Origin
Rockport, TX
Afternoon in Rockport on Sunday
Local time
3:38 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Rockport, TX to Dallas, TX
Drive Time
6h 52m
Distance
383 mi
616 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$59
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 41m
★
6 AM
6h 53m
8 AM
7h 16m
10 AM
7h 1m
12 PM
6h 58m
3 PM
7h 2m
5 PM
7h 15m
8 PM
6h 46m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Rockport, TX
John Robertson
Dallas, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from Rockport to Dallas covers 363.4 miles and requires approximately 6 hours and 11 minutes of driving time. Since the entire journey stays within the Great Plains region of Texas, you will experience a consistent landscape across the state. This trip is manageable as a single-day commitment, making it ideal if you prefer to reach your destination without an overnight split. Budgeting around $54 for fuel will cover your transit costs comfortably. Because you will be navigating local roads like FM 1069, Highway 188, and Farm to Market Road 136 rather than major interstates, plan for a more engaged driving experience.
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
191.5 miles from Rockport, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 36m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. With a 0% highway share, you will avoid the monotonous drone of high-speed interstates in favor of navigating regional routes. The longest stretch on FM 1069 North offers no reprieve from constant turns, setting the tone for a journey that prioritizes local navigation over raw speed. As you transition from the coastal area toward Dallas, the road character remains consistent and technical rather than fast-paced. You should prepare for a hands-on driving experience where the lack of long, straight highway segments keeps you actively engaged with the road layout.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 30 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?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Purple Heart Trail and Pickle Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 160.7 miles in.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 383 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 160.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 219.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 324.4 miles (I 35E): 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.
6
160.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 7m 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
219.6 mi into trip
|
~4h 2m 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
324.4 mi into trip
|
~5h 50m 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
382.4 mi into trip
|
~6h 51m 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
6
382.6 mi into trip
|
~6h 51m in
|
Continental Avenue
Turn right onto Continental Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Rockport, TX to Dallas, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Waco along the way.
Waco
160.7 mi in
|
~3h 7m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Purple Heart Trail | 97.7 mi | 1h 39m |
| Pickle Parkway | 58.5 mi | 54m |
| I 35E | 58.1 mi | 1h |
| North US Highway 183 | 51.4 mi | 56m |
| US 183 | 35.9 mi | 41m |
| US Highway 183 | 22.6 mi | 24m |
| Farm to Market Road 136 | 10 mi | 11m |
| FM 2678 | 9.6 mi | 9m |
Longest stretch:
Purple Heart Trail
— 97.7 mi, about 1h 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rockport, TX and Dallas, TX.
1
Start on Loop 70
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
East Market Street
2
Continue on FM 1069
5.0 mi
·
6 min
·
FM 1069 North
3
Turn right onto TX 188
7.2 mi
·
7 min
·
State Highway 188
4
Turn right onto FM 136
10.0 mi
·
11 min
·
Farm to Market Road 136
5
Continue on FM 2678
9.6 mi
·
9 min
·
FM 2678
6
At end of road, turn left onto FM 774
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
FM 774
7
Turn right onto US 77
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
South Alamo Street
8
Continue on US 77 Alt; US 183
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
North Alamo Street
9
Continue on US 77 Alt; US 183
23 mi
·
24 min
·
US Highway 183
10
Continue on US 77 Alt; US 183; TX 239
3.7 mi
·
5 min
·
South Jefferson Street
11
Continue on US 77 Alt; US 183
29 mi
·
31 min
·
North US Highway 183
12
Continue on US 77 Alt; US 87; US 183
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
South Esplanade Street
13
Continue on US 77 Alt; US 183
23 mi
·
24 min
·
North US Highway 183
14
Continue on US 183; TX 111
6.0 mi
·
6 min
·
US 183; TX 111
15
Continue on US 183; TX 97
20 mi
·
23 min
·
US 183; TX 97
16
Turn right onto US 183; TX 80
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
South Magnolia Avenue
17
Continue on US 183
10 mi
·
11 min
·
US 183
18
Continue on US 183
4.9 mi
·
8 min
·
South Colorado Street
19
Continue on US 183
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
United States Highway 183
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
35 sec
Toward TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco
21
Merge onto TX 130 Toll
59 mi
·
54 min
·
Pickle Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
Toward I 35 North: Waco
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
23
Merge onto I 35
65 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Continue on I 35
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Continue on I 35; US 77
33 mi
·
33 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E
58 mi
·
1 hr
·
I 35E
Toward I 35E: Dallas
Use the slight right lane.
27
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Exit 429A
Toward Continental Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
28
Turn right onto Continental Avenue
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
Continental Avenue
Use the right lane.
29
Turn slight right onto North Lamar Street
433 ft
·
10 sec
·
North Lamar Street
30
Arrive at destination
North Lamar Street
Trip Plan
When planning your departure, factor in that the 6-hour duration is best tackled with at least one strategic stop to break up the technical nature of the drive. Given the turn-heavy profile of FM 1069 and Highway 188, starting your trip early in the morning will help you navigate these local roads with better visibility and less fatigue. Since this is a specialized, non-highway route, ensure your fuel tank is topped off before heading out, as local roads may not offer the same frequency of high-capacity service stations found on major interstates. Taking a single planned rest break will go a long way in managing the mental effort required by the winding road segments. Stay alert to the frequent shifts in the route, as the reliance on Farm to Market roads requires constant navigation compared to a standard highway haul.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 191.5 miles from Rockport, TX, or about 3h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 97.7 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 84 miles or 1h 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 191.5 miles or 3h 36m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 49m
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 Rockport, 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 Rockport, TX
This is one driving day of about 383 miles and 6h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 84 miles from Rockport, 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 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 191.5 mi from Rockport, TX · 3h 36m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
192 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 84 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 191.5 miles from Rockport, 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.
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
$58.51 one way
$117.01 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
134 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $64.11 | $128.23 |
| premium | $4.59 | $69.23 | $138.45 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $85.09 | $170.18 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$59
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$84–$109
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 134 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $40 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 114.9 | 1 | $40.21 | $18.38 |
| Efficient EV | 95.8 | 1 | $33.51 | $15.32 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 153.2 | 1 | $53.62 | $24.51 |
Gas CO2
134 kg
EV CO2
45 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
Afternoon in Dallas on Sunday
Local time
3:38 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.
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
6h 52m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Rockport, TX to Dallas, TX covers 383 miles and takes about 6h 52m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Purple Heart Trail, Pickle Parkway, I 35E. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 191.5 miles from Rockport, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $58.51 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 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 demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 383 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 160.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 219.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 324.4 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Rockport, TX to Dallas, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Waco along the way.
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