Origin
DeSoto, TX
Afternoon in DeSoto on Sunday
Local time
3:32 PM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from DeSoto, TX to Carrollton, TX
Drive Time
41m
Distance
30.5 mi
49 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 38m
★
6 AM
0h 41m
8 AM
0h 48m
10 AM
0h 43m
12 PM
0h 43m
3 PM
0h 44m
5 PM
0h 48m
8 PM
0h 39m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
DeSoto, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Carrollton, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Trip Overview
If you are planning a trip from DeSoto to Carrollton, you are looking at a straightforward 30.5-mile journey across the Great Plains region of Texas. Expect to spend about 41 minutes behind the wheel, making this a perfect candidate for a quick day trip that requires no overnight stay. With a modest fuel budget of just $5, the route is highly economical for travelers moving between these two North Texas hubs. You will primarily navigate via South Walton Walker Boulevard, the Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway, and the North Stemmons Freeway. Because the transit time is under an hour, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your schedule without worrying about long-distance fatigue or extensive logistics.
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
15.2 miles from DeSoto, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 21m into the drive .
Drive Character
This drive offers a mixed-road profile, transitioning between local thoroughfares and major interstate arteries. Approximately 45% of your travel time will be spent on highways, meaning you should prepare for a blend of urban traffic flow and surface street navigation. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 10.5-mile segment along South Walton Walker Boulevard, which serves as the primary backbone of the early portion of your trip. As you transition onto the Lyndon B. Johnson and North Stemmons Freeways, the pace shifts from local transit to faster, multi-lane highway driving. You will experience a varied environment that keeps you engaged as you move through the metropolitan landscape.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 13 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
South Walton Walker Boulevard is the longest continuous segment at about 10.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.9 miles in near Lyndon B Johnson Freeway.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 30.5 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 3.9 miles (Lyndon B Johnson Freeway): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.7 miles (I 20 / Lyndon B Johnson Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
3.9 mi into trip
|
~7m in
|
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Turn left onto Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
5
4.7 mi into trip
|
~9m in
|
I 20 / Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Merge onto I 20 / Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
7
9 mi into trip
|
~14m in
Take the exit toward Spur 408
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 460
Toward Spur 408
8
27.9 mi into trip
|
~35m in
Take the exit toward Valwood Parkway, Crosby Road
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 442
Toward Valwood Parkway, Crosby Road
6
28.7 mi into trip
|
~36m in
|
Valwood Parkway
Turn right onto Valwood Parkway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from DeSoto, TX to Carrollton, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Spur 408 along the way.
Spur 408
9 mi in
|
~14m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South Walton Walker Boulevard | 10.5 mi | 11m |
| Lyndon B Johnson Freeway | 4.7 mi | 5m |
| North Stemmons Freeway | 4.5 mi | 5m |
| North Hampton Road | 3.9 mi | 7m |
| Patriot Parkway | 3.9 mi | 4m |
| Josey Lane | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| Valwood Parkway | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| East Belt Line Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
South Walton Walker Boulevard
— 10.5 mi, about 11m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between DeSoto, TX and Carrollton, TX.
1
Start on North Hampton Road
3.9 mi
·
7 min
·
North Hampton Road
Use the none lane.
2
Turn left onto Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
0.4 mi
·
44 sec
·
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Use the straight / left lanes.
3
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
4
Merge onto I 20
4.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Use the none lane.
5
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Exit 460
Toward Spur 408
Use the slight right lane.
6
Merge onto Spur 408
3.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Patriot Parkway
Use the none lane.
7
Merge onto Loop 12
10 mi
·
11 min
·
South Walton Walker Boulevard
Use the none lane.
8
Merge onto I 35E
3.7 mi
·
4 min
·
North Stemmons Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
257 ft
·
6 sec
Exit 442
Toward Valwood Parkway, Crosby Road
Use the slight right lane.
10
Turn straight onto North Stemmons Freeway
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
North Stemmons Freeway
11
Turn right onto Valwood Parkway
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Valwood Parkway
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Turn left onto Josey Lane
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Josey Lane
Use the left lane.
13
Arrive at destination
East Belt Line Road
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short 30.5-mile drive, you have the advantage of total flexibility regarding your departure time. However, keeping an eye on local traffic patterns along the Lyndon B. Johnson and North Stemmons Freeways is wise, as these major arteries can experience congestion during peak hours. You do not need to worry about planning for rest stops given the 41-minute duration, allowing you to head straight to your destination. With a fuel cost of only $5, you can easily budget for the trip without needing to scout for specific refueling stations along the way. A pro tip for this specific route is to check real-time traffic reports before pulling out of DeSoto to decide if a slight delay in departure will save you significant time on the highway segments.
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 15.2 miles from DeSoto, TX, or about 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 10.5 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 30.5 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 15.2 miles or 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 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Carrollton, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving DeSoto, 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 DeSoto, TX
This is one driving day of about 30.5 miles and 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from DeSoto, 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 Walton Walker Boulevard for about 10.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 15.2 mi from DeSoto, TX · 21m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
15 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 30.5 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 15.2 miles from DeSoto, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Carrollton, TX
The final approach into Carrollton, 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 Carrollton, 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
$4.66 one way
$9.32 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
11 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $5.11 | $10.21 |
| premium | $4.59 | $5.51 | $11.03 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $6.78 | $13.55 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$30–$55
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 10.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 9.2 | 0 | $3.20 | $1.46 |
| Efficient EV | 7.6 | 0 | $2.67 | $1.22 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 12.2 | 0 | $4.27 | $1.95 |
Gas CO2
11 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (64% 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
Carrollton, TX
Afternoon in Carrollton on Sunday
Local time
3:32 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
2 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
41m 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 DeSoto, TX to Carrollton, TX covers 30.5 miles and takes about 41m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are South Walton Walker Boulevard, Lyndon B Johnson Freeway, North Stemmons Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 15.2 miles from DeSoto, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $4.66 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 9 significant decision points across 30.5 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 3.9 miles (Lyndon B Johnson Freeway): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.7 miles (I 20 / Lyndon B Johnson Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from DeSoto, TX to Carrollton, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Spur 408 along the way.
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