Origin
Fairfield, TX
Night in Fairfield on Wednesday
Local time
9:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fairfield, TX to Dallas, TX
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h 34m
Distance
88.7 mi
143 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 27m
★
6 AM
1h 34m
8 AM
1h 48m
10 AM
1h 39m
12 PM
1h 38m
3 PM
1h 40m
5 PM
1h 48m
8 PM
1h 30m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fairfield, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Dallas, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from Fairfield to Dallas covers 88.9 miles and typically takes about 1 hour and 24 minutes. This straightforward journey stays entirely within the Great Plains region of Texas, making it a highly efficient day trip that requires no overnight stops. With a fuel budget of approximately $13, it is an affordable excursion for those heading toward the city. Because the trip is relatively short, you have plenty of flexibility in your scheduling. Whether you are commuting or heading out for a quick change of scenery, this route provides a direct connection between the two points without any required intermediate stops.
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
44.4 miles from Fairfield, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 46m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise on this 88.9-mile journey. Since the route features 0% highway share, you will spend your time navigating local roads that demand more active attention than a standard freeway. The personality of this drive is defined by its winding local segments, which contrast with the faster, straight-line travel often found on major corridors. While the drive is short at just under an hour and a half, the technical nature of the turns means you should remain focused on the road ahead. You will find that the lack of highway miles makes for a more engaged, hands-on driving experience.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 9 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 85.9 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
518 ft
318 ft
Total Climb
456 ft
Total Descent
493 ft
Highest Point
518 ft
~55.4 mi in
Elevation Range
200 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 45 and Elm Street. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near FM 27 / West Commerce Street.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 1h 34m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (FM 27 / West Commerce Street): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 1.4 miles (I 45): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 87.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
FM 27 / West Commerce Street
Keep slight right at fork onto FM 27 / West Commerce Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
1.4 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
87.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 31m 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
87.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 31m 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
4
88.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 33m in
|
North Lamar Street
Turn right onto North Lamar Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 45 | 85.9 mi | 1h 28m |
| Elm Street | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| West Commerce Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| North Lamar Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 45
— 85.9 mi, about 1h 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fairfield, TX and Dallas, TX.
1
Start on US 84
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
·
West Commerce Street
2
Keep slight right at fork onto FM 27
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
West Commerce Street
3
Take the ramp
0.6 mi
·
1 min
4
Merge onto I 45
86 mi
·
1 hr 28 min
·
I 45
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 284B
Toward Main Street West, Elm Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
Toward Elm Street
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
7
Turn straight onto Elm Street
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Elm Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
8
Turn right onto North Lamar Street
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
North Lamar Street
9
Arrive at destination
North Lamar Street
Trip Plan
Given the 1 hour and 24 minute duration, you can easily complete this trip in one go without needing to plan for rest stops. Aim to leave during off-peak hours to ensure you maintain a steady pace on these local roads, as navigation can be more involved than on a major highway. Budget about $13 for fuel, though it is always wise to check your levels before leaving Fairfield to avoid unnecessary detours. Since this is a shorter trip, you have the advantage of being able to depart on your own schedule. Keep in mind that because the route is entirely local, your travel time may be more sensitive to traffic conditions than a high-speed interstate route would be.
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 44.4 miles from Fairfield, TX, or about 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 85.9 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 20 miles or 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 44.4 miles or 46m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 18m
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 Fairfield, TX so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Fairfield, TX
This is one driving day of about 88.7 miles and 1h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Fairfield, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 45 for about 85.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 44.4 mi from Fairfield, TX · 46m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
44 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 20 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 44.4 miles from Fairfield, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 45 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 85.9 miles.
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.40 one way
$26.81 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
31 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $14.67 | $29.34 |
| premium | $4.54 | $15.84 | $31.67 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $19.58 | $39.17 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 31 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 26.6 | 0 | $9.31 | $4.26 |
| Efficient EV | 22.2 | 0 | $7.76 | $3.55 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 35.5 | 0 | $12.42 | $5.68 |
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (68% 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
Night in Dallas on Wednesday
Local time
9:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
60°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
1 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
1h 34m 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 Fairfield, TX to Dallas, TX covers 88.7 miles and takes about 1h 34m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 45, Elm Street, West Commerce Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 44.4 miles from Fairfield, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $13.40 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 straightforward 1h 34m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (FM 27 / West Commerce Street): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 1.4 miles (I 45): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 87.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Fairfield, TX to Dallas, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 318 ft to 518 ft elevation with about 456 ft of total climbing.
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