Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Dickinson, TX to Grand Prairie, 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
5h 4m
Distance
281.4 mi
453 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$39
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 51m
★
6 AM
5h 4m
8 AM
5h 31m
10 AM
5h 14m
12 PM
5h 11m
3 PM
5h 15m
5 PM
5h 30m
8 PM
4h 56m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Dickinson, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Grand Prairie, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Dickinson, TX to Grand Prairie, TX is 281.4 miles and takes about 5h 4m via North Freeway, with a fuel budget near $41 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Texas and traverses the Great Plains region throughout. With nearly all of it on highways, you'll experience a straightforward connection between these two points. Consider this route if you're looking for an efficient way to cover ground with minimal fuss, as it's designed for direct travel. It's a solid choice for a single-day trip without feeling overly rushed.
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
140.7 miles from Dickinson, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 32m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North Freeway | 235.8 mi | 4h 7m |
| South Gulf Freeway | 28.6 mi | 33m |
| Tom Landry Freeway | 10.7 mi | 11m |
| Pine Drive | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Gulf Freeway Frontage Road | 1 mi | 1m |
| North Belt Line Road | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| East R L Thornton Freeway | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| East Interstate 30 | 0.5 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
North Freeway
— 235.8 mi, about 4h 7m
Traffic on I-45
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 24 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,256 veh/hr typical · worst 3,806
Quietest
2 AM
~407 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 48 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 Dickinson, TX and Grand Prairie, TX.
1
Start on FM 517
159 ft
·
4 sec
·
Main Street
2
Continue on FM 517
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
·
Pine Street
3
Continue on FM 517
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Pine Drive
4
Turn right onto Gulf Freeway Frontage Road
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Gulf Freeway Frontage Road
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Toward I 45 North
Use the slight left lane.
6
Merge onto I 45
29 mi
·
33 min
·
South Gulf Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 45
236 mi
·
4 hr 7 min
·
North Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Exit 284A
Toward I 30
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 30 West
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 30; US 67
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
East R L Thornton Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 30
11 mi
·
11 min
·
Tom Landry Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
23 sec
Exit 34
Toward Belt Line Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Turn straight onto East Interstate 30
0.5 mi
·
50 sec
·
East Interstate 30
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
15
Turn left onto North Belt Line Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
North Belt Line Road
16
Continue on FM 1382
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
North Belt Line Road
17
Turn right onto Davis Street
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
Davis Street
18
Turn slight right onto TX 180
15 ft
·
2 sec
·
East Main Street
19
Turn right
74 ft
·
5 sec
20
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5-hour drive, aim to depart in the morning to take advantage of daylight and avoid potential rush hour congestion in the Houston and Dallas-Fort Worth metro areas. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short duration, you have flexibility in pacing yourself. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge; while the estimated cost is $41, it's always wise to top off before embarking on longer highway stretches. A good point to consider refueling or taking a break might be around the halfway mark, before the longest stretch of highway begins.
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 140.7 miles from Dickinson, TX, or about 2h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 235.8 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 62 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 140.7 miles or 2h 32m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 7m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Grand Prairie, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Dickinson, 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 Dickinson, TX
This is one driving day of about 281.4 miles and 5h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 miles from Dickinson, 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 North Freeway for about 235.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
141 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 62 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 140.7 miles from Dickinson, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before North Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 235.8 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
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
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Navarro County Northbound Rest Area
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
Walker County Southbound Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Walker County Northbound Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Navarro County Southbound Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.4 mi from route
Rest Area
0.8 mi from route
QuikTrip
1.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
1.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.5 mi from route
TA
1.6 mi from route
Buc-ee's
1.6 mi from route
Service Plaza
2.3 mi from route
Ripley's Believe It or Not!
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Grand Prairie, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+19722632391
Visit websiteLouis Tussaud's Palace of Wax
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Grand Prairie, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+19722632391
Visit websiteThe Woodlands Waterway
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
1.5 mi from route
~4 min detour
The Woodlands, Texas
Visit websiteLeague Park
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, ~11 min detour
4.3 mi from route
~11 min detour
League City, Texas
Hours: 6 am–10 pm
+12815541180
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 115 decision points cluster between mile 2.7 and 279.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
2.7 mi into trip
|
~4m in
Take the ramp toward I 45 North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 45 North
7
267.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 45m in
Take the exit toward I 30
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 284A
Toward I 30
7
267.4 mi into trip
|
~4h 45m 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
268 mi into trip
|
~4h 47m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
279.6 mi into trip
|
~5h in
Take the exit toward Belt Line Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 34
Toward Belt Line Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.54 one way
$77.09 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
99 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $43.05 | $86.10 |
| premium | $4.23 | $46.81 | $93.62 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $53.13 | $106.27 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 98.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 84.4 | 1 | $29.55 | $13.51 |
| Efficient EV | 70.4 | 0 | $24.62 | $11.26 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 112.6 | 1 | $39.40 | $18.01 |
Gas CO2
98 kg
EV CO2
33 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
Dickinson, TX
Afternoon in Dickinson on Sunday
Local time
12:38 PM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 5 mph
6% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:07PM CDT until July 18 at 8:23AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:07PM CDT until July 19 at 8:07AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Grand Prairie, TX
Afternoon in Grand Prairie on Sunday
Local time
12:38 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 5 to 10 mph
2% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:07PM CDT until July 18 at 8:23AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:07PM CDT until July 19 at 8:07AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
100°F
Italy, TX
141 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
2 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
5h 4m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is almost entirely highway, at 99%, meaning you'll be on high-speed roads for the vast majority of the 281.4 miles. The longest continuous stretch of highway cruising is 235.8 miles, primarily on the North Freeway. You'll notice a high density of exits and merging traffic as you navigate through urban and suburban areas, especially as you approach your destination. The transition from highway to surface roads will be minimal, occurring only at the very end of your trip.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 235.8 mi on North Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on North Freeway and South Gulf Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.7 miles in.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 281.4 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 2.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 267.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 267.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
462 ft
12 ft
Total Climb
598 ft
Total Descent
148 ft
Highest Point
462 ft
~241.2 mi in
Elevation Range
450 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Dickinson, TX
Full guide →Founded 1977
Arriving in Grand Prairie, TX
Full guide →Founded 1863
Grand Prairie is a city in the Prairies and Lakes region of 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 5h 4m. Total distance: 281.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 235.8 miles on North Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 30 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 Grand Prairie, 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 30 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 267.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 267.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Grand Prairie, 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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