Picnic Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Dallas, TX to Sonora, 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
6h 10m
Distance
338.9 mi
545 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$46
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 58m
★
6 AM
6h 11m
8 AM
6h 36m
10 AM
6h 20m
12 PM
6h 17m
3 PM
6h 21m
5 PM
6h 35m
8 PM
6h 3m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Dallas, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Sonora, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Dallas to Sonora is 338.9 miles and takes about 6h 10m via I 20 and US Highway 277 South, with a fuel budget near $53 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily stays within the Great Plains region, moving from the Dallas area southwest towards West Texas. It's a straightforward, largely highway trip, making it a solid choice for a single-day excursion. You'll find it's a practical way to cover ground efficiently, with minimal complexity in navigation. Consider this route if you need to get from point A to point B without much fuss.
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
169.4 miles from Dallas, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 20 | 137.3 mi | 2h 19m |
| US Highway 277 South | 78.6 mi | 1h 24m |
| US 277 | 67.3 mi | 1h 17m |
| Tom Landry Freeway | 29.9 mi | 35m |
| West Freeway | 15.5 mi | 17m |
| South Bryant Boulevard | 3.5 mi | 4m |
| Winters Freeway | 2.5 mi | 2m |
| North Abe Street | 1.3 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 137.3 mi, about 2h 19m
Traffic on I-20
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 48 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,819 veh/hr typical · worst 2,291
Quietest
2 AM
~200 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 52 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 Sonora, 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
137 mi
·
2 hr 19 min
·
I 20
Use the slight right lane.
10
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 283A
Toward US 83 South, US 277 South: San Angelo, Ballinger, Anson
11
Merge onto US 83; US 277
2.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Winters Freeway
12
Take the exit onto US 277
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
US 277
Toward US 277 South: San Angelo
13
Turn right onto US 277
79 mi
·
1 hr 24 min
·
US Highway 277 South
14
Keep slight right at fork onto US 277
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
·
US 277
Toward US 67 South, US 277 South: San Angelo
15
Keep slight left at fork onto US 277
5.1 mi
·
6 min
·
US 277
Toward US 67 South, US 277 South: San Angelo
16
Take the exit onto US 277
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
·
US 277
Toward US 87, US 277 South
17
Turn left onto US 87; US 277; US 67 Bus
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
North Bryant Boulevard
18
Continue on US 87; US 277; US 67 Bus
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
North Abe Street
19
Continue on US 87; US 277
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
South Bryant Boulevard
20
Take the exit onto US 277
60 mi
·
1 hr 7 min
·
US 277
Toward US 277 South: Eldorado
21
Turn left onto US 277; Loop 467
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
North Crockett Avenue
22
Turn left onto Southeast 3rd Street
107 ft
·
4 sec
·
Southeast 3rd Street
23
Arrive at destination
Southeast 3rd Street
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 10m estimated drive time, leaving Dallas in the morning should allow you to reach Sonora with plenty of daylight to spare. With only one recommended stop and a 98% highway profile, you can be quite flexible with your pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially as you get further west; while the fuel cost is estimated at $53, it's always wise to top off when you see stations, as they can become more spread out. The longest stretch without a significant change in road type is 137.3 miles on I 20, so plan your breaks accordingly before you hit that segment.
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 169.4 miles from Dallas, TX, or about 3h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 137.3 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 75 miles or 1h 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 169.4 miles or 3h 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 2m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sonora, 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 338.9 miles and 6h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 75 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 137.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
169 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 75 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 169.4 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 137.3 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.
Picnic Area
0 mi from route
Road Ranger
0 mi from route
I-20 Westbound Picnic Area
0 mi from route
I-20 Eastbound Picnic Area
0 mi from route
Rest Area
0 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
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
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
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
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
Waterfall Overlook
0.2 mi from route
Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Hill Arbor
0.3 mi from route
Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
QuikTrip
1.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.5 mi from route
Sonora Ice House Ranch Museum
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Sonora, Texas
Hours: 1–5 pm
+13253873754
Visit websiteCity 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 websiteProducers Park
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
3.3 mi from route
~8 min detour
San Angelo, Texas
Hours: 8 am–5 pm
+13256574279
Visit websiteiFLY Indoor Skydiving - Fort Worth
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, ~11 min detour
First break
4.2 mi from route
~11 min detour
Hurst, Texas
Hours: 10:30 am–6:30 pm
+18178184359
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 155 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 267.4 — 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
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
6
184.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 15m in
Take the exit toward US 83 South, US 277 South: San Angelo, Ballinger, Anson
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 283A
Toward US 83 South, US 277 South: San Angelo, B...
6
266.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 45m in
|
US 277
Keep slight right at fork onto US 277 toward US 67 South, US 277 South: San Angelo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 67 South, US 277 South: San Angelo
6
267.4 mi into trip
|
~4h 46m in
|
US 277
Keep slight left at fork onto US 277 toward US 67 South, US 277 South: San Angelo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 67 South, US 277 South: San Angelo
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$46.42 one way
$92.84 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
119 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $51.85 | $103.70 |
| premium | $4.23 | $56.37 | $112.74 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $63.99 | $127.98 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$46
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 118.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 101.7 | 1 | $35.58 | $16.27 |
| Efficient EV | 84.7 | 0 | $29.65 | $13.56 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 135.6 | 1 | $47.45 | $21.69 |
Gas CO2
119 kg
EV CO2
40 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
Late night in Dallas on Monday
Local time
4:31 AM
CDT
Current temp
93°F
Mostly Sunny
S 5 to 10 mph
9% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 7:39AM CDT until July 18 at 4:13AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 7:36AM CDT until July 17 at 10:30AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Destination
Sonora, TX
Late night in Sonora on Monday
Local time
4:31 AM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SSE 10 to 15 mph
46% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 7:39AM CDT until July 18 at 4:13AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 7:36AM CDT until July 17 at 10:30AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
99°F
Albany, TX
169 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
9 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 10m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is almost entirely highway, with a 98% highway share. You'll be on I 20 for the longest stretch, a continuous 137.3 miles. After that, you'll transition to US Highway 277 South, which will feel like a change from the interstate. Expect a rural cruising feel for much of this drive, with fewer exits compared to more urban interstates.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 137.3 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 Highway 277 South. 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
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 15 significant decision points across 338.9 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 184.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,344 ft
428 ft
Total Climb
2,538 ft
Total Descent
840 ft
Highest Point
2,344 ft
~314.7 mi in
Elevation Range
1,916 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 Sonora, TX, road signs point toward Ballinger and Anson.
Ballinger
184.2 mi in
|
~3h 15m
Anson
184.2 mi in
|
~3h 15m
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 Sonora, TX
Full guide →Sonora is a city in the West Hill Country of Texas.
Top landmarks
- • Sutton County Courthouse — historic place in Sonora, Sutton 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 10m. Total distance: 338.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 10m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 137.3 miles on I 20. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 29 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 Sonora, 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 29 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 184.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.2 hours each way, a round trip means 12.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Sonora, 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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