If you are planning a trip from Dallas to Ballinger, expect a straightforward 234.5-mile journey that takes approximately 4 hours and 15 minutes. This highway-focused route is well-suited for a one-day trip, as it stays entirely within the Great Plains region of Texas. You can anticipate a fuel budget of about $36 for the drive, making it a relatively affordable excursion. Since the route relies heavily on major thoroughfares, it is a practical choice for those who prefer consistent road conditions over winding backroads. Given the manageable duration, you shouldn't feel pressured to split this into an overnight trip unless you prefer a slower pace.
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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
117.3 miles from Dallas, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 7m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 20
128.6 mi
2h 10m
US 83
50 mi
56m
Tom Landry Freeway
29.9 mi
35m
West Freeway
15.5 mi
17m
Jake Roberts Freeway
5.6 mi
5m
East Highway 80
1.9 mi
2m
Elm Street
0.3 mi
<1m
North Lamar Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 128.6 mi, about 2h 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dallas, TX and Ballinger, TX.
1
Start on North Lamar Street
0.2 mi·34 sec·North Lamar Street
2
Turn right onto Elm Street
0.2 mi·30 sec·Elm Street
3
Continue on Elm Street
0.1 mi·14 sec·Elm Street
4
Take the ramp
327 ft·7 sec
Toward I 30, I 35E
5
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·20 sec
Toward I 30 West, I 35E SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 30 WestUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 30
30 mi·35 min·Tom Landry Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 30; US 377
15 mi·17 min·West Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 20
129 mi·2 hr 10 min·I 20
Use the slight right lane.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi·56 sec
Exit 292AToward I 20 Business: Abilene
11
Turn straight onto I 20 Bus
1.9 mi·2 min·East Highway 80
12
Turn left
0.2 mi·26 sec
13
Merge onto Loop 322
5.6 mi·5 min·Jake Roberts Freeway
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·48 sec
Toward US 83 South, US 84 East: Ballinger, Coleman
15
Turn straight onto US 83 Bus
0.1 mi·9 sec·South Treadaway Boulevard
16
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward US 83 South, US 84 East: Ballinger, Coleman
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·34 sec
18
Merge onto US 83; US 84
10 mi·11 min·US 83; US 84
19
Continue on US 83
39 mi·44 min·US 83
20
Arrive at destination
2 ft·US 67; US 83
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 4-hour and 15-minute drive, aim to depart early to avoid potential traffic congestion as you clear the Dallas area. While the route is short enough to drive in one go, planning for at least one dedicated stop will help keep you alert during the long highway stretches. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the 128.6-mile segment on I-20, as this will be your longest time away from potential service areas. Because this is a high-speed route, check your tire pressure before you head out to ensure a smooth ride. Since you only have one stop planned, use that time to stretch your legs and reset before tackling the final leg of your journey to Ballinger.
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 117.3 miles from Dallas, TX, or about 2h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 128.6 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 52 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 117.3 miles or 2h 7m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ballinger, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Dallas, TX
This is one driving day of about 234.5 miles and 4h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 miles from Dallas, 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 20 for about 128.6 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 183.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
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
9
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
7
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
5
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.
6
183.6 mi into trip|~3h 16m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 83 South, US 84 East: Ballinger, Coleman
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 83 South, US 84 East: Ballinger, Cole...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.43 one way
$70.87 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg82 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$38.78
$77.57
premium
$4.54
$41.87
$83.74
diesel
$5.61
$51.77
$103.55
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 82 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
70.4
0
$24.62
$11.26
Efficient EV
58.6
0
$20.52
$9.38
EV Truck/SUV
93.8
1
$32.83
$15.01
Gas CO2
82 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 13, 2026
Origin
Dallas, TX
Late night
in Dallas on Tuesday
Local time
3:49 AM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 10 to 15 mph51% chanceLive forecast
High Wind Watch
High Wind Watch issued April 12 at 11:58PM MDT until April 14 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 13 at 12:42AM CDT by NWS Fort Worth TX
Destination
Ballinger, TX
Late night
in Ballinger on Tuesday
Local time
3:49 AM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Partly Cloudy
SSE 5 to 10 mph4% chanceLive forecast
High Wind Watch
High Wind Watch issued April 12 at 11:58PM MDT until April 14 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 13 at 12:42AM CDT by NWS Fort Worth 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
2 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
4h 15m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a drive dominated by high-speed travel, with 99% of the route consisting of highways. You will spend a significant portion of your time on the Tom Landry Freeway and I-20, which features your longest uninterrupted stretch of 128.6 miles. As you transition onto US-83, the character of the road remains consistent, favoring efficiency over technical curves. This is a classic Texas highway experience where the focus is on covering ground quickly. Be prepared for a steady, monotonous pace that allows you to settle into a rhythm behind the wheel for the duration of the trip.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 128.6 mi on I 20.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and US 83. 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 Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 234.5 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
Gently rolling terrain
2,038 ft428 ft
Total Climb
1,739 ft
Total Descent
541 ft
Highest Point
2,038 ft
~201 mi in
Elevation Range
1,610 ft
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 Dallas, TX to Ballinger, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Coleman along the way.
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 4h 15m. Total distance: 234.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 15m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 128.6 miles on I 20. 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 Ballinger, 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 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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Ballinger, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.
