Trip from Dallas, TX to Big Lake, TX

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 20, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

6h 12m

Distance

343 mi

552 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$53

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min

4 AM

6h 0m ★

6 AM

6h 12m

8 AM

6h 38m

10 AM

6h 21m

12 PM

6h 19m

3 PM

6h 23m

5 PM

6h 37m

8 PM

6h 5m

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

Best Time

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Dallas, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Big Lake, TX

Thilina Alagiyawanna

Trip Overview

Dallas to Big Lake is 343 miles and takes about 6 hours 12 minutes via I 20 and US Highway 277 South, with a fuel budget near $50 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Great Plains region of Texas, offering a straightforward drive. With 94% of the route on highways, you'll experience mostly high-speed cruising. It's a single-day trip, making it a practical option if you're looking to cover ground efficiently without needing an overnight stop.

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

171.5 miles from Dallas, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 2m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 20	137.3 mi	2h 19m
US Highway 277 South	78.6 mi	1h 24m
Tom Landry Freeway	29.9 mi	35m
US Highway 67 South	22.7 mi	25m
US 67	20.3 mi	24m
Reagan Street	18.2 mi	19m
West Freeway	15.5 mi	17m
US 277	10.3 mi	13m

Longest stretch: I 20 — 137.3 mi, about 2h 19m

Traffic on I-20

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 48 FHWA count stations on your route.

Peak

4 PM

~1,701 veh/hr typical · worst 2,188

Quietest

2 AM

~196 veh/hr

Peak-to-quiet ratio

8.7×

busier at peak than in the quiet hours

12a 6a noon 6p 11p

Averaged across 105 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 Big Lake, 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

137 mi · 2 hr 19 min · I 20

Use the slight right lane.

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min

Exit 283A Toward US 83 South, US 277 South: San Angelo, Ballinger, Anson

Merge onto US 83; US 277

2.5 mi · 2 min · Winters Freeway

Take the exit onto US 277

1.1 mi · 2 min · US 277

Toward US 277 South: San Angelo

Turn right onto US 277

79 mi · 1 hr 24 min · US Highway 277 South

Keep slight right at fork onto US 277

0.4 mi · 56 sec · US 277

Toward US 67 South, US 277 South: San Angelo

Keep slight left at fork onto US 277

8.7 mi · 10 min · US 277

Toward US 67 South, US 277 South: San Angelo

Take the exit onto US 67

1.3 mi · 2 min · US 67

Toward US 67 South: Mertzon

Turn right onto US 67

1.1 mi · 1 min · Sherwood Way

Continue on US 67

23 mi · 25 min · US Highway 67 South

Continue on US 67

4.5 mi · 5 min · United States Highway 67

Continue on US 67

19 mi · 21 min · US 67

Continue on US 67

18 mi · 19 min · Reagan Street

Arrive at destination

US 67

Trip Plan

Given this is a single-day, 6-hour drive, leaving Dallas in the morning will get you to Big Lake with plenty of daylight remaining. The longest stretch without an exit is over 137 miles, so ensure you have adequate fuel before starting that segment, especially since the estimated fuel cost is around $50. While there's only one recommended stop, you have the flexibility to pause as needed due to the manageable duration. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as services can become more spread out once you leave the interstate.

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 171.5 miles from Dallas, TX, or about 3h 2m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 137.3 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 75 miles or 1h 24m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 171.5 miles or 3h 2m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 5h 5m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Big Lake, 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 343 miles and 6h 12m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 75 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 137.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in Shackelford County, Texas, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Albany, TX

172 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

Mineral Wells, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 75 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Tye, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 171.5 miles from Dallas, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

+13255000035

Visit website

San Angelo Convention & Visitors Bureau

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour

San Angelo, Texas

Hours: 8:30 am–5 pm

+13256554136

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 0.6 and 267.4 — 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

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

184.2 mi into trip | ~3h 15m in

Take the exit toward US 83 South, US 277 South: San Angelo, Ballinger, Anson

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

Exit 283A Toward US 83 South, US 277 South: San Angelo, B...

266.9 mi into trip | ~4h 45m in | US 277

Keep slight right at fork onto US 277 toward US 67 South, US 277 South: San Angelo

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 67 South, US 277 South: San Angelo

267.4 mi into trip | ~4h 46m in | US 277

Keep slight left at fork onto US 277 toward US 67 South, US 277 South: San Angelo

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 67 South, US 277 South: San Angelo

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$52.52 one way

$105.03 round trip

$3.89/gal 25.4 MPG avg 120 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.29	$57.96	$115.92
premium	$4.64	$62.63	$125.26
diesel	$6.18	$83.44	$166.88

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$53

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$78–$103

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 120 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.

Driving Electric?

About $36 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	102.9	1	$36.02	$16.46
Efficient EV	85.8	0	$30.01	$13.72
EV Truck/SUV	137.2	1	$48.02	$21.95

Gas CO2

120 kg

EV CO2

40 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 Oct 19, 2026

Origin

Dallas, TX

Late night in Dallas on Tuesday

Local time

4:55 AM

CDT

Current temp

53°F

Partly Cloudy

0 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Destination

Big Lake, TX

Late night in Big Lake on Tuesday

Local time

4:55 AM

CDT

Current temp

52°F

Clear

S 5 mph 0% chance Live forecast

82°F

Albany, TX

172 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

1 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

6h 12m on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

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 predominantly highway, with 94% of the 343 miles on high-speed roads. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 137.3 miles on I 20 before transitioning to US Highway 277 South. Expect a mostly rural cruising experience after leaving the Dallas urban area, with fewer immediate exits as you head west.

94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

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

Longest single stretch: 137.3 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 Highway 277 South. 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 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 343 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: 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; at 184.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Elevation Profile

Gently rolling terrain

2,690 ft 428 ft

Total Climb

2,656 ft

Total Descent

395 ft

Highest Point

2,690 ft

~343 mi in

Elevation Range

2,262 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 Big Lake, TX, road signs point toward Ballinger and Anson.

Ballinger

184.2 mi in | ~3h 15m

Anson

184.2 mi in | ~3h 15m

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 Big Lake, TX

Full guide →

Big Lake is a city in the West Hill Country of Texas.

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 6h 12m. Total distance: 343 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 12m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 137.3 miles on I 20. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — we found about 27 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 Big Lake, 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. There are 27 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

Not recommended in a single day. At 6.2 hours each way, a round trip means 12.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Big Lake, 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.

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Trip from Dallas, TX to Big Lake, TX

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Traffic on I-20

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

Rest Area

Picnic Area

Picnic Area

I-20 Westbound Picnic Area

I-20 Eastbound Picnic Area

Service Plaza

Pilot Travel Center

Eastland County Eastbound Rest Area

Eastland County Westbound Rest Area

QuikTrip

Love's Travel Stop

Road Ranger

Pilot Travel Center

Love's Travel Stop

Love's Travel Stop

Service Plaza

QuikTrip

Service Plaza

WTU Electric Service Yard

Petro Stopping Centers

Callahan County Eastbound Rest Area

Callahan County Westbound Rest Area

Flying J Travel Center

Gran Lago Services, LLC

C&D Olfield Services

QuikTrip

Service Plaza

Producers Park

City Park

Think In A Box - Escape Room

San Angelo City Park

Fort Concho National Historic Landmark

River Walk

The Bosque along the Concho River

San Angelo Convention & Visitors Bureau

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Dallas, TX

Big Lake, TX

Same local time

1 degrees cooler at arrival

6h 12m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Elevation Profile

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Starting in Dallas, TX

Arriving in Big Lake, TX

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

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