Origin
Mesquite, TX
Afternoon in Mesquite on Sunday
Local time
4:16 PM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Mesquite, TX to Dallas, TX
Drive Time
20m
Distance
14.3 mi
23 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$2
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 19m
★
6 AM
0h 21m
8 AM
0h 24m
10 AM
0h 22m
12 PM
0h 22m
3 PM
0h 22m
5 PM
0h 24m
8 PM
0h 20m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Mesquite, TX
Action Construction Equipment Ltd. - ACE
Dallas, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are planning to head from Mesquite into the heart of Dallas, you are looking at a quick 15.2-mile journey that typically takes about 22 minutes to complete. Because this trip is so brief, it works perfectly as a straightforward day trip, requiring no overnight stops along the way. You will primarily navigate via West Main Street, Scyene Road, and I-635 North rather than relying on a single long-haul highway. Budgeting just $2 for fuel makes this an incredibly economical excursion within the Great Plains region. Since both cities are located within the same state and region, you won't experience major shifts in landscape, making this a practical, no-fuss commute.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
7.1 miles from Mesquite, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 10m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate grind. With 0% highway share, this route keeps you engaged with local roads that require constant attention to navigation and traffic flow. You won't find any particularly long, uninterrupted stretches here, as the journey is defined by its frequent transitions between city streets. Behind the wheel, you should prepare for a stop-and-go feel that contrasts sharply with wide-open highway driving. The road's personality is functional and busy, reflecting the urban density you encounter as you move between these two Texas locations.
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.
East R L Thornton Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on East R L Thornton Freeway and US 80. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.6 miles in.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 14.3 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 2.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
2.6 mi into trip
|
~4m in
Take the exit toward US 80 West: Dallas
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 6A
Toward US 80 West: Dallas
8
12.4 mi into trip
|
~16m 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
12.6 mi into trip
|
~17m 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
12.9 mi into trip
|
~17m 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
13.1 mi into trip
|
~18m 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
Towns Along This Route
Between Mesquite, TX and Dallas, TX, road signs point toward Mckinney and Main Street West.
Mckinney
12.4 mi in
|
~16m
Main Street West
12.9 mi in
|
~17m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| East R L Thornton Freeway | 6 mi | 7m |
| US 80 | 3 mi | 3m |
| Lyndon B Johnson Freeway | 1 mi | 1m |
| Scyene Road | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Elm Street | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| West Main Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| North Lamar Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| South Galloway Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
East R L Thornton Freeway
— 6 mi, about 7m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mesquite, TX and Dallas, TX.
1
Start on South Galloway Avenue
4 ft
·
7 sec
·
South Galloway Avenue
2
Turn left onto TX 352
0.4 mi
·
57 sec
·
West Main Street
3
Continue on TX 352
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Scyene Road
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
Toward I 635 North
5
Merge onto I 635
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Exit 6A
Toward US 80 West: Dallas
Use the slight right lane.
7
Merge onto US 80
3.0 mi
·
3 min
·
US 80
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 30; US 67
6.0 mi
·
7 min
·
East R L Thornton Freeway
Use the none / 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 such a short trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though you should always check local traffic patterns before heading out. You don't need to worry about planning formal rest stops given the 22-minute duration. Keep a close eye on your navigation as you transition between West Main Street, Scyene Road, and I-635 North, as the turn-heavy nature of the route can be tricky for first-timers. A helpful tip is to ensure your fuel tank is topped off before leaving Mesquite; while the $2 cost is minimal, local city traffic can sometimes lead to unexpected idling that consumes more fuel than anticipated.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 7.1 miles from Mesquite, TX, or about 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 6 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 14.3 miles or 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 7.1 miles or 10m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 16m
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 Mesquite, 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 Mesquite, TX
This is one driving day of about 14.3 miles and 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Mesquite, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on East R L Thornton Freeway for about 6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 7.1 mi from Mesquite, TX · 10m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
7 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 14.3 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 7.1 miles from Mesquite, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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
$2.18 one way
$4.37 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
5 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $2.39 | $4.79 |
| premium | $4.59 | $2.58 | $5.17 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $3.18 | $6.35 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$27–$52
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 60% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 4.3 | 0 | $1.50 | $0.69 |
| Efficient EV | 3.6 | 0 | $1.25 | $0.57 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 5.7 | 0 | $2.00 | $0.92 |
Gas CO2
5 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (60% 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 Sunday
Local time
4:16 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live 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
1 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
20m 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 Mesquite, TX to Dallas, TX covers 14.3 miles and takes about 20m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are East R L Thornton Freeway, US 80, Lyndon B Johnson 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 7.1 miles from Mesquite, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $2.18 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 14.3 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 2.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Mesquite, TX and Dallas, TX, road signs point toward Mckinney and Main Street West.
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