Dallas to Kingsland is 213 miles and takes about 4 hours via South R L Thornton Freeway, with a fuel budget near $32 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily stays within the Great Plains region, offering a straightforward journey from the Dallas area to Central Texas. With a high percentage of highway driving, you'll cover ground efficiently. Plan for a single recommended stop to break up the 4-hour trip. This route is ideal for a single-day excursion, letting you reach your destination with plenty of time to spare.
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
106.5 miles from Dallas, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 51m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h. Total distance: 213 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (75%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This route is largely a highway-focused drive, with 75% of the journey utilizing major roadways. You'll experience a significant stretch of 89.9 miles on South R L Thornton Freeway, offering a consistent pace for a good portion of the trip. As you progress, the main roads transition, incorporating sections of Purple Heart Trail and FM 2843, which might introduce slightly more varied driving conditions. Expect a consistent, efficient travel experience for the majority of the 213 miles.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 35 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.
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.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 213 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 22 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 Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Dallas, TX and Kingsland, TX, road signs point toward Fm 2268, Fm 2843: Holland and Florence.
Fm 2268
145 mi in|~2h 31m
Fm 2843: Holland
145 mi in|~2h 31m
Florence
145 mi in|~2h 31m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
South R L Thornton Freeway
89.9 mi
1h 32m
Purple Heart Trail
37.9 mi
39m
FM 2843
14.6 mi
18m
East RM 243
12.1 mi
15m
West State Highway 29
9 mi
10m
I 35
8.9 mi
8m
Park Road 4 West
8.4 mi
12m
State Highway 138
6.9 mi
8m
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 Kingsland, 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 SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork
330 ft·8 sec
Toward I 35E SouthUse 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 426Toward Dallas ZooUse 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 283Toward FM 2268, FM 2843: Holland, FlorenceUse 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: LampasasUse 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
3.0 mi·3 min·South US Highway 281
31
Turn right onto PR 4
8.4 mi·12 min·Park Road 4 West
Use the right lane.
32
Turn sharp left onto RM 2342
4.4 mi·5 min·RM 2342
33
At end of road, turn right onto RM 1431
0.9 mi·1 min·RM 1431
34
Turn left onto CR 320
9 ft·0 sec·Euel Moore Drive
35
Arrive at destination
CR 320
Trip Plan
Since this is a manageable 4-hour drive, you have the flexibility to leave Dallas at your convenience. Aiming for a morning departure will allow you to arrive in Kingsland with ample daylight. With only one recommended stop, consider planning it around the halfway point to stretch your legs and refuel if needed, although the $32 fuel cost suggests you won't need to worry too much. Keep an eye on local traffic conditions leaving Dallas, as South R L Thornton Freeway can experience congestion during peak hours.
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 106.5 miles from Dallas, TX, or about 1h 51m 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 47 miles or 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 106.5 miles or 1h 51m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 9m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kingsland, 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 213 miles and 4h.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 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 106.5 mi from Dallas, TX
· 1h 51m into the drive
The midpoint is around 106.5 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 Kingsland, TX
The final approach into Kingsland, 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 Kingsland, TX.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Waco Mammoth National Monument
National Monument
Standing as tall as 14 feet and weighing 20,000 pounds, Columbian mammoths roamed across what is present-day Texas thousands of years ago. Today, the fossil specimens represent the nation's first and...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 88.1
Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park tells the story of our 36th president beginning with his ancestors until his final resting place on his beloved LBJ Ranch. This entire "circle of life" gives...
30 mi from route
~74 min detour
Free
near mile 213
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.18 one way
$64.37 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg75 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$35.23
$70.46
premium
$4.54
$38.03
$76.06
diesel
$5.61
$47.03
$94.06
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 74.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
63.9
0
$22.37
$10.22
Efficient EV
53.3
0
$18.64
$8.52
EV Truck/SUV
85.2
1
$29.82
$13.63
Gas CO2
75 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (67% 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 Friday
Local time
2:10 PM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Kingsland, TX
Afternoon
in Kingsland on Friday
Local time
2:10 PM
CDT
Current temp
65°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
5 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
4h 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 Kingsland, TX covers 213 miles and takes about 4h 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, FM 2843. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 106.5 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 $32.18 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 22 significant decision points across 213 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 Kingsland, TX, road signs point toward Fm 2268, Fm 2843: Holland and Florence.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
