Drive Time
4h 47m
Distance
267.8 mi
431 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$41
one way
Photo: Thomas balabaud
If you are planning a trip from Terrell Hills to Dallas, prepare for a 291.5-mile journey that typically takes about 4 hours and 29 minutes. Because this is a turn-heavy local drive rather than a straight highway shot, it is best approached as a focused single-day outing. You should budget approximately $43 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Great Plains locations. Since the route relies on local roads rather than high-speed interstates, you will want to account for the extra time spent navigating turns. It is a straightforward trip if you keep your expectations aligned with the local nature of the roads, making it a manageable day trip for most drivers.
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
133.9 miles from Terrell Hills, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 27m into the drive .
Expect a unique driving experience on this route, as it consists entirely of local roads like Eldon Road, Rittiman Road, and Austin Highway. With a highway share of 0%, this is not a monotonous interstate grind; instead, you will be navigating a sequence of turns that demand your full attention. The road's personality is defined by its technical, local feel rather than high-speed cruising. You will find that the lack of major highway stretches keeps the drive engaging, requiring you to stay alert through the various segments of the journey. Prepare for a slower, more deliberate pace as you move through the landscape.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.8 miles in near Loop 368 / Austin Highway.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 267.8 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 0.8 miles (Loop 368 / Austin Highway): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here; at 4.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn sharp right onto Loop 368 / Austin Highway
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork toward I 35, I 410 South: Austin
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35 North: Austin
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E toward I 35E: Dallas
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward Continental Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Purple Heart Trail | 188.3 mi | 3h 18m |
| I 35E | 58.1 mi | 1h |
| North Pan Am Expressway | 6.8 mi | 7m |
| South Jack Kultgen Expressway | 6.6 mi | 7m |
| Austin Highway | 3.5 mi | 5m |
| Interstate Highway 35 | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| Eldon Road | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Connally Loop | 0.5 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Terrell Hills, TX and Dallas, TX.
Start on Garraty Road
Turn right onto Eldon Road
At end of road, turn left onto Rittiman Road
Turn sharp right onto Loop 368
Take the ramp
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 410
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 35
Continue on I 35
Continue on I 35
Continue on I 35
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35; US 290
Continue on I 35
Continue on I 35; US 77
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E
Take the exit
Turn right onto Continental Avenue
Turn slight right onto North Lamar Street
Arrive at destination
For the smoothest experience, plan your departure to account for the turn-heavy nature of these local roads, which can make the 291.5-mile trek feel more involved than a typical highway drive. Since you only have one scheduled stop, use it wisely to stretch your legs and refresh before the final leg of the trip. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $43 estimate is a solid baseline, but local driving conditions can sometimes affect consumption. Because the route is composed of roads like Rittiman and Austin Highway, staying focused on your navigation is key to avoiding unnecessary detours. Flexibility is your greatest advantage here, so feel free to adjust your pace to match the local traffic flow.
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.
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 80 miles or 1h 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 133.9 miles or 2h 27m 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 56m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Dallas, TX than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Terrell Hills, 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 Terrell Hills, TX
This is one driving day of about 267.8 miles and 4h 47m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 133.9 mi from Terrell Hills, TX · 2h 27m 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 133.9 miles from Terrell Hills, 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 188.3 miles.
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.
Regular Gas
$40.91 one way
$81.82 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $44.83 | $89.66 |
| premium | $4.59 | $48.40 | $96.81 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $59.50 | $118.99 |
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: 93.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 80.3 | 0 | $28.12 | $12.85 |
| Efficient EV | 67 | 0 | $23.43 | $10.71 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 107.1 | 1 | $37.49 | $17.14 |
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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Late night in Terrell Hills on Sunday
Local time
4:02 AM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in Dallas on Sunday
Local time
4:02 AM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
60°F
Killeen, TX
134 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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