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Trip from Dallas, TX to Richmond, TX

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

4h 50m

Distance

270.9 mi

436 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$41

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 37m ★
6 AM
4h 50m
8 AM
5h 17m
10 AM
5h 0m
12 PM
4h 57m
3 PM
5h 1m
5 PM
5h 16m
8 PM
4h 42m

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

Downtown Dallas, TX, TX

Dallas, TX

Wikimedia Commons

city in Fort Bend County, Texas, United States

Richmond, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Traveling from Dallas to Richmond covers 270.9 miles and typically takes about 4 hours and 50 minutes of driving time. Because both cities are located within the Great Plains region of Texas, you will stay within a consistent landscape for the duration of your trip. This route is perfectly manageable as a single-day journey, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you prefer a slower pace. Budget approximately $40 for fuel to complete the trek comfortably. Since this is a turn-heavy local drive, you should prepare for a more hands-on experience behind the wheel compared to a standard interstate cruise.

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

135.5 miles from Dallas, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 21m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a very different experience than your typical high-speed highway commute, as this route features zero percent highway driving. You will navigate via McKinney Avenue, US 75 North, and the Woodall Rodgers Freeway, keeping your focus on local traffic patterns rather than open lanes. With the longest uninterrupted stretch being zero miles on McKinney Avenue, you will find yourself frequently managing turns and intersections. This is a technical, local-focused drive that requires constant attention to your surroundings. It is a practical path that prioritizes navigation through the local grid over long, monotonous stretches of pavement.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Julius Schepps Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 213.8 miles.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

494 ft 92 ft

Total Climb

416 ft

Total Descent

753 ft

Highest Point

494 ft

~38.7 mi in

Elevation Range

402 ft

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Julius Schepps Freeway and North Grand Parkway West. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.9 miles in.

Route Complexity 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 270.9 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 0.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 4.5 miles (I 45 / Julius Schepps Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 215.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 13 key points

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

7
0.9 mi into trip | ~1m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 45 South: Houston

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 45 South: Houston
6
4.5 mi into trip | ~6m in | I 45 / Julius Schepps Freeway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 45 / Julius Schepps Freeway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
215.2 mi into trip | ~3h 43m in

Take the exit toward 99 Toll West: Grand Parkway

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 71A Toward 99 Toll West: Grand Parkway
7
263.9 mi into trip | ~4h 38m in | TX 99

Take the exit onto TX 99 toward West Bellfort Street, Mason Road

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 West Bellfort Street, Mason Road
6
269.5 mi into trip | ~4h 47m in

At end of road, turn right

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Julius Schepps Freeway 213.8 mi 3h 40m
North Grand Parkway West 47.4 mi 52m
Mason Road 2.5 mi 3m
FM 359 2.2 mi 3m
TX 99 0.9 mi 1m
East US Highway 90A 0.7 mi <1m
Jackson Street 0.5 mi <1m
Woodall Rodgers Freeway 0.4 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Julius Schepps Freeway — 213.8 mi, about 3h 40m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on North Lamar Street

433 ft · 14 sec · North Lamar Street
2

Turn right onto McKinney Avenue

0.2 mi · 24 sec · McKinney Avenue
3

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 29 sec
Toward US 75 North
4

Merge onto Spur 366

0.4 mi · 37 sec · Woodall Rodgers Freeway
5

Keep slight right at fork

0.5 mi · 49 sec
Toward I 45 South: Houston Use the slight right lane.
6

Merge onto I 45

3.1 mi · 3 min · Julius Schepps Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
7

Keep slight left at fork onto I 45

211 mi · 3 hr 37 min · Julius Schepps Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Take the exit

1.0 mi · 1 min
Exit 71A Toward 99 Toll West: Grand Parkway Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 30 sec
10

Merge onto TX 99 Toll

47 mi · 52 min · North Grand Parkway West
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Take the exit onto TX 99

0.9 mi · 1 min · TX 99
Toward West Bellfort Street, Mason Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Turn right onto Mason Road

2.5 mi · 3 min · Mason Road
13

Continue on FM 359

2.2 mi · 3 min · FM 359
14

At end of road, turn right

0.3 mi · 55 sec
Use the right lane.
15

Turn straight onto US 90 Alt

0.7 mi · 58 sec · East US Highway 90A
Use the straight lane.
16

Continue on US 90 Alt

0.5 mi · 46 sec · Jackson Street
Use the straight lane.
17

Arrive at destination

US 90 Alt

Trip Plan

Given the turn-heavy nature of this 270.9-mile journey, try to depart early in the day to avoid peak congestion on local streets. Plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs, as the constant maneuvering can be more mentally taxing than cruising on a highway. Keep your navigation apps handy, as the reliance on local roads like McKinney Avenue means you will need to watch for frequent turns. Since you are staying within the Great Plains, fuel availability is generally reliable, but sticking to your $40 budget is easiest if you fill up before leaving the more dense urban areas. Flexibility is your biggest asset here, so don't hesitate to pull over for a break if the local traffic flow becomes tiring.

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 135.5 miles from Dallas, TX, or about 2h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 213.8 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 60 miles or 1h 3m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 135.5 miles or 2h 21m 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 52m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Richmond, 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 270.9 miles and 4h 50m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 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 Julius Schepps Freeway for about 213.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 135.5 mi from Dallas, TX · 2h 21m into the drive

city in Brazos County, Texas, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

College Station, TX

135 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

Ferris, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 60 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Palestine, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 135.5 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 Julius Schepps Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 213.8 miles.

Arriving in Richmond, TX

The final approach into Richmond, 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 Richmond, 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

$40.93 one way

$81.87 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 95 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.20 $44.81 $89.61
premium $4.54 $48.37 $96.73
diesel $5.61 $59.81 $119.62

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$41

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$66–$91

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 94.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $28 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 81.3 1 $28.44 $13.00
Efficient EV 67.7 0 $23.70 $10.84
EV Truck/SUV 108.4 1 $37.93 $17.34

Gas CO2

95 kg

EV CO2

32 kg (66% 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 as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Dallas, TX

Night in Dallas on Wednesday

Local time

11:26 PM

CDT

Current temp

60°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Richmond, TX

Night in Richmond on Wednesday

Local time

11:26 PM

CDT

Current temp

77°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 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 50m 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 Richmond, TX covers 270.9 miles and takes about 4h 50m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Julius Schepps Freeway, North Grand Parkway West, Mason Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 135.5 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 $40.93 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 13 significant decision points across 270.9 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 0.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 4.5 miles (I 45 / Julius Schepps Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 215.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Dallas, TX to Richmond, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 92 ft to 494 ft elevation with about 416 ft of total climbing.

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Return Trip

Richmond, TX to Dallas, TX

Plan the drive back the other way.

270.2 mi 4h 50m

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

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