Origin
West University Place, TX
Afternoon in West University Place on Sunday
Local time
4:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from West University Place, TX to Dallas, TX
Drive Time
4h 24m
Distance
244.8 mi
394 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$37
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 11m
★
6 AM
4h 24m
8 AM
4h 51m
10 AM
4h 33m
12 PM
4h 31m
3 PM
4h 35m
5 PM
4h 49m
8 PM
4h 16m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
West University Place, TX
kingsley li
Dallas, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from West University Place to Dallas covers 248.6 miles and takes approximately 3 hours and 54 minutes of driving time. Because the duration is relatively manageable, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You can expect to spend around $37 on fuel for the journey, making it a fairly economical trip within the Great Plains region. Both your origin and destination sit firmly within Texas, so you will remain in a consistent regional environment throughout the drive. Since this is a direct trip with no planned stops, you should plan to head out with a full tank to keep your travel time efficient. It is a straightforward trek that connects two major Texas hubs, offering a reliable path for those looking to reach Dallas quickly.
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
122.4 miles from West University Place, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 13m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise, as this route relies on local roads rather than high-speed highway stretches. With a highway share of 0%, you will spend the entire 248.6 miles navigating surface-level routes, which requires more active attention behind the wheel. The character of the road is defined by frequent turns, so be prepared for a drive that demands constant engagement rather than one where you can rely on cruise control. While you won't face the typical fatigue of a long interstate slog, the technical nature of these local roads means your average speed will be lower than on a major freeway. Stay alert, as the winding path through the Great Plains landscape ensures that no two miles feel exactly the same.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
North Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 236.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on North Freeway and Southwest Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.4 miles in.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 244.8 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 3.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.3 miles (Pierce Elevated): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
3.4 mi into trip
|
~6m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Richmond Avenue, Downtown via Louisiana Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward Richmond Avenue, Downtown via Louisiana...
5
5.3 mi into trip
|
~9m in
|
Pierce Elevated
Take the ramp onto Pierce Elevated
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
5
5.7 mi into trip
|
~10m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 45 North: Dallas
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 45 North: Dallas
8
243.4 mi into trip
|
~4h 20m 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
243.6 mi into trip
|
~4h 21m 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 |
|---|---|---|
| North Freeway | 236.3 mi | 4h 8m |
| Southwest Freeway | 1.7 mi | 2m |
| Gulf Freeway | 1 mi | 1m |
| Elm Street | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Brazos Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Buffalo Speedway | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Southwest Freeway Frontage Road | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Pierce Elevated | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
North Freeway
— 236.3 mi, about 4h 8m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between West University Place, TX and Dallas, TX.
1
Start on this road
54 ft
·
9 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto Edloe Street
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Edloe Street
3
Turn right onto Sunset Boulevard
0.3 mi
·
54 sec
·
Sunset Boulevard
4
Turn left onto Buffalo Speedway
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Buffalo Speedway
5
Turn right onto Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
·
Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
Use the right lane.
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Toward I 69 North, US 59 North
7
Merge onto I 69; US 59
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Southwest Freeway
8
Keep slight left at fork
1.1 mi
·
1 min
Toward Richmond Avenue, Downtown via Louisiana Street
Use the slight left lane.
9
Continue on Brazos Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Brazos Street
10
Take the ramp onto Pierce Elevated
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
·
Pierce Elevated
Use the left / straight lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
Toward I 45 North: Dallas
12
Merge onto I 45
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Gulf Freeway
Use the slight left lane.
13
Continue on I 45
236 mi
·
4 hr 8 min
·
North Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 284B
Toward Main Street West, Elm Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
Toward Elm Street
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
16
Turn straight onto Elm Street
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Elm Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
17
Turn right onto North Lamar Street
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
North Lamar Street
18
Arrive at destination
North Lamar Street
Trip Plan
For the best experience, aim to depart early in the morning to beat local traffic patterns and ensure you arrive in Dallas with plenty of daylight left. Given the turn-heavy nature of the route, you should factor in extra time for navigation and potential congestion on local roads. Since the trip takes nearly four hours of continuous driving, remember to pack enough water and snacks, as there are no scheduled stops included in this itinerary. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, allowing you to adjust your pace or take breaks whenever you feel the need to stretch your legs. A pro tip for this specific drive is to keep your navigation system updated and active, as the reliance on local roads can make it easy to miss a turn without constant guidance.
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 122.4 miles from West University Place, TX, or about 2h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 236.3 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 80 miles or 1h 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 122.4 miles or 2h 13m 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 36m
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 West University Place, 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 West University Place, TX
This is one driving day of about 244.8 miles and 4h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from West University Place, 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 North Freeway for about 236.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 122.4 mi from West University Place, TX · 2h 13m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
122 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 122.4 miles from West University Place, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before North Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 236.3 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
$37.39 one way
$74.79 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
86 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $40.98 | $81.96 |
| premium | $4.59 | $44.25 | $88.49 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $54.39 | $108.77 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 85.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 73.4 | 0 | $25.70 | $11.75 |
| Efficient EV | 61.2 | 0 | $21.42 | $9.79 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 97.9 | 1 | $34.27 | $15.67 |
Gas CO2
86 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (66% 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
Dallas, TX
Afternoon in Dallas on Sunday
Local time
4:26 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
9 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 24m 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 West University Place, TX to Dallas, TX covers 244.8 miles and takes about 4h 24m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are North Freeway, Southwest Freeway, Gulf Freeway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 122.4 miles from West University Place, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $37.39 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 demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 244.8 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.3 miles (Pierce Elevated): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
The route from West University Place, TX to Dallas, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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Return Trip
Dallas, TX to West University Place, TXPlan the drive back the other way.
245.8 mi
4h 25m
Continue From Dallas, TX
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