Traveling from Dallas to Uvalde covers 355.2 miles and typically takes about 6 hours and 28 minutes of driving time. Because this journey stays within the Great Plains region of Texas, you will experience a consistent landscape as you head southwest. Budgeting around $53 for fuel should cover your needs for the trip. Given the duration, you can comfortably tackle this as a single-day drive if you start early, though there is no harm in taking your time. Since the route involves turn-heavy local roads rather than a straight shot on the interstate, you should prepare for a more involved experience behind the wheel. It is a straightforward trip that works well for those looking to traverse the heart of the state.
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
177.6 miles from Dallas, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 5m into the drive
.
Step-by-step road directions between Dallas, TX and Uvalde, 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 SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork
330 ft·8 sec
Toward I 35E SouthUse 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 426Toward Dallas ZooUse 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
56 mi·58 min·I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35; US 290
50 mi·54 min·Purple Heart Trail
Toward 32nd Street, Dean Keeton StreetUse the slight left lane.
14
Continue on I 35
1.7 mi·1 min·Interstate Highway 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I 35
12 mi·12 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on I 35
6.9 mi·7 min·North Pan Am Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.4 mi·55 sec
Exit 166Toward I 410 West, Loop 368 SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward I 410 WestUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Merge onto I 410
19 mi·22 min·Connally Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
1.4 mi·2 min
Exit 6AToward US 90 West: Del RioUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Merge onto US 90
3.2 mi·3 min·Cleto Rodriguez Freeway
22
Continue on US 90
25 mi·28 min·West US Highway 90
23
Continue on US 90
2.1 mi·3 min·19th Street
24
Continue on US 90
38 mi·43 min·US Highway 90 West
25
Continue on US 90
3.2 mi·3 min·East Main Street
26
Turn right onto US 83
31 ft·0 sec·North Getty Street
27
Arrive at destination
US 83
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 6-hour and 28-minute transit, aim for a morning departure to ensure you reach Uvalde before dark. Since there are no designated stops in the data, you should plan your own intervals to stretch your legs and refuel, keeping your $53 budget in mind. Being prepared for a turn-heavy route is essential, so check your tire pressure before leaving Dallas to ensure optimal handling on the winding local roads. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, as the lack of a mandatory itinerary allows you to pace the drive according to your own energy levels. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, especially since you are navigating local roads that may not have as many high-frequency service options as a major interstate.
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 177.6 miles from Dallas, TX, or about 3h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.6 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 78 miles or 1h 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 177.6 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 Uvalde, 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 355.2 miles and 6h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 78 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 Purple Heart Trail for about 99.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 262.7 — 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
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
8
191.9 mi into trip|~3h 20m in|I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail toward 32nd Street, Dean Keeton Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward 32nd Street, Dean Keeton Street
8
262.3 mi into trip|~4h 38m in
Take the exit toward I 410 West, Loop 368 South
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.
Exit 166
Toward I 410 West, Loop 368 South
7
262.7 mi into trip|~4h 39m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 410 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 410 West
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$53.67 one way
$107.34 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg124 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$58.75
$117.50
premium
$4.54
$63.42
$126.84
diesel
$5.61
$78.42
$156.85
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$54
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$79–$104
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 124.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
106.6
1
$37.30
$17.05
Efficient EV
88.8
1
$31.08
$14.21
EV Truck/SUV
142.1
1
$49.73
$22.73
Gas CO2
124 kg
EV CO2
42 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.
Forecast as of Apr 14, 2026
Origin
Dallas, TX
Morning
in Dallas on Sunday
Local time
10:49 AM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 10 to 15 mph9% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 13 at 7:22PM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 13 at 6:54PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Destination
Uvalde, TX
Morning
in Uvalde on Sunday
Local time
10:49 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
7 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 27m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a drive defined by its turn-heavy local roads rather than the predictability of a major interstate grind. With 0% highway share, this route demands your full attention as you navigate local thoroughfares for the duration of the 355.2-mile journey. The character of the road is winding and technical, requiring a more active driving style than a standard highway cruise. You will find that the lack of major highway stretches keeps the pace steady but deliberate. Because this is not a high-speed interstate route, you should anticipate a drive that feels more intimate and connected to the local terrain.
64% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 99.6 mi on Purple Heart Trail.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Purple Heart Trail and South R L Thornton Freeway. 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 Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 355.2 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 191.9 miles (I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
992 ft428 ft
Total Climb
960 ft
Total Descent
482 ft
Highest Point
992 ft
~304.5 mi in
Elevation Range
564 ft
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 Uvalde, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Loop 368 South along the way.
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...
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 27m. Total distance: 355.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 27m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 99.6 miles on Purple Heart Trail. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Uvalde, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
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 191.9 miles (I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.5 hours each way, a round trip means 12.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Uvalde, TX before the return drive.
