Origin
Mission, TX
Evening in Mission on Sunday
Local time
8:38 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Mission, TX to Dallas, TX
Drive Time
9h 13m
Distance
505.2 mi
813 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$77
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
9h 6m
★
6 AM
9h 14m
8 AM
9h 30m
10 AM
9h 20m
12 PM
9h 18m
3 PM
9h 21m
5 PM
9h 30m
8 PM
9h 9m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Mission, TX
Mark Direen
Dallas, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from Mission to Dallas covers 528.4 miles and typically requires about 7 hours and 35 minutes of time behind the wheel. Given the distance, this journey functions best as a single long day trip, though you should be prepared for a significant amount of time on the road. You can expect to spend approximately $79 on fuel for the trek, so budget accordingly before heading out. Your path primarily utilizes North Conway Avenue, US 83, and East Expressway 83 to navigate through the Great Plains. Since both cities are located within the same state and region, the transition remains consistent throughout the journey. It is a straightforward trek for those comfortable with long-distance driving, but it definitely demands your full attention.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
252.6 miles from Mission, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 50m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a long-distance drive that demands stamina, as the route is primarily defined by its length rather than variety. While you will navigate local streets like North Conway Avenue, the majority of your time is spent on US 83 and East Expressway 83. Because the highway share is 0 percent, you should anticipate a rhythm dictated by changing road conditions rather than a constant interstate cruise. The longest stretch you will encounter is 0 miles on North Conway Avenue, indicating that your progress will involve shifting between different segments of the road. Prepare for a steady, focused experience that requires you to stay sharp as you progress from the southern reaches of Texas toward the Dallas area.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 32 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?
At 9h 13m, this is a long-haul route where pacing matters more than any single turn. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 10 miles in.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 505.2 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 10 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 282.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 341.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
10 mi into trip
|
~13m in
Take the exit toward I 69C North, US 281: Edinburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 416B
Toward I 69C North, US 281: Edinburg
6
282.9 mi into trip
|
~5h 28m 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
341.9 mi into trip
|
~6h 23m 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
446.6 mi into trip
|
~8h 11m 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
504.7 mi into trip
|
~9h 12m 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
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Mission, TX to Dallas, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Waco along the way.
Waco
282.9 mi in
|
~5h 28m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Purple Heart Trail | 97.7 mi | 1h 39m |
| I 69C | 92 mi | 1h 43m |
| Pickle Parkway | 58.5 mi | 54m |
| I 35E | 58.1 mi | 1h |
| US 281 | 57.1 mi | 1h |
| King David Drive | 31.8 mi | 39m |
| State Highway 80 North | 30.8 mi | 35m |
| State Highway 80 | 23.6 mi | 25m |
Longest stretch:
Purple Heart Trail
— 97.7 mi, about 1h 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mission, TX and Dallas, TX.
1
Start on US 83 Bus
134 ft
·
9 sec
·
East Tom Landry Street
2
Turn left onto TX 107
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
North Conway Avenue
3
Turn left onto US 83 Exwy Service Road
155 ft
·
3 sec
·
US 83 Exwy Service Road
4
Continue on East Expressway 83
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East Expressway 83
5
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
Toward I 2 East, US 83 East
6
Merge onto I 2; US 83
8.0 mi
·
9 min
·
I 2; US 83
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
1.0 mi
·
1 min
Exit 416B
Toward I 69C North, US 281: Edinburg
8
Continue on I 69C
22 mi
·
23 min
·
I 69C
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on US 281
57 mi
·
1 hr
·
US 281
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 69C; US 281
70 mi
·
1 hr 19 min
·
I 69C; US 281
11
Keep slight left at fork onto US 281
11 mi
·
14 min
·
Nueces Street
12
Turn right onto TX 72
32 mi
·
39 min
·
King David Drive
13
Continue on TX 72; TX 239
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
West Main Street
14
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 72; TX 239
233 ft
·
3 sec
·
East Main Street
15
Continue on FM 792
8.4 mi
·
10 min
·
Helena Road
16
Turn straight onto TX 80
24 mi
·
25 min
·
State Highway 80
17
Continue on TX 80
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
South Nixon Avenue
18
Continue on TX 80; TX 97
31 mi
·
35 min
·
State Highway 80 North
19
Continue on US 183
10 mi
·
11 min
·
US 183
20
Continue on US 183
4.9 mi
·
8 min
·
South Colorado Street
21
Continue on US 183
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
United States Highway 183
22
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
35 sec
Toward TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco
23
Merge onto TX 130 Toll
59 mi
·
54 min
·
Pickle Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
Toward I 35 North: Waco
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
25
Merge onto I 35
65 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Continue on I 35
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Continue on I 35; US 77
33 mi
·
33 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E
58 mi
·
1 hr
·
I 35E
Toward I 35E: Dallas
Use the slight right lane.
29
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Exit 429A
Toward Continental Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
30
Turn right onto Continental Avenue
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
Continental Avenue
Use the right lane.
31
Turn slight right onto North Lamar Street
433 ft
·
10 sec
·
North Lamar Street
32
Arrive at destination
North Lamar Street
Trip Plan
To tackle this 7 hour and 35 minute drive effectively, plan for at least two strategic stops to maintain your energy levels. Leaving early in the morning is your best bet to avoid potential traffic congestion as you approach your destination in Dallas. Since fuel costs hover around $79, keep an eye on your gauge and refuel during your scheduled breaks to avoid running low in more remote segments of the route. Because this trip is a long-distance haul, prioritizing consistent hydration and movement during your two stops will make the mileage feel much more manageable. Use your flexibility to adjust your pace, but try to keep your momentum steady to ensure you reach the city before late evening.
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.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 252.6 miles from Mission, TX, or about 4h 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 97.7 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 111 miles or 2h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 252.6 miles or 4h 50m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 252.6 miles or 4h 50m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 8h 10m
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 Mission, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Mission, TX
Aim for roughly 253 miles and 4.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Dallas, TX
Aim for roughly 253 miles and 4.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 111 miles from Mission, TX.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks 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 252.6 mi from Mission, TX · 4h 50m into the drive
First major stop
Coffee and fuel
167 mi into the route
Best for: Coffee, fuel, and an easy first stretch
This is a natural early stop once the first hours of the drive are behind you.
Second major stop
Overnight candidate
333 mi into the route
Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start
This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.
Find hotels in Killeen, TXOvernight Options
Night 1
253 mi · about 4.6h in
A practical overnight split lands near Austin, TX after about 253 miles or 4.6 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 111 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 252.6 miles from Mission, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Purple Heart Trail if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 97.7 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 253 miles or 4.6 hours on the road.
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.
On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach Dallas, TX with some flexibility left in the schedule.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$77.17 one way
$154.34 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
177 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $84.57 | $169.14 |
| premium | $4.59 | $91.31 | $182.63 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $112.24 | $224.48 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$77
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$207–$317
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 176.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $53 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 151.6 | 1 | $53.05 | $24.25 |
| Efficient EV | 126.3 | 1 | $44.21 | $20.21 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 202.1 | 2 | $70.73 | $32.33 |
Gas CO2
177 kg
EV CO2
59 kg (67% 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.
Destination
Dallas, TX
Evening in Dallas on Sunday
Local time
8:38 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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
12 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
9h 13m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Mission, TX to Dallas, TX covers 505.2 miles and takes about 9h 13m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Purple Heart Trail, I 69C, Pickle Parkway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Yes. This route is usually more comfortable as a 2-day drive. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 253 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 252.6 miles from Mission, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $77.17 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 2 meaningful breaks 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 16 significant decision points across 505.2 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 10 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 282.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 341.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Mission, TX to Dallas, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Waco along the way.
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