Origin
Marshall, TX
Morning in Marshall on Wednesday
Local time
6:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Marshall, TX to Dallas, TX
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
2h 40m
Distance
151.1 mi
243 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$23
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 30m
★
6 AM
2h 41m
8 AM
3h 2m
10 AM
2h 48m
12 PM
2h 46m
3 PM
2h 49m
5 PM
3h 1m
8 PM
2h 34m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Marshall, TX
Thomas balabaud
Dallas, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Stretching 154.1 miles across the Great Plains of Texas, this journey from Marshall to Dallas typically takes about 2 hours and 17 minutes. Because the drive is relatively short, it functions perfectly as a single-day trip, requiring no overnight stops along the way. You should budget approximately $23 for fuel to cover the distance between these two points. By navigating local roads like South Bolivar Street and East Grand Avenue, you will experience a direct connection between East Texas and the Dallas metropolitan area. This route is an ideal choice if you prefer a straightforward, local-focused commute rather than a high-speed interstate haul.
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
75.6 miles from Marshall, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 19m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that keeps you engaged behind the wheel for the entire 154.1-mile journey. With zero percent of the route on major highways, you will navigate local thoroughfares rather than high-speed lanes. The road profile is defined by consistent turns, meaning there is no significant "longest stretch" of uninterrupted straight driving, specifically noted as 0 miles on South Bolivar Street. This lack of highway miles creates a distinct, hands-on driving experience that differs significantly from a standard interstate cruise. Be prepared to focus on local navigation as you transition from the quiet of Marshall toward the density of Dallas.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 20 is the longest continuous segment at about 111.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and US 80. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 119.9 miles in near Spur 557.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 151.1 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 119.9 miles (Spur 557): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 149.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 149.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
119.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 4m in
|
Spur 557
Keep slight right at fork onto Spur 557 toward Dallas
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 499A
Toward Dallas
8
149.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 36m 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
149.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 36m 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
149.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 37m 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
149.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 37m 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 20 | 111.1 mi | 1h 51m |
| US 80 | 18.9 mi | 20m |
| East R L Thornton Freeway | 6 mi | 7m |
| East Grand Avenue | 4.8 mi | 5m |
| Spur 557 | 4.4 mi | 4m |
| FM 968 | 2.7 mi | 3m |
| Elm Street | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| FM 3251 | 0.7 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 111.1 mi, about 1h 51m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Marshall, TX and Dallas, TX.
1
Start on West Houston Street
342 ft
·
12 sec
·
West Houston Street
2
At end of road, turn left onto South Bolivar Street
0.3 mi
·
48 sec
·
South Bolivar Street
3
Turn left onto US 80
4.8 mi
·
5 min
·
East Grand Avenue
4
Turn left onto FM 968
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
FM 968
5
Turn left onto FM 3251
0.7 mi
·
58 sec
·
FM 3251
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
7
Merge onto I 20
111 mi
·
1 hr 51 min
·
I 20
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto Spur 557
4.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Spur 557
Exit 499A
Toward Dallas
Use the slight right lane.
9
Continue on US 80
19 mi
·
20 min
·
US 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 30; US 67
6.0 mi
·
7 min
·
East R L Thornton Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
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.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Toward US 75 North: McKinney
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward Main Street West, Elm Street
Use the slight left lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
Toward Elm Street
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
15
Turn straight onto Elm Street
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Elm Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
16
Turn right onto North Lamar Street
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
North Lamar Street
17
Arrive at destination
North Lamar Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a manageable 2-hour and 17-minute trek, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time based on your personal schedule. You do not need to worry about complex stop planning, as the trip is short enough to drive in one go without scheduled breaks. Keeping a $23 fuel budget in mind will help you stay prepared, though local roads often provide easy access to refueling stations if needed. Given the turn-heavy nature of the route, stay alert and keep your GPS updated to navigate the transition onto East Grand Avenue smoothly. Enjoy the advantage of a direct, single-day trip that allows you to reach your destination in Dallas without the fatigue of a long-haul interstate journey.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 75.6 miles from Marshall, TX, or about 1h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 111.1 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 80 miles or 1h 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 75.6 miles or 1h 19m 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 8m
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 Marshall, 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 Marshall, TX
This is one driving day of about 151.1 miles and 2h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Marshall, 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 20 for about 111.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 75.6 mi from Marshall, TX · 1h 19m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
76 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 75.6 miles from Marshall, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 20 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 111.1 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
$22.83 one way
$45.66 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
53 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $24.99 | $49.98 |
| premium | $4.54 | $26.98 | $53.96 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $33.36 | $66.72 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 52.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 45.3 | 0 | $15.87 | $7.25 |
| Efficient EV | 37.8 | 0 | $13.22 | $6.04 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 60.4 | 0 | $21.15 | $9.67 |
Gas CO2
53 kg
EV CO2
18 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
Morning in Dallas on Wednesday
Local time
6:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
83°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
S 15 mph
20% chance
Live 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
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
2h 40m 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 Marshall, TX to Dallas, TX covers 151.1 miles and takes about 2h 40m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 20, US 80, East R L Thornton 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 75.6 miles from Marshall, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $22.83 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.
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 13 significant decision points across 151.1 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 119.9 miles (Spur 557): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 149.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 149.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Marshall, TX to Dallas, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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