Booker, TX to Dallas, TX is 397 miles and takes about 7h 32m via US 83 and US Highway 287, with a fuel budget near $60 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Great Plains, traversing the Texas landscape. It's a solid one-day drive, mostly on highways, making it efficient for reaching your destination. You'll encounter limited stops, so plan ahead for necessities. This is a straightforward drive for those looking to cover ground 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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
198.5 miles from Booker, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 83
113.6 mi
2h 25m
Central East Freeway
99.2 mi
1h 46m
US Highway 287
54.4 mi
58m
US Highway 287 East
40.5 mi
42m
Edinburgh Road
25.4 mi
27m
SH 183 TEXpress
15 mi
14m
US 60
9.6 mi
12m
I 820 TEXpress
5.5 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
US 83
— 113.6 mi, about 2h 25m
Traffic on I-44
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 4 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,816 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~229 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
12.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
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 Booker, TX and Dallas, TX.
1
Start on Southeast 2nd Avenue
0.3 mi·53 sec·Southeast 2nd Avenue
2
At end of road, turn right onto TX 23
25 mi·27 min·Edinburgh Road
3
At end of road, turn left onto US 83
15 mi·16 min·US 83
4
At end of road, turn right onto US 60; US 83
9.6 mi·12 min·US 60; US 83
5
Turn slight left onto US 83
99 mi·2 hr 9 min·US 83
6
Turn left onto US 287
2.2 mi·2 min·Avenue F Northwest
7
Continue on US 287
54 mi·58 min·US Highway 287
8
Continue on US 287
4.1 mi·4 min·Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on US 70; US 183; US 287
41 mi·42 min·US Highway 287 East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on US 287
4.6 mi·4 min·Northwest Freeway
11
Keep slight right at fork onto US 287
0.6 mi·42 sec·Northwest Freeway
Toward I 44 West, US 277 South, US 281 South, US 287 South: Wichita Falls
12
Merge onto I 44; US 277; US 281; US 287
2.5 mi·3 min·Central Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on US 277; US 281; US 287
0.9 mi·1 min·Lloyd Ruby Overpass
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on US 281; US 287
0.9 mi·1 min·Central East Freeway
15
Keep slight right at fork onto US 82; US 287
1.8 mi·1 min·Central East Freeway
16
Keep slight right at fork onto US 82; US 287
97 mi·1 hr 43 min·Central East Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on US 81; US 287
4.6 mi·4 min·US 81; US 287
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Merge onto I 35W; US 287
2.3 mi·2 min·North Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.4 mi·24 sec
Exit 57Toward I 820Use the slight right lane.
20
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Toward I 820 EastUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
21
Merge onto I 820
0.4 mi·24 sec·Northeast Loop
22
Take the exit
0.1 mi·7 sec
Toward I 820 Express East Toll
23
Merge onto I 820 TEXpress
5.5 mi·5 min·I 820 TEXpress
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Continue on TX 121 TEXpress; TX 183 TEXpress
4.4 mi·4 min·SH 121/183 TEXpress
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Continue on TX 183 TEXpress
12 mi·11 min·SH 183 TEXpress
Toward TX 183 Express EastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 183 TEXpress
3.3 mi·3 min·SH 183 TEXpress
27
Merge onto TX 183
0.8 mi·50 sec·John W Carpenter Freeway
28
Merge onto I 35E
3.9 mi·4 min·North Stemmons Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Take the exit
0.1 mi·22 sec
Exit 429BToward Continental Avenue, Commerce Street WestUse the slight right lane.
30
Turn straight onto North Stemmons Freeway
0.1 mi·18 sec·North Stemmons Freeway
31
Turn left onto Continental Avenue
0.3 mi·48 sec·Continental Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
32
Turn slight right onto North Lamar Street
433 ft·10 sec·North Lamar Street
33
Arrive at destination
North Lamar Street
Trip Plan
Given the 7-hour duration, starting early from Booker, TX, is recommended to maximize daylight. With only two recommended stops, plan for fuel and rest breaks strategically, especially during the 113.6-mile stretch on US 83. The fuel cost is estimated at $60, so ensure your tank is full before departing. This drive is perfectly manageable in a single day, offering flexibility in your timing. Keep an eye on traffic as you get closer to the Dallas urban area.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 198.5 miles from Booker, TX, or about 4h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 113.6 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 87 miles or 1h 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 198.5 miles or 4h in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 28m
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 Booker, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Booker, TX
This is one driving day of about 397 miles and 7h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 87 miles from Booker, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US 83 for about 113.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 254.8 and 396.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
254.8 mi into trip|~4h 59m in|US 287 / Northwest Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 287 / Northwest Freeway toward I 44 West, US 277 South, US 281 South, US 287 South: Wichita Falls
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 44 West, US 277 South, US 281 South, U...
6
261.4 mi into trip|~5h 7m in|US 82; US 287 / Central East Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 82; US 287 / Central East Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
364.8 mi into trip|~6h 58m in
Take the exit toward I 820
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 57
Toward I 820
7
365.2 mi into trip|~6h 58m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 820 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 820 East
8
396.3 mi into trip|~7h 31m in
Take the exit toward Continental Avenue, Commerce Street West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 429B
Toward Continental Avenue, Commerce Street West
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$54.38 one way
$108.75 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg139 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$60.74
$121.48
premium
$4.23
$66.04
$132.07
diesel
$4.80
$74.96
$149.92
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$54
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$79–$104
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 138.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $42 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
119.1
1
$41.69
$19.06
Efficient EV
99.3
1
$34.74
$15.88
EV Truck/SUV
158.8
1
$55.58
$25.41
Gas CO2
139 kg
EV CO2
46 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.
Forecast as of Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Booker, TX
Late night
in Booker on Sunday
Local time
1:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Partly Cloudy
S 10 to 15 mph5% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 10:46PM CDT until July 17 at 3:45AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 9:36PM CDT until July 19 at 3:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Dallas, TX
Late night
in Dallas on Sunday
Local time
1:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy
S 5 mph32% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 10:46PM CDT until July 17 at 3:45AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 9:36PM CDT until July 19 at 3:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio 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
10 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
7h 32m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 91% of the 397 miles on high-speed roads like US 83 and US Highway 287. You'll experience a significant stretch of 113.6 miles on US 83, allowing for uninterrupted cruising. The transition to surface roads will occur as you approach your destination in Dallas. Expect a good amount of rural cruising with fewer exits for extended periods.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 113.6 mi on US 83.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 83 and Central East Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 254.8 miles in near US 287 / Northwest Freeway.
Driving Effort10/10
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 20 significant decision points across 397 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 254.8 miles (US 287 / Northwest Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 261.4 miles (US 82; US 287 / Central East Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 364.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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...
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 32m. Total distance: 397 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 32m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 113.6 miles on US 83. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 20 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 20 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 254.8 miles (US 287 / Northwest Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 261.4 miles (US 82; US 287 / Central East Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 364.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.5 hours each way, a round trip means 15.1 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.
