Traveling from Gardendale to Dallas covers 351.6 miles and typically takes about 5 hours and 30 minutes of driving time. Because this route is a turn-heavy local drive rather than a straight interstate shot, you should plan to treat it as a single-day trip. You will stay within the Great Plains region for the duration of the journey, moving from West Texas toward the Dallas metropolitan area. Budgeting roughly $52 for fuel is a smart way to prepare for your travel costs. While the trip is manageable in one go, the nature of the local roads means you should prioritize comfort and focus during your time behind the wheel.
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
179.9 miles from Gardendale, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 5m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 20
299.7 mi
5h 3m
Tom Landry Freeway
30 mi
35m
West Freeway
15.2 mi
17m
North Hollyhock Avenue
6.2 mi
7m
Northeast Loop 338
4.8 mi
5m
Ray C. Stoker, Jr. Memorial Highway
1.5 mi
2m
East Goldenrod Drive
0.3 mi
<1m
Continental Avenue
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 299.7 mi, about 5h 3m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gardendale, TX and Dallas, TX.
1
Start on North Gardendale Avenue
140 ft·11 sec·North Gardendale Avenue
2
Turn left onto East Goldenrod Drive
0.3 mi·41 sec·East Goldenrod Drive
3
Turn right onto FM 554
6.2 mi·7 min·North Hollyhock Avenue
4
Turn left onto Loop 338
4.0 mi·4 min·Northeast Loop 338
5
Continue on Loop 338
1.5 mi·2 min·Ray C. Stoker, Jr. Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
6
Continue on Loop 338
0.8 mi·1 min·Northeast Loop 338
Use the straight lane.
7
Turn left onto East Interstate 20
367 ft·9 sec·East Interstate 20
8
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward I 20 East: Midland
9
Merge onto I 20
300 mi·5 hr 3 min·I 20
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 30
15 mi·17 min·West Freeway
Exit 421Toward I 30 East: Downtown Fort WorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 30
30 mi·35 min·Tom Landry Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·14 sec
Exit 45AToward I 35E North: DentonUse the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·15 sec
Toward I 35E North: Denton, Commerce StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 35E North: DentonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto I 35E
0.2 mi·19 sec·North Stemmons Freeway
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 429AToward Continental AvenueUse the slight right lane.
17
Turn right onto Continental Avenue
0.2 mi·31 sec·Continental Avenue
Use the right lane.
18
Turn slight right onto North Lamar Street
433 ft·10 sec·North Lamar Street
19
Arrive at destination
North Lamar Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a 5 hour and 30 minute trip, departing early in the morning is your best strategy to ensure you arrive in Dallas before evening traffic intensifies. Keep in mind that the turn-heavy nature of these local roads can be more fatiguing than highway driving, so factor in extra time for periodic breaks to stretch. Since there are no scheduled stops in the current data, you have the flexibility to pull over whenever you need to refuel or refresh. A concrete tip for this route is to double-check your navigation apps before leaving Gardendale, as local road routes can change frequently compared to major interstates. Staying alert to road signs will be your best tool for navigating this specific 351.6-mile path efficiently.
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 179.9 miles from Gardendale, TX, or about 3h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 299.7 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 79 miles or 1h 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 179.9 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 7m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Dallas, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Gardendale, 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 Gardendale, TX
This is one driving day of about 359.8 miles and 6h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 79 miles from Gardendale, 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 20 for about 299.7 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 312.9 and 359.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
312.9 mi into trip|~5h 20m in|I 30 / West Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 30 / West Freeway toward I 30 East: Downtown Fort Worth
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 421
Toward I 30 East: Downtown Fort Worth
7
358.2 mi into trip|~6h 13m in
Take the exit toward I 35E North: Denton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 45A
Toward I 35E North: Denton
9
358.4 mi into trip|~6h 13m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35E North: Denton, Commerce Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35E North: Denton, Commerce Street
7
358.5 mi into trip|~6h 13m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35E North: Denton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35E North: Denton
8
359.2 mi into trip|~6h 15m in
Take the exit toward Continental Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 429A
Toward Continental Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$54.37 one way
$108.73 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg126 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$59.51
$119.02
premium
$4.54
$64.24
$128.48
diesel
$5.61
$79.44
$158.88
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: 125.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
107.9
1
$37.78
$17.27
Efficient EV
90
1
$31.48
$14.39
EV Truck/SUV
143.9
1
$50.37
$23.03
Gas CO2
126 kg
EV CO2
42 kg (67% 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 15, 2026
Origin
Gardendale, TX
Evening
in Gardendale on Sunday
Local time
6:32 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Dallas, TX
Evening
in Dallas on Sunday
Local time
6:32 PM
CDT
Current temp
60°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
3 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 16m 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 very different experience than a standard interstate cruise, as this path is defined by its turn-heavy local road profile. With zero highway share, you will navigate through a series of smaller roads that require your full attention and frequent adjustments. The drive lacks the monotony of long, straight stretches, keeping you engaged with a constantly shifting landscape. You should anticipate a more hands-on driving experience that demands patience as you transition across the Texas plains. This is a practical route for those who prefer local roads over the high-speed, repetitive nature of major highway systems.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 299.7 mi on I 20.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and Tom Landry Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 312.9 miles in near I 30 / West Freeway.
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 12 significant decision points across 359.8 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 312.9 miles (I 30 / West Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 358.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 358.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 16m. Total distance: 359.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 16m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 299.7 miles on I 20. 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 Dallas, 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 312.9 miles (I 30 / West Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 358.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 358.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.3 hours each way, a round trip means 12.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Dallas, TX before the return drive.
