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Trip from Buffalo, TX to Dallas, TX

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 54m

Distance

108.6 mi

175 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$16

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 25 min
4 AM
1h 46m ★
6 AM
1h 54m
8 AM
2h 11m
10 AM
2h 0m
12 PM
1h 58m
3 PM
2h 1m
5 PM
2h 10m
8 PM
1h 49m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

city in Leon County, Texas

Buffalo, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Dallas, TX, TX

Dallas, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Buffalo, TX to Dallas, TX is 108.6 miles and takes about 1h 54m via I 45, with a fuel budget near $16 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This straightforward journey begins in the Great Plains region of Texas and concludes in the same area, offering a quick transition between two points. Expect a drive that is predominantly highway, making it an efficient option for getting from point A to point B without significant detours. Given its short duration and focused highway profile, this trip is well-suited for a single-day excursion, allowing you to maximize your time at your destination. It's a practical choice for those prioritizing speed and simplicity over a leisurely exploration.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

54.3 miles from Buffalo, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 56m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 45 105 mi 1h 47m
Donie Road 1 mi 1m
Elm Street 0.9 mi 1m
East Commerce Street 0.4 mi <1m
North Buffalo Avenue 0.3 mi <1m
North Lamar Street 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 45 — 105 mi, about 1h 47m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Buffalo, TX and Dallas, TX.

1

Start on US 79

0.4 mi · 27 sec · East Commerce Street
2

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 22 sec
3

Turn straight onto TX 75

0.3 mi · 29 sec · North Buffalo Avenue
4

Turn left onto TX 164

1.0 mi · 1 min · Donie Road
5

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 51 sec
6

Merge onto I 45

105 mi · 1 hr 47 min · I 45
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 31 sec
Exit 284B Toward Main Street West, Elm Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Keep slight right at fork

0.1 mi · 14 sec
Toward Elm Street Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
9

Turn straight onto Elm Street

0.9 mi · 1 min · Elm Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
10

Turn right onto North Lamar Street

0.2 mi · 30 sec · North Lamar Street
11

Arrive at destination

North Lamar Street

Trip Plan

With a drive time of under two hours and a fuel cost estimated at $16, this is an easy same-day trip. You have the flexibility to depart at your convenience, perhaps leaving Buffalo, TX in the late morning to arrive in Dallas in the early afternoon. Since the drive is short, you won't need to plan for extensive rest stops, but it's always wise to take breaks as needed. Watch for the transition from I 45 to local roads as you near Dallas, as this is where you'll need to pay closer attention to navigation. Ensure your fuel tank is sufficiently full before leaving Buffalo, as the longest stretch on I 45 covers most of the route.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 54.3 miles from Buffalo, TX, or about 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 105 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 24 miles or 25m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 54.3 miles or 56m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 32m

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 Buffalo, TX so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Buffalo, TX

This is one driving day of about 108.6 miles and 1h 54m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 miles from Buffalo, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 45 for about 105 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Ellis County, Texas, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Ennis, TX

54 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.

Popular next leg

Ennis, TX to Dallas, TX

35.6 mi · 40m

Pacing Suggestions

Corsicana, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 24 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Ennis, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 54.3 miles from Buffalo, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 45 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 105 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 7

5 decision points cluster between mile 1.8 and 108.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

4
1.8 mi into trip | ~2m in

Take the ramp

Navigation decision point

5
2.2 mi into trip | ~3m in | I 45

Merge onto I 45

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
107.2 mi into trip | ~1h 51m 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
107.4 mi into trip | ~1h 51m 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
4
108.4 mi into trip | ~1h 53m in | North Lamar Street

Turn right onto North Lamar Street

Navigation decision point

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$16.41 one way

$32.82 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 38 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.20 $17.96 $35.92
premium $4.54 $19.39 $38.78
diesel $5.61 $23.98 $47.96

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$16

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$41–$66

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 38 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 32.6 0 $11.40 $5.21
Efficient EV 27.2 0 $9.50 $4.34
EV Truck/SUV 43.4 0 $15.20 $6.95

Gas CO2

38 kg

EV CO2

13 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Buffalo, TX

Late night in Buffalo on Sunday

Local time

2:45 AM

CDT

Current temp

58°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Dallas, TX

Late night in Dallas on Sunday

Local time

2:45 AM

CDT

Current temp

60°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

2 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

1h 54m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

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 heavily focused on highway driving, with a 97% highway share, meaning you'll spend most of your time on high-speed roads. You'll experience a longest uninterrupted stretch of 105 miles on I 45, providing a consistent pace for a significant portion of the journey. The drive will largely consist of cruising on this major interstate, characterized by its directness and efficiency. While the profile is primarily highway, brief transitions onto local roads like Donie Road and Elm Street may occur as you approach your final destination in Dallas. Overall, anticipate a smooth, albeit potentially monotonous, interstate experience.

97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
11 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 105 mi on I 45.

How Hard Is This Drive?

3/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 45 and Donie Road. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 1.8 miles in.

Driving Effort 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 1h 54m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 1.8 miles: Navigation decision point; at 2.2 miles (I 45): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 107.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

About the Cities

Starting in Buffalo, TX

Full guide →

The largest city in New York State's Niagara Frontier, Buffalo is a city full of surprises. Though Buffalo is sometimes the butt of jokes about chicken wings, its long-suffering sports teams, and the mountains of snow under which it is supposedly buried each winter, those in the know tell a different story: one of vibrant nightlife, world-class museums and cultural attractions, tight-knit neighborhoods with strong community spirit – and the sunniest summers in Northeastern United States.

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 1h 54m. Total distance: 108.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (97%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 105 miles on I 45. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.

The main spots that need attention: at 1.8 miles: Navigation decision point; at 2.2 miles (I 45): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 107.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Dallas, TX before heading back.

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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Explore more options from Buffalo, TX or browse trips ending in Dallas, TX.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TX road trips.