If you are planning a trip from Dallas to Marshall, you are looking at a 151.3-mile journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 40 minutes to complete. This route keeps you within the Great Plains region of Texas, making it a straightforward trek that works perfectly as a single-day excursion. You can expect to budget roughly $23 for fuel, keeping costs manageable for a quick getaway. Because the trip is relatively short, you won't need to worry about overnight logistics, allowing you to focus on the drive itself. Whether you are heading out for business or a change of scenery, the clear duration and distance make this a predictable and easy-to-plan transit.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
75.6 miles from Dallas, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 21m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 20
111 mi
1h 51m
US 80
23.9 mi
26m
East R L Thornton Freeway
5.9 mi
7m
Spur 557
4.5 mi
4m
FM 968 West
2.7 mi
3m
Commerce Street
0.9 mi
1m
FM 3251
0.8 mi
1m
North Lamar Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 111 mi, about 1h 51m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dallas, TX and Marshall, 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
111 mi·1 hr 51 min·I 20
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward FM 3251
11
Turn left onto FM 3251
0.8 mi·1 min·FM 3251
12
Turn right onto FM 968
2.7 mi·3 min·FM 968 West
13
Turn right onto US 80
4.7 mi·5 min·US 80
14
Turn right onto North Wellington Street
0.3 mi·44 sec·North Wellington Street
15
Turn left onto West Houston Street
277 ft·5 sec·West Houston Street
16
Arrive at destination
West Houston Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a compact drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though planning for at least one stop will help you break up the 2-hour and 40-minute duration. Given the turn-heavy nature of the roads, try to leave during daylight hours to ensure you have maximum visibility for navigating local streets. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge early, as the $23 estimated cost assumes consistent driving conditions. Since you aren't tied to a rigid multi-day itinerary, use your single stop to stretch your legs and reset before finishing the final leg of the 151.3-mile trip. Focusing on the local street navigation early in the drive will help you handle the later turns with more confidence.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 75.6 miles from Dallas, TX, or about 1h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 111 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 33 miles or 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 75.6 miles or 1h 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 2h 10m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Marshall, 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 151.3 miles and 2h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 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 I 20 for about 111 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 13
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
$22.86 one way
$45.72 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg53 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$25.02
$50.05
premium
$4.54
$27.01
$54.03
diesel
$5.61
$33.41
$66.81
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 52.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
45.4
0
$15.89
$7.26
Efficient EV
37.8
0
$13.24
$6.05
EV Truck/SUV
60.5
0
$21.18
$9.68
Gas CO2
53 kg
EV CO2
18 kg (66% 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 17, 2026
Origin
Dallas, TX
Late night
in Dallas on Tuesday
Local time
3:07 AM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Mostly Clear
S 10 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Marshall, TX
Late night
in Marshall on Tuesday
Local time
3:07 AM
CDT
Current temp
81°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
13 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
2h 40m 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?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise, as this route transitions away from the typical highway experience. You will navigate via Commerce Street, I-45 South, and I-30 to reach your destination. While the highway share is effectively zero, the path requires your full attention as you move through the various local segments. The longest uninterrupted stretch is currently 0 miles on Commerce Street, highlighting the frequent adjustments and turns you will encounter behind the wheel. Prepare for a more hands-on driving experience that demands alertness compared to a standard high-speed highway commute.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 111 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 13 significant decision points across 151.3 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Dallas, TX to Marshall, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Fm 3251 along the way.
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...
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 40m. Total distance: 151.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 111 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 Marshall, 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 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 Marshall, TX before heading back.
