Planning a trip from Ennis, TX to Garland, TX? This 180.7-mile journey will take approximately 3 hours and 19 minutes of driving time. With 98% of the route on highways, it's a straightforward drive that's easily manageable as a single-day trip. Budget around $28 for fuel, and note that the drive primarily utilizes I-30, I-45, and US Highway 259 North. Both your origin and destination are situated within the Great Plains region, so expect a consistent landscape throughout your travel. This route offers a practical way to cover the distance efficiently.
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
90.4 miles from Ennis, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 36m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 30
120.6 mi
2h 3m
I 45
23.7 mi
24m
US Highway 259 North
16.5 mi
24m
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
14.7 mi
15m
FM 1701
2.1 mi
4m
East Ennis Avenue
0.7 mi
1m
North Interstate 45
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 30
— 120.6 mi, about 2h 3m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ennis, TX and Garland, TX.
1
Start on this road
179 ft·18 sec·this road
2
At end of road, turn left onto US 287 Bus
0.7 mi·1 min·East Ennis Avenue
3
Turn left onto North Interstate 45
0.2 mi·25 sec·North Interstate 45
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward I 45 North
5
Merge onto I 45
24 mi·24 min·I 45
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi·40 sec
Exit 276BToward I 20 East: ShreveportUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 20
6.1 mi·6 min·Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 635
8.5 mi·9 min·Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Exit 480Toward I 635 North: Mesquite, GarlandUse the straight / right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 8Toward I 30: Texarkana, Dallas
10
Keep slight right at fork
1.0 mi·2 min
Toward I 30 East: TexarkanaUse the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto I 30; US 67
121 mi·2 hr 3 min·I 30; US 67
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·46 sec
Toward US 259: De Kalb, Daingerfield
13
Turn left onto US 259
17 mi·24 min·US Highway 259 North
14
Turn left onto FM 1701
2.1 mi·4 min·FM 1701
15
Arrive at destination
FM 1701
Trip Plan
For this 3-hour and 19-minute drive, leaving Ennis, TX in the morning is a good strategy to avoid potential traffic congestion as you approach Garland, TX. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost estimated at $28, you can be quite flexible with your timing. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 120.6-mile stretch on I-30, to ensure you don't need to detour for gas. Since this is a comfortable single-day trip, you have the advantage of stopping whenever you feel the need for a break.
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 90.4 miles from Ennis, TX, or about 1h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 120.6 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 40 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 90.4 miles or 1h 36m 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 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Garland, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Ennis, 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 Ennis, TX
This is one driving day of about 180.7 miles and 3h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 40 miles from Ennis, 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 30 for about 120.6 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 40.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|US 287 Bus / East Ennis Avenue
At end of road, turn left onto US 287 Bus / East Ennis Avenue
Navigation decision point
7
24.9 mi into trip|~26m in
Take the exit toward I 20 East: Shreveport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 276B
Toward I 20 East: Shreveport
9
31.4 mi into trip|~34m in|I 635 / Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 635 / Lyndon B Johnson Freeway toward I 635 North: Mesquite, Garland
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Exit 480
Toward I 635 North: Mesquite, Garland
6
39.9 mi into trip|~43m in
Take the exit toward I 30: Texarkana, Dallas
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 8
Toward I 30: Texarkana, Dallas
7
40.2 mi into trip|~43m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 30 East: Texarkana
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.30 one way
$54.61 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg63 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$29.89
$59.77
premium
$4.54
$32.26
$64.53
diesel
$5.61
$39.90
$79.79
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 63.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
54.2
0
$18.97
$8.67
Efficient EV
45.2
0
$15.81
$7.23
EV Truck/SUV
72.3
0
$25.30
$11.56
Gas CO2
63 kg
EV CO2
21 kg (67% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Ennis, TX
Late night
in Ennis on Tuesday
Local time
5:18 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Garland, TX
Late night
in Garland on Tuesday
Local time
5:18 AM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
79°F
Nevada, TX
90 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
15 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
3h 19m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This highway-focused drive clocks in at 180.7 miles and is almost entirely on major roadways, with a 98% highway share. You'll experience the longest uninterrupted stretch on I-30, covering 120.6 miles. The profile is predominantly interstate driving, meaning you'll be navigating at higher speeds for most of the trip. While not a winding scenic route, the efficiency of the interstate system allows for steady progress towards Garland. Expect a consistent driving experience as you transition between I-30, I-45, and US Highway 259 North.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 120.6 mi on I 30.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 30 and I 45. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 287 Bus / East Ennis Avenue.
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 13 significant decision points across 180.7 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: near the start (US 287 Bus / East Ennis Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 24.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 31.4 miles (I 635 / Lyndon B Johnson Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
585 ft302 ft
Total Climb
279 ft
Total Descent
431 ft
Highest Point
585 ft
~90.4 mi in
Elevation Range
283 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Ennis, TX and Garland, TX, road signs point toward Dallas and Daingerfield.
Garland is a city in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex area in the State of Texas. Mike Judge, the creator of Beavis and Butthead and King of the Hill, used to live in Garland, as well as some other small towns around Texas. So, yeah. Don't be shocked if you take a wrong turn through a downscale neighborhood and see someone barbecuing hot dogs using one of those things that turns your truck's air filter into a grill. On the other hand, Garland's north side is a palacial monument to suburban living in all its McMansioned, strip malling, Starbucks-sipping glory. Garland is basically an unprepossessing, pleasant place. While it's hard to get too excited about much that happens in Garland, it is just so darned pleasant.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 19m. Total distance: 180.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 120.6 miles on I 30. 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 Garland, 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: near the start (US 287 Bus / East Ennis Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 24.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 31.4 miles (I 635 / Lyndon B Johnson Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Garland, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.
