Trip from Dallas, TX to Alpine, TX

Pin this trip

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

Drive Time

9h 4m

Distance

514.8 mi

829 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$71

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 24 min

4 AM

8h 56m ★

6 AM

9h 4m

8 AM

9h 20m

10 AM

9h 10m

12 PM

9h 8m

3 PM

9h 11m

5 PM

9h 20m

8 PM

8h 59m

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

Best Time

Google Maps Waze Apple Maps

Download GPX

Dallas, TX

Wikimedia Commons

city in and county seat of Brewster County, Texas, United States

Alpine, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Dallas to Alpine is 514.8 miles and takes about 9h 4m via I 20 and TX 349, with a fuel budget near $81 and enough daylight to finish in a day, though it's best as an overnight trip. This long-haul drive traverses the vast landscapes of the Great Plains, moving from the eastern edge to the western reaches of Texas. You'll experience a consistent stretch of highway driving, making it a straightforward trip for those prioritizing direct travel. Consider breaking this up over two days to better enjoy the scenery and avoid fatigue on this extensive route.

Trip Pace

Best split across 2 days

Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.

Break Rhythm

2 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

257.4 miles from Dallas, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 29m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 20	284.4 mi	4h 47m
East 3rd Street	57 mi	1h
TX 349	42.1 mi	43m
Tom Landry Freeway	29.9 mi	35m
South US Higway 67	25.7 mi	29m
South US Highway 67	21.6 mi	24m
Trooper Sammy Long Memorial HIghway	17.7 mi	20m
West Freeway	15.5 mi	17m

Longest stretch: I 20 — 284.4 mi, about 4h 47m

Traffic on I-20

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 36 FHWA count stations on your route.

Peak

4 PM

~1,369 veh/hr typical · worst 1,769

Quietest

2 AM

~188 veh/hr

Peak-to-quiet ratio

7.3×

busier at peak than in the quiet hours

12a 6a noon 6p 11p

Averaged across 52 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 Dallas, TX and Alpine, TX.

Start on North Lamar Street

0.2 mi · 34 sec · North Lamar Street

Turn right onto Elm Street

0.2 mi · 30 sec · Elm Street

Continue on Elm Street

0.1 mi · 14 sec · Elm Street

Take the ramp

327 ft · 7 sec

Toward I 30, I 35E

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 20 sec

Toward I 30 West, I 35E South Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.8 mi · 1 min

Toward I 30 West Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 30

30 mi · 35 min · Tom Landry Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 30; US 377

15 mi · 17 min · West Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 20

284 mi · 4 hr 47 min · I 20

Use the slight right lane.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 34 sec

Toward SH 349 Business, SH 349: Lamesa, Rankin

Turn left onto East Interstate 20

349 ft · 9 sec · East Interstate 20

Turn left onto TX 349 Bus

0.5 mi · 44 sec · Rankin Highway

Continue on TX 349

10 mi · 10 min · South State Highway 349

Continue on TX 349

42 mi · 43 min · TX 349

Use the straight lane.

Turn right onto US 67; TX 349

18 mi · 20 min · Trooper Sammy Long Memorial HIghway

Continue on US 67

57 mi · 1 hr · East 3rd Street

Take the exit onto La Entrada al Pacifico Corridor

0.2 mi · 27 sec · La Entrada al Pacifico Corridor

Exit 246 Toward US 67 south, FM 1776: Alpine, Sul Ross State University

Continue on US 67

0.1 mi · 18 sec · Interstate 10 West

Turn left onto US 67

26 mi · 29 min · South US Higway 67

Continue on US 67

22 mi · 24 min · South US Highway 67

Continue on US 67; US 90

7.6 mi · 8 min · East US Highway 90

Continue on US 67; US 90

0.7 mi · 50 sec · East Avenue E

Arrive at destination

US 67; US 90

Trip Plan

For this 9-hour drive, an early morning departure is recommended if you aim to complete it in one day, but splitting it over two days is highly advised for comfort and safety. Plan for at least two stops to stretch your legs and refuel. Given the longest stretch on I 20 is nearly 300 miles, ensure your fuel tank is topped off before entering that segment. The transition to TX 349 will likely involve more towns with local services, so utilize those opportunities for breaks and supplies.

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.

This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.

Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 257.4 miles from Dallas, TX, or about 4h 29m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 284.4 miles.

Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 113 miles or 2h 3m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 257.4 miles or 4h 29m in

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

Overnight split

Day 1 wrap after about 257.4 miles or 4h 29m

Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 7h 55m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Alpine, TX than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Dallas, 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.

Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Dallas, TX

Aim for roughly 257 miles and 4.5 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Finish the approach into Alpine, TX

Aim for roughly 257 miles and 4.5 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 113 miles from Dallas, TX.

This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.

Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on I 20 for about 284.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in and the county seat of Erath County, Texas, United States

First major stop

Coffee and fuel

Stephenville, TX

170 mi into the route

Best for: Coffee, fuel, and an easy first stretch

This is a natural early stop once the first hours of the drive are behind you.

city in Howard County, Texas, United States

Second major stop

Overnight candidate

Big Spring, TX

340 mi into the route

Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start

This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.

Find hotels in Big Spring, TX

Overnight Options

Night 1

Sweetwater, TX

257 mi · about 4.5h in

A practical overnight split lands near Sweetwater, TX after about 257 miles or 4.5 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

Stephenville, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 113 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Roscoe, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 257.4 miles from Dallas, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 20 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 284.4 miles.

Overnight split

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Final third 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour

Midland, Texas

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+14326834403

Visit website

City Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour

Dallas, Texas

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+19724823055

Visit website

Liberty City Rage Room

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour

Midland, Texas

Hours: Closed

+14324005911

Visit website

Centennial Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour

Midland, Texas

Hours: 8 am–10 pm

+14326878200

Visit website

Dennis the Menace Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour

Midland, Texas

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+14326857356

Visit website

Museum of the Southwest

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour

Midland, Texas

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+14326832882

Visit website

Play Street Museum - Fort Worth

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour

Fort Worth, Texas

Hours: 8:30 am–8 pm

+18179302577

Visit website

Midland County History Museum

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour

Midland, Texas

Hours: 11 am–4 pm

+14326888947

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 11

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 459 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

0.6 mi into trip | ~1m in

Take the ramp toward I 30, I 35E

Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 30, I 35E

0.6 mi into trip | ~1m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 30 West, I 35E South

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 30 West, I 35E South

0.8 mi into trip | ~1m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 30 West

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward I 30 West

1.6 mi into trip | ~3m in | I 30 / Tom Landry Freeway

Merge onto I 30 / Tom Landry Freeway

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

459 mi into trip | ~8h in | La Entrada al Pacifico Corridor

Take the exit onto La Entrada al Pacifico Corridor toward US 67 south, FM 1776: Alpine, Sul Ross State University

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

Exit 246 Toward US 67 south, FM 1776: Alpine, Sul Ross S...

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$70.51 one way

$141.02 round trip

$3.48/gal 25.4 MPG avg 180 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$3.89	$78.76	$157.52
premium	$4.23	$85.63	$171.26
diesel	$4.80	$97.20	$194.41

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$71

Hotel (1n)

$80–$140

Meals

$50–$100

Total

$201–$311

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 180.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.

Driving Electric?

About $54 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	154.4	1	$54.05	$24.71
Efficient EV	128.7	1	$45.05	$20.59
EV Truck/SUV	205.9	2	$72.07	$32.95

Gas CO2

180 kg

EV CO2

60 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 16, 2026

Origin

Dallas, TX

Morning in Dallas on Sunday

Local time

9:41 AM

CDT

Current temp

90°F

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

S 10 mph 46% chance Live forecast

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 16 at 5:05PM CDT until July 16 at 5:30PM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 5:00PM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA

Destination

Alpine, TX

Morning in Alpine on Sunday

Local time

9:41 AM

CDT

Current temp

79°F

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

NE 5 mph 55% chance Live forecast

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 16 at 5:05PM CDT until July 16 at 5:30PM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 5:00PM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA

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.

For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.

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

11 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

9h 4m on the road

This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.

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 predominantly highway driving, with 80% of the 514.8 miles on major roads like I 20. You'll encounter a significant stretch of 284.4 miles on I 20 before transitioning to surface roads. The shift from I 20 to East 3rd Street and then TX 349 will mark the end of high-speed cruising and the beginning of more localized travel. Expect a rural cruising feel for much of this drive.

80% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 284.4 mi on I 20.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and East 3rd Street. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 514.8 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 0.6 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 0.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 0.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Elevation Profile

Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes

4,477 ft 428 ft

Total Climb

4,409 ft

Total Descent

360 ft

Highest Point

4,477 ft

~514.8 mi in

Elevation Range

4,049 ft

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Dallas, TX and Alpine, TX, road signs point toward Sh 349 Business, Sh 349: Lamesa, Rankin, Fm 1776: Alpine and Sul Ross State University.

Sh 349 Business

331.3 mi in | ~5h 43m

Sh 349: Lamesa

331.3 mi in | ~5h 43m

Rankin

331.3 mi in | ~5h 43m

Fm 1776: Alpine

459 mi in | ~8h | via La Entrada al Pacifico Corridor

Sul Ross State University

459 mi in | ~8h | via La Entrada al Pacifico Corridor

Detours Along the Way

Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.

Cedar Coffee Supply

Cafe

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0 mi from route

Alpine, TX

Weekend Coffee

Cafe

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Hours: 07:00-15:00

Visit website

Starbucks

Cafe

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour

Dallas, TX

Cuisine: coffee_shop

Visit website

Bread & Breakfast

Cafe

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.1 mi from route

Corner Bakery

Cafe

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route

Cuisine: coffee_shop

La Trattoria

Cafe

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Restaurant

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route

Cuisine: barbecue

Hours: Mo-Su 11:00-21:00

Visit website

WingBucket

Fast_food

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

Dallas, TX

Cuisine: chicken

Hours: Su-Th 11:00-22:00; Fr,Sa 11:00-24:00

Visit website

Commissary

Restaurant

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

Attraction

Near the start, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour

Museum of Illusions

Museum

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route

Dallas, TX

Hours: Su-Th 10:00-20:00; Fr-Sa 10:00-21:00

Visit website

The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza

Museum

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

Motel

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour

Alpine, TX

Hotel Crescent Court

Hotel

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour

Dallas, TX

Corporate Hospitality Housing - Big Spring

Hotel

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour

Big Spring, TX

Hours: 24/7

Visit website

Points of interest from OpenStreetMap contributors. Listings may not reflect current hours or availability.

About the Cities

Starting 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...

Arriving in Alpine, TX

Full guide →

Alpine is a city of 6,000 people (2019) in Texas. It has an historic downtown, and is a good base for exploring Big Bend National Park, Big Bend Ranch State Park, and Davis Mountains State Park.

Top landmarks

• The Holland Hotel — historic place in Alpine, Brewster County, Texas

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 284.4 miles on I 20. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 257 miles on day one.

Yes — we found about 46 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 Alpine, 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 46 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

Not recommended in a single day. At 9.1 hours each way, a round trip means 18.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Alpine, TX before the return drive.

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, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

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

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TX road trips.