Origin
Rockdale, TX
Afternoon in Rockdale on Friday
Local time
3:37 PM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Rockdale, TX to Garland, TX
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 22m
Distance
268.5 mi
432 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$41
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 9m
★
6 AM
5h 22m
8 AM
5h 49m
10 AM
5h 32m
12 PM
5h 29m
3 PM
5h 33m
5 PM
5h 48m
8 PM
5h 14m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Rockdale, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Rockdale, TX to Garland, TX covers 268.5 miles and takes about 5h 22m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 79, State Highway 155, US 271 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 107.6 miles on US 79. At current regular gas prices, budget about $40.57 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
134.2 miles from Rockdale, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 37m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 22m. Total distance: 268.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 22m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (86%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
This is a 5h 22m highway drive covering 268.5 miles, with most of the trip on US 79 and State Highway 155. The longest continuous stretch is about 107.6 miles on US 79.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 33 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 79 is the longest continuous segment at about 107.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 79 and State Highway 155. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 79; FM 487 / East Cameron Avenue.
Driving Effort
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 5h 22m drive. You will face about 17 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 79; FM 487 / East Cameron Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 29.4 miles (US 79; US 190; TX 6 / South Market Street): Navigation decision point; at 164.5 miles (US 271; TX 155 / South Beckham Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 79; FM 487 / East Cameron Avenue
Turn right onto US 79; FM 487 / East Cameron Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
29.4 mi into trip
|
~36m in
|
US 79; US 190; TX 6 / South Market Street
At end of road, turn left onto US 79; US 190; TX 6 / South Market Street
Navigation decision point
6
164.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 14m in
|
US 271; TX 155 / South Beckham Avenue
Turn left onto US 271; TX 155 / South Beckham Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
185.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 41m in
|
TX 155 / North Tyler Street
Turn left onto TX 155 / North Tyler Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
249.5 mi into trip
|
~4h 52m in
Take the exit toward US 259: De Kalb, Daingerfield
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 259: De Kalb, Daingerfield
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 Rockdale, TX to Garland, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Daingerfield along the way.
Daingerfield
249.5 mi in
|
~4h 52m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 79 | 107.6 mi | 2h 4m |
| State Highway 155 | 39.9 mi | 45m |
| US 271 | 29.8 mi | 34m |
| I 30 | 17.1 mi | 17m |
| US Highway 259 North | 16.5 mi | 24m |
| North Tyler Street | 16.3 mi | 18m |
| State Highway 155 North | 11.5 mi | 12m |
| East Cameron Avenue | 8.6 mi | 11m |
Longest stretch:
US 79
— 107.6 mi, about 2h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rockdale, TX and Garland, TX.
1
Start on FM 908
48 ft
·
4 sec
·
North Main Street
2
Turn right onto US 79; FM 487
8.6 mi
·
11 min
·
East Cameron Avenue
3
Continue on US 79; US 190; TX 36
21 mi
·
24 min
·
US 79; US 190; TX 36
4
Take the exit onto US 79; US 190
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
·
US 79; US 190
5
At end of road, turn left onto US 79; US 190; TX 6
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Market Street
6
Continue on US 79; TX 6
0.3 mi
·
22 sec
·
North State Highway 6
7
Keep slight left at fork onto US 79
79 mi
·
1 hr 30 min
·
US 79
8
Merge onto US 79; US 84
7.7 mi
·
10 min
·
US 79; US 84
9
Turn left onto TX 155
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
North Link Street
10
Turn straight onto TX 155
21 mi
·
23 min
·
State Highway 155
11
Continue on TX 155
0.4 mi
·
30 sec
·
South Elm Street
12
Continue on TX 155
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
North Frankston Highway
13
Continue on TX 155
19 mi
·
22 min
·
State Highway 155
14
Continue on TX 155
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Frankston Highway
15
Continue on TX 155
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
South Vine Avenue
16
Turn straight onto South Palace Avenue
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
South Palace Avenue
17
Turn right onto TX 31
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
West Front Street
18
Turn left onto US 271; TX 155
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South Beckham Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Continue on US 271; TX 155
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
East Gentry Parkway
20
Continue on US 271; TX 155
5.5 mi
·
6 min
·
US Highway 271
21
Turn left onto TX 155
4.9 mi
·
5 min
·
State Highway 155 North
22
Continue on TX 155
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
South Main Street
23
Continue on TX 155
6.7 mi
·
7 min
·
State Highway 155 North
24
At end of road, turn right onto US 80; TX 155
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
West Broadway Street
25
Turn left onto TX 155
16 mi
·
18 min
·
North Tyler Street
Use the left lane.
26
Continue on US 271
30 mi
·
34 min
·
US 271
27
Turn right onto Burton Road
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
Burton Road
28
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
29
Merge onto I 30
17 mi
·
17 min
·
I 30
30
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
Toward US 259: De Kalb, Daingerfield
31
Turn left onto US 259
17 mi
·
24 min
·
US Highway 259 North
32
Turn left onto FM 1701
2.1 mi
·
4 min
·
FM 1701
33
Arrive at destination
FM 1701
Trip Plan
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 134.2 miles from Rockdale, TX, or about 2h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 107.6 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 59 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 134.2 miles or 2h 37m 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 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Garland, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Rockdale, 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 Rockdale, TX
This is one driving day of about 268.5 miles and 5h 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from Rockdale, 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 US 79 for about 107.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 134.2 mi from Rockdale, TX · 2h 37m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
134 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 134.2 miles from Rockdale, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 79 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 107.6 miles.
Arriving in Garland, TX
The final approach into Garland, 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 Garland, 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
$40.57 one way
$81.14 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
94 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $44.41 | $88.82 |
| premium | $4.54 | $47.94 | $95.88 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $59.28 | $118.56 |
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: 93.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 80.6 | 0 | $28.19 | $12.89 |
| Efficient EV | 67.1 | 0 | $23.49 | $10.74 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 107.4 | 1 | $37.59 | $17.18 |
Gas CO2
94 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Garland, TX
Afternoon in Garland on Friday
Local time
3:37 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°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
3 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 22m 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 Rockdale, TX to Garland, TX covers 268.5 miles and takes about 5h 22m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 79, State Highway 155, US 271. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 134.2 miles from Rockdale, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $40.57 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 22m drive. You will face about 17 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 79; FM 487 / East Cameron Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 29.4 miles (US 79; US 190; TX 6 / South Market Street): Navigation decision point; at 164.5 miles (US 271; TX 155 / South Beckham Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Rockdale, TX to Garland, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Daingerfield along the way.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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