If you are planning a trip from Lake Dallas to Garland, expect a journey covering 178.2 miles that typically takes about 2 hours and 49 minutes. Because both cities are located within the Great Plains region of Texas, you will remain in a familiar landscape throughout the entire drive. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking overnight accommodations. Budgeting around $27 for fuel should cover your needs for the trip. Given the turn-heavy nature of the local roads, it is a practical drive for anyone looking to navigate between these two points efficiently without a complex travel schedule.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
83.6 miles from Lake Dallas, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 41m into the drive
.
Garland is a city in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex area in the State of Texas. Mike Judge, the creator of Beavis and Butthead and King of the Hill, used to live in Garland, as well as some other small towns around Texas. So, yeah. Don't be shocked if you take a wrong turn through a downscale neighborhood and see someone barbecuing hot dogs using one of those things that turns your truck's air filter into a grill. On the other hand, Garland's north side is a palacial monument to suburban living in all its McMansioned, strip malling, Starbucks-sipping glory. Garland is basically an unprepossessing, pleasant place. While it's hard to get too excited about much that happens in Garland, it is just so darned pleasant.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 16m. Total distance: 167.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 16m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local driving experience rather than a monotonous interstate grind. You will navigate using South Lake Dallas Drive, South Stemmons Freeway, and I-35E South, though the route features 0% highway share, emphasizing local road navigation. With the longest stretch being 0 miles on South Lake Dallas Drive, you should prepare for frequent adjustments and consistent attention behind the wheel. The journey maintains a technical feel as you transition through the local infrastructure of the Great Plains. This is a hands-on drive that requires you to stay engaged with your navigation as you weave toward your destination.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 27 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Martin Luther King Jr Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 83 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Martin Luther King Jr Freeway and West Princeton Drive. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near South Lake Dallas Drive.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 167.1 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 0.2 miles (South Lake Dallas Drive): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here; at 0.7 miles (South Stemmons Freeway): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|South Lake Dallas Drive
Turn sharp left onto South Lake Dallas Drive
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
0.7 mi into trip|~2m in|South Stemmons Freeway
Turn left onto South Stemmons Freeway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
0.9 mi into trip|~2m in
Take the ramp toward I 35E South, US 77 South
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward I 35E South, US 77 South
7
4.9 mi into trip|~6m in
Take the exit toward FM 1171: Main Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 452
Toward FM 1171: Main Street
6
64.5 mi into trip|~1h 21m in
Turn left
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
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 Lake Dallas, TX to Garland, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Daingerfield along the way.
Daingerfield
148.2 mi in|~2h 46m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Martin Luther King Jr Freeway
83 mi
1h 23m
West Princeton Drive
24 mi
28m
Sam Rayburn Tollway
17.3 mi
18m
US Highway 259 North
16.5 mi
24m
South Stemmons Freeway
4.1 mi
4m
US 380
3.9 mi
5m
East University Drive
3.3 mi
4m
East State Highway 121
3.3 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
Martin Luther King Jr Freeway
— 83 mi, about 1h 23m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake Dallas, TX and Garland, TX.
1
Start on Main Street
0.2 mi·42 sec·Main Street
2
Turn sharp left onto South Lake Dallas Drive
0.5 mi·1 min·South Lake Dallas Drive
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
3
Turn left onto South Stemmons Freeway
0.2 mi·22 sec·South Stemmons Freeway
Use the left lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·15 sec
Toward I 35E South, US 77 SouthUse the straight / slight left lanes.
5
Merge onto I 35E
3.9 mi·4 min·South Stemmons Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.1 mi·17 sec
Exit 452Toward FM 1171: Main StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Turn straight onto North Stemmons Freeway
0.2 mi·20 sec·North Stemmons Freeway
8
Continue on North Stemmons Freeway
0.3 mi·22 sec·North Stemmons Freeway
9
Turn left onto FM 1171
1.7 mi·3 min·West Main Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
10
Turn left onto TX 121 Bus
3.3 mi·5 min·East State Highway 121
Use the left lane.
11
Take the ramp
0.7 mi·1 min
12
Merge onto SRT
17 mi·18 min·Sam Rayburn Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on Spur 399
1.2 mi·1 min·Spur 399
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on TX 5
1.4 mi·2 min·South McDonald Street
15
Turn right onto Elm Street
1.2 mi·2 min·Elm Street
16
At end of road, turn left onto South Airport Drive
0.9 mi·1 min·South Airport Drive
17
Turn right onto US 380
3.3 mi·4 min·East University Drive
18
Continue on US 380
24 mi·28 min·West Princeton Drive
19
Take the exit onto US 380
3.9 mi·5 min·US 380
Use the left lane.
20
Turn left
0.3 mi·40 sec
Use the left lane.
21
Turn straight onto I-30 Frontage Road
0.3 mi·36 sec·I-30 Frontage Road
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
22
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·16 sec
23
Merge onto I 30; US 67
83 mi·1 hr 23 min·Martin Luther King Jr Freeway
24
Take the exit
0.3 mi·46 sec
Toward US 259: De Kalb, Daingerfield
25
Turn left onto US 259
17 mi·24 min·US Highway 259 North
26
Turn left onto FM 1701
2.1 mi·4 min·FM 1701
27
Arrive at destination
FM 1701
Trip Plan
Since this is a straightforward 178.2-mile journey, you have the flexibility to depart whenever fits your schedule best. Plan for at least one stop to break up the drive, which helps manage the repetitive nature of the local roads. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge throughout the trip, as current estimates suggest a $27 expenditure. Because the route relies heavily on local streets rather than major freeways, pay close attention to local signage to avoid unnecessary detours. Taking advantage of the shorter duration allows you to reach Garland with plenty of time to spare for your planned activities.
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 83.6 miles from Lake Dallas, TX, or about 1h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 83 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 37 miles or 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 83.6 miles or 1h 41m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Garland, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Lake Dallas, 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 Lake Dallas, TX
This is one driving day of about 167.1 miles and 3h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Lake Dallas, 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 Martin Luther King Jr Freeway for about 83 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 83.6 mi from Lake Dallas, TX
· 1h 41m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.25 one way
$50.50 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg59 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$27.64
$55.27
premium
$4.54
$29.83
$59.67
diesel
$5.61
$36.89
$73.79
Estimated Tolls: $1.38
Sam Rayburn Tollway
(17.3 mi)$1.38
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
$25
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
50.1
0
$17.55
$8.02
Efficient EV
41.8
0
$14.62
$6.68
EV Truck/SUV
66.8
0
$23.39
$10.69
Gas CO2
58 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (66% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 14, 2026
Origin
Lake Dallas, TX
Night
in Lake Dallas on Friday
Local time
9:47 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Garland, TX
Night
in Garland on Friday
Local time
9:47 PM
CDT
Current temp
83°F
Partly Sunny
S 15 mph9% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 14 at 4:17PM CDT until April 14 at 5:15PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 14 at 4:12PM CDT until April 14 at 4:30PM CDT by NWS Norman OK
58°F
Farmersville, TX
84 mi in
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
9 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
3h 16m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Lake Dallas, TX to Garland, TX covers 167.1 miles and takes about 3h 16m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Martin Luther King Jr Freeway, West Princeton Drive, Sam Rayburn Tollway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 83.6 miles from Lake Dallas, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $25.25 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 167.1 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 0.2 miles (South Lake Dallas Drive): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here; at 0.7 miles (South Stemmons Freeway): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Lake Dallas, TX to Garland, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Daingerfield along the way.
