City Park
Near the end, short detour
Dallas, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+19724823055
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
7h 8m
Distance
396.2 mi
638 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$60
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Olton, TX
Thomas balabaud
Dallas, TX
Wikimedia Commons
This 396.2-mile drive from Olton, TX, to Dallas, TX, is a feasible one-day trip, estimated to take around 7 hours and 8 minutes. The route is predominantly highway, with 88% of the journey on major roads like US 84 and the Tom Landry Freeway. With a fuel cost estimated at $60 and just two planned stops, it’s a straightforward journey across the Texas Great Plains. This drive focuses on covering ground efficiently, making it a practical option for those looking to reach Dallas from the western part of the state without needing an overnight stay.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
198.1 miles from Olton, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 39m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 84 | 183 mi | 3h 5m |
| US Highway 84 | 79.1 mi | 1h 19m |
| Tom Landry Freeway | 30 mi | 35m |
| East Highway 84 | 26.9 mi | 26m |
| Main Avenue | 26.6 mi | 40m |
| West Freeway | 15.2 mi | 17m |
| Highway 84 | 11.4 mi | 12m |
| Clovis Road | 6 mi | 7m |
Step-by-step road directions between Olton, TX and Dallas, TX.
Start on this road
Turn right onto 6th Street
Turn left onto FM 168
Continue on FM 168
Continue on FM 168
Turn left onto US 84
Continue on US 84
Continue on US 84
Merge onto US 84
Continue on US 84
Continue on US 84
Continue on US 84
Continue on US 84
Continue on US 84
Turn left onto Spur 575
Turn right onto TX 207
Turn straight onto TX 207
At end of road, turn left onto US 84
Keep slight left at fork onto US 84
Keep slight left at fork onto I 30
Continue on I 30
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 35E
Take the exit
Turn right onto Continental Avenue
Turn slight right onto North Lamar Street
Arrive at destination
Consider an early morning departure from Olton, TX, to maximize daylight and arrive in Dallas with ample time. The 7-hour, 8-minute duration means you can comfortably complete this trip in a single day, with two stops recommended to break up the 396.2 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 183-mile stretch on US 84, as services can be spaced out. The estimated fuel cost of $60 should help you budget for your journey across Texas.
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 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 87 miles or 1h 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 198.1 miles or 3h 39m 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 59m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Dallas, TX than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Olton, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Olton, TX
This is one driving day of about 396.2 miles and 7h 8m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
198 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.
A short stop after about 87 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 198.1 miles from Olton, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 84 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 183 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Near the end, short detour
Dallas, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+19724823055
Visit websiteNear the start, ~10 min detour
Lubbock, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+18067478734
Visit websiteNear the end, ~12 min detour
Fort Worth, Texas
Hours: 11:30 am–4 pm
+18173364373
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
5 decision points cluster between mile 166.4 and 395.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Keep slight left at fork onto US 84 toward I 20 East, US 84 East: Abilene
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
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
Take the exit toward I 35E North: Denton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
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
Take the exit toward Continental Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$59.87 one way
$119.73 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $65.53 | $131.06 |
| premium | $4.54 | $70.74 | $141.48 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $87.48 | $174.95 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$60
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$85–$110
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 138.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $42 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 118.9 | 1 | $41.60 | $19.02 |
| Efficient EV | 99.1 | 1 | $34.67 | $15.85 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 158.5 | 1 | $55.47 | $25.36 |
Gas CO2
139 kg
EV CO2
46 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Olton on Tuesday
Local time
4:11 AM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Dallas on Tuesday
Local time
4:11 AM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
You'll find this drive to be primarily highway-focused, with 88% of the 396.2 miles on major roadways. The majority of your travel will be on US 84, which forms the backbone of this route for a significant stretch. Expect the longest uninterrupted segment to be 183 miles on US 84, offering a consistent pace. While the landscape is broadly similar across the Great Plains, the transition to the Dallas area will bring increasing signs of urban development as you approach your destination on highways like the Tom Landry Freeway.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 84 and US Highway 84. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 166.4 miles in near US 84.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 396.2 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 166.4 miles (US 84): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 349.4 miles (I 30 / West Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 394.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
“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
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 8m. Total distance: 396.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 8m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
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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