Trip.ovh Logo
Trip.ovh

Trip from Dallas, TX to Kerrville, TX

Drive Time

5h 24m

Distance

283.5 mi

456 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$43

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
5h 11m ★
6 AM
5h 24m
8 AM
5h 51m
10 AM
5h 34m
12 PM
5h 31m
3 PM
5h 35m
5 PM
5h 50m
8 PM
5h 16m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
Downtown Dallas, TX, TX

Dallas, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Kerrville, TX, TX

Kerrville, TX

Jeff Stapleton

Trip Overview

If you are planning a trip from Dallas to Kerrville, expect a journey covering 283.5 miles that takes approximately 5 hours and 24 minutes to complete. Because this route focuses on turn-heavy local roads like Ross Avenue, North Houston Street, and Elm Street rather than major interstates, it is best suited for a single-day trip. Budget about $42 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Texas locations. Since both cities are situated within the Great Plains, you will experience a consistent regional landscape throughout the drive. This itinerary is ideal if you prefer local navigation over highway cruising, though you should be prepared for a more involved driving experience.

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

141.7 miles from Dallas, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 27m into the drive .

Drive Character

Forget the monotony of high-speed interstates; this route features a 0% highway share, offering a distinctively turn-heavy local driving experience. You will spend your time navigating through city streets, as the longest uninterrupted stretch is currently 0 miles on Ross Avenue. The character of the road demands your full attention, as the path relies entirely on local corridors rather than open stretches of pavement. Navigating this many turns requires a driver who stays alert and engaged with the road layout. It is a practical, hands-on trek that keeps you moving through the local grid rather than cruising at highway speeds.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 40 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
South R L Thornton Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 89.9 miles.

Elevation Profile

Gently rolling terrain

1,639 ft 408 ft

Total Climb

1,765 ft

Total Descent

555 ft

Highest Point

1,639 ft

~283.5 mi in

Elevation Range

1,231 ft

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on South R L Thornton Freeway and Purple Heart Trail. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in.

Route Complexity 9/10

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

This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 283.5 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: 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; at 136.1 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 23 key points

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

9
0.6 mi into trip | ~1m in

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 30 West, I 35E South
8
0.8 mi into trip | ~1m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 35E South

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward I 35E South
6
136.1 mi into trip | ~2h 22m in | I 35

Keep slight left at fork onto I 35

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
145 mi into trip | ~2h 31m in

Take the exit toward FM 2268, FM 2843: Holland, Florence

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. Exit 283 Toward FM 2268, FM 2843: Holland, Florence
6
163.7 mi into trip | ~2h 55m in

Take the exit toward TX 138: Lampasas

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward TX 138: Lampasas

Towns Along This Route

Between Dallas, TX and Kerrville, TX, road signs point toward Fm 2268, Fm 2843: Holland, Florence and Fredericksburg.

Fm 2268

145 mi in | ~2h 31m

Fm 2843: Holland

145 mi in | ~2h 31m

Florence

145 mi in | ~2h 31m

Fredericksburg

229.9 mi in | ~4h 17m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
South R L Thornton Freeway 89.9 mi 1h 32m
Purple Heart Trail 37.9 mi 39m
South US Highway 281 33.5 mi 40m
West US Highway 290 27.2 mi 30m
FM 2843 14.6 mi 18m
South State Highway 16 14.2 mi 15m
East RM 243 12.1 mi 15m
West State Highway 29 9 mi 10m
Longest stretch: South R L Thornton Freeway — 89.9 mi, about 1h 32m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on North Lamar Street

0.2 mi · 34 sec · North Lamar Street
2

Turn right onto Elm Street

0.2 mi · 30 sec · Elm Street
3

Continue on Elm Street

0.1 mi · 14 sec · Elm Street
4

Take the ramp

327 ft · 7 sec
Toward I 30, I 35E
5

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 20 sec
Toward I 30 West, I 35E South Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Keep slight right at fork

330 ft · 8 sec
Toward I 35E South Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
7

Merge onto I 35E

0.8 mi · 1 min · South Stemmons Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Continue on I 35E

0.5 mi · 44 sec · South R L Thornton Freeway
9

Continue on I 35E

89 mi · 1 hr 31 min · South R L Thornton Freeway
Exit 426 Toward Dallas Zoo Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Continue on I 35; US 77

6.6 mi · 7 min · North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Continue on I 35

38 mi · 39 min · Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Keep slight left at fork onto I 35

8.9 mi · 8 min · I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 35 sec
Exit 283 Toward FM 2268, FM 2843: Holland, Florence Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Turn straight onto South Robertson Road

0.1 mi · 11 sec · South Robertson Road
15

Continue on South I-35 Frontage Road

0.6 mi · 53 sec · South I-35 Frontage Road
16

Turn slight right onto FM 2843

15 mi · 18 min · FM 2843
17

At end of road, turn right onto FM 487

2.4 mi · 3 min · FM 487
18

Continue on FM 487

0.1 mi · 14 sec · East Main Street
19

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 41 sec
Toward TX 195 North
20

Merge onto TX 195

0.3 mi · 17 sec · TX 195
21

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 46 sec
Toward TX 138: Lampasas Use the slight right lane.
22

Turn left onto TX 138

6.9 mi · 8 min · State Highway 138
23

At end of road, turn right onto US 183

0.2 mi · 17 sec · North US Highway 183
24

Turn left onto RM 243

0.6 mi · 41 sec · East Ranch Road 243
25

Continue on RM 243

1.0 mi · 1 min · East RM 243
26

Keep slight left at fork onto RM 243

11 mi · 14 min · East RM 243
27

Turn right onto TX 29; RM 243

9.0 mi · 10 min · West State Highway 29
28

Continue on TX 29

1.6 mi · 2 min · East Polk Street
29

Turn left onto US 281

2.0 mi · 3 min · South Water Street
Use the left lane.
30

Continue on US 281

34 mi · 40 min · South US Highway 281
31

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 15 sec
Toward Fredericksburg
32

Merge onto US 290

1.0 mi · 1 min · East Main Street
Toward Fredericksburg
33

Continue on US 290

27 mi · 30 min · West US Highway 290
34

Continue on US 290

0.3 mi · 33 sec · East Main Street
35

Turn left onto Friendship Lane

2.9 mi · 5 min · Friendship Lane
36

Turn left onto TX 16

14 mi · 15 min · South State Highway 16
37

Continue on TX 16

5.7 mi · 6 min · Fredericksburg Road
38

Continue on TX 16

2.3 mi · 5 min · Sidney Baker Street
39

Turn left onto TX 27

69 ft · 1 sec · Main Street
40

Arrive at destination

TX 27

Trip Plan

Given the 5-hour and 24-minute duration, plan to depart early to maximize your daylight hours on these local roads. Since the route involves navigating specific turns on streets like Elm and North Houston, keep your GPS updated to avoid missing critical junctions. With only one recommended stop, you have plenty of flexibility to stretch your legs whenever you need a break from the frequent turning. Keep your $42 fuel budget in mind, as local city driving can sometimes impact your vehicle's efficiency differently than steady highway cruising. A smart tip for this specific drive is to double-check your route markers before leaving Dallas, as the heavy reliance on local streets makes precise navigation essential for keeping your travel time close to the estimate.

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 141.7 miles from Dallas, TX, or about 2h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 89.9 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 23m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 141.7 miles or 2h 27m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 21m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kerrville, 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 283.5 miles and 5h 24m.

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 South R L Thornton Freeway for about 89.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 141.7 mi from Dallas, TX · 2h 27m into the drive

Downtown Killeen, TX, TX

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Killeen, TX

142 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

Killeen, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Killeen, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 141.7 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 South R L Thornton Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 89.9 miles.

Arriving in Kerrville, TX

The final approach into Kerrville, 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 Kerrville, TX.

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$43.31 one way

$86.61 round trip

$3.88/gal 25.4 MPG avg 99 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.25 $47.46 $94.92
premium $4.59 $51.24 $102.48
diesel $5.64 $62.98 $125.97

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$43

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$68–$93

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 99.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 85.1 1 $29.77 $13.61
Efficient EV 70.9 0 $24.81 $11.34
EV Truck/SUV 113.4 1 $39.69 $18.14

Gas CO2

99 kg

EV CO2

33 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 6 hours ago

Origin

Dallas, TX

Afternoon in Dallas on Sunday

Local time

2:56 PM

CDT

Current temp

79°F

Showers And Thunderstorms

S 10 to 15 mph 89% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 12 at 8:19AM CDT by NWS Fort Worth TX

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 12 at 7:55AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX

Destination

Kerrville, TX

Afternoon in Kerrville on Sunday

Local time

2:56 PM

CDT

Current temp

62°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

17 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

5h 24m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

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 Kerrville, TX covers 283.5 miles and takes about 5h 24m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are South R L Thornton Freeway, Purple Heart Trail, South US Highway 281. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 141.7 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 $43.31 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 283.5 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.
The main spots that need attention: 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; at 136.1 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Dallas, TX and Kerrville, TX, road signs point toward Fm 2268, Fm 2843: Holland, Florence and Fredericksburg.
Gently rolling terrain. The route ranges from 408 ft to 1,639 ft elevation with about 1,765 ft of total climbing.

Was this route helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Return Trip

Kerrville, TX to Dallas, TX

Plan the drive back the other way.

284.4 mi 5h 25m

Continue From Kerrville, TX

Irving, TX 292.9 mi · 5h 37m Houston, TX 258.6 mi · 4h 37m Corpus Christi, TX 208.2 mi · 3h 40m Austin, TX 100.7 mi · 2h 5m

More from Dallas, TX

El Paso, TX 635.3 mi · 10h 41m Horizon City, TX 619.9 mi · 10h 24m Tornillo, TX 601.7 mi · 10h 5m Abram, TX 533.4 mi · 9h 18m Laguna Heights, TX 532.4 mi · 9h 45m La Homa, TX 530.9 mi · 9h 14m

More trips to Kerrville, TX

Houston, TX 256.7 mi

Explore more options from Dallas, TX or browse trips ending in Kerrville, TX.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TX road trips.

Explore maps for Dallas, TX or Kerrville, TX on MapSof.net.