Origin
Rowlett, TX
Afternoon in Rowlett on Sunday
Local time
3:31 PM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Rowlett, TX to Dallas, TX
Drive Time
27m
Distance
20 mi
32 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 25m
★
6 AM
0h 28m
8 AM
0h 32m
10 AM
0h 29m
12 PM
0h 29m
3 PM
0h 30m
5 PM
0h 32m
8 PM
0h 26m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Rowlett, TX
Mark Direen
Dallas, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from Rowlett to Dallas covers a short 20.9-mile distance, making this a straightforward trek that typically takes about 28 minutes. Because the trip is so brief, you can easily complete it in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Your route primarily utilizes Main Street, the President George Bush Highway, and the PGBT Toll South to navigate the Great Plains landscape. With a modest fuel budget of approximately $3, this drive is highly economical for commuters or casual travelers. Since both cities are located within the same region, you will experience a consistent environment throughout the journey. It is a practical, no-nonsense connection that gets you between these two Texas hubs efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
10 miles from Rowlett, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 14m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that prioritizes navigation through suburban and urban corridors over long-distance highway cruising. While the route incorporates the President George Bush Highway, it features a 0% highway share, meaning you will spend your time navigating local surface streets and toll segments rather than open interstate. You will not encounter any significant uninterrupted stretches, as the longest segment of the drive is 0 miles on Main Street. This personality makes the trip feel more like a series of connected local maneuvers than a high-speed transit. Be prepared for frequent turns and a changing pace as you transition from Rowlett into the heart of Dallas.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 30 is the longest continuous segment at about 13.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 30 and President George Bush Turnpike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.2 miles in.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 20 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 3.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 18.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
3.2 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 30: Texarkana, Dallas
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 30: Texarkana, Dallas
7
3.4 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 30 West: Dallas
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 30 West: Dallas
8
18.1 mi into trip
|
~23m in
Take the exit toward I 45 South, US 75 North: Houston, McKinney
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 47B
Toward I 45 South, US 75 North: Houston, McKinn...
8
18.6 mi into trip
|
~24m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Main Street West, Elm Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward Main Street West, Elm Street
8
18.8 mi into trip
|
~25m 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
Towns Along This Route
Between Rowlett, TX and Dallas, TX, road signs point toward Mckinney and Main Street West.
Mckinney
18.1 mi in
|
~23m
Main Street West
18.6 mi in
|
~24m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 30 | 13.9 mi | 16m |
| President George Bush Turnpike | 2 mi | 2m |
| Elm Street | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Main Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| President George Bush Highway | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| North Lamar Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Rowlett Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 30
— 13.9 mi, about 16m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rowlett, TX and Dallas, TX.
1
Start on Rowlett Street
31 ft
·
3 sec
·
Rowlett Street
2
Turn right onto Main Street
258 ft
·
10 sec
·
Main Street
3
Enter roundabout onto Main Street
131 ft
·
7 sec
·
Main Street
4
Continue on Main Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
5
Turn right onto TX 190
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
·
President George Bush Highway
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Toward PGBT Toll South
Use the slight left lane.
7
Merge onto PGBT
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
President George Bush Turnpike
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Toward I 30: Texarkana, Dallas
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 30 West: Dallas
Use the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto I 30; US 67
14 mi
·
16 min
·
I 30; US 67
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Exit 47B
Toward I 45 South, US 75 North: Houston, McKinney
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Toward US 75 North: McKinney
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward Main Street West, Elm Street
Use the slight left lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
Toward Elm Street
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
15
Turn straight onto Elm Street
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Elm Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
16
Turn right onto North Lamar Street
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
North Lamar Street
17
Arrive at destination
North Lamar Street
Trip Plan
Given the quick 28-minute duration, you have total flexibility in your departure time, though you should account for local traffic patterns typical of the Dallas area. You will not need to plan for any stops, as the entire 20.9-mile distance is easily manageable in one go. Keep your payment method ready for the PGBT Toll South, as this is a key component of your navigation. Since the fuel cost is estimated at only $3, you do not need to worry about complex refueling logistics or mid-trip pit stops. Focus on staying alert for the frequent turns required by the local road profile to ensure you stay on the correct path toward your destination.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 10 miles from Rowlett, TX, or about 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 13.9 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 20 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 10 miles or 14m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 22m
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 Rowlett, 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 Rowlett, TX
This is one driving day of about 20 miles and 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Rowlett, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 30 for about 13.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 10 mi from Rowlett, TX · 14m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
10 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 20 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 10 miles from Rowlett, 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
$3.06 one way
$6.11 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
7 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $3.35 | $6.70 |
| premium | $4.59 | $3.61 | $7.23 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $4.44 | $8.89 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.16
President George Bush Turnpike
(2 mi)
$0.16
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$3
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$28–$53
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 71% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 6 | 0 | $2.10 | $0.96 |
| Efficient EV | 5 | 0 | $1.75 | $0.80 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 8 | 0 | $2.80 | $1.28 |
Gas CO2
7 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (71% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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
3:31 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
49°F
Mesquite, TX
10 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
1 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
27m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Rowlett, TX to Dallas, TX covers 20 miles and takes about 27m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 30, President George Bush Turnpike, Elm Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 10 miles from Rowlett, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $3.06 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 20 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 3.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 18.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Rowlett, TX and Dallas, TX, road signs point toward Mckinney and Main Street West.
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