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Trip from Clarksville, 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

2h 32m

Distance

135.7 mi

218 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$21

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 31 min
4 AM
2h 22m ★
6 AM
2h 32m
8 AM
2h 53m
10 AM
2h 40m
12 PM
2h 38m
3 PM
2h 41m
5 PM
2h 52m
8 PM
2h 26m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Clarksville, TX, TX

Clarksville, TX

Jeff Stapleton

Downtown Dallas, TX, TX

Dallas, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 135.7-mile drive from Clarksville, TX to Dallas, TX is a straightforward journey that can easily be completed in a single day, taking approximately 2 hours and 32 minutes. You'll primarily be traveling on I 30, with some initial travel on South Church Street and US Highway 82 West. With a projected fuel cost of around $21, this trip is quite budget-friendly. The route traverses the Great Plains region of Texas, offering a familiar landscape for those accustomed to the area. Given its manageable length and duration, it's an ideal day trip, allowing for flexibility in your departure and arrival times.

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

67.8 miles from Clarksville, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 16m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 30 54.1 mi 58m
South Church Street 46.4 mi 50m
US Highway 82 West 16.6 mi 18m
Southeast Loop 286 4.9 mi 5m
Lamar Road 3.2 mi 3m
US Highway 82 East 2.9 mi 3m
West Main Street 2.9 mi 4m
East Front Street 2 mi 2m
Longest stretch: I 30 — 54.1 mi, about 58m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on US 82 Bus; TX 37 Bus

2.9 mi · 4 min · West Main Street
2

Continue on US 82

17 mi · 18 min · US Highway 82 West
3

Continue on US 82

2.0 mi · 2 min · East Front Street
4

Continue on US 82

2.9 mi · 3 min · US Highway 82 East
5

Continue on US 82

3.2 mi · 3 min · Lamar Road
6

Continue on US 82

0.1 mi · 16 sec · Lamar Avenue
7

Turn left onto Southeast Loop 286

0.2 mi · 19 sec · Southeast Loop 286
8

Merge onto US 271; Loop 286

4.8 mi · 5 min · Southeast Loop 286
9

Continue on Loop 286

0.1 mi · 9 sec · Southwest Loop 286
10

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 24 sec
Toward TX 19, TX 24: Cooper, Sulphur Springs
11

Turn left onto TX 19; TX 24

46 mi · 50 min · South Church Street
12

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 30 sec
Toward I 30 West: Dallas
13

Merge onto I 30; US 67

54 mi · 58 min · I 30; US 67
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 24 sec
Exit 47B Toward I 45 South, US 75 North: Houston, McKinney Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 34 sec
Toward US 75 North: McKinney Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
16

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 27 sec
Toward Main Street West, Elm Street Use the slight left lane.
17

Keep slight right at fork

0.1 mi · 14 sec
Toward Elm Street Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
18

Turn straight onto Elm Street

0.9 mi · 1 min · Elm Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
19

Turn right onto North Lamar Street

0.2 mi · 30 sec · North Lamar Street
20

Arrive at destination

North Lamar Street

Trip Plan

For this 135.7-mile trip, departing in the morning or mid-afternoon will help you avoid the heaviest traffic as you approach Dallas. Since the drive is only about 2.5 hours, you won't need to worry about splitting it, giving you flexibility with your schedule. You'll encounter one recommended stop, so plan your breaks accordingly. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 54.1-mile stretch on I 30, as services might be spaced out. The estimated fuel cost is $21, so ensure you have sufficient funds or a full tank before you set off.

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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 67.8 miles from Clarksville, TX, or about 1h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 54.1 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 30 miles or 35m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 67.8 miles or 1h 16m 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 4m

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 Clarksville, 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 Clarksville, TX

This is one driving day of about 135.7 miles and 2h 32m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 miles from Clarksville, 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 54.1 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in Hunt County, Texas, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Greenville, TX

68 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

Greenville, TX to Dallas, TX

51.7 mi · 1h

Pacing Suggestions

Reno, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 30 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Greenville, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 67.8 miles from Clarksville, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Mckee's Family Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Paris, Texas

Early in the drive, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 29.1

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+19037850002

Visit website

Mckee's Family Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 29.1

Paris, Texas

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+19037850002

Visit website

Shenaniganz Entertainment Center

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 116.3

Rockwall, Texas

Hours: 12–11 pm

+19727221133

Visit website

Cultivar Coffee Roasting Co.

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour Inexpensiv mile 126

Dallas, Texas

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+14693876289

Visit website

City Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 135.7

Dallas, Texas

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+19724823055

Visit website

Xcape Adventures

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 126

Mesquite, Texas

Hours: Closed

+19729822073

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 12

5 decision points cluster between mile 32.8 and 134.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
32.8 mi into trip | ~38m in

Take the exit toward TX 19, TX 24: Cooper, Sulphur Springs

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward TX 19, TX 24: Cooper, Sulphur Springs
8
133.8 mi into trip | ~2h 28m in

Take the exit toward I 45 South, US 75 North: Houston, McKinney

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 47B Toward I 45 South, US 75 North: Houston, McKinn...
7
134 mi into trip | ~2h 28m in

Keep slight right at fork toward US 75 North: McKinney

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward US 75 North: McKinney
8
134.3 mi into trip | ~2h 29m in

Keep slight left at fork toward Main Street West, Elm Street

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left lane. Toward Main Street West, Elm Street
8
134.5 mi into trip | ~2h 29m 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

$20.50 one way

$41.01 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 48 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.20 $22.44 $44.89
premium $4.54 $24.23 $48.46
diesel $5.61 $29.96 $59.92

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$21

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$46–$71

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 47.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 40.7 0 $14.25 $6.51
Efficient EV 33.9 0 $11.87 $5.43
EV Truck/SUV 54.3 0 $19.00 $8.68

Gas CO2

47 kg

EV CO2

16 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

Clarksville, TX

Morning in Clarksville on Sunday

Local time

6:53 AM

CDT

Current temp

72°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Dallas, TX

Morning in Dallas on Sunday

Local time

6:53 AM

CDT

Current temp

60°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

83°F

Greenville, TX

68 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

12 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

2h 32m 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 drive is characterized as a mixed route, with 54% of the journey on highways. You'll experience a substantial uninterrupted stretch of 54.1 miles on I 30, which forms the backbone of the trip. Expect a blend of faster-paced highway driving and potentially some more local road navigation, particularly at the beginning and end of your journey. The overall feel is practical, designed for efficient travel rather than extensive scenic discovery, with the majority of your time spent on well-maintained roads.

54% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 54.1 mi on I 30.

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 32.8 miles in.

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 12 significant decision points across 135.7 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 32.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 133.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 134 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

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 Clarksville, TX to Dallas, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Sulphur Springs along the way.

Sulphur Springs

32.8 mi in | ~38m

About the Cities

Starting in Clarksville, TX

Full guide →

Founded 1833

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 2h 32m. Total distance: 135.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (54%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 54.1 miles on I 30. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 32.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 133.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 134 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

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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