Origin
Richmond, TX
Night in Richmond on Wednesday
Local time
11:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Richmond, TX to Dallas, TX
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
4h 50m
Distance
270.2 mi
435 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$41
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 37m
★
6 AM
4h 51m
8 AM
5h 18m
10 AM
5h 0m
12 PM
4h 58m
3 PM
5h 2m
5 PM
5h 17m
8 PM
4h 43m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Richmond, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Dallas, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from Richmond to Dallas covers 271.8 miles and typically takes about 4 hours and 5 minutes behind the wheel. Because this route focuses on local roads rather than major interstates, it functions best as a straightforward day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. Expect to budget approximately $40 for fuel to complete the journey. Both cities are situated within the Great Plains region, meaning you will experience consistent terrain throughout your travels. Since the route relies on local infrastructure, you should prepare for a drive that prioritizes community connectivity over highway speed. It is a manageable distance for a single day, provided you are comfortable with the specific road profile.
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
135.1 miles from Richmond, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 29m into the drive .
Drive Character
This journey is defined by a turn-heavy, local-road profile that feels quite different from a standard interstate cruise. With a 0% highway share, you will navigate via Highway 90A, Mason Road, and the West Grand Parkway South Frontage Road rather than high-speed thoroughfares. The road does not offer long, uninterrupted stretches, as the longest segment on Highway 90A is 0 miles. You should anticipate a drive that requires your constant attention due to the frequent turns and local traffic patterns. Expect a hands-on driving experience where the pace is dictated by the specific local roads you follow from start to finish.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 45 is the longest continuous segment at about 212.9 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
486 ft
92 ft
Total Climb
757 ft
Total Descent
421 ft
Highest Point
486 ft
~231.6 mi in
Elevation Range
394 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 45 and West Grand Parkway South. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.4 miles in near FM 359.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 270.2 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.4 miles (FM 359): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.2 miles (TX 99 / West Grand Parkway South Frontage Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 54.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
1.4 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
FM 359
Turn left onto FM 359
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
5
6.2 mi into trip
|
~10m in
|
TX 99 / West Grand Parkway South Frontage Road
Turn left onto TX 99 / West Grand Parkway South Frontage Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
54.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 4m in
Take the exit toward I 45 North: Dallas
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 45 North: Dallas
8
268.7 mi into trip
|
~4h 47m in
Take the exit toward Main Street West, Elm Street
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 284B
Toward Main Street West, Elm Street
8
269 mi into trip
|
~4h 48m 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 45 | 212.9 mi | 3h 39m |
| West Grand Parkway South | 46.5 mi | 51m |
| Mason Road | 2.6 mi | 4m |
| FM 359 | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| West Grand Parkway South Frontage Road | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Elm Street | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| East US Highway 90A | 0.7 mi | <1m |
| US 90 Alt | 0.5 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 45
— 212.9 mi, about 3h 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Richmond, TX and Dallas, TX.
1
Start on US 90 Alt
68 ft
·
3 sec
·
Jackson Street
2
Turn slight right onto US 90 Alt
0.5 mi
·
45 sec
·
US 90 Alt
3
Continue on US 90 Alt
0.7 mi
·
59 sec
·
East US Highway 90A
4
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
58 sec
5
Turn left onto FM 359
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
FM 359
Use the left / straight lanes.
6
Continue on Mason Road
2.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Mason Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
7
Turn left onto TX 99
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
West Grand Parkway South Frontage Road
Use the left lane.
8
Take the ramp onto TX 99
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
TX 99
Toward TX 99 North
9
Merge onto TX 99
47 mi
·
51 min
·
West Grand Parkway South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
1.4 mi
·
3 min
Toward I 45 North: Dallas
Use the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto I 45
213 mi
·
3 hr 39 min
·
I 45
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 284B
Toward Main Street West, Elm Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
Toward Elm Street
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
14
Turn straight onto Elm Street
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Elm Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
15
Turn right onto North Lamar Street
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
North Lamar Street
16
Arrive at destination
North Lamar Street
Trip Plan
Planning for this trip requires acknowledging the lack of high-speed highway segments, so allocate extra time for potential local traffic delays. Since the total duration is just over four hours, you can easily complete the drive in one go, though scheduling at least one stop is recommended to break up the frequent turns. Departing early in the morning can help you bypass peak local congestion on the smaller roads. Keep your $40 fuel budget in mind as you plan your stops, ensuring you have enough to cover the full 271.8 miles. A concrete tip for this specific route is to familiarize yourself with the transition points between Mason Road and the Grand Parkway frontage roads before you leave, as the turn-heavy nature of the drive makes navigation detail essential.
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 135.1 miles from Richmond, TX, or about 2h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 212.9 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 59 miles or 1h 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 135.1 miles or 2h 29m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 59m
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 Richmond, 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 Richmond, TX
This is one driving day of about 270.2 miles and 4h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from Richmond, 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 45 for about 212.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 135.1 mi from Richmond, TX · 2h 29m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
135 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 59 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 135.1 miles from Richmond, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 45 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 212.9 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
$40.83 one way
$81.66 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
95 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $44.69 | $89.38 |
| premium | $4.54 | $48.24 | $96.48 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $59.66 | $119.31 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 94.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 81.1 | 1 | $28.37 | $12.97 |
| Efficient EV | 67.6 | 0 | $23.64 | $10.81 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 108.1 | 1 | $37.83 | $17.29 |
Gas CO2
95 kg
EV CO2
32 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
Night in Dallas on Wednesday
Local time
11:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
77°F
Palestine, TX
135 mi in
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
17 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
4h 50m 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 Richmond, TX to Dallas, TX covers 270.2 miles and takes about 4h 50m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 45, West Grand Parkway South, Mason Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 135.1 miles from Richmond, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $40.83 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 270.2 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.4 miles (FM 359): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.2 miles (TX 99 / West Grand Parkway South Frontage Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 54.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Richmond, TX to Dallas, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 92 ft to 486 ft elevation with about 757 ft of total climbing.
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