Dallas to Fulton is 385.2 miles and takes about 6 hours 55 minutes via South R L Thornton Freeway and TX 130 Toll, with a fuel budget near $58 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This highway-focused drive stays within Texas, beginning in the Great Plains region and ending in the same geographical area. Expect a straightforward journey primarily on major roadways, making it a solid option for a single-day trip. The route is designed for efficient travel, so if you're looking to get from point A to point B without much fuss, this is a practical choice.
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
192.6 miles from Dallas, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 17m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
South R L Thornton Freeway
89.9 mi
1h 32m
TX 130 Toll
58.5 mi
54m
North United States Highway 183
43.5 mi
47m
Purple Heart Trail
37.9 mi
39m
South US Highway 183/ US 87
26.7 mi
28m
I 35
26.5 mi
26m
South US Highway 183
24.6 mi
27m
US 183
10.1 mi
11m
Longest stretch:
South R L Thornton Freeway
— 89.9 mi, about 1h 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dallas, TX and Fulton, 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 right at fork
330 ft·8 sec
Toward I 35E SouthUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 35E
0.8 mi·1 min·South Stemmons Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 35E
0.5 mi·44 sec·South R L Thornton Freeway
9
Continue on I 35E
89 mi·1 hr 31 min·South R L Thornton Freeway
Exit 426Toward Dallas ZooUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 35; US 77
6.6 mi·7 min·North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 35
38 mi·39 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
26 mi·26 min·I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.7 mi·55 sec
Exit 265Toward TX 130 Toll South: San AntonioUse the slight right lane.
14
Continue on TX 130 Toll
59 mi·54 min·TX 130 Toll
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 470Toward US 183 South: LockhartUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on US 183
0.5 mi·35 sec·United States Highway 183
17
Continue on US 183
4.9 mi·8 min·North Colorado Street
18
Continue on US 183
10 mi·11 min·US 183
19
Continue on US 183
1.2 mi·2 min·North Magnolia Avenue
20
Turn left onto US 90; US 183
5.0 mi·6 min·East Pierce Street
21
Continue on US 183
43 mi·47 min·North United States Highway 183
22
Continue on US 77 Alt; US 183
2.8 mi·3 min·North Esplanade Street
23
Continue on US 77 Alt; US 87; US 183
2.0 mi·2 min·South US Highway 183
24
Continue on US 77 Alt; US 183
27 mi·28 min·South US Highway 183/ US 87
25
Continue on US 77 Alt; US 183
3.7 mi·5 min·North Jefferson Street
26
Continue on US 77 Alt; US 183
23 mi·24 min·South US Highway 183
27
Continue on US 77 Alt; US 183
0.7 mi·1 min·North Alamo Street
28
Continue on US 77
1.4 mi·2 min·North Alamo Street
29
Turn left onto FM 774
1.5 mi·2 min·East Empresario Street
30
Turn right onto FM 2678
9.6 mi·9 min·FM 2678
Use the right lane.
31
Continue on FM 136
10.0 mi·11 min·Farm to Market Road 136
32
Turn left onto TX 188
7.2 mi·7 min·State Highway 188
33
Turn left onto FM 1069
5.0 mi·6 min·FM 1069 North
34
Continue on FM 1069
0.8 mi·1 min·West Market Street
35
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
36
Merge onto TX 35
2.0 mi·2 min·State Highway 35 Bypass
37
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 35
0.1 mi·8 sec·State Highway 35 Bypass
38
Turn straight onto TX 35; FM 3036
1.3 mi·1 min·TX 35; FM 3036
Use the right lane.
39
Turn right onto TX 35 Bus
27 ft·0 sec·State Highway 35 North
Use the right lane.
40
Arrive at destination
TX 35 Bus
Trip Plan
Given the 6-hour 55-minute estimated duration, starting your drive early in the morning is your best bet to complete the 385.2 miles before dark. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing, but it's wise to fuel up before departing Dallas, as the longest stretch without a break is nearly 90 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you approach your destination, and plan for potential traffic delays as you enter and exit urban areas. The $58 fuel cost is an estimate, so checking current prices is always a good idea.
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 192.6 miles from Dallas, TX, or about 3h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 89.9 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 85 miles or 1h 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 192.6 miles or 3h 17m 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 46m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fulton, 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 385.2 miles and 6h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 85 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 South R L Thornton Freeway for about 89.9 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 221.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
8
0.8 mi into trip|~1m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 35E South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35E South
6
136.1 mi into trip|~2h 22m in|I 35
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
162.6 mi into trip|~2h 49m in
Take the exit toward TX 130 Toll South: San Antonio
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 265
Toward TX 130 Toll South: San Antonio
7
221.8 mi into trip|~3h 45m in
Take the exit toward US 183 South: Lockhart
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 470
Toward US 183 South: Lockhart
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$58.20 one way
$116.41 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg135 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$63.71
$127.42
premium
$4.54
$68.77
$137.55
diesel
$5.61
$85.05
$170.09
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$58
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$83–$108
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 134.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $40 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
115.6
1
$40.45
$18.49
Efficient EV
96.3
1
$33.71
$15.41
EV Truck/SUV
154.1
1
$53.93
$24.65
Gas CO2
135 kg
EV CO2
45 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 Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Dallas, TX
Late night
in Dallas on Tuesday
Local time
5:20 AM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Fulton, TX
Late night
in Fulton on Tuesday
Local time
5:20 AM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
4 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 55m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Waco Mammoth National Monument
National Monument
Standing as tall as 14 feet and weighing 20,000 pounds, Columbian mammoths roamed across what is present-day Texas thousands of years ago. Today, the fossil specimens represent the nation's first and...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is largely a highway-focused drive, with 81% of the route utilizing high-speed roads. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on the South R L Thornton Freeway, where the longest uninterrupted stretch measures 89.9 miles. While the majority of the journey involves familiar highway driving, be prepared for the constant presence of traffic and the need for steady attention. The road's character is defined by its efficiency, prioritizing direct travel over leisurely exploration.
81% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
40 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 89.9 mi on South R L Thornton Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on South R L Thornton Freeway and TX 130 Toll. 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 19 significant decision points across 385.2 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 136.1 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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...
Fulton is a small town in Texas, just north of Rockport and about 45 minutes north of Corpus Christi, along the Gulf of Mexico. It is along the coast of the Aransas Bay, with the Gulf of Mexico about 5 miles out across the bay. To the west and north is Copano Bay. A public fishing pier extends across the bay for several miles. It's more a regular small town than a resort town.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 55m. Total distance: 385.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 55m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 89.9 miles on South R L Thornton Freeway. 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 Fulton, 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: 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 136.1 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.9 hours each way, a round trip means 13.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Fulton, TX before the return drive.
