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Trip from Kilgore, TX to Dallas, 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 7m

Distance

120.2 mi

193 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$18

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 27 min
4 AM
1h 59m ★
6 AM
2h 8m
8 AM
2h 26m
10 AM
2h 14m
12 PM
2h 12m
3 PM
2h 15m
5 PM
2h 25m
8 PM
2h 2m

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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city in the state of Texas, United States

Kilgore, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Dallas, TX, TX

Dallas, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This straightforward 120-mile drive from Kilgore, TX, to Dallas, TX, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking just over two hours. The route is predominantly highway-focused, with 94% of the journey on major roads like I-20 and US 80. With an estimated fuel cost of $18, it's an economical option for reaching the Dallas metroplex. Both Kilgore and Dallas are situated within the Great Plains region, so you won't be traversing vastly different landscapes. This drive is ideal for those looking for an efficient and uncomplicated transition between East Texas and the major urban center of Dallas.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

60.1 miles from Kilgore, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 2m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 20 83.8 mi 1h 23m
US 80 18.9 mi 20m
East R L Thornton Freeway 6 mi 7m
Spur 557 4.4 mi 4m
State Highway 135 North 4.2 mi 4m
Elm Street 0.9 mi 1m
Gladewater Street 0.5 mi 1m
North Lamar Street 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 20 — 83.8 mi, about 1h 23m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Kilgore, TX and Dallas, TX.

1

Start on East Main Street

0.2 mi · 32 sec · East Main Street
2

Turn left onto Gladewater Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · Gladewater Street
3

Turn right onto TX 135

4.2 mi · 4 min · State Highway 135 North
4

Turn left onto I-20 Access Road

94 ft · 2 sec · I-20 Access Road
5

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 43 sec
Toward I 20 West: Dallas
6

Merge onto I 20

84 mi · 1 hr 23 min · I 20
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Keep slight right at fork onto Spur 557

4.4 mi · 4 min · Spur 557
Exit 499A Toward Dallas Use the slight right lane.
8

Continue on US 80

19 mi · 20 min · US 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Merge onto I 30; US 67

6.0 mi · 7 min · East R L Thornton Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 24 sec
Exit 47B Toward I 45 South, US 75 North: Houston, McKinney Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 34 sec
Toward US 75 North: McKinney Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
12

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 27 sec
Toward Main Street West, Elm Street Use the slight left lane.
13

Keep slight right at fork

0.1 mi · 14 sec
Toward Elm Street Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
14

Turn straight onto Elm Street

0.9 mi · 1 min · Elm Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
15

Turn right onto North Lamar Street

0.2 mi · 30 sec · North Lamar Street
16

Arrive at destination

North Lamar Street

Trip Plan

Given the short 2-hour duration and 120-mile distance, this trip offers considerable flexibility. You can depart at your leisure, but consider leaving mid-morning to avoid potential early commuter congestion around Dallas. With only one major road, I-20, dominating the longest stretch, you'll have clear guidance for most of the drive. Plan for one fuel stop if needed, though the $18 fuel cost suggests this may not be necessary for most vehicles. Keep an eye on traffic conditions as you get closer to Dallas, as congestion can build during peak hours.

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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 60.1 miles from Kilgore, TX, or about 1h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 83.8 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 26 miles or 28m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 60.1 miles or 1h 2m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 41m

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 Kilgore, 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 Kilgore, TX

This is one driving day of about 120.2 miles and 2h 7m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Kilgore, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 20 for about 83.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in Kaufman County, Texas, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Terrell, TX

60 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.

Popular next leg

Terrell, TX to Dallas, TX

32.7 mi · 39m

Pacing Suggestions

Tyler, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 26 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Canton, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 60.1 miles from Kilgore, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 20 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 83.8 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.

Cultivar Coffee Roasting Co.

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour Inexpensiv mile 111.6

Dallas, Texas

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+14693876289

Visit website

City Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 120.2

Dallas, Texas

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+19724823055

Visit website

Xcape Adventures

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 111.6

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 13

5 decision points cluster between mile 89 and 119 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
89 mi into trip | ~1h 31m in | Spur 557

Keep slight right at fork onto Spur 557 toward Dallas

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 499A Toward Dallas
8
118.3 mi into trip | ~2h 3m in

Take the exit toward I 45 South, US 75 North: Houston, McKinney

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 47B Toward I 45 South, US 75 North: Houston, McKinn...
7
118.5 mi into trip | ~2h 4m in

Keep slight right at fork toward US 75 North: McKinney

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward US 75 North: McKinney
8
118.8 mi into trip | ~2h 4m in

Keep slight left at fork toward Main Street West, Elm Street

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left lane. Toward Main Street West, Elm Street
8
119 mi into trip | ~2h 5m in

Keep slight right at fork toward Elm Street

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward Elm Street

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$18.16 one way

$36.33 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 42 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.20 $19.88 $39.76
premium $4.54 $21.46 $42.92
diesel $5.61 $26.54 $53.08

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$18

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$43–$68

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 42.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 36.1 0 $12.62 $5.77
Efficient EV 30.1 0 $10.52 $4.81
EV Truck/SUV 48.1 0 $16.83 $7.69

Gas CO2

42 kg

EV CO2

14 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 15, 2026

Origin

Kilgore, TX

Late night in Kilgore on Sunday

Local time

2:49 AM

CDT

Current temp

57°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Dallas, TX

Late night in Dallas on Sunday

Local time

2:49 AM

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

2h 7m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a highway-centric experience for most of this 120-mile journey, with 94% of the drive on interstates and major roadways like I-20 and US 80. You'll encounter an 83.8-mile stretch on I-20, offering a consistent pace for a significant portion of the trip. While largely a functional drive, the transition onto East R L Thornton Freeway as you approach Dallas will introduce you to more urban traffic patterns. The profile is decidedly highway-focused, meaning you'll spend most of your time at higher speeds with limited deviations from the main thoroughfares.

94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 83.8 mi on I 20.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and US 80. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 89 miles in near Spur 557.

Driving Effort 8/10

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 120.2 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 89 miles (Spur 557): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 118.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 118.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

About the Cities

Starting in Kilgore, TX

Full guide →

“Home of the Rangerettes” · Founded 1872

Kilgore is in the Central Piney Woods region of East Texas. Home to slightly less than 14,000 residents (2025), Kilgore is often identified as the "Oil Capital of East Texas", due to its proximity near the center of the vast East Texas Oilfield. Residents are proud of their heritage, and evidence of the city's prominence in petroleum production is widespread and accentuated throughout Kilgore.

Arriving in Dallas, TX

Full guide →

“Big D” · Founded 1841

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...

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 7m. Total distance: 120.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 83.8 miles on I 20. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 89 miles (Spur 557): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 118.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 118.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Dallas, 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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