Origin
Refugio, TX
Evening in Refugio on Wednesday
Local time
6:54 PM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Refugio, TX to Dallas, TX
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
5h 42m
Distance
341.1 mi
549 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$52
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 30m
★
6 AM
5h 43m
8 AM
6h 9m
10 AM
5h 52m
12 PM
5h 50m
3 PM
5h 53m
5 PM
6h 8m
8 PM
5h 35m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Refugio, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Dallas, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 341.1-mile journey from Refugio, TX, to Dallas, TX, is best tackled in a single day, taking approximately 5 hours and 42 minutes. It's a straightforward drive primarily on local roads, with no highway segments, making it a turn-heavy experience. With an estimated fuel cost of $52, this route offers a budget-friendly option for connecting these two Texas locations within the Great Plains region. You'll spend most of your time on North Alamo Street and Highway 183, with a brief stint on South Jefferson Street. Plan for one stop along the way to break up the drive.
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
170.5 miles from Refugio, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 51m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive for the entirety of this 341.1-mile trip, as indicated by the 0% highway share. This means you'll be navigating through towns and potentially dealing with more frequent traffic signals and intersections rather than open highway cruising. The longest uninterrupted stretch isn't specified, but the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile suggests a consistent need for attention and adjustments to your speed and direction. You'll likely experience a more intimate connection with the landscape as you pass through communities and varying road conditions typical of Texas.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 25 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
North Alamo Street is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 5h 42m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Refugio, TX to Dallas, TX is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North Alamo Street | — | — |
| Highway 183 | — | — |
| South Jefferson Street | — | — |
| South Esplanade Street | — | — |
| South Magnolia Avenue | — | — |
| US 183 | — | — |
| South Colorado Street | — | — |
| TX 130 | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
North Alamo Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Refugio, TX and Dallas, TX.
1
Start on West Commons Street
43 ft
·
9 sec
·
West Commons Street
2
Turn left onto North Alamo Street
0.7 mi
·
59 sec
·
North Alamo Street
3
Continue on North Alamo Street
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
North Alamo Street
4
Continue on US Highway 183
23 mi
·
24 min
·
US Highway 183
5
Continue on South Jefferson Street
3.7 mi
·
5 min
·
South Jefferson Street
6
Continue on North US Highway 183
29 mi
·
31 min
·
North US Highway 183
7
Continue on South Esplanade Street
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
South Esplanade Street
8
Continue on North US Highway 183
23 mi
·
24 min
·
North US Highway 183
9
Continue straight
6.0 mi
·
6 min
10
Continue straight
20 mi
·
23 min
11
Turn right onto South Magnolia Avenue
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
South Magnolia Avenue
12
Continue on US 183
10 mi
·
11 min
·
US 183
13
Continue on South Colorado Street
4.9 mi
·
8 min
·
South Colorado Street
14
Continue on United States Highway 183
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
United States Highway 183
15
Keep slight left to continue on TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco
0.5 mi
·
35 sec
·
TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco
16
Merge slight left onto Pickle Parkway
59 mi
·
54 min
·
Pickle Parkway
17
Keep slight left to continue on I 35 North: Waco
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
·
I 35 North: Waco
18
Merge slight left onto Purple Heart Trail
65 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
19
Continue on South Jack Kultgen Expressway
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
South Jack Kultgen Expressway
20
Continue on Purple Heart Trail
33 mi
·
33 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
21
Keep slight right to continue on I 35E: Dallas
58 mi
·
1 hr
·
I 35E: Dallas
22
Take the exit slight right toward Continental Avenue
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
Continental Avenue
23
Turn right onto Continental Avenue
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
Continental Avenue
24
Turn slight right onto North Lamar Street
433 ft
·
11 sec
·
North Lamar Street
25
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour and 42-minute duration, this trip is definitely manageable as a single-day drive from Refugio to Dallas. Aim for an early morning departure to maximize your daylight hours and account for the numerous turns. With a fuel cost around $52, make sure your tank is full before you leave Refugio to minimize any unscheduled fuel stops. Since it's a local drive, be mindful of posted speed limits and potential traffic congestion as you enter and leave towns. Planning for just one stop will allow you to reach Dallas with plenty of time left in your day.
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 170.5 miles from Refugio, TX, or about 2h 51m into the drive.
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 75 miles or 1h 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 170.5 miles or 2h 51m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 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 Refugio, 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 Refugio, TX
This is one driving day of about 341.1 miles and 5h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 75 miles from Refugio, 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 170.5 mi from Refugio, TX · 2h 51m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
171 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 75 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 170.5 miles from Refugio, 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
$51.54 one way
$103.08 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
119 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $56.42 | $112.83 |
| premium | $4.54 | $60.90 | $121.80 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $75.31 | $150.62 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$52
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$77–$102
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 119.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 102.3 | 1 | $35.82 | $16.37 |
| Efficient EV | 85.3 | 0 | $29.85 | $13.64 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 136.4 | 1 | $47.75 | $21.83 |
Gas CO2
119 kg
EV CO2
40 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.
Destination
Dallas, TX
Evening in Dallas on Wednesday
Local time
6:54 PM
CDT
Current temp
60°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
5 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
5h 42m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Refugio, TX to Dallas, TX covers 341.1 miles and takes about 5h 42m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are North Alamo Street, Highway 183, South Jefferson Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 170.5 miles from Refugio, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $51.54 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a straightforward 5h 42m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Refugio, TX to Dallas, TX is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Refugio, TX to Dallas, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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