Hill County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Barton Creek, TX to Dallas, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 39m
Distance
200.9 mi
323 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$28
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 27m
★
6 AM
3h 39m
8 AM
4h 4m
10 AM
3h 48m
12 PM
3h 46m
3 PM
3h 49m
5 PM
4h 3m
8 PM
3h 32m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Barton Creek, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Dallas, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Barton Creek, TX to Dallas, TX is 200.9 miles and takes about 3h 39m via Purple Heart Trail and I 35E, with a fuel budget near $29 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Texas, moving from the Great Plains region to another part of the Great Plains. Expect a mix of highway cruising and surface roads as you travel north. With just one recommended stop and a drive time under four hours, this route is convenient for a single-day trip.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
100.4 miles from Barton Creek, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 54m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Purple Heart Trail | 113 mi | 1h 55m |
| I 35E | 58.1 mi | 1h |
| South Jack Kultgen Expressway | 6.6 mi | 7m |
| North Mopac Expressway | 6.4 mi | 6m |
| North Capital of Texas Highway | 5.8 mi | 8m |
| South Capital of Texas Highway | 3.2 mi | 4m |
| Barton Creek Boulevard | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| Bee Caves Road | 1.1 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Purple Heart Trail
— 113 mi, about 1h 55m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 60 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~4,041 veh/hr typical · worst 4,779
Quietest
2 AM
~585 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 51 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 Barton Creek, TX and Dallas, TX.
1
Start on Mendocino Drive
183 ft
·
14 sec
·
Mendocino Drive
2
Turn left onto Navidad Drive
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Navidad Drive
3
Turn right onto Barton Creek Boulevard
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Barton Creek Boulevard
4
At end of road, turn right onto RM 2244
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Bee Caves Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Turn left
302 ft
·
8 sec
Toward Loop 360 North
Use the left lane.
6
Continue on this road
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
this road
Toward North Loop 360
7
Merge onto Loop 360
3.2 mi
·
4 min
·
South Capital of Texas Highway
8
Continue on this road
0.4 mi
·
32 sec
·
this road
9
Continue on Loop 360
5.8 mi
·
8 min
·
North Capital of Texas Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
At end of road, turn left onto North Mopac Service Road
318 ft
·
6 sec
·
North Mopac Service Road
Use the left lane.
11
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Toward Loop 1 North
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
12
Merge onto Loop 1
6.4 mi
·
6 min
·
North Mopac Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward TX 45 Toll East
Use the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
Toward I 35 North, Toll 45 East
15
Merge onto TX 45 Toll
0.6 mi
·
35 sec
·
State Highway 45 North
16
Take the exit
1.3 mi
·
2 min
Toward I 35 North: Waco
Use the slight right lane.
17
Merge onto I 35
80 mi
·
1 hr 22 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on I 35
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on I 35; US 77
33 mi
·
33 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E
58 mi
·
1 hr
·
I 35E
Toward I 35E: Dallas
Use the slight right lane.
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Exit 429A
Toward Continental Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
22
Turn right onto Continental Avenue
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
Continental Avenue
Use the right lane.
23
Turn slight right onto North Lamar Street
433 ft
·
10 sec
·
North Lamar Street
24
Arrive at destination
North Lamar Street
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 39m drive time and 200.9 miles, it's best to leave Barton Creek in the morning to give yourself ample time. The route has only one recommended stop, so you can be flexible with your timing. Watch your fuel gauge, especially during the 113-mile stretch on Purple Heart Trail, and plan your refueling accordingly, as the $29 fuel budget is an estimate. Since this is a single-day trip, you can adjust your departure time based on traffic or personal preference.
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 100.4 miles from Barton Creek, TX, or about 1h 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 113 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 44 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 100.4 miles or 1h 54m 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
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 Barton Creek, 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 Barton Creek, TX
This is one driving day of about 200.9 miles and 3h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 miles from Barton Creek, 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 113 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
100 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 44 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 100.4 miles from Barton Creek, 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 113 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.
Flying J Travel Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Hill County Southbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Ascent Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Bell County Northbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Bell County Southbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Walburg Travel Center & Food Court
0.2 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.9 mi from route
Service Plaza
2.3 mi from route
Rest Area
2.4 mi from route
Rest Area
2.4 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
2.5 mi from route
Rest Area
2.5 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 websiteNTER - The Great Escape
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Waxahachie, Texas
Hours: 5–9 pm
+12149801053
Visit websiteVillage of Salado Visitors Center
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
1.3 mi from route
~3 min detour
Salado, Texas
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+12549478634
Visit websiteCultural Activities Center
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Early stretch
2.6 mi from route
~7 min detour
Temple, Texas
Hours: 8:30 am–4 pm
+12547739926
Visit websiteBarton Creek Greenbelt
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, ~11 min detour
4.3 mi from route
~11 min detour
Austin, Texas
Hours: 5 am–10 pm
+15129746700
Visit websiteToybrary Austin
4.4
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the start, ~10 min detour
First break
4.1 mi from route
~10 min detour
Austin, Texas
Hours: 10 am–6 pm
+15124343927
Visit websitePioneer Farms
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, ~12 min detour
First break
4.7 mi from route
~12 min detour
Austin, Texas
Hours: 10 am–2 pm
+15128371215
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 165 decision points cluster between mile 2.6 and 200.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
2.6 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
RM 2244 / Bee Caves Road
At end of road, turn right onto RM 2244 / Bee Caves Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
3.7 mi into trip
|
~7m in
Turn left toward Loop 360 North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward Loop 360 North
7
20.1 mi into trip
|
~29m in
Keep slight right at fork toward TX 45 Toll East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward TX 45 Toll East
7
142.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 37m 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
200.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 38m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.52 one way
$55.03 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
70 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $30.74 | $61.47 |
| premium | $4.23 | $33.42 | $66.83 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $37.93 | $75.87 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 70.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 60.3 | 0 | $21.09 | $9.64 |
| Efficient EV | 50.2 | 0 | $17.58 | $8.04 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 80.4 | 1 | $28.13 | $12.86 |
Gas CO2
70 kg
EV CO2
24 kg (66% 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.
Origin
Barton Creek, TX
Late night in Barton Creek on Tuesday
Local time
4:39 AM
CDT
Current temp
94°F
Partly Sunny
S 5 to 10 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 6:54AM CDT until July 21 at 4:06AM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 6:53AM CDT until July 20 at 4:50AM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX
Destination
Dallas, TX
Late night in Dallas on Tuesday
Local time
4:39 AM
CDT
Current temp
97°F
Mostly Sunny
S 5 to 10 mph
2% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 6:54AM CDT until July 21 at 4:06AM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 6:53AM CDT until July 20 at 4:50AM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX
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
3 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
3h 39m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Waco Mammoth National Monument
National Monument
Standing as tall as 14 feet and weighing 20,000 pounds, Columbian mammoths roamed across what is present-day Texas thousands of years ago. Today, the fossil specimens represent the nation's first and...
4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 110.8
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive features 36% highway, meaning you'll transition from surface roads to faster-paced travel. The longest continuous stretch on a single road is 113 miles on Purple Heart Trail. You'll experience a mixed profile, with approximately 64% of the route not on the interstate. Keep an eye out for increasing exit density as you approach the Dallas urban area.
36% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 113 mi on Purple Heart Trail.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.6 miles in near RM 2244 / Bee Caves Road.
Driving Effort
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 200.9 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 2.6 miles (RM 2244 / Bee Caves Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 20.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
909 ft
428 ft
Total Climb
149 ft
Total Descent
630 ft
Highest Point
909 ft
~43 mi in
Elevation Range
481 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.
Between Barton Creek, TX and Dallas, TX, road signs point toward Loop 1 North and Toll 45 East.
Loop 1 North
13.4 mi in
|
~21m
Toll 45 East
20.6 mi in
|
~30m
About the Cities
Starting in Barton Creek, 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 3h 39m. Total distance: 200.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 113 miles on Purple Heart Trail. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 27 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 27 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.6 miles (RM 2244 / Bee Caves Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 20.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Dallas, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.
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, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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