If you are planning a trip from Dallas to Kerrville, expect a journey covering 283.5 miles that takes approximately 5 hours and 24 minutes to complete. Because this route focuses on turn-heavy local roads like Ross Avenue, North Houston Street, and Elm Street rather than major interstates, it is best suited for a single-day trip. Budget about $42 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Texas locations. Since both cities are situated within the Great Plains, you will experience a consistent regional landscape throughout the drive. This itinerary is ideal if you prefer local navigation over highway cruising, though you should be prepared for a more involved driving experience.
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
141.7 miles from Dallas, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 27m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
South R L Thornton Freeway
89.9 mi
1h 32m
Purple Heart Trail
37.9 mi
39m
South US Highway 281
33.5 mi
40m
West US Highway 290
27.2 mi
30m
FM 2843
14.6 mi
18m
South State Highway 16
14.2 mi
15m
East RM 243
12.1 mi
15m
West State Highway 29
9 mi
10m
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 Kerrville, 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
8.9 mi·8 min·I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Exit 283Toward FM 2268, FM 2843: Holland, FlorenceUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Turn straight onto South Robertson Road
0.1 mi·11 sec·South Robertson Road
15
Continue on South I-35 Frontage Road
0.6 mi·53 sec·South I-35 Frontage Road
16
Turn slight right onto FM 2843
15 mi·18 min·FM 2843
17
At end of road, turn right onto FM 487
2.4 mi·3 min·FM 487
18
Continue on FM 487
0.1 mi·14 sec·East Main Street
19
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward TX 195 North
20
Merge onto TX 195
0.3 mi·17 sec·TX 195
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi·46 sec
Toward TX 138: LampasasUse the slight right lane.
22
Turn left onto TX 138
6.9 mi·8 min·State Highway 138
23
At end of road, turn right onto US 183
0.2 mi·17 sec·North US Highway 183
24
Turn left onto RM 243
0.6 mi·41 sec·East Ranch Road 243
25
Continue on RM 243
1.0 mi·1 min·East RM 243
26
Keep slight left at fork onto RM 243
11 mi·14 min·East RM 243
27
Turn right onto TX 29; RM 243
9.0 mi·10 min·West State Highway 29
28
Continue on TX 29
1.6 mi·2 min·East Polk Street
29
Turn left onto US 281
2.0 mi·3 min·South Water Street
Use the left lane.
30
Continue on US 281
34 mi·40 min·South US Highway 281
31
Take the exit
0.1 mi·15 sec
Toward Fredericksburg
32
Merge onto US 290
1.0 mi·1 min·East Main Street
Toward Fredericksburg
33
Continue on US 290
27 mi·30 min·West US Highway 290
34
Continue on US 290
0.3 mi·33 sec·East Main Street
35
Turn left onto Friendship Lane
2.9 mi·5 min·Friendship Lane
36
Turn left onto TX 16
14 mi·15 min·South State Highway 16
37
Continue on TX 16
5.7 mi·6 min·Fredericksburg Road
38
Continue on TX 16
2.3 mi·5 min·Sidney Baker Street
39
Turn left onto TX 27
69 ft·1 sec·Main Street
40
Arrive at destination
TX 27
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour and 24-minute duration, plan to depart early to maximize your daylight hours on these local roads. Since the route involves navigating specific turns on streets like Elm and North Houston, keep your GPS updated to avoid missing critical junctions. With only one recommended stop, you have plenty of flexibility to stretch your legs whenever you need a break from the frequent turning. Keep your $42 fuel budget in mind, as local city driving can sometimes impact your vehicle's efficiency differently than steady highway cruising. A smart tip for this specific drive is to double-check your route markers before leaving Dallas, as the heavy reliance on local streets makes precise navigation essential for keeping your travel time close to the estimate.
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 141.7 miles from Dallas, TX, or about 2h 27m 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 62 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 141.7 miles or 2h 27m 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 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kerrville, 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 283.5 miles and 5h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 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 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 163.7 — 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.
8
145 mi into trip|~2h 31m in
Take the exit toward FM 2268, FM 2843: Holland, Florence
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 283
Toward FM 2268, FM 2843: Holland, Florence
6
163.7 mi into trip|~2h 55m in
Take the exit toward TX 138: Lampasas
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward TX 138: Lampasas
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.84 one way
$85.68 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg99 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$46.89
$93.78
premium
$4.54
$50.62
$101.23
diesel
$5.61
$62.59
$125.19
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$43
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 99.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
85.1
1
$29.77
$13.61
Efficient EV
70.9
0
$24.81
$11.34
EV Truck/SUV
113.4
1
$39.69
$18.14
Gas CO2
99 kg
EV CO2
33 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 12, 2026
Origin
Dallas, TX
Late night
in Dallas on Sunday
Local time
5:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
S 10 to 15 mph89% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 12 at 8:19AM CDT by NWS Fort Worth TX
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 12 at 7:55AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Kerrville, TX
Late night
in Kerrville on Sunday
Local time
5:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
59°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
20 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 24m 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?
Forget the monotony of high-speed interstates; this route features a 0% highway share, offering a distinctively turn-heavy local driving experience. You will spend your time navigating through city streets, as the longest uninterrupted stretch is currently 0 miles on Ross Avenue. The character of the road demands your full attention, as the path relies entirely on local corridors rather than open stretches of pavement. Navigating this many turns requires a driver who stays alert and engaged with the road layout. It is a practical, hands-on trek that keeps you moving through the local grid rather than cruising at highway speeds.
80% 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?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on South R L Thornton Freeway and Purple Heart Trail. 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 Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 283.5 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: 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.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,639 ft408 ft
Total Climb
1,765 ft
Total Descent
555 ft
Highest Point
1,639 ft
~283.5 mi in
Elevation Range
1,231 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 Kerrville, TX, road signs point toward Fm 2268, Fm 2843: Holland, Florence and Fredericksburg.
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...
Kerrville is a city of 24,000 people (2020) in the Texas Hill Country. It is known for its parks that line the Guadalupe River, which runs through the city.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 24m. Total distance: 283.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (80%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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 Kerrville, 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.4 hours each way, a round trip means 10.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Kerrville, TX before the return drive.
