Origin
Ennis, TX
Afternoon in Ennis on Sunday
Local time
3:10 PM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Ennis, TX to Dallas, TX
Drive Time
40m
Distance
35.6 mi
57 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 37m
★
6 AM
0h 41m
8 AM
0h 48m
10 AM
0h 43m
12 PM
0h 43m
3 PM
0h 44m
5 PM
0h 47m
8 PM
0h 39m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ennis, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Dallas, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from Ennis to Dallas is a straightforward 36.3-mile trip that typically takes about 37 minutes. Because the duration is so short, this route is perfectly suited for a quick day trip rather than an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via East Ennis Avenue and I-45 North to complete your journey. With a fuel budget of just $5, it is an incredibly economical drive across the Great Plains region. Whether you are heading into the city for business or a visit, this direct path keeps your planning simple and your costs low.
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
17.8 miles from Ennis, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 20m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that transitions quickly into a more direct highway experience. You will start by navigating local streets on East Ennis Avenue before merging onto I-45 North for the bulk of your travel. While the highway share is 0% in terms of rural bypasses, the interstate segments provide the primary artery for your commute. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 0 miles on East Ennis Avenue, meaning you should be prepared for frequent adjustments as you navigate the local road network. This route feels more like a standard regional commute than a relaxing scenic cruise.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 10 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 45 is the longest continuous segment at about 33.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 45 and Elm Street. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 287 Bus / East Ennis Avenue.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 35.6 miles you will encounter 8 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 287 Bus / East Ennis Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 1.1 miles (I 45): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 287 Bus / East Ennis Avenue
At end of road, turn left onto US 287 Bus / East Ennis Avenue
Navigation decision point
4
1 mi into trip
|
~1m in
Take the ramp toward I 45 North
Navigation decision point
Toward I 45 North
5
1.1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
I 45
Merge onto I 45
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
34.2 mi into trip
|
~37m in
Take the exit toward Main Street West, Elm Street
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 284B
Toward Main Street West, Elm Street
8
34.4 mi into trip
|
~38m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Elm Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward Elm Street
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 45 | 33.1 mi | 35m |
| Elm Street | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| East Ennis Avenue | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| North Interstate 45 | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| North Lamar Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 45
— 33.1 mi, about 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ennis, TX and Dallas, TX.
1
Start on this road
179 ft
·
18 sec
·
this road
2
At end of road, turn left onto US 287 Bus
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
East Ennis Avenue
3
Turn left onto North Interstate 45
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
North Interstate 45
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Toward I 45 North
5
Merge onto I 45
33 mi
·
35 min
·
I 45
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 284B
Toward Main Street West, Elm Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
Toward Elm Street
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
8
Turn straight onto Elm Street
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Elm Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
9
Turn right onto North Lamar Street
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
North Lamar Street
10
Arrive at destination
North Lamar Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick 37-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You won't need to worry about planning stops along the way, as the short distance allows you to reach your destination without needing a break. Keep your $5 fuel budget in mind when filling up, as prices can fluctuate depending on where you choose to gas up before hitting the interstate. A helpful tip for this specific drive is to stay alert during the initial turn-heavy portion on East Ennis Avenue before transitioning to the faster pace of I-45 North. Embracing the lack of required stops makes this a highly efficient trip for any traveler.
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 17.8 miles from Ennis, TX, or about 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 33.1 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 35.6 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 17.8 miles or 20m 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 Dallas, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Ennis, 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 Ennis, TX
This is one driving day of about 35.6 miles and 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Ennis, 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 I 45 for about 33.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 17.8 mi from Ennis, TX · 20m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
18 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 35.6 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 17.8 miles from Ennis, 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
$5.44 one way
$10.88 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
13 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $5.96 | $11.92 |
| premium | $4.59 | $6.43 | $12.87 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $7.91 | $15.82 |
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: 12.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 10.7 | 0 | $3.74 | $1.71 |
| Efficient EV | 8.9 | 0 | $3.11 | $1.42 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 14.2 | 0 | $4.98 | $2.28 |
Gas CO2
12 kg
EV CO2
4 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.
Destination
Dallas, TX
Afternoon in Dallas on Sunday
Local time
3:10 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
4 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
40m 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 Ennis, TX to Dallas, TX covers 35.6 miles and takes about 40m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 45, Elm Street, East Ennis Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 17.8 miles from Ennis, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $5.44 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 35.6 miles you will encounter 8 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 287 Bus / East Ennis Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 1.1 miles (I 45): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Ennis, TX to Dallas, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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