This 358.4-mile drive from Mathis, TX, to Dallas, TX, is designed for a single day, taking approximately 6 hours and 28 minutes to complete. You'll primarily travel on the Purple Heart Trail, Pickle Parkway, and I-35E, with about 67% of the journey on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is $54, making it an economical option for a quick transition between the Great Plains regions of Texas. This highway-focused route is a straightforward way to cover the distance efficiently, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop.
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
179.2 miles from Mathis, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 23m into the drive
.
Dallas, with a population of more than 1.3 million residents, is the ninth largest city in the United States and the third largest in the state of Texas. It is an impressive melting pot of culture and character. Boasting high-end luxury hotels, innumerable fine dining spots, and one of the busiest airports in the world, Dallas maintains an upscale ethos reflected by an affluent population, world-class museums, and a shimmering modern skyline. Its history was marred by the infamous assassination of U.S. President John F. Kennedy, but there is more historic and contemporary heritage to be discovered in the city.
As a center of the oil and cotton industries in the late 1800s and early 1900s, Dallas was a classic American boom town and remains one of the fastest growing cities in the nation.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 28m. Total distance: 358.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 28m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive, with 67% of the route utilizing major roadways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 97.7 miles on the Purple Heart Trail, offering a consistent pace for a significant portion of your journey. While much of the drive will be on faster roads, the progression through different highways means you'll experience some variation in the driving environment. This route is designed for efficiency, minimizing time spent on slower, local roads.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 25 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Purple Heart Trail is the longest continuous segment at about 97.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Purple Heart Trail and Pickle Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 136.1 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
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 358.4 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 136.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 195.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 299.8 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
136.1 mi into trip|~2h 43m in
Keep slight left at fork toward TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco
7
195.1 mi into trip|~3h 38m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35 North: Waco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35 North: Waco
7
299.8 mi into trip|~5h 26m in|I 35E
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E toward I 35E: Dallas
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 35E: Dallas
7
357.9 mi into trip|~6h 27m in
Take the exit toward Continental Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 429A
Toward Continental Avenue
6
358.1 mi into trip|~6h 28m in|Continental Avenue
Turn right onto Continental Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right 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 Mathis, TX to Dallas, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Waco along the way.
Step-by-step road directions between Mathis, TX and Dallas, TX.
1
Start on TX 359 Bus
0.8 mi·1 min·North Front Street
2
At end of road, turn left onto TX 359
13 mi·17 min·North State Highway 359
3
At end of road, turn left onto US 181
0.8 mi·55 sec·South 8th Street
4
Continue on US 181
40 mi·45 min·US Highway 181 South
5
Continue on US 181
1.2 mi·1 min·South Sunset Strip Drive
6
Turn right onto TX 72; TX 239
0.8 mi·1 min·West Main Street
7
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 72; TX 239
233 ft·3 sec·East Main Street
8
Continue on FM 792
8.4 mi·10 min·Helena Road
9
Turn straight onto TX 80
24 mi·25 min·State Highway 80
10
Continue on TX 80
1.0 mi·2 min·South Nixon Avenue
11
Continue on TX 80; TX 97
31 mi·35 min·State Highway 80 North
12
Continue on US 183
10 mi·11 min·US 183
13
Continue on US 183
4.9 mi·8 min·South Colorado Street
14
Continue on US 183
0.2 mi·16 sec·United States Highway 183
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·35 sec
Toward TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco
16
Merge onto TX 130 Toll
59 mi·54 min·Pickle Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·49 sec
Toward I 35 North: WacoUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
18
Merge onto I 35
65 mi·1 hr 6 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on I 35
6.6 mi·7 min·South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Continue on I 35; US 77
33 mi·33 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E
58 mi·1 hr·I 35E
Toward I 35E: DallasUse the slight right lane.
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 429AToward Continental AvenueUse the slight right lane.
23
Turn right onto Continental Avenue
0.2 mi·31 sec·Continental Avenue
Use the right lane.
24
Turn slight right onto North Lamar Street
433 ft·10 sec·North Lamar Street
25
Arrive at destination
North Lamar Street
Trip Plan
Given the 6-hour and 28-minute duration, this route is best tackled as a single-day trip. Consider an early morning departure from Mathis, TX, to maximize daylight and arrive in Dallas with time to spare. With only one recommended stop, you can plan your breaks strategically, perhaps around the 97.7-mile mark on the Purple Heart Trail. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially before embarking on longer highway stretches, and budget around $54 for gas. The flexibility of a single-day drive means you can adjust your pacing as needed.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 179.2 miles from Mathis, TX, or about 3h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 97.7 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 79 miles or 1h 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 179.2 miles or 3h 23m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 25m
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 Mathis, 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 Mathis, TX
This is one driving day of about 358.4 miles and 6h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 79 miles from Mathis, 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 Purple Heart Trail for about 97.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 179.2 mi from Mathis, TX
· 3h 23m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Waco Mammoth National Monument
National Monument
Standing as tall as 14 feet and weighing 20,000 pounds, Columbian mammoths roamed across what is present-day Texas thousands of years ago. Today, the fossil specimens represent the nation's first and...
6 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 271.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$54.16 one way
$108.31 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg125 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$59.28
$118.55
premium
$4.54
$63.99
$127.98
diesel
$5.61
$79.13
$158.26
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$54
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$79–$104
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 125.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
107.5
1
$37.63
$17.20
Efficient EV
89.6
1
$31.36
$14.34
EV Truck/SUV
143.4
1
$50.18
$22.94
Gas CO2
125 kg
EV CO2
42 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 17, 2026
Origin
Mathis, TX
Night
in Mathis on Friday
Local time
11:03 PM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Dallas, TX
Night
in Dallas on Friday
Local time
11:03 PM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Mostly Clear
S 5 to 10 mph5% chanceLive 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
2 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
6h 28m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Mathis, TX to Dallas, TX covers 358.4 miles and takes about 6h 28m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Purple Heart Trail, Pickle Parkway, I 35E. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 179.2 miles from Mathis, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $54.16 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
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 11 significant decision points across 358.4 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 136.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 195.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 299.8 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Mathis, TX to Dallas, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Waco along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Waco Mammoth National Monument.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
