Origin
Carrollton, TX
Morning in Carrollton on Tuesday
Local time
6:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Carrollton, TX to Garland, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 3m
Distance
160.9 mi
259 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 52m
★
6 AM
3h 3m
8 AM
3h 26m
10 AM
3h 11m
12 PM
3h 9m
3 PM
3h 12m
5 PM
3h 25m
8 PM
2h 56m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Carrollton, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Carrollton, TX to Garland, TX is 160.9 miles and takes about 3h 3m via I 30 and US Highway 259 North, with a fuel budget near $24 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Great Plains region, entirely within Texas. The route is predominantly highway driving, making it a straightforward trip for those looking for efficiency. With only one recommended stop and a short duration, it's ideal for a single-day excursion.
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
80.5 miles from Carrollton, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 29m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 30 | 121 mi | 2h 3m |
| US Highway 259 North | 16.5 mi | 24m |
| Lyndon B Johnson Freeway | 10.6 mi | 11m |
| Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway | 4.7 mi | 5m |
| South Josey Lane | 2.2 mi | 5m |
| FM 1701 | 2.1 mi | 4m |
| Valley View Lane | 1.5 mi | 3m |
| Marsh Lane | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 30
— 121 mi, about 2h 3m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carrollton, TX and Garland, TX.
1
Start on East Belt Line Road
17 ft
·
5 sec
·
East Belt Line Road
2
Turn left onto South Josey Lane
2.2 mi
·
5 min
·
South Josey Lane
3
Turn left onto Valley View Lane
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Valley View Lane
Use the left lane.
4
Turn right onto Marsh Lane
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Marsh Lane
5
Turn left onto Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
328 ft
·
7 sec
·
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Use the left / straight lanes.
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
20 sec
Toward I-635 East
7
Merge onto I 635
1.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 635
4.7 mi
·
5 min
·
Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway
Use the right lane.
9
Continue on I 635
8.8 mi
·
9 min
·
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 8B-A
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Dallas
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana
Use the slight left lane.
12
Merge onto I 30; US 67
121 mi
·
2 hr 3 min
·
I 30; US 67
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
Toward US 259: De Kalb, Daingerfield
14
Turn left onto US 259
17 mi
·
24 min
·
US Highway 259 North
15
Turn left onto FM 1701
2.1 mi
·
4 min
·
FM 1701
16
Arrive at destination
FM 1701
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 3m estimated drive time, leaving Carrollton, TX in the morning is a good plan to maximize daylight. The route data suggests only one stop is needed for this 160.9-mile trip, so you can be flexible with your timing. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $24, and it's always wise to refuel before you're running on fumes, especially on longer highway stretches like the 121 miles on I 30. Since this is a manageable one-day drive, you have the flexibility to depart later if needed.
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 80.5 miles from Carrollton, TX, or about 1h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 121 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 35 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 80.5 miles or 1h 29m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Garland, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Carrollton, 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 Carrollton, TX
This is one driving day of about 160.9 miles and 3h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Carrollton, 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 30 for about 121 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
80 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 35 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 80.5 miles from Carrollton, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 30 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 121 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 125 decision points cluster between mile 4.2 and 21 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
4.2 mi into trip
|
~9m in
|
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Turn left onto Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
5
4.6 mi into trip
|
~10m in
|
I 635 / Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Merge onto I 635 / Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
19.9 mi into trip
|
~26m in
Take the exit toward I 30 East: Texarkana, 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.
Exit 8B-A
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Dallas
7
20.4 mi into trip
|
~27m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 30 East: Texarkana
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana
5
21 mi into trip
|
~29m in
|
I 30; US 67
Merge onto I 30; US 67
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.31 one way
$48.62 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
56 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $26.61 | $53.22 |
| premium | $4.54 | $28.73 | $57.46 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $35.52 | $71.05 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 56.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 48.3 | 0 | $16.89 | $7.72 |
| Efficient EV | 40.2 | 0 | $14.08 | $6.44 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 64.4 | 0 | $22.53 | $10.30 |
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 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.
Destination
Garland, TX
Morning in Garland on Tuesday
Local time
6:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
81°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
3 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
3h 3m 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?
You'll spend most of your time on highways, with 96% of the 160.9 miles being interstate or major highway. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 121 miles on I 30. Expect a significant amount of highway cruising before transitioning to surface roads closer to your destination. The high percentage of highway driving means you'll likely notice a steady flow of traffic and numerous exits.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 121 mi on I 30.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 30 and US Highway 259 North. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 4.2 miles in near Lyndon B Johnson Freeway.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 160.9 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 4.2 miles (Lyndon B Johnson Freeway): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.6 miles (I 635 / Lyndon B Johnson Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 19.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Carrollton, TX and Garland, TX, road signs point toward Dallas and Daingerfield.
Dallas
19.9 mi in
|
~26m
Daingerfield
142 mi in
|
~2h 32m
About the Cities
Starting in Carrollton, TX
Full guide →Founded 1913
Carrollton is a fast-growing suburb of Dallas, part of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, in the Prairies and Lakes region of Texas. In 2019, it was home to about 140,000 people.
Arriving in Garland, TX
Full guide →Founded 1891
Garland is a city in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex area in the State of Texas. Mike Judge, the creator of Beavis and Butthead and King of the Hill, used to live in Garland, as well as some other small towns around Texas. So, yeah. Don't be shocked if you take a wrong turn through a downscale neighborhood and see someone barbecuing hot dogs using one of those things that turns your truck's air filter into a grill. On the other hand, Garland's north side is a palacial monument to suburban living in all its McMansioned, strip malling, Starbucks-sipping glory. Garland is basically an unprepossessing, pleasant place. While it's hard to get too excited about much that happens in Garland, it is just so darned pleasant.
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 3m. Total distance: 160.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 3m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 121 miles on I 30. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Garland, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 4.2 miles (Lyndon B Johnson Freeway): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.6 miles (I 635 / Lyndon B Johnson Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 19.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Garland, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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