Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Anahuac, TX to Dallas, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 9m
Distance
286.2 mi
461 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$39
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 56m
★
6 AM
5h 10m
8 AM
5h 37m
10 AM
5h 19m
12 PM
5h 17m
3 PM
5h 21m
5 PM
5h 35m
8 PM
5h 2m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Anahuac, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Dallas, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Anahuac to Dallas is 286.2 miles and takes about 5 hours 9 minutes via I 45 and I 10, with a fuel budget near $42 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Texas, starting in the Great Plains region and ending in the same region. Expect a straightforward, mostly highway experience that's ideal for a single-day excursion. Given the relatively short duration, you'll likely find it easy to manage without needing an overnight stop.
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
143.1 miles from Anahuac, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 40m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 45 | 211.5 mi | 3h 38m |
| East Grand Parkway North | 50.7 mi | 55m |
| I 10 | 11.7 mi | 13m |
| State Highway 61 | 3.9 mi | 6m |
| Miller Street | 2.8 mi | 4m |
| Interstate 45 North Frontage Road | 2 mi | 3m |
| Elm Street | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| I 10 Frontage Road | 0.8 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 45
— 211.5 mi, about 3h 38m
Traffic on I-45
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 18 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,927 veh/hr typical · worst 2,389
Quietest
2 AM
~288 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 45 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Anahuac, TX and Dallas, TX.
1
Start on TX 61
2.8 mi
·
4 min
·
Miller Street
2
Turn left onto TX 61
3.9 mi
·
6 min
·
State Highway 61
Use the left lane.
3
Turn left onto I 10 Frontage Road
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
I 10 Frontage Road
Use the left lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward I 10 West
5
Merge onto I 10
12 mi
·
13 min
·
I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Exit 799
Toward TX 99 Toll: Grand Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Turn straight onto East Freeway Frontage Road
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
East Freeway Frontage Road
8
Turn right onto TX 99 Toll
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
East Grand Parkway North
9
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
10
Merge onto TX 99 Toll
50 mi
·
53 min
·
East Grand Parkway North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
Toward Houston, Dallas
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Turn right onto Interstate 45 North Frontage Road
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Interstate 45 North Frontage Road
Use the right lane.
13
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
8 sec
Toward I 45 North
14
Merge onto I 45
212 mi
·
3 hr 38 min
·
I 45
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 284B
Toward Main Street West, Elm Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
Toward Elm Street
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
17
Turn straight onto Elm Street
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Elm Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
18
Turn right onto North Lamar Street
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
North Lamar Street
19
Arrive at destination
North Lamar Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5-hour drive, consider an early morning departure from Anahuac to bypass potential midday traffic in the Dallas area. With a fuel cost estimated around $42, plan your fill-ups accordingly, especially before the longest stretch on I 45. There's one recommended stop, so use it strategically to break up the drive, perhaps around the halfway point. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility; however, be mindful of the 211.5-mile stretch on I 45 and ensure you're comfortable with that duration before needing a break.
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 143.1 miles from Anahuac, TX, or about 2h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 211.5 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 63 miles or 1h 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 143.1 miles or 2h 40m 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 14m
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 Anahuac, 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 Anahuac, TX
This is one driving day of about 286.2 miles and 5h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 miles from Anahuac, 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 I 45 for about 211.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
143 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 63 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 143.1 miles from Anahuac, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 45 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 211.5 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.1 mi from route
TA Express
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Navarro County Northbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
TA Express
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Walker County Southbound Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Walker County Northbound Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Navarro County Southbound Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.3 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
1.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.4 mi from route
TA
1.6 mi from route
Service Plaza
2 mi from route
Chambers County Eastbound Rest Area
2.3 mi from route
Chambers County Westbound Rest Area
2.4 mi from route
City Park
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.4 mi from route
~3 min detour
Dallas, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+19724823055
Visit websiteCarl Barton Jr Park
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, ~10 min detour
Early stretch
3.9 mi from route
~10 min detour
Conroe, Texas
Hours: 6 am–8:30 pm
+19365223000
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 155 decision points cluster between mile 6.6 and 285.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
6.6 mi into trip
|
~11m in
|
I 10 Frontage Road
Turn left onto I 10 Frontage Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
19.4 mi into trip
|
~27m in
Take the exit toward TX 99 Toll: Grand Parkway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 799
Toward TX 99 Toll: Grand Parkway
7
70.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 23m in
Take the exit toward Houston, Dallas
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.
Toward Houston, Dallas
8
284.8 mi into trip
|
~5h 6m 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
285.1 mi into trip
|
~5h 7m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.20 one way
$78.40 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
100 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $43.79 | $87.57 |
| premium | $4.23 | $47.61 | $95.21 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $54.04 | $108.08 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 100.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 85.9 | 1 | $30.05 | $13.74 |
| Efficient EV | 71.6 | 0 | $25.04 | $11.45 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 114.5 | 1 | $40.07 | $18.32 |
Gas CO2
100 kg
EV CO2
33 kg (67% 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.
Origin
Anahuac, TX
Afternoon in Anahuac on Saturday
Local time
4:03 PM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Partly Cloudy
S 5 to 10 mph
12% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 7:21PM CDT until July 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 2:38PM CDT until July 18 at 7:13AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Dallas, TX
Afternoon in Dallas on Saturday
Local time
4:03 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 5 to 10 mph
2% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 7:21PM CDT until July 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 2:38PM CDT until July 18 at 7:13AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
96°F
Rhode Island, TX
143 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
2 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 9m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is almost entirely highway, with 98% of the 286.2 miles on major roads like I 45 and I 10. You'll encounter a long stretch of 211.5 miles on I 45, which means extended periods of consistent cruising. The transition to surface roads, if any, will be minimal and occur near the end of your trip. Expect a significant number of exits and potential for merging traffic as you approach Dallas.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 211.5 mi on I 45.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 45 and East Grand Parkway North. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 6.6 miles in near I 10 Frontage Road.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 286.2 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 6.6 miles (I 10 Frontage Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 19.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 70.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
479 ft
22 ft
Total Climb
573 ft
Total Descent
166 ft
Highest Point
479 ft
~265.8 mi in
Elevation Range
457 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Anahuac, TX to Dallas, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Houston along the way.
Houston
70.8 mi in
|
~1h 23m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Weekend Coffee
Cafe
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Hours: 07:00-15:00
Visit websiteStarbucks
Cafe
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.6 mi from route
~1 min detour
Dallas, TX
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Visit websiteCorner Bakery
Cafe
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.2 mi from route
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Starbucks
Cafe
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
1.1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Willis, TX
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Visit websiteStarbucks
Cafe
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.2 mi from route
~3 min detour
Dallas, TX
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Visit websiteOpening Bell Coffee
Cafe
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.3 mi from route
~3 min detour
Dallas, TX
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Hours: Mo-We 07:00-18:00; Th-Fr 07:00-21:00; Sa...
Visit websiteMoak's Family Texas BBQ
Restaurant
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.2 mi from route
Cuisine: barbecue
Hours: Mo-Su 11:00-21:00
Visit websiteWingBucket
Fast_food
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
Dallas, TX
Cuisine: chicken
Hours: Su-Th 11:00-22:00; Fr,Sa 11:00-24:00
Visit websiteCommissary
Restaurant
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
Dallas, TX
Cuisine: coffee_shop;sandwich;american;ice_cream;bakery
Hours: Mo-Sa 07:00-16:00; Su 07:00-14:00
Visit websiteChop House Burger
Restaurant
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
Dallas, TX
Cuisine: burger
Hours: Su-Th 11:00-21:00; Fr,Sa 11:00-22:00
Visit websitePressbox Grill
Restaurant
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Dallas, TX
Hours: Su-Th 11:00-24:00; Fr,Sa 11:00-02:00
Visit websiteSapa House
Restaurant
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Dallas, TX
Cuisine: vietnamese;asian;sushi
Hours: Mo-Fr 11:00-22:00; Sa 12:00-22:00; Su 12...
Visit websiteGiant Eye
Attraction
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Trinity River Greenbelt Park
Park
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.5 mi from route
~4 min detour
Legacy of Love Monument
Attraction
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.8 mi from route
~5 min detour
Hours: 24/7
Frank H. Caven Memorial Garden
Attraction
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.8 mi from route
~5 min detour
Fiji Senior Sign
Attraction
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2.6 mi from route
~6 min detour
Texas Star
Attraction
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2.8 mi from route
~7 min detour
Museum of Illusions
Museum
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.1 mi from route
Dallas, TX
Hours: Su-Th 10:00-20:00; Fr-Sa 10:00-21:00
Visit websiteThe Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza
Museum
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Dallas, TX
Hours: We-Su 10:00-17:00
Visit websiteWaples-Platter Buildings
Yes
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.2 mi from route
TX
Fort Boggy
Memorial
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Halfway reset
0.1 mi from route
West End Historic District
District
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
JFK Assassination Site
Memorial
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Points of interest from OpenStreetMap contributors. Listings may not reflect current hours or availability.
About the Cities
Starting in Anahuac, TX
Full guide →Arriving in Dallas, TX
Full guide →“Big D” · Founded 1841
Dallas, with a population of more than 1.3 million residents, is the ninth largest city in the United States and the third largest in the state of Texas. It is an impressive melting pot of culture and character. Boasting high-end luxury hotels, innumerable fine dining spots, and one of the busiest airports in the world, Dallas maintains an upscale ethos reflected by an affluent population, world-class museums, and a shimmering modern skyline. Its history was marred by the infamous assassination of U.S. President John F. Kennedy, but there is more historic and contemporary heritage to be discovered in the city. As a center of the oil and cotton industries in the late 1800s and early 1900s, Dallas was a classic American boom town and remains one of the fastest growing cities in the nation.
Top landmarks
- • Dallas Museum of Art — art museum in Dallas, Texas
- • Texas School Book Depository — building in Dallas, Texas, United States
- • George W. Bush Presidential Center — Presidential library and museum for U.S. President George W. Bush, located in Da...
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 9m. Total distance: 286.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 211.5 miles on I 45. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 25 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Dallas, TX before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 25 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 6.6 miles (I 10 Frontage Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 19.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 70.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Dallas, TX before the return drive.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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