Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Nassau Bay, TX to Dallas, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 22, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 45m
Distance
264.2 mi
425 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$40
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 32m
★
6 AM
4h 46m
8 AM
5h 13m
10 AM
4h 55m
12 PM
4h 52m
3 PM
4h 56m
5 PM
5h 11m
8 PM
4h 38m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Nassau Bay, TX
John Robertson
Dallas, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Nassau Bay to Dallas is 264.2 miles and takes about 4h 45m via North Freeway/Gulf Freeway, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Texas, moving from the Great Plains region to another part of the Great Plains. You'll spend almost all your time on major highways, making for a straightforward drive. If you're looking for a quick, no-fuss connection between these two Texas locations, this route fits the bill.
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
132.1 miles from Nassau Bay, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 25m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North Freeway | 236.3 mi | 4h 8m |
| Gulf Freeway | 22.5 mi | 26m |
| East NASA Parkway | 1 mi | 1m |
| NASA Parkway | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Elm Street | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Gulf Freeway Frontage Road | 0.6 mi | <1m |
| Point Lookout Drive | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| NASA Bypass | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
North Freeway
— 236.3 mi, about 4h 8m
Traffic on I-45
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 48 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,160 veh/hr typical · worst 3,825
Quietest
2 AM
~396 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 100 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 Nassau Bay, TX and Dallas, TX.
1
Start on this road
14 ft
·
3 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto San Sebastian Lane
476 ft
·
25 sec
·
San Sebastian Lane
3
Turn right onto Point Lookout Drive
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Point Lookout Drive
4
Turn left onto NASA 1
0.4 mi
·
43 sec
·
East NASA Parkway
5
Continue on NASA 1
0.4 mi
·
33 sec
·
NASA Bypass
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
Toward Sarah Deel Drive, NASA Parkway
Use the slight right lane.
7
Turn straight onto East NASA Parkway
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East NASA Parkway
Use the left lane.
8
Continue on NASA Parkway
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
NASA Parkway
9
Turn slight right
171 ft
·
6 sec
Use the right lane.
10
Turn slight right onto Gulf Freeway Frontage Road
0.6 mi
·
59 sec
·
Gulf Freeway Frontage Road
11
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward I 45 North
12
Merge onto I 45
23 mi
·
26 min
·
Gulf Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 45
236 mi
·
4 hr 8 min
·
North Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 284B
Toward Main Street West, Elm Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
Toward Elm Street
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
16
Turn straight onto Elm Street
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Elm Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
17
Turn right onto North Lamar Street
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
North Lamar Street
18
Arrive at destination
North Lamar Street
Trip Plan
For this 4h 45m drive, leaving in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight and minimize traffic, especially as you approach Dallas. With only one recommended stop and the bulk of the drive on the highway, you can easily complete this in a single day. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge; the $38 estimated cost suggests a full tank might be wise before you head out, as the longest highway stretch is over 230 miles. Plan your single stop strategically, perhaps around the halfway point or when 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 132.1 miles from Nassau Bay, TX, or about 2h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 236.3 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 58 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 132.1 miles or 2h 25m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 54m
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 Nassau Bay, 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 Nassau Bay, TX
This is one driving day of about 264.2 miles and 4h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Nassau Bay, 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 North Freeway for about 236.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
132 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 58 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 132.1 miles from Nassau Bay, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before North Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 236.3 miles.
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.
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.1 mi from route
TA Express
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Navarro County Northbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
TA Express
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Walker County Southbound Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Walker County Northbound Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Navarro County Southbound Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.4 mi from route
Rest Area
0.8 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
1.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.5 mi from route
TA
1.6 mi from route
Service Plaza
2.3 mi from route
Space Center Houston
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, right off the route
0.7 mi from route
~2 min detour
Houston, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+12812442100
Visit websiteBreak Free Escape Room
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
1.1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Webster, Texas
Hours: 12–9 pm
+12812013556
Visit websiteCity 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 websiteThe Orange Show Center for Visionary Art
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
First break
1.9 mi from route
~5 min detour
Houston, Texas
Hours: 10 am–4 pm
+17139266368
Visit websiteLeague Park
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
2.3 mi from route
~6 min detour
League City, Texas
Hours: 6 am–10 pm
+12815541180
Visit websiteThe Woodlands Waterway
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
2.8 mi from route
~7 min detour
The Woodlands, Texas
Visit websiteBounce N Play Seabrook
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, ~11 min detour
4.3 mi from route
~11 min detour
Seabrook, Texas
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+13466338320
Visit websiteCidercade Houston
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, ~12 min detour
First break
4.7 mi from route
~12 min detour
Houston, Texas
Hours: 10 am–12 pm
+13462417524
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 125 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 263 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
San Sebastian Lane
Turn right onto San Sebastian Lane
Navigation decision point
7
1.4 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Take the exit toward Sarah Deel Drive, NASA Parkway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Sarah Deel Drive, NASA Parkway
5
3.9 mi into trip
|
~8m in
|
I 45 / Gulf Freeway
Merge onto I 45 / Gulf Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
262.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 42m in
Take the exit toward Main Street West, Elm Street
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 284B
Toward Main Street West, Elm Street
8
263 mi into trip
|
~4h 42m 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
$39.66 one way
$79.32 round trip
$3.81/gal
25.4 MPG avg
92 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.22 | $43.88 | $87.77 |
| premium | $4.57 | $47.48 | $94.97 |
| diesel | $6.28 | $65.28 | $130.56 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 79.3 | 0 | $27.74 | $12.68 |
| Efficient EV | 66.1 | 0 | $23.12 | $10.57 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 105.7 | 1 | $36.99 | $16.91 |
Gas CO2
92 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Nassau Bay, TX
Evening in Nassau Bay on Thursday
Local time
6:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Mostly Sunny
E 5 to 15 mph
2% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Dallas, TX
Evening in Dallas on Thursday
Local time
6:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Mostly Sunny
SE 0 to 5 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
54°F
Rhode Island, TX
132 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
1 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 45m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is almost entirely highway, with a 99% highway share. You'll encounter the longest stretch of uninterrupted highway at 236.3 miles on North Freeway. Expect a consistent highway experience for the vast majority of the trip. The transition to surface roads will be minimal and occur very late in your drive.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 236.3 mi on North Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on North Freeway and Gulf Freeway. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near San Sebastian Lane.
Driving Effort
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 264.2 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (San Sebastian Lane): Navigation decision point; at 1.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.9 miles (I 45 / Gulf Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
498 ft
12 ft
Total Climb
749 ft
Total Descent
333 ft
Highest Point
498 ft
~230.4 mi in
Elevation Range
486 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Nassau Bay, TX
Full guide →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 4h 45m. Total distance: 264.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 236.3 miles on North Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 28 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.
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: near the start (San Sebastian Lane): Navigation decision point; at 1.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.9 miles (I 45 / Gulf Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Dallas, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.
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, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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