Trip from Dallas, TX to Rockport, TX

Drive Time

6h 52m

Distance

382.9 mi

616 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$58

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min

4 AM

6h 41m ★

6 AM

6h 53m

8 AM

7h 16m

10 AM

7h 1m

12 PM

6h 59m

3 PM

7h 2m

5 PM

7h 15m

8 PM

6h 46m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Dallas, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Rockport, TX

John Robertson

Trip Overview

Traveling from Dallas to Rockport covers 382.9 miles, typically requiring about 6 hours and 52 minutes of total travel time. Because this journey consists of turn-heavy local roads rather than high-speed interstates, it is best approached as a full-day commitment. You should budget approximately $57 for fuel to complete the trip. While both cities reside within the Great Plains region of Texas, the transition from the urban North Texas landscape to the coastal environment makes for a distinct change in scenery. Whether you choose to tackle the drive in one go or prefer a more relaxed pace, knowing the route relies on local navigation instead of highway cruising is essential for your planning.

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

191.5 miles from Dallas, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 16m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a unique experience behind the wheel, as this route features a 0% highway share and relies entirely on local navigation. You will primarily traverse Ross Avenue, North Houston Street, and Elm Street, resulting in a turn-heavy drive that demands your full attention. Because the longest uninterrupted stretch is 0 miles on Ross Avenue, you will find yourself frequently adjusting your speed and navigating intersections throughout the day. This is not a monotonous interstate grind; instead, it is a technical, hands-on drive that keeps you engaged with the local road network. Prepare for a steady, deliberate pace as you move through these specific local thoroughfares toward your destination.

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.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

831 ft 19 ft

Total Climb

756 ft

Total Descent

1,166 ft

Highest Point

831 ft

~159.6 mi in

Elevation Range

812 ft

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on South R L Thornton Freeway and TX 130 Toll. 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 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 382.9 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 0.6 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 14 key points

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

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

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

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.

162.6 mi into trip | ~2h 49m in

Take the exit toward TX 130 Toll South: San Antonio

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 265 Toward TX 130 Toll South: San Antonio

221.8 mi into trip | ~3h 45m in

Take the exit toward US 183 South: Lockhart

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 470 Toward US 183 South: Lockhart

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
South R L Thornton Freeway	89.9 mi	1h 32m
TX 130 Toll	58.5 mi	54m
North United States Highway 183	43.5 mi	47m
Purple Heart Trail	37.9 mi	39m
South US Highway 183/ US 87	26.7 mi	28m
I 35	26.5 mi	26m
South US Highway 183	24.6 mi	27m
US 183	10.1 mi	11m

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 Rockport, TX.

Start on North Lamar Street

0.2 mi · 34 sec · North Lamar Street

Turn right onto Elm Street

0.2 mi · 30 sec · Elm Street

Continue on Elm Street

0.1 mi · 14 sec · Elm Street

Take the ramp

327 ft · 7 sec

Toward I 30, I 35E

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 20 sec

Toward I 30 West, I 35E South Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork

330 ft · 8 sec

Toward I 35E South Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 35E

0.8 mi · 1 min · South Stemmons Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 35E

0.5 mi · 44 sec · South R L Thornton Freeway

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.

Continue on I 35; US 77

6.6 mi · 7 min · North Jack Kultgen Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 35

38 mi · 39 min · Purple Heart Trail

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 35

26 mi · 26 min · I 35

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 55 sec

Exit 265 Toward TX 130 Toll South: San Antonio Use the slight right lane.

Continue on TX 130 Toll

59 mi · 54 min · TX 130 Toll

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 29 sec

Exit 470 Toward US 183 South: Lockhart Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on US 183

0.5 mi · 35 sec · United States Highway 183

Continue on US 183

4.9 mi · 8 min · North Colorado Street

Continue on US 183

10 mi · 11 min · US 183

Continue on US 183

1.2 mi · 2 min · North Magnolia Avenue

Turn left onto US 90; US 183

5.0 mi · 6 min · East Pierce Street

Continue on US 183

43 mi · 47 min · North United States Highway 183

Continue on US 77 Alt; US 183

2.8 mi · 3 min · North Esplanade Street

Continue on US 77 Alt; US 87; US 183

2.0 mi · 2 min · South US Highway 183

Continue on US 77 Alt; US 183

27 mi · 28 min · South US Highway 183/ US 87

Continue on US 77 Alt; US 183

3.7 mi · 5 min · North Jefferson Street

Continue on US 77 Alt; US 183

23 mi · 24 min · South US Highway 183

Continue on US 77 Alt; US 183

0.7 mi · 1 min · North Alamo Street

Continue on US 77

1.4 mi · 2 min · North Alamo Street

Turn left onto FM 774

1.5 mi · 2 min · East Empresario Street

Turn right onto FM 2678

9.6 mi · 9 min · FM 2678

Use the right lane.

Continue on FM 136

10.0 mi · 11 min · Farm to Market Road 136

Turn left onto TX 188

7.2 mi · 7 min · State Highway 188

Turn left onto FM 1069

5.0 mi · 6 min · FM 1069 North

Continue on FM 1069

2.5 mi · 4 min · West Market Street

Arrive at destination

Loop 70

Trip Plan

To manage the 6 hour and 52 minute duration effectively, aim to depart early in the morning to account for the frequent turns and local traffic. Since the route involves one planned stop, use that time to stretch and verify your navigation, as the lack of highway stretches can make constant adjustments necessary. Given the $57 fuel cost, it is wise to monitor your gauge and refuel during your scheduled break rather than waiting until the end of the trip. Because this is a turn-heavy route, keep your GPS accessible and updated to navigate the transition between Ross Avenue, North Houston Street, and Elm Street smoothly. Planning for this as a single-day trip is feasible, but stay flexible with your arrival time to accommodate the slower pace of local roads.

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 191.5 miles from Dallas, TX, or about 3h 16m 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 84 miles or 1h 27m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 191.5 miles or 3h 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 5h 44m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Rockport, 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 382.9 miles and 6h 52m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 84 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 191.5 mi from Dallas, TX · 3h 16m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Austin, TX

191 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 84 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Austin, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 191.5 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 Rockport, TX

The final approach into Rockport, 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 Rockport, 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

$58.49 one way

$116.98 round trip

$3.88/gal 25.4 MPG avg 134 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$64.10	$128.20
premium	$4.59	$69.21	$138.42
diesel	$5.64	$85.07	$170.13

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$58

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$83–$108

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 134 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $40 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	114.9	1	$40.20	$18.38
Efficient EV	95.7	1	$33.50	$15.32
EV Truck/SUV	153.2	1	$53.61	$24.51

Gas CO2

134 kg

EV CO2

45 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 data refreshed 8 hours ago

Origin

Dallas, TX

Afternoon in Dallas on Sunday

Local time

4:56 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

Rockport, TX

Afternoon in Rockport on Sunday

Local time

4:56 PM

CDT

Current temp

73°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

6 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

6h 52m on the road

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Dallas, TX to Rockport, TX covers 382.9 miles and takes about 6h 52m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are South R L Thornton Freeway, TX 130 Toll, North United States Highway 183. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 191.5 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 $58.49 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

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.

The route from Dallas, TX to Rockport, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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Return Trip

Rockport, TX to Dallas, TX

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383 mi 6h 52m

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Trip from Dallas, TX to Rockport, TX

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

Elevation Profile

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Rockport, TX

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Dallas, TX

Rockport, TX

Same local time

6 degrees cooler at arrival

6h 52m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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