Origin
Denton, TX
Afternoon in Denton on Sunday
Local time
1:25 PM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Denton, TX to Dallas, TX
Drive Time
46m
Distance
38.1 mi
61 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from Denton to Dallas covers 38.3 miles and typically takes about 43 minutes. Because this is a short trip within the Great Plains, you can easily complete the journey in a single day without needing an overnight stay. You will navigate via South Austin Street, East Walnut Street, and South Elm Street, making this a straightforward transit between the two Texas cities. Budgeting approximately $6 for fuel is sufficient for this direct drive. Since this route involves no highway travel, it serves as a practical, local-focused connection rather than a high-speed interstate haul.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
19.1 miles from Denton, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 23m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous highway cruise, as this route features a 0% highway share. You will spend your time navigating local streets, meaning you should be prepared for frequent stops and turns rather than long, uninterrupted stretches of road. In fact, your longest stretch without a turn is 0 miles on South Austin Street, highlighting the technical, stop-and-go nature of the path. This journey requires your full attention at the wheel, as it lacks the passive experience of a major interstate route. It is a functional, ground-level way to see the transition between these two North Texas hubs.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
South Stemmons Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 20.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on South Stemmons Freeway and North Stemmons Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near South Austin Street.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 38.1 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 0.1 miles (South Austin Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (East Walnut Street): Navigation decision point; at 8.7 miles (I 35E / South Stemmons Freeway): 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.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
South Austin Street
Turn right onto South Austin Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
East Walnut Street
Turn right onto East Walnut Street
Navigation decision point
6
8.7 mi into trip
|
~11m in
|
I 35E / South Stemmons Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E / South Stemmons Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
6
29.1 mi into trip
|
~34m in
|
I 35E / North Stemmons Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35E / North Stemmons Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
37.4 mi into trip
|
~44m in
Take the exit toward Continental Avenue, Commerce Street West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 429B
Toward Continental Avenue, Commerce Street West
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South Stemmons Freeway | 20.5 mi | 22m |
| North Stemmons Freeway | 8.4 mi | 10m |
| I 35E | 6.3 mi | 6m |
| Dallas Drive | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| South Elm Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Continental Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Spur 377 | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Eagle Drive | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
South Stemmons Freeway
— 20.5 mi, about 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Denton, TX and Dallas, TX.
1
Start on West Hickory Street
379 ft
·
20 sec
·
West Hickory Street
2
Turn right onto South Austin Street
203 ft
·
10 sec
·
South Austin Street
3
Turn right onto East Walnut Street
0.1 mi
·
30 sec
·
East Walnut Street
4
Turn left onto South Elm Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South Elm Street
5
Turn left onto Spur 377
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
·
Eagle Drive
6
Turn right onto Spur 377
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Dallas Drive
Use the left lane.
7
Take the ramp onto Spur 377
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
Spur 377
Toward I 35E South, US 77 South
8
Merge onto I 35E; US 77
6.3 mi
·
6 min
·
I 35E; US 77
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E
20 mi
·
22 min
·
South Stemmons Freeway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35E
8.3 mi
·
10 min
·
North Stemmons Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
Exit 429B
Toward Continental Avenue, Commerce Street West
Use the slight right lane.
12
Turn straight onto North Stemmons Freeway
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
North Stemmons Freeway
13
Turn left onto Continental Avenue
0.3 mi
·
48 sec
·
Continental Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
14
Turn slight right onto North Lamar Street
433 ft
·
10 sec
·
North Lamar Street
15
Arrive at destination
North Lamar Street
Trip Plan
Given the 43-minute duration, you have total flexibility in your departure time, though avoiding local rush hour is always a smart move. Because there are zero formal stops planned, ensure your vehicle is fueled up before you leave Denton; your $6 fuel budget covers the trip, but there is little downtime built into the schedule. Pay close attention to navigation along South Elm Street, as the turn-heavy nature of this route demands constant awareness of your surroundings. Since this is a quick excursion, keep your gear light and treat the drive as a direct link between destinations. Staying alert for local traffic patterns will be your best strategy for a smooth arrival in Dallas.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 19.1 miles from Denton, TX, or about 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 20.5 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 38.1 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 19.1 miles or 23m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Dallas, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Denton, 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 Denton, TX
This is one driving day of about 38.1 miles and 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Denton, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on South Stemmons Freeway for about 20.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 19.1 mi from Denton, TX · 23m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
19 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 38.1 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 19.1 miles from Denton, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Dallas, TX
The final approach into Dallas, 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 Dallas, 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
$5.82 one way
$11.64 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
13 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $6.38 | $12.76 |
| premium | $4.59 | $6.89 | $13.77 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $8.46 | $16.93 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$31–$56
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 13.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 11.4 | 0 | $4.00 | $1.83 |
| Efficient EV | 9.5 | 0 | $3.33 | $1.52 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 15.2 | 0 | $5.33 | $2.44 |
Gas CO2
13 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (69% 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
Dallas, TX
Afternoon in Dallas on Sunday
Local time
1:25 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°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
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
46m 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 Denton, TX to Dallas, TX covers 38.1 miles and takes about 46m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are South Stemmons Freeway, North Stemmons Freeway, I 35E. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 19.1 miles from Denton, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $5.82 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 38.1 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 0.1 miles (South Austin Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (East Walnut Street): Navigation decision point; at 8.7 miles (I 35E / South Stemmons Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Denton, TX to Dallas, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Dallas, TX
More trips to Dallas, TX
Explore more options from Denton, TX or browse trips ending in Dallas, TX.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TX road trips.
Explore maps for Denton, TX or Dallas, TX on MapSof.net.