Navarro County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Dallas, TX to Shepherd, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 59m
Distance
214.6 mi
345 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$29
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 47m
★
6 AM
4h 0m
8 AM
4h 26m
10 AM
4h 9m
12 PM
4h 6m
3 PM
4h 10m
5 PM
4h 24m
8 PM
3h 52m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Dallas, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Shepherd, TX
Nano Erdozain
Trip Overview
Dallas to Shepherd is 214.6 miles and takes about 3h 59m via Julius Schepps Freeway, with a fuel budget near $31 and enough daylight to finish in a day. You'll be traveling within the Great Plains region for the entirety of this trip, staying within Texas. This route is predominantly highway driving, making it a straightforward option for a single-day excursion. Consider this drive when you need a direct path between these two points with minimal complexity.
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
107.3 miles from Dallas, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 50m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Julius Schepps Freeway | 168.4 mi | 2h 50m |
| Phelps Drive | 14.2 mi | 16m |
| Church Street | 11.1 mi | 16m |
| Farm-to-Market Road 946 | 11 mi | 19m |
| TX 156 | 5.2 mi | 7m |
| 11th Street | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| US 190 | 1 mi | 1m |
| Woodall Rodgers Freeway | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Julius Schepps Freeway
— 168.4 mi, about 2h 50m
Traffic on I-45
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 14 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,927 veh/hr typical · worst 2,389
Quietest
2 AM
~288 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 45 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 Shepherd, TX.
1
Start on North Lamar Street
433 ft
·
14 sec
·
North Lamar Street
2
Turn right onto McKinney Avenue
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
McKinney Avenue
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Toward US 75 North
4
Merge onto Spur 366
0.4 mi
·
37 sec
·
Woodall Rodgers Freeway
5
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
49 sec
Toward I 45 South: Houston
Use the slight right lane.
6
Merge onto I 45
3.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Julius Schepps Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 45
165 mi
·
2 hr 47 min
·
Julius Schepps Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit onto US 190
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
US 190
Toward Texas 30, US 190 East: 11th Street
9
Turn left onto US 190; TX 30
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
11th Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
10
Continue on US 190; TX 30
14 mi
·
16 min
·
Phelps Drive
11
Turn right onto Bennett Road
0.1 mi
·
32 sec
·
Bennett Road
12
Turn right onto FM 946
11 mi
·
19 min
·
Farm-to-Market Road 946
13
At end of road, turn right onto TX 156
5.2 mi
·
7 min
·
TX 156
14
At end of road, turn left onto TX 150
0.3 mi
·
25 sec
·
Byrd Avenue
15
Turn right onto TX 150
11 mi
·
16 min
·
Church Street
16
Turn left onto Loop 424
84 ft
·
1 sec
·
Byrd Avenue
17
Arrive at destination
Loop 424
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 59m duration, leaving Dallas in the morning allows ample time to reach Shepherd before dark. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing. The fuel cost is estimated at $31, so plan accordingly. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 168.4-mile stretch on Julius Schepps Freeway, as services can be spaced out on longer highway segments.
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 107.3 miles from Dallas, TX, or about 1h 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 168.4 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 47 miles or 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 107.3 miles or 1h 50m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 2m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Shepherd, 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 214.6 miles and 3h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 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 Julius Schepps Freeway for about 168.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
107 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 47 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 107.3 miles from Dallas, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Julius Schepps Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 168.4 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.
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Navarro County Southbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.1 mi from route
TA Express
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Walker County Southbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Walker County Northbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
TA Express
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
1.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.4 mi from route
TA
1.6 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 websiteWolf Creek Park
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, ~9 min detour
Home stretch
3.4 mi from route
~9 min detour
Coldspring, Texas
Hours: 8 am–4 pm
+19366534312
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 145 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 169.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
McKinney Avenue
Turn right onto McKinney Avenue
Navigation decision point
7
0.9 mi into trip
|
~1m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 45 South: Houston
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 45 South: Houston
5
1.4 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
I 45 / Julius Schepps Freeway
Merge onto I 45 / Julius Schepps Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
4.5 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
I 45 / Julius Schepps Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 45 / Julius Schepps Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
169.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 53m in
|
US 190
Take the exit onto US 190 toward Texas 30, US 190 East: 11th Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Texas 30, US 190 East: 11th Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.39 one way
$58.79 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
75 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $32.83 | $65.66 |
| premium | $4.23 | $35.70 | $71.39 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $40.52 | $81.04 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 75.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 64.4 | 0 | $22.53 | $10.30 |
| Efficient EV | 53.7 | 0 | $18.78 | $8.58 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 85.8 | 1 | $30.04 | $13.73 |
Gas CO2
75 kg
EV CO2
25 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.
Origin
Dallas, TX
Late night in Dallas on Sunday
Local time
5:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
97°F
Mostly Sunny
S 10 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 5:45PM CDT by NWS Lubbock TX
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 5:44PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Destination
Shepherd, TX
Late night in Shepherd on Sunday
Local time
5:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
94°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 5 mph
19% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 5:45PM CDT by NWS Lubbock TX
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 5:44PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
95°F
Fairfield, TX
107 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
3 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
3h 59m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is mostly highway, with 82% of the route on high-speed roads. You'll spend the longest stretch, 168.4 miles, on Julius Schepps Freeway. Surface streets become more prevalent on Phelps Drive and Church Street as you approach your destination. Expect a high volume of exits for much of the drive.
82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 168.4 mi on Julius Schepps Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Julius Schepps Freeway and Phelps Drive. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near McKinney Avenue.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 214.6 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (McKinney Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 1.4 miles (I 45 / Julius Schepps Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
472 ft
147 ft
Total Climb
333 ft
Total Descent
614 ft
Highest Point
472 ft
~15.3 mi in
Elevation Range
325 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.
On the drive from Dallas, TX to Shepherd, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Texas 30 along the way.
Texas 30
169.8 mi in
|
~2h 53m
|
via US 190
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 Shepherd, TX
Full guide →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 3h 59m. Total distance: 214.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 168.4 miles on Julius Schepps Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 19 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 Shepherd, 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 19 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (McKinney Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 1.4 miles (I 45 / Julius Schepps Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Shepherd, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.
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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