Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Dallas, TX to Marfa, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 22, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
9h 33m
Distance
541.1 mi
871 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$81
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
9h 25m
★
6 AM
9h 33m
8 AM
9h 50m
10 AM
9h 39m
12 PM
9h 37m
3 PM
9h 40m
5 PM
9h 49m
8 PM
9h 28m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Dallas, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Marfa, TX
Thomas balabaud
Trip Overview
Dallas to Marfa is 541.1 miles and takes about 9h 33m via I 20 and TX 349, with a fuel budget near $79 and an overnight recommendation. This long-haul drive connects the Great Plains region of Texas, offering a route that's predominantly highway cruising. Given the 9.5-hour estimated drive time, planning for an overnight stop is advisable to make the trip more comfortable and less rushed. Consider this route if you're looking for a straightforward path across the state with minimal complex navigation.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
270.5 miles from Dallas, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 42m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 20 | 284.4 mi | 4h 47m |
| East 3rd Street | 57 mi | 1h |
| TX 349 | 42.1 mi | 43m |
| Tom Landry Freeway | 29.9 mi | 35m |
| South US Higway 67 | 25.7 mi | 29m |
| West US Highway 90 | 24.9 mi | 26m |
| South US Highway 67 | 21.6 mi | 24m |
| Trooper Sammy Long Memorial HIghway | 17.7 mi | 20m |
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 284.4 mi, about 4h 47m
Traffic on I-20
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 72 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,333 veh/hr typical · worst 1,751
Quietest
2 AM
~187 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 105 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 Marfa, 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
284 mi
·
4 hr 47 min
·
I 20
Use the slight right lane.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
Toward SH 349 Business, SH 349: Lamesa, Rankin
11
Turn left onto East Interstate 20
349 ft
·
9 sec
·
East Interstate 20
12
Turn left onto TX 349 Bus
0.5 mi
·
44 sec
·
Rankin Highway
13
Continue on TX 349
10 mi
·
10 min
·
South State Highway 349
14
Continue on TX 349
42 mi
·
43 min
·
TX 349
Use the straight lane.
15
Turn right onto US 67; TX 349
18 mi
·
20 min
·
Trooper Sammy Long Memorial HIghway
16
Continue on US 67
57 mi
·
1 hr
·
East 3rd Street
17
Take the exit onto La Entrada al Pacifico Corridor
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
La Entrada al Pacifico Corridor
Exit 246
Toward US 67 south, FM 1776: Alpine, Sul Ross State University
18
Continue on US 67
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
Interstate 10 West
19
Turn left onto US 67
26 mi
·
29 min
·
South US Higway 67
20
Continue on US 67
22 mi
·
24 min
·
South US Highway 67
21
Continue on US 67; US 90
7.6 mi
·
8 min
·
East US Highway 90
22
Continue on US 67; US 90
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East Avenue E
23
Continue on US 67; US 90
25 mi
·
26 min
·
West US Highway 90
24
Continue on US 67; US 90
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
East San Antonio Street
25
Turn right onto TX 17
183 ft
·
10 sec
·
South Highland Street
26
Turn left
190 ft
·
14 sec
27
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
With a total duration of over 9 hours, this trip is best split into two days. Aim to leave Dallas early in the morning to maximize your driving time on the first day, covering a substantial portion of the 541.1 miles. Plan your overnight stop around the halfway point, or slightly beyond the longest stretch on I 20, which is 284.4 miles. Keep an eye on fuel levels, especially as you transition to TX 349, as services can become more spread out in West Texas. The estimated fuel cost is around $79, so budget accordingly.
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.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 270.5 miles from Dallas, TX, or about 4h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 284.4 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 119 miles or 2h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 270.5 miles or 4h 42m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 270.5 miles or 4h 42m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 8h 25m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Marfa, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Dallas, TX
Aim for roughly 271 miles and 4.8 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Marfa, TX
Aim for roughly 271 miles and 4.8 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 119 miles from Dallas, TX.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 20 for about 284.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
First major stop
Coffee and fuel
179 mi into the route
Best for: Coffee, fuel, and an easy first stretch
This is a natural early stop once the first hours of the drive are behind you.
Second major stop
Overnight candidate
357 mi into the route
Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start
This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.
Find hotels in Stanton, TXOvernight Options
Night 1
271 mi · about 4.8h in
A practical overnight split lands near Roscoe, TX after about 271 miles or 4.8 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 119 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 270.5 miles from Dallas, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 20 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 284.4 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 271 miles or 4.8 hours on the road.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Rest Area
0 mi from route
Mitchell County Westbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Picnic Area
0 mi from route
Picnic Area
0 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0 mi from route
I-20 Westbound Picnic Area
0 mi from route
I-20 Eastbound Picnic Area
0 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Howard County Eastbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.1 mi from route
Eastland County Eastbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Eastland County Westbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Nolan County Eastbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Callahan County Eastbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Callahan County Westbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.2 mi from route
Waterfall Overlook
0.2 mi from route
Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Hill Arbor
0.3 mi from route
Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
QuikTrip
1.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.5 mi from 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 websiteWhite Settlement Museum
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
First break
1.7 mi from route
~4 min detour
White Settlement, Texas
Hours: 10 am–3 pm
+18172469719
Visit websitePlay Street Museum - Fort Worth
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
First break
3.3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Fort Worth, Texas
Hours: 8:30 am–8 pm
+18179302577
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 135 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 459 — 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.
6
459 mi into trip
|
~8h in
|
La Entrada al Pacifico Corridor
Take the exit onto La Entrada al Pacifico Corridor toward US 67 south, FM 1776: Alpine, Sul Ross State University
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 246
Toward US 67 south, FM 1776: Alpine, Sul Ross S...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$81.23 one way
$162.46 round trip
$3.81/gal
25.4 MPG avg
189 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.22 | $89.88 | $179.76 |
| premium | $4.57 | $97.25 | $194.50 |
| diesel | $6.28 | $133.70 | $267.40 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$81
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$211–$321
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 189.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $57 in charging · 2 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 162.3 | 2 | $56.82 | $25.97 |
| Efficient EV | 135.3 | 1 | $47.35 | $21.64 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 216.4 | 2 | $75.75 | $34.63 |
Gas CO2
189 kg
EV CO2
63 kg (67% less)
Plan for 2 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.
Origin
Dallas, TX
Evening in Dallas on Thursday
Local time
5:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Mostly Cloudy
0 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Marfa, TX
Evening in Marfa on Thursday
Local time
5:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Sunny
SE 0 to 10 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
81°F
Brownwood, TX
179 mi in
50°F
Stanton, TX
357 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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
24 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
9h 33m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is primarily highway, with 81% of the 541.1 miles on main roads like I 20. You'll encounter a significant stretch of 284.4 miles on I 20, suggesting a long period of uninterrupted highway travel. The route transitions to surface roads, including East 3rd Street and TX 349, after this extensive highway segment. Expect a rural cruising feel for much of the latter half of the drive.
81% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 284.4 mi on I 20.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and East 3rd Street. 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
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 541.1 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
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
4,693 ft
428 ft
Total Climb
4,689 ft
Total Descent
425 ft
Highest Point
4,693 ft
~541.1 mi in
Elevation Range
4,265 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Marfa, TX, road signs point toward Sh 349 Business, Sh 349: Lamesa, Rankin, Fm 1776: Alpine and Sul Ross State University.
Sh 349 Business
331.3 mi in
|
~5h 43m
Sh 349: Lamesa
331.3 mi in
|
~5h 43m
Rankin
331.3 mi in
|
~5h 43m
Fm 1776: Alpine
459 mi in
|
~8h
|
via La Entrada al Pacifico Corridor
Sul Ross State University
459 mi in
|
~8h
|
via La Entrada al Pacifico Corridor
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 Marfa, TX
Full guide →Marfa is a town of 1,600 people (2019) in the Big Bend Country region of Texas. It's known for two things: innovative art and mysterious lights.
Top landmarks
- • Chinati Foundation — contemporary art museum in Marfa, Texas
- • Presidio County Courthouse — historic place in Marfa, Presidio County, Texas
- • El Paisano Hotel — historic place in Marfa, Presidio County, Texas
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 284.4 miles on I 20. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 271 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 46 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 Marfa, 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 46 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 9.6 hours each way, a round trip means 19.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Marfa, 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, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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