Trip from Dallas, TX to Lakeside, TX

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 23, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 54m

Distance

262.7 mi

423 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$39

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min

4 AM

4h 41m ★

6 AM

4h 55m

8 AM

5h 22m

10 AM

5h 4m

12 PM

5h 2m

3 PM

5h 6m

5 PM

5h 21m

8 PM

4h 47m

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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Download GPX

Dallas, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Lakeside, TX

Action Construction Equipment Ltd. - ACE

Trip Overview

Dallas, TX to Lakeside, TX is 262.7 miles and takes about 4h 54m via South R L Thornton Freeway and US 77, with a fuel budget near $40 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Great Plains region, offering a straightforward journey across Texas. It's a trip best suited for a single day, with most of your time spent on highways. Consider this route if you're looking for an efficient way to cover ground between these two Texas points without extensive detours.

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

131.3 miles from Dallas, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 21m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
South R L Thornton Freeway	89.9 mi	1h 32m
US 77	85.4 mi	1h 40m
Robinson Drive	29.5 mi	33m
East State Highway 71 Bypass	27.4 mi	28m
State Highway 71 South	9.7 mi	10m
US Highway 90A	7.4 mi	8m
North Jack Kultgen Expressway	4.3 mi	4m
East 1st Street	2.9 mi	3m

Longest stretch: South R L Thornton Freeway — 89.9 mi, about 1h 32m

Traffic on I-35

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 16 FHWA count stations on your route.

Peak

4 PM

~4,870 veh/hr typical · worst 5,788

Quietest

2 AM

~665 veh/hr

Peak-to-quiet ratio

7.3×

busier at peak than in the quiet hours

12a 6a noon 6p 11p

Averaged across 79 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 Lakeside, 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 right at fork

330 ft · 8 sec

Toward I 35E South Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 35E

0.8 mi · 1 min · South Stemmons Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 35E

0.5 mi · 44 sec · South R L Thornton Freeway

Continue on I 35E

89 mi · 1 hr 31 min · South R L Thornton Freeway

Exit 426 Toward Dallas Zoo Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 35; US 77

4.3 mi · 4 min · North Jack Kultgen Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 30 sec

Exit 333A Toward Loop 396

Turn straight onto South Jack Kultgen Expressway

0.1 mi · 24 sec · South Jack Kultgen Expressway

Turn left onto Loop 396

0.1 mi · 19 sec · South Valley Mills Drive

Enter roundabout onto Robinson Drive

125 ft · 5 sec · Robinson Drive

Continue on Robinson Drive

29 mi · 33 min · Robinson Drive

Use the straight / left lanes.

Continue on US 77

19 mi · 21 min · US 77

Turn left onto US 77; US 190; TX 36

0.3 mi · 19 sec · East 4th Street

Continue on US 77; US 190; TX 36

0.2 mi · 16 sec · Kemp Street

Continue on US 77; US 190; TX 36

2.9 mi · 3 min · East 1st Street

Take the exit onto US 77

66 mi · 1 hr 18 min · US 77

Turn sharp left onto East State Highway 71 Bypass

0.3 mi · 36 sec · East State Highway 71 Bypass

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 39 sec

Merge onto TX 71

27 mi · 27 min · East State Highway 71 Bypass

Take the exit

365 ft · 8 sec

Toward TX 71 East, TX 71 BUS: Columbus, El Campo

Continue on TX 71

0.3 mi · 35 sec · TX 71

Toward TX 71 East, TX 71 BUS: Columbus, El Campo

Turn right onto TX 71

9.7 mi · 10 min · State Highway 71 South

Turn left onto US 90 Alt

7.4 mi · 8 min · US Highway 90A

Continue on US 90 Alt

0.8 mi · 1 min · South McCarty Avenue

Continue on US 90 Alt

0.3 mi · 54 sec · Boothe Drive

Continue on US 90 Alt; FM 102

0.4 mi · 54 sec · East Main Street

Turn right onto FM 102

1.3 mi · 3 min · Lakeside Drive

Arrive at destination

FM 102

Trip Plan

Given the 4h 54m duration, starting your drive from Dallas in the morning will allow you ample time to reach Lakeside, TX before evening. With only one recommended stop, you can plan to fuel up and take a break roughly halfway through your journey, perhaps around the 100-mile mark, to break up the 89.9-mile longest stretch. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you transition off the major freeways onto US 77, to ensure you have enough to comfortably reach your destination. This route is manageable as a single-day trip, so there's no need to plan for an overnight stay.

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 131.3 miles from Dallas, TX, or about 2h 21m 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 58 miles or 1h 1m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 131.3 miles or 2h 21m 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 1m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lakeside, 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 262.7 miles and 4h 54m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 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.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Troy, TX

131 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

Italy, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 58 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Troy, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 131.3 miles from Dallas, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

2.4 mi from route

Pilot Travel Center

2.5 mi from route

Doris D Miller Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Early stretch 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour

Waco, Texas

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

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

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 95.8 — 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

Take the ramp toward I 30, I 35E

Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 30, I 35E

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 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

0.9 mi into trip | ~1m in | I 35E / South Stemmons Freeway

Merge onto I 35E / South Stemmons Freeway

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

95.8 mi into trip | ~1h 40m in

Take the exit toward Loop 396

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 333A Toward Loop 396

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$39.44 one way

$78.87 round trip

$3.81/gal 25.4 MPG avg 92 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.22	$43.64	$87.27
premium	$4.57	$47.21	$94.43
diesel	$6.28	$64.91	$129.82

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$39

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$64–$89

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 91.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.

Driving Electric?

About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	78.8	0	$27.58	$12.61
Efficient EV	65.7	0	$22.99	$10.51
EV Truck/SUV	105.1	1	$36.78	$16.81

Gas CO2

92 kg

EV CO2

31 kg (66% 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 Oct 22, 2026

Origin

Dallas, TX

Late night in Dallas on Friday

Local time

5:53 AM

CDT

Current temp

84°F

Sunny

ESE 5 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Destination

Lakeside, TX

Late night in Lakeside on Friday

Local time

5:53 AM

CDT

Current temp

85°F

Sunny

NE 5 mph 0% chance Live forecast

57°F

Troy, TX

131 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 warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

4h 54m 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.

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...

4 mi from route ~10 min detour Free near mile 90.6

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

This is primarily a highway-focused drive, with 86% of the route utilizing major roadways. You'll experience a significant stretch of 89.9 miles on South R L Thornton Freeway, which sets the tone for much of the journey. While the majority of the trip is on high-speed roads, you will transition to US 77 and then Robinson Drive as you approach your destination. Expect mostly uninterrupted driving on this route, characteristic of covering distances across Texas landscapes.

86% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

32 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 US 77. 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 19 significant decision points across 262.7 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

Mostly flat terrain

776 ft 168 ft

Total Climb

608 ft

Total Descent

869 ft

Highest Point

776 ft

~56.3 mi in

Elevation Range

608 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 Lakeside, TX, road signs point toward Loop 396 and El Campo.

Loop 396

95.8 mi in | ~1h 40m

El Campo

242.3 mi in | ~4h 29m

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...

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 4h 54m. Total distance: 262.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (86%). 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.

Yes — we found about 19 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 Lakeside, 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 19 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Lakeside, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.

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, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Trip from Dallas, TX to Lakeside, TX

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Traffic on I-35

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

Rest Area

Hill County Northbound Rest Area

Love's Travel Stop

Petro Stopping Centers

Service Plaza

QuikTrip

Hill County Southbound Rest Area

Road Ranger

Love's Travel Stop

Buc-ee's

TA

Love's Travel Stop

QuikTrip

290 Travel Plaza

Flying J Travel Center

Colorado County Eastbound Rest Area

Colorado County Westbound Rest Area

Service Plaza

Pilot Travel Center

Doris D Miller Park

City Park

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Dallas, TX

Lakeside, TX

Same local time

1 degrees warmer at arrival

4h 54m on the road

National Parks Near This Route

Waco Mammoth National Monument

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

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?

Are there national parks near this route?

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

How this page is built

Explore More

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