Origin
Highlands, TX
Evening in Highlands on Thursday
Local time
8:43 PM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Highlands, TX to Dallas, TX
Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026
Drive Time
4h 36m
Distance
257.4 mi
414 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$39
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 24m
★
6 AM
4h 37m
8 AM
5h 4m
10 AM
4h 46m
12 PM
4h 44m
3 PM
4h 48m
5 PM
5h 2m
8 PM
4h 29m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Highlands, TX
Matthew Chirinos
Dallas, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from Highlands to Dallas covers 258.2 miles and typically takes about 4 hours of driving time. Since the entire journey stays within the Great Plains region of Texas, you will find the landscape familiar as you transition between these two hubs. Planning for a single day is perfectly feasible, making this a straightforward trip for those looking to reach their destination quickly. You should budget approximately $38 for fuel to cover the distance. Whether you are heading north for business or a weekend getaway, this route is efficient and requires only a single stop to maintain a comfortable pace.
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
128.7 miles from Highlands, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 22m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 36m. Total distance: 257.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive as you navigate your way out of the Highlands area. Your path begins on North Main Street before transitioning onto the East Freeway and I-10 West. Because this route involves a higher volume of local roads rather than long, uninterrupted highway stretches, you will need to stay alert at intersections and junctions. The character of the road shifts significantly from local surface streets to major interstate corridors. By avoiding a high percentage of monotonous highway miles, you stay engaged behind the wheel for the duration of the 4-hour trip.
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.
I 45 is the longest continuous segment at about 212.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 45 and Hardy Toll Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 14.2 miles in.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 257.4 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 14.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 21 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
14.2 mi into trip
|
~18m in
Take the exit toward I 610 South, I 610 North
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 775A
Toward I 610 South, I 610 North
7
14.5 mi into trip
|
~19m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 610 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 610 North
7
21 mi into trip
|
~27m in
Take the exit toward Hardy Toll Road North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 19B
Toward Hardy Toll Road North
8
256 mi into trip
|
~4h 33m 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
256.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 34m 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
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Highlands, TX to Dallas, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Hardy Toll Road North along the way.
Hardy Toll Road North
21 mi in
|
~27m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 45 | 212.6 mi | 3h 39m |
| Hardy Toll Road | 21.8 mi | 25m |
| East Freeway | 12.1 mi | 14m |
| East Loop North | 5.9 mi | 7m |
| North Main Street | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| Elm Street | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| North Lamar Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| East Wallisville Road | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 45
— 212.6 mi, about 3h 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Highlands, TX and Dallas, TX.
1
Start on East Wallisville Road
411 ft
·
18 sec
·
East Wallisville Road
2
Turn left onto North Main Street
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
North Main Street
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Toward I 10 West
4
Merge onto I 10
12 mi
·
14 min
·
East Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 775A
Toward I 610 South, I 610 North
Use the slight right lane.
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 610 North
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 610
5.9 mi
·
7 min
·
East Loop North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 19B
Toward Hardy Toll Road North
Use the slight right lane.
9
Continue on HTR
22 mi
·
25 min
·
Hardy Toll Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 45
213 mi
·
3 hr 39 min
·
I 45
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 284B
Toward Main Street West, Elm Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
Toward Elm Street
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
13
Turn straight onto Elm Street
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Elm Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
14
Turn right onto North Lamar Street
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
North Lamar Street
15
Arrive at destination
North Lamar Street
Trip Plan
To ensure a smooth journey, aim to depart early in the day to avoid potential congestion on the local roads leading out of Highlands. Since the drive is only 4 hours long, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your single stop whenever you feel like stretching your legs. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the initial local segments, as stop-and-go driving can impact your efficiency before you hit the main highway. A helpful tip for this specific route is to familiarize yourself with the transition from North Main Street to the interstate system before you pull out of your driveway, as the initial turns require careful navigation.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 128.7 miles from Highlands, TX, or about 2h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 212.6 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 57 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 128.7 miles or 2h 22m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 47m
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 Highlands, 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 Highlands, TX
This is one driving day of about 257.4 miles and 4h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 miles from Highlands, 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 I 45 for about 212.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 128.7 mi from Highlands, TX · 2h 22m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
129 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 57 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 128.7 miles from Highlands, 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 212.6 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.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Dallas, TX.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.89 one way
$77.79 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
90 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $42.57 | $85.14 |
| premium | $4.54 | $45.96 | $91.91 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $56.83 | $113.66 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.74
Hardy Toll Road
(21.8 mi)
$1.74
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 90.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 77.2 | 0 | $27.03 | $12.36 |
| Efficient EV | 64.4 | 0 | $22.52 | $10.30 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 103 | 1 | $36.04 | $16.47 |
Gas CO2
90 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Evening in Dallas on Thursday
Local time
8:43 PM
CDT
Current temp
83°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
S 15 mph
20% chance
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
8 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
4h 36m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Highlands, TX to Dallas, TX covers 257.4 miles and takes about 4h 36m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 45, Hardy Toll Road, East Freeway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 128.7 miles from Highlands, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $38.89 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
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.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 257.4 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 14.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 21 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Highlands, TX to Dallas, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Hardy Toll Road North along the way.
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