Quality Services Towing & Tires
0 mi from route
Trip from Lyford, TX to Dallas, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
9h 6m
Distance
486.2 mi
782 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$67
one way
EV Charging
Excellent
17 DC fast
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
8h 58m
★
6 AM
9h 7m
8 AM
9h 23m
10 AM
9h 12m
12 PM
9h 11m
3 PM
9h 13m
5 PM
9h 22m
8 PM
9h 2m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lyford, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Dallas, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from Lyford to Dallas covers 517.8 miles, a journey that typically takes 7 hours and 45 minutes of driving time. Because this trip stays within the Great Plains region of Texas, you will experience a consistent landscape as you move north. While it is technically possible to complete the trek in a single day, be prepared for a long stint behind the wheel. Expect to budget roughly $77 for fuel to reach your destination. If you prefer a more relaxed pace, you might consider breaking the drive into two days, though the direct route makes a single-day push manageable for those comfortable with long-distance travel.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
243.1 miles from Lyford, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 54m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Purple Heart Trail | 97.7 mi | 1h 39m |
| U.S. Highway 77 | 96.1 mi | 1h 47m |
| Pickle Parkway | 58.5 mi | 54m |
| I 35E | 58.1 mi | 1h |
| US Highway 181 South | 40.2 mi | 45m |
| State Highway 80 North | 30.8 mi | 35m |
| State Highway 80 | 23.6 mi | 25m |
| I 37 | 19.7 mi | 19m |
Longest stretch:
Purple Heart Trail
— 97.7 mi, about 1h 39m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 48 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~4,007 veh/hr typical · worst 4,783
Quietest
2 AM
~579 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 51 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 Lyford, TX and Dallas, TX.
1
Start on East 8th Street
75 ft
·
8 sec
·
East 8th Street
2
Turn left onto US 77 Business
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
US 77 Business
3
Turn left onto Spur 112
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
East Broadway Street
4
Turn left onto Interstate 69E Frontage Road
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
·
Interstate 69E Frontage Road
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
6
Merge onto I 69E; US 77
71 mi
·
1 hr 20 min
·
U.S. Highway 77
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
8
Merge onto I 69E; US 77
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
I 69E; US 77
9
Continue on U.S. Highway 77
12 mi
·
12 min
·
U.S. Highway 77
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
11
Turn straight onto US Highway 77 Frontage Road
485 ft
·
17 sec
·
US Highway 77 Frontage Road
12
Turn right onto County Road 10
1.0 mi
·
4 min
·
County Road 10
13
Turn left onto County Road 79
4.0 mi
·
15 min
·
County Road 79
14
Turn left onto County Road 18
0.2 mi
·
43 sec
·
County Road 18
15
Turn sharp right
1.1 mi
·
2 min
16
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
57 sec
17
Merge onto US 77
2.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Driscoll Bypass
18
Continue on US 77
13 mi
·
14 min
·
U.S. Highway 77
19
Merge onto I 37; US 77; I 69E
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
I 37; US 77; I 69E
20
Keep slight left at fork
1.3 mi
·
1 min
21
Continue on I 37
18 mi
·
18 min
·
I 37
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
Toward TX 359: Mathis, Skidmore
23
Turn right onto TX 359
12 mi
·
16 min
·
State Highway 359
24
At end of road, turn left onto US 181
0.8 mi
·
55 sec
·
South 8th Street
25
Continue on US 181
40 mi
·
45 min
·
US Highway 181 South
26
Continue on US 181
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
South Sunset Strip Drive
27
Turn right onto TX 72; TX 239
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
West Main Street
28
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 72; TX 239
233 ft
·
3 sec
·
East Main Street
29
Continue on FM 792
8.4 mi
·
10 min
·
Helena Road
30
Turn straight onto TX 80
24 mi
·
25 min
·
State Highway 80
31
Continue on TX 80
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
South Nixon Avenue
32
Continue on TX 80; TX 97
31 mi
·
35 min
·
State Highway 80 North
33
Continue on US 183
10 mi
·
11 min
·
US 183
34
Continue on US 183
4.9 mi
·
8 min
·
South Colorado Street
35
Continue on US 183
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
United States Highway 183
36
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
35 sec
Toward TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco
37
Merge onto TX 130 Toll
59 mi
·
54 min
·
Pickle Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
38
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
Toward I 35 North: Waco
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
39
Merge onto I 35
65 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
40
Continue on I 35
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
41
Continue on I 35; US 77
33 mi
·
33 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
42
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E
58 mi
·
1 hr
·
I 35E
Toward I 35E: Dallas
Use the slight right lane.
43
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Exit 429A
Toward Continental Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
44
Turn right onto Continental Avenue
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
Continental Avenue
Use the right lane.
45
Turn slight right onto North Lamar Street
433 ft
·
10 sec
·
North Lamar Street
46
Arrive at destination
North Lamar Street
Trip Plan
To tackle this 517.8-mile stretch successfully, aim for an early morning departure to maximize daylight hours and avoid potential traffic near your destination. You should plan for at least two designated stops to stretch your legs and reset, which helps keep fatigue at bay during the 7-hour and 45-minute transit. Given the $77 fuel cost, keep an eye on your gauge as you transition between Highway 77 and the interstate system to ensure you don't run low in more isolated segments. Since this is a substantial day of driving, verify your vehicle's maintenance before leaving Lyford to ensure a smooth transition across the Texas landscape. Flexibility is your best asset here, so don't hesitate to adjust your break schedule if you feel your concentration wavering.
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.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 243.1 miles from Lyford, TX, or about 4h 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 97.7 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 107 miles or 2h 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 243.1 miles or 4h 54m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 243.1 miles or 4h 54m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 8h 2m
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 Lyford, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Lyford, TX
Aim for roughly 243 miles and 4.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Dallas, TX
Aim for roughly 243 miles and 4.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 107 miles from Lyford, TX.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Purple Heart Trail for about 97.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Overnight candidate
243 mi into the route
Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start
This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.
Find hotels in San Antonio, TXOvernight Options
Night 1
243 mi · about 4.6h in
A practical overnight split lands near San Antonio, TX after about 243 miles or 4.6 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 107 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 243.1 miles from Lyford, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Purple Heart Trail if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 97.7 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 243 miles or 4.6 hours on the road.
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.
Hill County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
San Patricio County Southbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Flying J Travel Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Hill County Southbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Kenedy County Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
San Patricio County Northbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Circle K
0.1 mi from route
Ascent Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Bell County Northbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Bell County Southbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Walburg Travel Center & Food Court
0.2 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.9 mi from route
Service Plaza
2.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
2.5 mi from route
City Park
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.4 mi from route
~3 min detour
Dallas, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+19724823055
Visit websiteIzzy Bounce`
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, ~10 min detour
Early stretch
3.8 mi from route
~10 min detour
Corpus Christi, Texas
Hours: 2–7 pm
+13615044050
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 265 decision points cluster between mile 263.9 and 485.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
263.9 mi into trip
|
~5h 20m in
Keep slight left at fork toward TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco
7
322.9 mi into trip
|
~6h 16m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35 North: Waco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35 North: Waco
7
427.6 mi into trip
|
~8h 4m in
|
I 35E
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E toward I 35E: Dallas
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 35E: Dallas
7
485.7 mi into trip
|
~9h 5m 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
6
485.9 mi into trip
|
~9h 5m in
|
Continental Avenue
Turn right onto Continental Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$66.59 one way
$133.19 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
170 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $74.38 | $148.77 |
| premium | $4.23 | $80.87 | $161.75 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $91.80 | $183.61 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$67
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$197–$307
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 170.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
EV Charging Along Route
17 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent
Austin, TX - Spirit of Texas Drive - Tesla Supercharger
Austin, TX
Tesla
19 DCFC
Robstown, TX - Tesla Supercharger
Robstown, TX
Tesla
16 DCFC
Luling, TX - Tesla Supercharger
Luling, TX
Tesla
16 DCFC
Kenedy, TX - Tesla Supercharger
Kenedy, TX
Tesla
12 DCFC
Austin, TX - FM 969 - Tesla Supercharger
Austin, TX
Tesla
12 DCFC
Bucees Luling MB.HPC
Luling, TX
MERCEDES_BENZ
10 DCFC
Kingsville, TX - Tesla Supercharger
Kingsville, TX
Tesla
8 DCFC
Mathis, TX - Tesla Supercharger
Mathis, TX
Tesla
8 DCFC
Tesla: 8
EV Connect: 3
ChargePoint Network: 3
MERCEDES_BENZ: 1
GRAVITI_ENERGY: 1
FORD_CHARGE: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $51 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 145.9 | 1 | $51.05 | $23.34 |
| Efficient EV | 121.6 | 1 | $42.54 | $19.45 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 194.5 | 2 | $68.07 | $31.12 |
Gas CO2
170 kg
EV CO2
57 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
Lyford, TX
Late night in Lyford on Monday
Local time
1:34 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Mostly Clear
SSE 8 to 13 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 19 at 9:14PM CDT until July 19 at 9:45PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 19 at 9:10PM CDT until July 19 at 9:30PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Destination
Dallas, TX
Late night in Dallas on Monday
Local time
1:34 AM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Mostly Clear
S 5 mph
14% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 19 at 9:14PM CDT until July 19 at 9:45PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 19 at 9:10PM CDT until July 19 at 9:30PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
6 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
9h 6m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Waco Mammoth National Monument
National Monument
Standing as tall as 14 feet and weighing 20,000 pounds, Columbian mammoths roamed across what is present-day Texas thousands of years ago. Today, the fossil specimens represent the nation's first and...
8 mi from route
~19 min detour
Free
near mile 402.4
View on nps.gov
Padre Island National Seashore
National Seashore
Protecting sixty-six miles of wild coastline along the Gulf of America, the narrow barrier island is home to one of the last intact coastal prairie habitats in the United States. Along the hypersaline...
27 mi from route
~68 min detour
$25
near mile 50.3
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
You will start your journey on East Broadway Street before transitioning onto Interstate 69E and Highway 77. The route is characterized by a mix of local roads and major thoroughfares, requiring you to remain attentive as you navigate transitions between different highway types. With a highway share of 0%, you should anticipate varied speed limits and road conditions rather than a uniform interstate grind. Your longest uninterrupted stretch occurs on East Broadway Street, so plan your initial focus accordingly. As you progress from the southern tip of the state toward Dallas, the road dynamics will shift, demanding consistent focus to maintain your steady pace.
74% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
46 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 97.7 mi on Purple Heart Trail.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Purple Heart Trail and U.S. Highway 77. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 263.9 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 26 significant decision points across 486.2 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 263.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 322.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 427.6 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
731 ft
23 ft
Total Climb
847 ft
Total Descent
452 ft
Highest Point
731 ft
~312.6 mi in
Elevation Range
708 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Lyford, TX and Dallas, TX, road signs point toward Skidmore and Waco.
Skidmore
129.1 mi in
|
~2h 39m
Waco
263.9 mi in
|
~5h 20m
About the Cities
Starting in Lyford, TX
Full guide →Top landmarks
- • Old Lyford High School — historic place in Lyford, Willacy County, Texas
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).
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 97.7 miles on Purple Heart Trail. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 243 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 33 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 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 33 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 263.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 322.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 427.6 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument and Padre Island National Seashore. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 9.1 hours each way, a round trip means 18.2 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.
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, NREL for EV charging, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Dallas, TX
More from Lyford, TX
More trips to Dallas, TX
Explore more options from Lyford, TX or browse trips ending in Dallas, TX.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TX road trips.