Origin
Lufkin, TX
Evening in Lufkin on Thursday
Local time
8:23 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lufkin, TX to Dallas, TX
Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026
Drive Time
3h 17m
Distance
169.1 mi
272 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 5m
★
6 AM
3h 17m
8 AM
3h 41m
10 AM
3h 26m
12 PM
3h 23m
3 PM
3h 27m
5 PM
3h 40m
8 PM
3h 10m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lufkin, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Dallas, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from Lufkin to Dallas covers 172 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 52 minutes. Since this journey is well-suited for a single day, you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $26 on fuel for the trip. You will navigate through local roads like West Frank Avenue, North Raguet Street, and John Redditt Drive rather than relying on high-speed interstate travel. Both cities are located within the Great Plains region of Texas, keeping the landscape consistent throughout your transit. It is a straightforward trek that serves as a practical connection between these two points.
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
84.6 miles from Lufkin, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 41m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 17m. Total distance: 169.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 17m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This route is defined as a turn-heavy local drive, offering a much different experience than a standard interstate cruise. Because the highway share is 0%, you should prepare for constant maneuvering through local streets rather than long, uninterrupted stretches of high-speed pavement. In fact, your longest stretch without a turn is 0 miles on West Frank Avenue, emphasizing the technical nature of the navigation. You will need to stay alert as you transition between various local roads throughout the 172-mile distance. Expect a hands-on driving experience where your attention remains focused on the road ahead for the duration of the nearly three-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 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US Highway 175 West is the longest continuous segment at about 78.4 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
624 ft
322 ft
Total Climb
307 ft
Total Descent
333 ft
Highest Point
624 ft
~48.3 mi in
Elevation Range
302 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US Highway 175 West and US 69. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near Spur 339 / North Raguet Street.
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 15 significant decision points across 169.1 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 0.5 miles (Spur 339 / North Raguet Street): Navigation decision point; at 96.7 miles (US 175 Bus / US Highway 175 West): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 165.5 miles (I 45 / Julius Schepps Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0.5 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
Spur 339 / North Raguet Street
Turn right onto Spur 339 / North Raguet Street
Navigation decision point
6
96.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 56m in
|
US 175 Bus / US Highway 175 West
Keep slight right at fork onto US 175 Bus / US Highway 175 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
165.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 11m in
|
I 45 / Julius Schepps Freeway
Merge onto I 45 / Julius Schepps Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
167.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 14m 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
167.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 14m 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 |
|---|---|---|
| US Highway 175 West | 78.4 mi | 1h 25m |
| US 69 | 53.6 mi | 1h 3m |
| US Highway 175 | 20.8 mi | 22m |
| East Corsicana Street | 2.5 mi | 4m |
| Julius Schepps Freeway | 2.2 mi | 2m |
| North Raguet Street | 2.2 mi | 3m |
| East Pine Street | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| Elm Street | 0.9 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
US Highway 175 West
— 78.4 mi, about 1h 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lufkin, TX and Dallas, TX.
1
Start on Loop 266
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
South First Street
2
Turn left onto TX 94
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
·
West Frank Avenue
3
Turn right onto Spur 339
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
North Raguet Street
4
Continue on Spur 339
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
North Raguet Street
5
Take the ramp
427 ft
·
11 sec
6
Merge onto TX 103; Loop 287
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
John Redditt Drive
7
Turn left onto Loop 287 Frontage Road
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
Loop 287 Frontage Road
8
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
9
Merge onto US 69
54 mi
·
1 hr 3 min
·
US 69
10
Turn left onto US 175
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
Alexander Boulevard
11
Continue on US 175
0.6 mi
·
56 sec
·
Frankston Highway
12
Continue on US 175
9.6 mi
·
10 min
·
US Highway 175 West
13
Turn slight right
3.8 mi
·
4 min
14
Merge onto US 175
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
East Pine Street
15
Continue on US 175
21 mi
·
22 min
·
US Highway 175
16
Continue on US 175 Bus
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
East Corsicana Street
17
Keep slight right at fork onto US 175 Bus
69 mi
·
1 hr 14 min
·
US Highway 175 West
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Merge onto I 45
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Julius Schepps Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 284B
Toward Main Street West, Elm Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
Toward Elm Street
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
21
Turn straight onto Elm Street
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Elm Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
22
Turn right onto North Lamar Street
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
North Lamar Street
23
Arrive at destination
North Lamar Street
Trip Plan
Given the 2 hour and 52 minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time to avoid local congestion. Since you have a planned stop built into the itinerary, use that time to stretch your legs and refuel, keeping in mind the estimated $26 cost. Because this route relies entirely on local roads, check your GPS frequently to ensure you remain on the correct path through the turns. If you find the constant turning taxing, try to break up the drive halfway to maintain your focus. Taking a moment to map out your primary turns before you leave Lufkin will help you navigate the start of the trip with much more confidence.
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 84.6 miles from Lufkin, TX, or about 1h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 78.4 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 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 84.6 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 42m
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 Lufkin, 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 Lufkin, TX
This is one driving day of about 169.1 miles and 3h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Lufkin, 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 US Highway 175 West for about 78.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 84.6 mi from Lufkin, TX · 1h 41m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
85 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 37 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 84.6 miles from Lufkin, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US Highway 175 West if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 78.4 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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.55 one way
$51.10 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
59 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $27.97 | $55.94 |
| premium | $4.54 | $30.19 | $60.38 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $37.34 | $74.67 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 59.2 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 | 50.7 | 0 | $17.76 | $8.12 |
| Efficient EV | 42.3 | 0 | $14.80 | $6.76 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 67.6 | 0 | $23.67 | $10.82 |
Gas CO2
59 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.
Destination
Dallas, TX
Evening in Dallas on Thursday
Local time
8:23 PM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
72°F
Athens, TX
85 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
3 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 17m 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 Lufkin, TX to Dallas, TX covers 169.1 miles and takes about 3h 17m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US Highway 175 West, US 69, US Highway 175. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 84.6 miles from Lufkin, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $25.55 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 15 significant decision points across 169.1 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 0.5 miles (Spur 339 / North Raguet Street): Navigation decision point; at 96.7 miles (US 175 Bus / US Highway 175 West): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 165.5 miles (I 45 / Julius Schepps Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Lufkin, TX to Dallas, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 322 ft to 624 ft elevation with about 307 ft of total climbing.
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