Bell County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Dallas, TX to Medina, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 52m
Distance
314.2 mi
506 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$43
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 39m
★
6 AM
5h 53m
8 AM
6h 19m
10 AM
6h 2m
12 PM
5h 59m
3 PM
6h 3m
5 PM
6h 17m
8 PM
5h 45m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Dallas, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Medina, TX
Mark Direen
Trip Overview
Embarking from Dallas, Texas, your journey to Medina, Texas, covers 314.2 miles and is estimated to take 5 hours and 52 minutes. This drive is well within the scope of a single day, making it an ideal day trip, though you could split it if you prefer a more relaxed pace. The primary roadways you'll navigate include the South R L Thornton Freeway and I-35, contributing to a 68% highway share of the route. With an estimated fuel cost of $47, this trip offers a straightforward and budget-friendly way to travel. You'll remain within the Great Plains region throughout this Texas-bound adventure, experiencing a consistent landscape.
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
157.1 miles from Dallas, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 43m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South R L Thornton Freeway | 89.9 mi | 1h 32m |
| I 35 | 42.1 mi | 43m |
| Purple Heart Trail | 37.9 mi | 39m |
| West US Highway 290 | 30.3 mi | 37m |
| West Ranch Road 473 | 20.7 mi | 26m |
| South US Highway 281 | 15.3 mi | 17m |
| Express 1 Toll | 10.5 mi | 11m |
| Ranch Road 2828 | 9 mi | 9m |
Longest stretch:
South R L Thornton Freeway
— 89.9 mi, about 1h 32m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 60 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~4,041 veh/hr typical · worst 4,779
Quietest
2 AM
~585 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 51 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 Medina, 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 right at fork
330 ft
·
8 sec
Toward I 35E South
Use 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 426
Toward Dallas Zoo
Use 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
42 mi
·
43 min
·
I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 250
Toward TX 45 Toll, TX 1 Toll
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward TX 45 Toll West, TX 1 Toll South: Round Rock, Austin
Use the slight right lane.
15
Merge onto TX 45 Toll
0.5 mi
·
30 sec
·
State Highway 45 North
16
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward Loop 1 Toll South
Use the slight right lane.
17
Continue on Loop 1 Toll
4.2 mi
·
4 min
·
North Mopac Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto Express 1 Toll
10 mi
·
11 min
·
Express 1 Toll
Use the slight left lane.
19
Merge onto Loop 1
4.4 mi
·
5 min
·
North Mopac Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 290 West, TX 71 West: Johnson City, Llano
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork
319 ft
·
7 sec
Toward US 290 West, TX 71 West
22
Merge onto US 290; TX 71
3.7 mi
·
4 min
·
US 290; TX 71
Use the straight / right lanes.
23
Continue on West US Highway 290 Frontage Rd
447 ft
·
6 sec
·
West US Highway 290 Frontage Rd
24
Continue on West US 290 Frontage Rd
0.3 mi
·
23 sec
·
West US 290 Frontage Rd
25
Turn straight onto West US 290 Bypass Lanes
0.5 mi
·
33 sec
·
West US 290 Bypass Lanes
26
Continue on US 290
378 ft
·
4 sec
·
West US Highway 290
27
Continue on US 290
30 mi
·
36 min
·
West US Highway 290
Use the left lane.
28
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
Toward US 281: San Antonio
29
Merge onto US 281; US 290
6.9 mi
·
7 min
·
South US Highway 281
30
Continue on US 281
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Main Street
31
Continue on US 281
8.4 mi
·
9 min
·
South US Highway 281
32
Turn right onto RM 473
21 mi
·
26 min
·
West Ranch Road 473
33
Turn slight right onto RM 473
132 ft
·
4 sec
·
RM 473
34
Turn right onto RM 1376
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Sisterdale Road
35
Turn left onto RM 473
7.3 mi
·
9 min
·
Ranch Road 473
36
Continue on RM 473
5.2 mi
·
7 min
·
RM 473
37
Turn right onto TX 27
6.4 mi
·
7 min
·
State Highway 27
38
Turn left onto FM 1350
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Farm to Market Road 1350
39
Continue on FM 1350
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
China Street
40
At end of road, turn left onto RM 480
0.5 mi
·
55 sec
·
San Antonio Street
41
Continue on RM 480
5.4 mi
·
6 min
·
Ranch Road 480
42
At end of road, turn left onto TX 173
1.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Bandera Highway
43
Continue on TX 173
0.9 mi
·
57 sec
·
State Highway 173 North
44
Turn right onto RM 2828
9.0 mi
·
9 min
·
Ranch Road 2828
45
Turn right onto TX 16
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
State Highway 16 North
46
Turn right onto Newcomer Lane
65 ft
·
2 sec
·
Newcomer Lane
47
Arrive at destination
Newcomer Lane
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour and 52-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Dallas to maximize daylight and potentially avoid some traffic. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing your journey. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longer 89.9-mile stretch, as services can be spaced out. The $47 fuel cost is a good estimate, but it's always wise to have a buffer. A practical tip for this route is to ensure your navigation is set up before you leave Dallas, as mobile service can be spotty on certain stretches of I-35.
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 157.1 miles from Dallas, TX, or about 2h 43m 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 69 miles or 1h 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 157.1 miles or 2h 43m 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 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Medina, 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 314.2 miles and 5h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 69 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
157 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 69 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 157.1 miles from Dallas, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before South R L Thornton Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 89.9 miles.
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.
Hill County Northbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Walburg Travel Center & Food Court
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Hill County Southbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Bell County Southbound Rest Area
0.4 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.8 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.9 mi from route
Rest Area
2.3 mi from route
Rest Area
2.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
2.4 mi from route
Rest Area
2.4 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
2.5 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 websiteBarton Creek Greenbelt
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Final third
2.6 mi from route
~6 min detour
Austin, Texas
Hours: 5 am–10 pm
+15129746700
Visit websiteDoris D Miller Park
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, ~9 min detour
Early stretch
3.8 mi from route
~9 min detour
Waco, Texas
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteNTER - The Great Escape
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, ~11 min detour
First break
4.4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Waxahachie, Texas
Hours: 5–9 pm
+12149801053
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 275 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 199.8 — 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
8
178.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 5m in
Take the exit toward TX 45 Toll, TX 1 Toll
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 250
Toward TX 45 Toll, TX 1 Toll
8
178.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 6m in
Keep slight right at fork toward TX 45 Toll West, TX 1 Toll South: Round Rock, Austin
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward TX 45 Toll West, TX 1 Toll South: Round...
7
199.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 30m in
Take the exit toward US 290 West, TX 71 West: Johnson City, Llano
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.
Toward US 290 West, TX 71 West: Johnson City, L...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$43.04 one way
$86.07 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
110 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $48.07 | $96.14 |
| premium | $4.23 | $52.26 | $104.53 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $59.33 | $118.65 |
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: 109.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 94.3 | 1 | $32.99 | $15.08 |
| Efficient EV | 78.6 | 0 | $27.49 | $12.57 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 125.7 | 1 | $43.99 | $20.11 |
Gas CO2
110 kg
EV CO2
37 kg (66% 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.
Origin
Dallas, TX
Evening in Dallas on Monday
Local time
6:58 PM
CDT
Current temp
93°F
Partly Sunny
SSW 10 mph
17% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 12:33PM CDT until July 17 at 3:30PM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 11:14AM CDT until July 17 at 2:15PM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Destination
Medina, TX
Evening in Medina on Monday
Local time
6:58 PM
CDT
Current temp
89°F
Partly Sunny
SSE 15 mph
5% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 12:33PM CDT until July 17 at 3:30PM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 11:14AM CDT until July 17 at 2:15PM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
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
4 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 52m 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...
6 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 86.7
View on nps.gov
Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park tells the story of our 36th president beginning with his ancestors until his final resting place on his beloved LBJ Ranch. This entire "circle of life" gives...
15 mi from route
~37 min detour
Free
near mile 238.4
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 68% of it utilizing major interstates. You'll experience extended stretches of consistent speed, including one segment of 89.9 miles on the South R L Thornton Freeway. While the majority involves efficient highway travel, be prepared for potential traffic as you depart Dallas. The character of the drive remains largely consistent, offering a predictable and direct path to your destination. Expect a smooth, albeit sometimes monotonous, experience behind the wheel.
68% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
47 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?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on South R L Thornton Freeway and I 35. 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
10/10
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 27 significant decision points across 314.2 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 178.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,480 ft
428 ft
Total Climb
1,559 ft
Total Descent
545 ft
Highest Point
1,480 ft
~291.8 mi in
Elevation Range
1,052 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 Medina, TX, road signs point toward Austin, Loop 1 Toll South and Llano.
Austin
178.7 mi in
|
~3h 6m
Loop 1 Toll South
179.9 mi in
|
~3h 8m
Llano
199.8 mi in
|
~3h 30m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Weekend Coffee
Cafe
Near the start, right off the route
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Hours: 07:00-15:00
Visit websiteStarbucks
Cafe
Near the start, right off the route
0.6 mi from route
~1 min detour
Dallas, TX
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Visit websiteCorner Bakery
Cafe
Near the start, right off the route
0.2 mi from route
Cuisine: coffee_shop
SquareRüt Kava Bar
Cafe
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Austin, TX
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Hours: Tu-Su 12:00-19:00
Visit websiteMettie’s Mercantile & Tea Shoppe
Cafe
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
1.1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Blanco, TX
Cuisine: tea
Visit websiteStarbucks
Cafe
Near the start, short detour
1.2 mi from route
~3 min detour
Dallas, TX
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Visit websitePapa John's
Fast_food
Later in the drive, right off the route
Final third
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Austin, TX
Cuisine: pizza
Hours: Mo-Th 10:00-24:00; Fr-Sa 10:00-01:00; Su...
Visit websiteMoak's Family Texas BBQ
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
0.2 mi from route
Cuisine: barbecue
Hours: Mo-Su 11:00-21:00
Visit websiteWingBucket
Fast_food
Near the start, right off the route
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
Dallas, TX
Cuisine: chicken
Hours: Su-Th 11:00-22:00; Fr,Sa 11:00-24:00
Visit websiteCommissary
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
Dallas, TX
Cuisine: coffee_shop;sandwich;american;ice_cream;bakery
Hours: Mo-Sa 07:00-16:00; Su 07:00-14:00
Visit websiteChop House Burger
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
Dallas, TX
Cuisine: burger
Hours: Su-Th 11:00-21:00; Fr,Sa 11:00-22:00
Visit websiteFat Bottom Grill
Restaurant
Later in the drive, right off the route
Final third
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Blanco, TX
Cuisine: sandwich
Hours: Fr 16:00-21:00; Sa 12:00-21:00; Su 12:00...
Visit websiteGiant Eye
Attraction
Near the start, right off the route
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Trinity River Greenbelt Park
Park
Near the start, short detour
1.5 mi from route
~4 min detour
Legacy of Love Monument
Attraction
Near the start, short detour
1.8 mi from route
~5 min detour
Hours: 24/7
Frank H. Caven Memorial Garden
Attraction
Near the start, short detour
1.8 mi from route
~5 min detour
James Kiehl River Bend Park
Park
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2.1 mi from route
~5 min detour
McBrayer Park
Park
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
2.2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Museum of Illusions
Museum
Near the start, right off the route
0.1 mi from route
Dallas, TX
Hours: Su-Th 10:00-20:00; Fr-Sa 10:00-21:00
Visit websiteThe Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza
Museum
Near the start, right off the route
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Dallas, TX
Hours: We-Su 10:00-17:00
Visit websiteWaples-Platter Buildings
Yes
Near the start, right off the route
0.2 mi from route
TX
Six Miles East to Site of Little River Fort
Memorial
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Halfway reset
0 mi from route
Bell County
Memorial
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Halfway reset
0.1 mi from route
Adolphus Hotel
Memorial
Near the start, right off the route
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
Visit website
Hotel Crescent Court
Hotel
Near the start, right off the route
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
Dallas, TX
Points of interest from OpenStreetMap contributors. Listings may not reflect current hours or availability.
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 Medina, TX
Full guide →Founded -900
Top landmarks
- • Prophet's Mosque — mosque in Medina, Saudi Arabia
- • Hejaz Railway Museum — railway museum
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 5h 52m. Total distance: 314.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.
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 27 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 Medina, 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 27 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 178.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument and Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.9 hours each way, a round trip means 11.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Medina, 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, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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