major arteries like I-45 and I-30, the route is defined by its local character rather than long, monotonous highway stretches. Because the highway share is 0%, you won't be spending your time on high-speed cruise control; instead, you will navigate a series of varied road types. This transition from urban streets to local thoroughfares keeps the experience dynamic and engaging. Expect a driving environment that requires frequent adjustments, making it a more active and hands-on experience than a typical interstate slog.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
East R L Thornton Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 113.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on East R L Thornton Freeway and State Highway 49. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near Commerce Street.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 141.4 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 0.3 miles (Commerce Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 1.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.3 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Commerce Street
Turn left onto Commerce Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
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
7
1.6 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 30 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Toward I 30 East
7
7.8 mi into trip
|
~11m in
|
I 30; US 67 / East R L Thornton Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 30; US 67 / East R L Thornton Freeway toward I 30 East: Texarkana
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana
Towns Along This Route
Between Dallas, TX and Hughes Springs, TX, road signs point toward Sh 49, Fm 1734: Mount Pleasant, Paris and Pittsburg.
Sh 49
115.1 mi in
|
~2h 2m
Fm 1734: Mount Pleasant
115.1 mi in
|
~2h 2m
Paris
115.1 mi in
|
~2h 2m
Pittsburg
115.1 mi in
|
~2h 2m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| East R L Thornton Freeway | 113.1 mi | 1h 57m |
| State Highway 49 | 16.1 mi | 18m |
| West William Marvin Watson Boulevard | 6.2 mi | 9m |
| West Ferguson Road | 3.6 mi | 6m |
| Commerce Street | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| North Lamar Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Ward | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
East R L Thornton Freeway
— 113.1 mi, about 1h 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dallas, TX and Hughes Springs, TX.
1
Start on North Lamar Street
0.3 mi
·
53 sec
·
North Lamar Street
Use the none lane.
2
Turn left onto Commerce Street
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Commerce Street
Use the none lane.
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
Use the none lane.
6
Merge onto I 30; US 67
5.9 mi
·
7 min
·
East R L Thornton Freeway
Use the none lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 30; US 67
107 mi
·
1 hr 50 min
·
East R L Thornton Freeway
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Toward US 271 to US 67, SH 49, FM 1734: Mount Pleasant, Paris, Pittsburg
9
Turn right onto US 271
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
·
West Ferguson Road
10
Continue on TX 49
3.2 mi
·
5 min
·
West Ferguson Road
11
Continue on TX 49
16 mi
·
18 min
·
State Highway 49
12
At end of road, turn left onto US 259; TX 11; TX 49
6.2 mi
·
9 min
·
West William Marvin Watson Boulevard
13
Turn left onto Ward
104 ft
·
4 sec
·
Ward
14
Arrive at destination
Ward
Trip Plan
When planning your departure, aim to leave during off-peak hours to avoid the inevitable congestion of exiting Dallas. Since the trip takes roughly 2 hours and 37 minutes, you can easily complete it in one go, though scheduling at least one stop is recommended to break up the technical, turn-heavy sections of the drive. Keep your $21 fuel budget handy and consider refueling before you leave the city limits to ensure a seamless departure. Since the route relies on local roads rather than high-speed highways, use the flexibility of your schedule to pace yourself and stay alert at intersections. Above all, stay mindful of the frequent turns throughout the drive, as these require more focus than standard highway travel.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 70.7 miles from Dallas, TX, or about 1h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 113.1 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 80 miles or 1h 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 70.7 miles or 1h 16m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 3m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hughes Springs, 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 141.4 miles and 2h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 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 East R L Thornton Freeway for about 113.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 70.7 mi from Dallas, TX · 1h 16m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
71 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 70.7 miles from Dallas, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before East R L Thornton Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 113.1 miles.
Arriving in Hughes Springs, TX
The final approach into Hughes Springs, 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 Hughes Springs, 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
$21.60 one way
$43.20 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
50 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $23.67 | $47.34 |
| premium | $4.59 | $25.56 | $51.12 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $31.41 | $62.83 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 49.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 42.4 | 0 | $14.85 | $6.79 |
| Efficient EV | 35.4 | 0 | $12.37 | $5.66 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 56.6 | 0 | $19.80 | $9.05 |
Gas CO2
49 kg
EV CO2
17 kg (65% 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.
Destination
Hughes Springs, TX
Afternoon in Hughes Springs on Sunday
Local time
2:24 PM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
59°F
Greenville, TX
71 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
3 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
2h 37m 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 Hughes Springs, TX covers 141.4 miles and takes about 2h 37m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are East R L Thornton Freeway, State Highway 49, West William Marvin Watson Boulevard. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 70.7 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 $21.60 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 141.4 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (Commerce Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 1.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Dallas, TX and Hughes Springs, TX, road signs point toward Sh 49, Fm 1734: Mount Pleasant, Paris and Pittsburg.
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