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Trip from Dallas, TX to Big Spring, TX

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

Drive Time

5h 4m

Distance

289.9 mi

467 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$44

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 51m ★
6 AM
5h 4m
8 AM
5h 31m
10 AM
5h 14m
12 PM
5h 11m
3 PM
5h 15m
5 PM
5h 30m
8 PM
4h 56m

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 Dallas, TX, TX

Dallas, TX

Wikimedia Commons

city in Howard County, Texas, United States

Big Spring, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 289.9-mile journey from Dallas, TX, to Big Spring, TX, is designed for a single day of travel, taking approximately 5 hours and 4 minutes to complete. You'll primarily be navigating Elm Street and I-30 West, with no significant highway mileage, suggesting a more local feel to the drive. With an estimated fuel cost of $44, this route offers an accessible option for a quick trip. The drive traverses the Great Plains region, offering a consistent landscape throughout. This route is well-suited for a straightforward day trip, allowing you to reach your destination 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

145 miles from Dallas, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 35m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 20 240.6 mi 4h 3m
Tom Landry Freeway 29.9 mi 35m
West Freeway 15.5 mi 17m
I 20 Bus 2.2 mi 4m
Elm Street 0.3 mi <1m
North Lamar Street 0.2 mi <1m
South Lancaster Street <0.1 mi <1m
West 4th Street <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 20 — 240.6 mi, about 4h 3m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Dallas, TX and Big Spring, 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 South Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Keep slight left at fork

0.8 mi · 1 min
Toward I 30 West Use 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

241 mi · 4 hr 3 min · I 20
Use the slight right lane.
10

Take the exit

510 ft · 9 sec
Exit 179 Toward I 20 Business West: Big Spring
11

Continue on I 20 Bus

2.2 mi · 4 min · I 20 Bus
12

Turn left onto South Lancaster Street

377 ft · 21 sec · South Lancaster Street
13

Turn left onto I 20 Bus

301 ft · 6 sec · West 4th Street
14

Arrive at destination

I 20 Bus

Trip Plan

Given the 5-hour duration, starting your drive from Dallas in the morning will allow you to reach Big Spring with ample daylight. Plan for one stop along the way to stretch your legs and refuel, as the drive is manageable within a single day. Since this is a local drive with no extended highway portions, pay close attention to speed limit changes and local traffic patterns. Your estimated fuel cost is $44, so ensure your tank is full before departing Dallas to maximize your time on the road rather than at the pump.

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 145 miles from Dallas, TX, or about 2h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 240.6 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 64 miles or 1h 13m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 145 miles or 2h 35m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 9m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Big Spring, 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 289.9 miles and 5h 4m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 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 240.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Dublin, TX, TX

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Dublin, TX

145 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

Weatherford, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 64 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Albany, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 145 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 240.6 miles.

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.

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

White Settlement Museum

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 41.4

White Settlement, Texas

Hours: 10 am–3 pm

+18172469719

Visit website

Paramount Theatre

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 186.4

Abilene, Texas

+13256769620

Visit website

Adamson-Spalding Storybook Garden

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 186.4

Abilene, Texas

Visit website

12th Armored Division Memorial

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 186.4

Abilene, Texas

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+13256776515

Visit website

The Discovery Center & Truth Bookstore

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 186.4

Abilene, Texas

Hours: 1–5 pm

+13256735050

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 9

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 46.9 — 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.
5
46.9 mi into trip | ~56m in | I 20

Merge onto I 20

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

Use the slight right lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$43.80 one way

$87.61 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 101 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.20 $47.95 $95.90
premium $4.54 $51.76 $103.52
diesel $5.61 $64.01 $128.01

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$44

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$69–$94

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 101.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 87 1 $30.44 $13.92
Efficient EV 72.5 0 $25.37 $11.60
EV Truck/SUV 116 1 $40.59 $18.55

Gas CO2

101 kg

EV CO2

34 kg (66% 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 Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Dallas, TX

Late night in Dallas on Sunday

Local time

2:43 AM

CDT

Current temp

60°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Big Spring, TX

Late night in Big Spring on Sunday

Local time

2:43 AM

CDT

Current temp

57°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

57°F

Dublin, TX

145 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

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

5h 4m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' as you make your way from Dallas to Big Spring. With 0% highway share, this route emphasizes local roads and city streets, offering a different pace than a typical interstate journey. While there isn't a designated longest uninterrupted stretch, the profile indicates a drive where you'll be making frequent adjustments. This type of road character often means you'll experience more varied scenery and local points of interest, as opposed to a long, monotonous highway segment. Be prepared for a more engaged driving experience.

99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 240.6 mi on I 20.

How Hard Is This Drive?

6/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and Tom Landry Freeway. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in.

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 289.9 miles you will encounter 9 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 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.

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 Spring, TX

Full guide →

Big Spring is a city on the Edwards Plateau in Texas.

Top landmarks

  • • Settles Hotel — historic place in Big Spring, Howard County, Texas
  • • Hangar 25 Air Museum — air museum in Big Spring, Texas, U.S.
  • • Potton-Hayden House — historic place in Big Spring, Howard County, 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 5h 4m. Total distance: 289.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 4m 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 240.6 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 Big Spring, 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.

Not recommended in a single day. At 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Big Spring, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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