Trip from Dallas, TX to Panhandle, TX

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

6h 22m

Distance

351.1 mi

565 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$48

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min

4 AM

6h 10m ★

6 AM

6h 23m

8 AM

6h 48m

10 AM

6h 32m

12 PM

6h 29m

3 PM

6h 33m

5 PM

6h 47m

8 PM

6h 15m

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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Dallas, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Panhandle, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Dallas to Panhandle is 351.1 miles and takes about 6h 22m via US Highway 287, with a fuel budget near $52 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward, same-day trip entirely within Texas, moving from the western edge of the Great Plains to its heart. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, making it an efficient way to cover ground. Consider this route if you need a direct path with minimal fuss and want to get to your destination quickly.

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

175.6 miles from Dallas, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 7m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
US 81	103.4 mi	1h 49m
US Highway 287	55.8 mi	57m
US Highway 287 East	40.5 mi	42m
East 11th Street	28.7 mi	32m
Boykin Drive	26.2 mi	28m
US Highway 287 West	25.7 mi	26m
SH 183 TEXpress	16.5 mi	16m
State Highway 207	15.2 mi	22m

Longest stretch: US 81 — 103.4 mi, about 1h 49m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Dallas, TX and Panhandle, TX.

Start on North Lamar Street

0.4 mi · 46 sec · North Lamar Street

Use the straight / right lanes.

Take the ramp

133 ft · 3 sec

Toward I 35E North

Turn right

0.5 mi · 58 sec

Toward I 35E North

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 31 sec

Toward I 35E North Use the slight left lane.

Merge onto I 35E

3.5 mi · 4 min · North Stemmons Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto TX 183

0.8 mi · 48 sec · John W Carpenter Freeway

Exit 433A Toward TX 183: Irving, DFW Airport Use the slight left / straight lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto TX 183 TEXpress

1.5 mi · 1 min · SH 183 TEXpress

Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto TX 183 TEXpress

15 mi · 14 min · SH 183 TEXpress

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on TX 121 TEXpress; TX 183 TEXpress

2.0 mi · 2 min · SH 121/183 TEXpress

Continue on TX 183 TEXpress

0.1 mi · 7 sec · SH 183 TEXpress

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on TX 121 TEXpress; TX 183 TEXpress

0.7 mi · 42 sec · SH 121/183 TEXpress

Continue on I 820 TEXpress

6.2 mi · 6 min · I 820 TEXpress

Toward I 820 Express West Toll Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 26 sec

Toward I 35W Express: Fort Worth, Denton

Keep slight right at fork

0.8 mi · 50 sec

Toward I 35W Express North: Denton Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 35W TEXpress

2.3 mi · 2 min · I 35W TEXpress

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min

Toward US 81 North, US 287 North: Decatur Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto US 81; US 287

1.7 mi · 1 min · US 81; US 287

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on US 81; US 287

102 mi · 1 hr 47 min · US 81; US 287

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on US 281; US 287

0.8 mi · 58 sec · Lloyd Ruby Overpass

Continue on US 277; US 281; US 287

2.4 mi · 3 min · Central Freeway

Use the straight lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto US 287

5.3 mi · 5 min · Northwest Freeway

Exit 3A Toward US 287 North: Vernon, Amarillo Use the slight left / straight lanes.

Continue on US 287

40 mi · 42 min · US Highway 287 East

Use the straight / left / right lanes.

Continue on US 70; US 183; US 287

4.1 mi · 4 min · Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on US 287

26 mi · 26 min · US Highway 287 West

Use the straight lane.

Continue on US 287

29 mi · 32 min · East 11th Street

Continue on US 287

2.8 mi · 3 min · Avenue F Northeast

Continue on US 287

14 mi · 14 min · US Highway 287

Continue on US 287

0.7 mi · 1 min · Burnett Street

Continue on US 287

14 mi · 13 min · US Highway 287

Turn straight onto US 287

26 mi · 28 min · Boykin Drive

Continue on US 287

1.6 mi · 1 min · East 2nd Street

Continue on US 287

28 mi · 28 min · US Highway 287

Continue on US 287; FM 1151

1.1 mi · 2 min · East 1st Street

Turn right onto TX 207

0.5 mi · 46 sec · North Hurley Avenue

Continue on TX 207

6.1 mi · 9 min · State Highway 207

Turn left onto TX 207; US 66 Hist

1.0 mi · 1 min · Original U.S. Route 66

Turn straight onto TX 207

9.2 mi · 13 min · State Highway 207

Continue on TX 207; FM 293

0.3 mi · 29 sec · Franklin Avenue

Turn left onto Main Street

0.2 mi · 33 sec · Main Street

Turn right onto East 5th Street

95 ft · 4 sec · East 5th Street

Arrive at destination

East 5th Street

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 6-hour drive, aim for an early morning departure from Dallas to ensure you arrive in Panhandle with ample daylight. The drive is manageable in one day, so you have the flexibility to stop as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longer stretches; the longest stretch without a major town is 103.4 miles on US 81. Since the fuel cost is estimated at $52, it's wise to fill up when you see stations, rather than waiting until the last minute.

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 175.6 miles from Dallas, TX, or about 3h 7m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 103.4 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 77 miles or 1h 22m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 175.6 miles or 3h 7m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 5h 11m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Panhandle, 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 351.1 miles and 6h 22m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 77 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 US 81 for about 103.4 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Wichita Falls, TX

176 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

Plainview, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 77 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Vernon, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 175.6 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

iFLY Indoor Skydiving - Fort Worth

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

First break 0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour

Hurst, Texas

Hours: 10:30 am–6:30 pm

+18178184359

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 18

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.8 and 141.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

0.8 mi into trip | ~1m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 35E North

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Toward I 35E North

4.6 mi into trip | ~6m in | TX 183 / John W Carpenter Freeway

Keep slight left at fork onto TX 183 / John W Carpenter Freeway toward TX 183: Irving, DFW Airport

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / straight lanes. Exit 433A Toward TX 183: Irving, DFW Airport

31 mi into trip | ~33m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 35W Express North: Denton

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward I 35W Express North: Denton

34.1 mi into trip | ~36m in

Take the exit toward US 81 North, US 287 North: Decatur

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 81 North, US 287 North: Decatur

141.5 mi into trip | ~2h 31m in | US 287 / Northwest Freeway

Keep slight left at fork onto US 287 / Northwest Freeway toward US 287 North: Vernon, Amarillo

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / straight lanes. Exit 3A Toward US 287 North: Vernon, Amarillo

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$48.09 one way

$96.18 round trip

$3.48/gal 25.4 MPG avg 123 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$3.89	$53.72	$107.43
premium	$4.23	$58.40	$116.80
diesel	$4.80	$66.29	$132.59

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$48

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$73–$98

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 122.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.

Driving Electric?

About $37 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	105.3	1	$36.87	$16.85
Efficient EV	87.8	1	$30.72	$14.04
EV Truck/SUV	140.4	1	$49.15	$22.47

Gas CO2

123 kg

EV CO2

41 kg (67% 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.

Forecast as of Jul 17, 2026

Origin

Dallas, TX

Late night in Dallas on Sunday

Local time

4:20 AM

CDT

Current temp

75°F

Mostly Cloudy

SSE 5 mph 7% chance Live forecast

Flash Flood Warning

Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 5:03AM CDT until July 17 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX

Flash Flood Warning

Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 5:02AM CDT until July 17 at 6:45AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX

Destination

Panhandle, TX

Late night in Panhandle on Sunday

Local time

4:20 AM

CDT

Current temp

64°F

Mostly Clear

0 mph 2% chance Live forecast

Flash Flood Warning

Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 5:03AM CDT until July 17 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX

Flash Flood Warning

Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 5:02AM CDT until July 17 at 6:45AM 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

11 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

6h 22m on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

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.

Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument

National Monument

13,000 years ago, Alibates Flint was used by mammoth hunters as a source of flint for tools. Learn how important this site was to the survival, commerce, and culture of the people of the High Plains.

23 mi from route ~58 min detour Free near mile 351.1

View on nps.gov

Lake Meredith National Recreation Area

National Recreation Area

Set within the wide‑open Texas Plains, Lake Meredith National Recreation Area offers a peaceful retreat in the heart of rugged grasslands. Over thousands of years, the Canadian River carved dramatic 2...

25 mi from route ~64 min detour Free near mile 351.1

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 highway driving, with 80% of the 351.1 miles on major roads. You'll experience a significant stretch of rural cruising, with the longest continuous segment on US 81 spanning 103.4 miles. Expect fewer exits and more open road as you head northwest. The transition from highway to surface roads will happen gradually as you approach your destination in Panhandle.

80% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

41 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 103.4 mi on US 81.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 81 and US Highway 287. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.8 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 18 significant decision points across 351.1 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 0.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 4.6 miles (TX 183 / John W Carpenter Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 31 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Elevation Profile

Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes

3,455 ft 428 ft

Total Climb

3,084 ft

Total Descent

57 ft

Highest Point

3,455 ft

~351.1 mi in

Elevation Range

3,027 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 Panhandle, TX, road signs point toward Denton and Amarillo.

Denton

30.8 mi in | ~33m

Amarillo

141.5 mi in | ~2h 31m | via US 287

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 Panhandle, TX

Full guide →

Panhandle is a city in the High Plains of the Texas Panhandle.

Top landmarks

• Carson County Square House Museum — building in Panhandle, Carson County, Texas

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 6h 22m. Total distance: 351.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 22m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 103.4 miles on US 81. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — we found about 23 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 Panhandle, 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 23 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

Yes — Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument and Lake Meredith National Recreation Area. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Not recommended in a single day. At 6.4 hours each way, a round trip means 12.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Panhandle, 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 NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Trip from Dallas, TX to Panhandle, TX

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

Love's Travel Stop

Donley County Northbound Rest Area

Texas Travel Information Center at Wichita Falls

Rest Area

Donley County Southbound Rest Area

Safety Rest Areas: Hardeman County Southbound

Wise County Northbound

Rest Area

Wichita County Northbound Rest Area

Wichita County Southbound Rest Area

Love's Travel Stop

Rest Area

Service Plaza

QuikTrip

Love's Travel Stop

Pilot Travel Center

Flying J Travel Center

Pilot Travel Center

Love's Travel Stop

QuikTrip

Love's Travel Stop

Safety Rest Areas: Hardeman County Northbound

Mr. Fuel Travel Center

iFLY Indoor Skydiving - Fort Worth

City Park

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Dallas, TX

Panhandle, TX

Same local time

11 degrees cooler at arrival

6h 22m on the road

National Parks Near This Route

Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument

Lake Meredith National Recreation Area

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

Arriving in Panhandle, 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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