Texas Travel Information Center at Wichita Falls
0 mi from route
Trip from Dallas, TX to Tulia, 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
6h 46m
Distance
346.5 mi
558 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$47
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 35m
★
6 AM
6h 47m
8 AM
7h 10m
10 AM
6h 55m
12 PM
6h 53m
3 PM
6h 56m
5 PM
7h 9m
8 PM
6h 40m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Dallas, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Tulia, TX
Action Construction Equipment Ltd. - ACE
Trip Overview
Dallas to Tulia is 346.5 miles and takes about 6h 46m via US 81 and US Highway 287 East, with a fuel budget near $54 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. For the most part, you'll be on highways, so expect a fairly direct path. Given the duration, it's a solid day trip if you get an early start, or a relaxed overnight if you prefer to break it up.
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
173.3 miles from Dallas, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 5m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 81 | 103.4 mi | 1h 49m |
| State Highway 86 | 72 mi | 1h 46m |
| US Highway 287 East | 40.5 mi | 42m |
| East 11th Street | 28.7 mi | 32m |
| US Highway 287 West | 25.7 mi | 26m |
| SH 183 TEXpress | 16.5 mi | 16m |
| US Highway 287 | 13.8 mi | 14m |
| Main Street | 9.1 mi | 13m |
Longest stretch:
US 81
— 103.4 mi, about 1h 49m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dallas, TX and Tulia, TX.
1
Start on North Lamar Street
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
·
North Lamar Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
2
Take the ramp
133 ft
·
3 sec
Toward I 35E North
3
Turn right
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
Toward I 35E North
4
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward I 35E North
Use the slight left lane.
5
Merge onto I 35E
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
North Stemmons Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
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.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 183 TEXpress
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
SH 183 TEXpress
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 183 TEXpress
15 mi
·
14 min
·
SH 183 TEXpress
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on TX 121 TEXpress; TX 183 TEXpress
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
SH 121/183 TEXpress
10
Continue on TX 183 TEXpress
0.1 mi
·
7 sec
·
SH 183 TEXpress
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on TX 121 TEXpress; TX 183 TEXpress
0.7 mi
·
42 sec
·
SH 121/183 TEXpress
12
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.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward I 35W Express: Fort Worth, Denton
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.8 mi
·
50 sec
Toward I 35W Express North: Denton
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto I 35W TEXpress
2.3 mi
·
2 min
·
I 35W TEXpress
16
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 81 North, US 287 North: Decatur
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Merge onto US 81; US 287
1.7 mi
·
1 min
·
US 81; US 287
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on US 81; US 287
102 mi
·
1 hr 47 min
·
US 81; US 287
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on US 281; US 287
0.8 mi
·
58 sec
·
Lloyd Ruby Overpass
20
Continue on US 277; US 281; US 287
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Central Freeway
Use the straight lane.
21
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.
22
Continue on US 287
40 mi
·
42 min
·
US Highway 287 East
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
23
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.
24
Continue on US 287
26 mi
·
26 min
·
US Highway 287 West
Use the straight lane.
25
Continue on US 287
29 mi
·
32 min
·
East 11th Street
26
Continue on US 287
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Avenue F Northeast
27
Continue on US 287
14 mi
·
14 min
·
US Highway 287
28
Continue on US 287
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
·
Burnett Street
29
Turn left onto TX 86
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Harper Street
30
Continue on TX 86
30 mi
·
44 min
·
State Highway 86
31
Turn right onto TX 86
9.1 mi
·
13 min
·
Main Street
32
Continue on TX 86
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
East Main Street
33
Continue on TX 86
16 mi
·
23 min
·
State Highway 86
34
Continue on TX 86
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Lone Star Street
35
Continue on TX 86; TX 207
26 mi
·
39 min
·
State Highway 86
36
Arrive at destination
TX 86
Trip Plan
Plan to leave Dallas early to maximize daylight for this 6h 46m drive. With 346.5 miles ahead and a fuel cost estimated around $54, consider filling up before leaving the city. While there's only one recommended stop, you'll want to factor in breaks for stretching and potential rest. The longest stretch without a major road change is over 100 miles, so be prepared for that segment. As the route is manageable in a single day, you have flexibility to depart whenever suits you best.
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 173.3 miles from Dallas, TX, or about 3h 5m 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 76 miles or 1h 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 173.3 miles or 3h 5m 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 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tulia, 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 346.5 miles and 6h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 76 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
173 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 76 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 173.3 miles from Dallas, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 81 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 103.4 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.
Rest Area
0 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Safety Rest Areas: Hardeman County Southbound
0.1 mi from route
Wise County Northbound
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Wichita County Northbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Wichita County Southbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.3 mi from route
Safety Rest Areas: Hardeman County Northbound
0.3 mi from route
Mr. Fuel Travel Center
2.4 mi from route
iFLY Indoor Skydiving - Fort Worth
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, right off the route
First break
0.9 mi from route
~2 min detour
Hurst, Texas
Hours: 10:30 am–6:30 pm
+18178184359
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 websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 165 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.
7
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
9
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
7
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
7
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
9
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
$47.46 one way
$94.92 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
121 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $53.01 | $106.02 |
| premium | $4.23 | $57.64 | $115.27 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $65.43 | $130.85 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$47
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$72–$97
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 121.2 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 | 104 | 1 | $36.38 | $16.63 |
| Efficient EV | 86.6 | 0 | $30.32 | $13.86 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 138.6 | 1 | $48.51 | $22.18 |
Gas CO2
121 kg
EV CO2
41 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 Sunday
Local time
6:13 PM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 5 mph
6% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 6:02AM CDT until July 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
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
Destination
Tulia, TX
Evening in Tulia on Sunday
Local time
6:13 PM
CDT
Current temp
87°F
Mostly Sunny
S 10 to 15 mph
12% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 6:02AM CDT until July 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
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
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
12 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
6h 46m 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 85% highway, so you'll spend most of your time on high-speed roads. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 103.4 miles on US 81. You'll transition from primarily highway driving to surface roads as you approach your destination. Expect a rural cruising feel for much of the distance.
85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
36 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 State Highway 86. 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 16 significant decision points across 346.5 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
3,482 ft
428 ft
Total Climb
3,173 ft
Total Descent
120 ft
Highest Point
3,482 ft
~346.5 mi in
Elevation Range
3,053 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 Tulia, TX, road signs point toward Denton and Amarillo.
Denton
30.8 mi in
|
~33m
Amarillo
141.5 mi in
|
~2h 31m
|
via US 287
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Opening Bell Coffee
Cafe
Near the start, short detour
1.3 mi from route
~3 min detour
Dallas, TX
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Hours: Mo-We 07:00-18:00; Th-Fr 07:00-21:00; Sa...
Visit websiteHope Coffee
Cafe
Near the start, short detour
1.8 mi from route
~5 min detour
Visit website
Buli's Cafe Bakery
Cafe
Near the start, short detour
1.9 mi from route
~5 min detour
Lucky's
Cafe
Near the start, short detour
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Humble Texan Coffee
Cafe
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
2.2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Hours: Mo-Fr 06:30-19:00; Sa,Su 07:30-19:00
Houndstooth Coffee
Cafe
Near the start, short detour
2.7 mi from route
~7 min detour
Dallas, TX
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Hours: Mo-Su 07:00-17:00
Visit websitePressbox Grill
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Dallas, TX
Hours: Su-Th 11:00-24:00; Fr,Sa 11:00-02:00
Visit websiteSapa House
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Dallas, TX
Cuisine: vietnamese;asian;sushi
Hours: Mo-Fr 11:00-22:00; Sa 12:00-22:00; Su 12...
Visit websitePorta di Roma
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
0.6 mi from route
~1 min detour
Dallas, TX
Cuisine: italian
Hours: Su-Th 10:00-24:00; Fr,Sa 10:00-02:00
Visit websiteThe Pizza Bistro
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
First break
0.7 mi from route
~2 min detour
Fort Worth, TX
Cuisine: pizza
Hours: Su-Th 11:00-20:00; Fr-Sa 11:00-21:00
Visit websiteTommy Tamale
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
First break
0.7 mi from route
~2 min detour
Fort Worth, TX
Cuisine: mexican
Visit websitePizza Hut
Restaurant
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.9 mi from route
~2 min detour
Tulia, TX
Cuisine: pizza
Visit websiteTrinity River Greenbelt Park
Park
Near the start, short detour
1.5 mi from route
~4 min detour
Lake Buffalo OHV Park
Park
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
1.9 mi from route
~5 min detour
The 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 websiteSwisher County Museum
Museum
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
Tulia, TX
Visit websiteWaples-Platter Buildings
Yes
Near the start, right off the route
0.2 mi from route
TX
Swisher County
Memorial
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Ozark Trails Association
Memorial
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Flynt Building
Memorial
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
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 Tulia, 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 6h 46m. Total distance: 346.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 46m 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 20 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 Tulia, 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 20 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.8 hours each way, a round trip means 13.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Tulia, 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, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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