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Trip from Garland, TX to Mesquite, TX

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 41m

Distance

143.2 mi

230 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$22

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 32 min
4 AM
2h 31m ★
6 AM
2h 42m
8 AM
3h 3m
10 AM
2h 49m
12 PM
2h 47m
3 PM
2h 50m
5 PM
3h 2m
8 PM
2h 36m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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several species of legumes

Mesquite, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This straightforward 143.2-mile drive from Garland, Texas, to Mesquite, Texas, is designed for a single day, taking approximately 2 hours and 41 minutes to complete. The route is predominantly highway-focused, with 96% of the journey on major roads like I-30 and US Highway 259 South. With a fuel cost estimated at $22, this trip is an economical option for a quick getaway or a practical transit. You'll stay within the Great Plains region throughout your travels, making for a consistent driving experience. Given its manageable length and minimal stops (just one suggested), this route is ideal for those looking for an efficient journey.

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

71.6 miles from Garland, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 23m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 30 118.8 mi 2h 1m
US Highway 259 South 16.3 mi 24m
North Belt Line Road 3.7 mi 6m
FM 1701 2.1 mi 5m
North Bryan - Belt Line Road 0.9 mi 1m
Broadway Boulevard 0.5 mi <1m
East Main Street 0.1 mi <1m
West Interstate 30 <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 30 — 118.8 mi, about 2h 1m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Garland, TX and Mesquite, TX.

1

Start on FM 1701

2.1 mi · 5 min · FM 1701
2

At end of road, turn right onto US 259

16 mi · 24 min · US Highway 259 South
3

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 56 sec
4

Merge onto I 30

119 mi · 2 hr 1 min · I 30
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 26 sec
Exit 59 Toward Belt Line Road - Broadway Boulevard Use the slight right lane.
6

Turn straight onto West Interstate 30

385 ft · 9 sec · West Interstate 30
7

Turn left onto Broadway Boulevard

0.5 mi · 58 sec · Broadway Boulevard
Use the left lane.
8

Continue on North Belt Line Road

3.7 mi · 6 min · North Belt Line Road
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
9

Continue on North Bryan - Belt Line Road

0.9 mi · 1 min · North Bryan - Belt Line Road
10

Turn right onto TX 352

0.1 mi · 25 sec · East Main Street
11

Turn left onto South Galloway Avenue

4 ft · 0 sec · South Galloway Avenue
Use the left lane.
12

Arrive at destination

South Galloway Avenue

Trip Plan

For this 2 hour and 41 minute drive, starting early is recommended to avoid potential traffic, especially as you'll be covering 143.2 miles with only one planned stop. The longest stretch of 118.8 miles on I-30 means you can settle in, but be mindful of rest stops before you hit that point to stay comfortable. The estimated fuel cost of $22 is quite reasonable, so ensure your tank is full before departing Garland to maximize your time on the road. Keep an eye on signage for US Highway 259 South as it becomes your primary route for a significant portion of the trip.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 71.6 miles from Garland, TX, or about 1h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 118.8 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 32 miles or 43m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 71.6 miles or 1h 23m 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 10m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mesquite, TX than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Garland, 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 Garland, TX

This is one driving day of about 143.2 miles and 2h 41m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Garland, 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 118.8 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Hunt County, Texas, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Greenville, TX

72 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

Mount Pleasant, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 32 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Commerce, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 71.6 miles from Garland, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 30 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 118.8 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Shenaniganz Entertainment Center

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 122.7

Rockwall, Texas

Hours: 12–11 pm

+19727221133

Visit website

Xcape Adventures

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 143.2

Mesquite, Texas

Hours: Closed

+19729822073

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 7

5 decision points cluster between mile 2.1 and 143.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

4
2.1 mi into trip | ~5m in | US 259 / US Highway 259 South

At end of road, turn right onto US 259 / US Highway 259 South

Navigation decision point

5
18.9 mi into trip | ~30m in | I 30

Merge onto I 30

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
137.7 mi into trip | ~2h 31m in

Take the exit toward Belt Line Road - Broadway Boulevard

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 59 Toward Belt Line Road - Broadway Boulevard
4
137.9 mi into trip | ~2h 31m in | Broadway Boulevard

Turn left onto Broadway Boulevard

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
7
143.2 mi into trip | ~2h 41m in | South Galloway Avenue

Turn left onto South Galloway Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$21.64 one way

$43.28 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 50 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.20 $23.68 $47.37
premium $4.54 $25.57 $51.13
diesel $5.61 $31.62 $63.23

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$22

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$47–$72

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 50.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 43 0 $15.04 $6.87
Efficient EV 35.8 0 $12.53 $5.73
EV Truck/SUV 57.3 0 $20.05 $9.16

Gas CO2

50 kg

EV CO2

17 kg (66% 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 17, 2026

Origin

Garland, TX

Late night in Garland on Sunday

Local time

1:01 AM

CDT

Current temp

57°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Mesquite, TX

Late night in Mesquite on Sunday

Local time

1:01 AM

CDT

Current temp

66°F

Partly Cloudy

S 5 to 10 mph 4% chance Live forecast

83°F

Greenville, TX

72 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

9 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

2h 41m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a largely highway-focused experience on this trip, with a significant 96% of the drive utilizing major roadways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 118.8 miles, primarily on I-30, which means you'll be covering ground efficiently. While the profile suggests a highway-centric journey, the inclusion of North Belt Line Road indicates a brief departure from the interstate, potentially offering a slight change of pace before reaching your destination. This route is built for steady progress rather than winding scenic detours.

96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
12 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 118.8 mi on I 30.

How Hard Is This Drive?

2/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 30 and US Highway 259 South. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 2.1 miles in near US 259 / US Highway 259 South.

Driving Effort 2/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

The drive from Garland, TX to Mesquite, TX is easy. At 2h 41m with 96% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 2.1 miles (US 259 / US Highway 259 South): Navigation decision point; at 18.9 miles (I 30): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 137.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

About the Cities

Starting in Garland, TX

Full guide →

Founded 1891

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.

Arriving in Mesquite, TX

Full guide →

Mesquite, also known as the Rodeo Capital of Texas, and prior hangout of outlaw train robber Sam Bass, is an eastern suburb of Dallas.

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 2h 41m. Total distance: 143.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (96%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 118.8 miles on I 30. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.

The main spots that need attention: at 2.1 miles (US 259 / US Highway 259 South): Navigation decision point; at 18.9 miles (I 30): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 137.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Mesquite, TX before heading back.

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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Return Trip

Mesquite, TX to Garland, TX

Plan the drive back the other way.

143.1 mi 2h 42m

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