Origin
Linden, TX
Afternoon in Linden on Thursday
Local time
4:12 PM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Linden, TX to Dallas, TX
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
3h
Distance
157.1 mi
253 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 49m
★
6 AM
3h 1m
8 AM
3h 24m
10 AM
3h 9m
12 PM
3h 7m
3 PM
3h 10m
5 PM
3h 22m
8 PM
2h 54m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Linden, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Dallas, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from Linden to Dallas covers 168.7 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 49 minutes of driving time. Because the route is categorized as a turn-heavy local drive, you should plan on one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and stay refreshed. With a fuel cost estimate of $25, this trip is quite affordable and fits easily into a single day of travel. Both cities are located within the Great Plains region of Texas, ensuring a consistent landscape throughout your journey. Whether you are heading to the city for business or a visit, this straightforward drive is manageable for most drivers to complete in one go. You won't need to worry about overnight logistics, as the duration allows for a comfortable arrival at your destination by the afternoon.
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
78.5 miles from Linden, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 37m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h. Total distance: 157.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a departure from the typical interstate grind, as this route consists entirely of local roads rather than high-speed highways. You will navigate through areas using West Houston Street, Broadnax Street, and West Ferguson Road to make your way toward Dallas. The path is defined by its turn-heavy nature, requiring your full attention as you transition between these local thoroughfares. Since the highway share is 0%, you should prepare for a slower, more deliberate pace rather than long, monotonous stretches of open road. Being behind the wheel here feels personal and engaging, as you will be constantly interacting with the road's layout rather than cruising on autopilot.
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 30 is the longest continuous segment at about 113.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 30 and TX 49. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 41.8 miles in.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 157.1 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 41.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 155.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 155.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
41.8 mi into trip
|
~58m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
8
155.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 56m in
Take the exit toward I 45 South, US 75 North: Houston, McKinney
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 47B
Toward I 45 South, US 75 North: Houston, McKinn...
7
155.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 57m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 75 North: McKinney
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward US 75 North: McKinney
8
155.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 57m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Main Street West, Elm Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward Main Street West, Elm Street
8
155.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 58m 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 30 | 113.1 mi | 1h 57m |
| TX 49 | 18.3 mi | 23m |
| West Houston Street | 14.1 mi | 21m |
| TX 11 | 7.8 mi | 11m |
| Broadnax Street | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Elm Street | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| West Ferguson Road | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| North Lamar Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 30
— 113.1 mi, about 1h 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Linden, TX and Dallas, TX.
1
Start on FM 125
279 ft
·
10 sec
·
North Main Street
2
Turn right onto TX 11
14 mi
·
21 min
·
West Houston Street
3
Turn right onto TX 11; TX 49
7.8 mi
·
11 min
·
TX 11; TX 49
4
Turn right onto US 259; TX 49
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Broadnax Street
5
Turn slight left onto TX 49
18 mi
·
23 min
·
TX 49
6
Continue on US 271
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
West Ferguson Road
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
8
Merge onto I 30
113 mi
·
1 hr 57 min
·
I 30
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Exit 47B
Toward I 45 South, US 75 North: Houston, McKinney
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Toward US 75 North: McKinney
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward Main Street West, Elm Street
Use the slight left lane.
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
Since this is a sub-three-hour trip, you have plenty of flexibility to depart whenever suits your schedule best. I recommend checking your fuel levels before leaving Linden, as the $25 estimate assumes consistent driving conditions through the local road network. Because the route relies on streets like West Ferguson Road rather than major interstates, keep a close eye on your navigation to ensure you don't miss any critical turns. Plan for your single stop midway to break up the technical nature of the drive, which can be more taxing than highway cruising. If you want to avoid the heaviest traffic, try to time your arrival in Dallas outside of typical morning or evening rush hours.
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 78.5 miles from Linden, TX, or about 1h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 113.1 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 miles or 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 78.5 miles or 1h 37m 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 29m
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 Linden, 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 Linden, TX
This is one driving day of about 157.1 miles and 3h.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Linden, 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 30 for about 113.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 78.5 mi from Linden, TX · 1h 37m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
79 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 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 78.5 miles from Linden, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 30 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 113.1 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
$23.74 one way
$47.48 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
55 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $25.98 | $51.97 |
| premium | $4.54 | $28.05 | $56.10 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $34.69 | $69.37 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 55 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 47.1 | 0 | $16.50 | $7.54 |
| Efficient EV | 39.3 | 0 | $13.75 | $6.28 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 62.8 | 0 | $21.99 | $10.05 |
Gas CO2
55 kg
EV CO2
18 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 Thursday
Local time
4:12 PM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
72°F
Sulphur Springs, TX
79 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
4 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 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 Linden, TX to Dallas, TX covers 157.1 miles and takes about 3h without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 30, TX 49, West Houston 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 78.5 miles from Linden, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $23.74 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 11 significant decision points across 157.1 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 41.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 155.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 155.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Linden, TX to Dallas, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Dallas, TX
More from Linden, TX
More trips to Dallas, TX
Explore more options from Linden, TX or browse trips ending in Dallas, TX.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TX road trips.
Explore maps for Linden, TX or Dallas, TX on MapSof.net.