Bell County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Dallas, TX to The Hills, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 43m
Distance
201.8 mi
325 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$28
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 31m
★
6 AM
3h 43m
8 AM
4h 8m
10 AM
3h 52m
12 PM
3h 50m
3 PM
3h 53m
5 PM
4h 7m
8 PM
3h 36m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Dallas, TX
Wikimedia Commons
The Hills, TX
Anthony Brown
Trip Overview
Dallas, TX to The Hills, TX is 201.8 miles and takes about 3h 43m via I 35, with a fuel budget near $32 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Texas, moving from the Great Plains region to another part of the Great Plains. The route is predominantly highway driving, making it a straightforward option for a single-day excursion. Plan for a direct connection between these two Texas locations.
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
100.9 miles from Dallas, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 45m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South R L Thornton Freeway | 89.9 mi | 1h 32m |
| I 35 | 40.2 mi | 41m |
| Purple Heart Trail | 37.9 mi | 39m |
| RM 620 | 18.6 mi | 28m |
| North Jack Kultgen Expressway | 6.6 mi | 7m |
| State Highway 45 North | 2.8 mi | 3m |
| North Ranch Road 620 | 2 mi | 3m |
| South Stemmons Freeway | 0.8 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
South R L Thornton Freeway
— 89.9 mi, about 1h 32m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 52 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,902 veh/hr typical · worst 4,654
Quietest
2 AM
~570 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.8×
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 The Hills, 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
40 mi
·
41 min
·
I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Exit 252B-A
Toward RM 620: McNeil Road
Use the right lane.
14
Turn straight onto North Interstate 35
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
North Interstate 35
15
Turn right onto RM 620
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
RM 620
16
Continue on RM 620
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
RM 620
Use the left lane.
17
Turn right onto TX 45
184 ft
·
3 sec
·
State Highway 45 Frontage Road
18
Continue on TX 45; RM 620
0.6 mi
·
51 sec
·
North Ranch Road 620
Use the straight / left lanes.
19
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward TX 45 Toll West: Lake Creek Parkway
20
Merge onto TX 45 Toll
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
State Highway 45 North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on RM 620
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
North Ranch Road 620
Use the left lane.
22
Continue on RM 620
14 mi
·
21 min
·
RM 620
23
Turn right onto Lohmans Crossing Road
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Lohmans Crossing Road
24
Turn left onto Wingreen Loop
0.2 mi
·
58 sec
·
Wingreen Loop
25
Turn right onto The Hills Drive
316 ft
·
18 sec
·
The Hills Drive
26
Turn left onto Hedgebrook Way
0.2 mi
·
53 sec
·
Hedgebrook Way
27
Turn left onto Hedgebrook Cove
147 ft
·
6 sec
·
Hedgebrook Cove
28
Arrive at destination
Hedgebrook Cove
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 43m estimated drive time, leaving Dallas in the morning allows ample time to reach The Hills without rushing. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $32, this trip is budget-friendly for a single day. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longest highway stretch, to ensure you don't need to deviate for gas. Consider departing early to enjoy a full day upon arrival.
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 100.9 miles from Dallas, TX, or about 1h 45m 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 44 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 100.9 miles or 1h 45m 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 52m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near The Hills, 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 201.8 miles and 3h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 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
101 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 44 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 100.9 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
Ascent Travel Center
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
Rest Area
0.5 mi from route
Rest Area
0.5 mi from route
Rest Area
0.6 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.9 mi from route
Rest Area
0.9 mi from route
Rest Area
0.9 mi from route
Service Plaza
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 websiteVillage of Salado Visitors Center
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Later in the drive, right off the route
Final third
0.7 mi from route
~2 min detour
Salado, Texas
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+12549478634
Visit websiteNTER - The Great Escape
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
First break
2.1 mi from route
~5 min detour
Waxahachie, Texas
Hours: 5–9 pm
+12149801053
Visit websiteLakeline Park
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
3.2 mi from route
~8 min detour
Cedar Park, Texas
+15124015500
Visit websiteCultural Activities Center
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Final third
3.2 mi from route
~8 min detour
Temple, Texas
Hours: 8:30 am–4 pm
+12547739926
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 176.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.6 mi into trip
|
~1m in
Take the ramp toward I 30, I 35E
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 30, I 35E
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
6
136.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 22m in
|
I 35
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
176.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 3m in
Take the exit toward RM 620: McNeil Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 252B-A
Toward RM 620: McNeil Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.64 one way
$55.28 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
71 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $30.87 | $61.75 |
| premium | $4.23 | $33.57 | $67.13 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $38.10 | $76.21 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 70.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 60.5 | 0 | $21.19 | $9.69 |
| Efficient EV | 50.5 | 0 | $17.66 | $8.07 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 80.7 | 1 | $28.25 | $12.92 |
Gas CO2
71 kg
EV CO2
24 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.
Origin
Dallas, TX
Evening in Dallas on Monday
Local time
7:08 PM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Partly Cloudy
S 5 to 10 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 9:33PM CDT until July 18 at 10:45PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 9:30PM CDT until July 18 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Lubbock TX
Destination
The Hills, TX
Evening in The Hills on Monday
Local time
7:08 PM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Partly Cloudy
SSE 5 to 10 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 9:33PM CDT until July 18 at 10:45PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 9:30PM CDT until July 18 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Lubbock TX
96°F
Troy, TX
101 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
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
3h 43m 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.
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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 90.5
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly highway, with 79% of the 201.8 miles spent on main roads like South R L Thornton Freeway and I 35. You'll encounter an 89.9-mile stretch on South R L Thornton Freeway before transitioning to other roadways. Expect a significant amount of highway cruising with a steady flow of exits.
79% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 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?
8/10
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
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 201.8 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: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; 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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,016 ft
428 ft
Total Climb
904 ft
Total Descent
484 ft
Highest Point
1,016 ft
~187.4 mi in
Elevation Range
588 ft
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 The Hills, 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 43m. Total distance: 201.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (79%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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 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 The Hills, 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: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; 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.
Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.4 hours — manageable with a long break at The Hills, 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, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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