Driving from Dallas to Longview is a straightforward 128.3-mile journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 16 minutes to complete. Because this trip is quite manageable, it serves perfectly as a one-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking overnight accommodations. You can expect to spend roughly $19 on fuel for the trip, making it a budget-friendly option for travelers. Both cities are located within the Great Plains region of Texas, ensuring a consistent landscape throughout your travels. Whether you are heading out for business or a quick change of scenery, this route offers a simple transit between two Texas hubs. It is an ideal distance for those who prefer to keep their time behind the wheel under three hours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
64.2 miles from Dallas, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 9m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 20
89.7 mi
1h 29m
US 80
19.2 mi
20m
East R L Thornton Freeway
5.9 mi
7m
State Highway 31 North
5.6 mi
6m
Spur 557
4.5 mi
4m
Commerce Street
0.9 mi
1m
West Marshall Avenue
0.6 mi
<1m
East State Highway 31
0.5 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 89.7 mi, about 1h 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dallas, TX and Longview, TX.
1
Start on North Lamar Street
0.3 mi·53 sec·North Lamar Street
2
Turn left onto Commerce Street
0.9 mi·1 min·Commerce Street
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·25 sec
Toward I 45 SouthUse the straight / left lanes.
4
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·25 sec
Toward I 30Use the slight right lane.
5
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·52 sec
Toward I 30 East
6
Merge onto I 30; US 67
5.9 mi·7 min·East R L Thornton Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto US 80
19 mi·20 min·US 80
Exit 53BToward US 80 East: TerrellUse the straight / right lanes.
8
Continue on Spur 557
4.5 mi·4 min·Spur 557
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 20
90 mi·1 hr 29 min·I 20
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi·38 sec
Toward TX 31 East: Downtown Longview
11
Merge onto TX 31
5.6 mi·6 min·State Highway 31 North
12
Continue on TX 31
0.5 mi·57 sec·East State Highway 31
13
Turn right onto US 80
0.6 mi·59 sec·West Marshall Avenue
14
Arrive at destination
US 80
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility in your schedule to leave whenever it suits your plans. You do not need to worry about planning formal stops, as the duration is short enough to complete in a single stretch. However, because this is a turn-heavy route, it is wise to keep your navigation apps updated and ready to guide you through the local transitions. Given the $19 fuel estimate, filling up before you leave Dallas will ensure you have plenty of range to reach Longview without any mid-trip stress. Focus on staying alert during the local segments of the drive, as the constant turns require more concentration than a typical freeway slog.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 64.2 miles from Dallas, TX, or about 1h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 89.7 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 28 miles or 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 64.2 miles or 1h 9m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Longview, 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 128.3 miles and 2h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Dallas, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 20 for about 89.7 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.2 and 7.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
1.2 mi into trip|~2m in
Take the ramp toward I 45 South
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Toward I 45 South
8
1.4 mi into trip|~3m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 30
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 30
5
1.6 mi into trip|~3m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 30 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 30 East
5
2 mi into trip|~4m in|I 30; US 67 / East R L Thornton Freeway
Merge onto I 30; US 67 / East R L Thornton Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
7.8 mi into trip|~11m in|US 80
Keep slight right at fork onto US 80 toward US 80 East: Terrell
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Exit 53B
Toward US 80 East: Terrell
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.39 one way
$38.77 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg45 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$21.22
$42.44
premium
$4.54
$22.91
$45.81
diesel
$5.61
$28.33
$56.65
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 44.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
38.5
0
$13.47
$6.16
Efficient EV
32.1
0
$11.23
$5.13
EV Truck/SUV
51.3
0
$17.96
$8.21
Gas CO2
45 kg
EV CO2
15 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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 16, 2026
Origin
Dallas, TX
Morning
in Dallas on Tuesday
Local time
10:30 AM
CDT
Current temp
88°F
Mostly Sunny
S 5 to 10 mph8% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Longview, TX
Morning
in Longview on Tuesday
Local time
10:30 AM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
79°F
Canton, TX
64 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
8 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
2h 16m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is characterized as a turn-heavy local drive rather than a standard highway cruise. You will start by navigating Commerce Street before transitioning onto I-45 South and eventually I-30 to reach your destination. Because the highway share is 0%, you should prepare for a route that requires more active attention than a typical interstate trek. The longest stretch you will encounter is the initial 0 miles on Commerce Street, highlighting the frequent turns that define the early portion of your journey. Expect a driving experience that keeps you engaged with local road navigation rather than miles of mindless highway monotony.
94% 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: 89.7 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 80. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.2 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 10 significant decision points across 128.3 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 1.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 1.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 1.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
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...
Longview is a city in the Piney Woods region of Texas. At one time a major headquarters of the vast East Texas Oil Field, petroleum remains a large part of the city's economy. Founded in 1871, the city earned its name when surveyors for the Southern Pacific Railroad noted what a "long view" they could see from a hill near the center of the new town. Longview is now home to more than 75,000 residents and has grown to be an important center of commerce and industry for the Piney Woods region of Texas.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 16m. Total distance: 128.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 16m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 89.7 miles on I 20. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Longview, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 1.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 1.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Longview, TX before heading back.
