Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 27m
Distance
349.8 mi
563 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$48
one way
EV Charging
Sparse
1 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Pampa, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Dallas, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Pampa to Dallas is 349.8 miles and takes about 6h 27m via US Highway 287, with a fuel budget near $51 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays entirely within Texas, beginning in the Great Plains and ending in the same region. The vast majority of this drive is on highways, making it a straightforward transit. You'll find it's a practical option for getting from the Panhandle to the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex efficiently. Consider it a solid choice if you need to cover ground without extensive detours.
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
174.9 miles from Pampa, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 19m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Central East Freeway | 99.2 mi | 1h 46m |
| US Highway 287 | 81.8 mi | 1h 27m |
| US Highway 287 East | 40.5 mi | 42m |
| State Highway 70 | 40.1 mi | 52m |
| West 2nd Street | 27.8 mi | 30m |
| SH 183 TEXpress | 15 mi | 14m |
| I 820 TEXpress | 5.5 mi | 5m |
| Northwest Freeway | 5.2 mi | 5m |
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~442 veh/hr typical · worst 553
Quietest
3 AM
~107 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
4.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
Averaged across 36 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Step-by-step road directions between Pampa, TX and Dallas, TX.
Start on South Ballard Street
Turn right onto East Atchison Avenue
Turn left onto South Cuyler Street
Turn right onto US 60; TX 152
Turn left onto TX 70
Continue on SH 70
Continue on TX 70
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 40; TX 70
Take the exit onto TX 70
Turn slight right
Turn slight right onto TX 70
At end of road, turn left onto US 287; TX 70
Turn slight right onto US 287
Continue on US 287
Continue on US 287
Continue on US 287
Continue on US 287
Continue on US 287
Continue on US 70; US 183; US 287
Continue on US 287
Keep slight right at fork onto US 287
Merge onto I 44; US 277; US 281; US 287
Continue on US 277; US 281; US 287
Continue on US 281; US 287
Keep slight right at fork onto US 82; US 287
Keep slight right at fork onto US 82; US 287
Continue on US 81; US 287
Merge onto I 35W; US 287
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 820
Take the exit
Merge onto I 820 TEXpress
Continue on TX 121 TEXpress; TX 183 TEXpress
Continue on TX 183 TEXpress
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 183 TEXpress
Merge onto TX 183
Merge onto I 35E
Take the exit
Turn straight onto North Stemmons Freeway
Turn left onto Continental Avenue
Turn slight right onto North Lamar Street
Arrive at destination
Given the 6h 27m estimated drive time, leaving Pampa in the morning is your best bet to arrive in Dallas with daylight to spare. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility on when and where to take a break, but ensure you're fueled up before leaving Pampa as you'll cover long stretches. Watch for the transition from rural highway to increased traffic density as you get closer to the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. The $51 fuel cost is an estimate, so check current prices before you depart.
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 77 miles or 1h 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 174.9 miles or 3h 19m 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 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Dallas, TX than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Pampa, 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 Pampa, TX
This is one driving day of about 349.8 miles and 6h 27m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
175 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 77 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 174.9 miles from Pampa, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Central East Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 99.2 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 start, right off the route
Pampa, Texas
Hours: Open 24 hours
+19499452000
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Hurst, Texas
Hours: 10:30 am–6:30 pm
+18178184359
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Dallas, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+19724823055
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
5 decision points cluster between mile 207.6 and 349.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Keep slight right at fork onto US 287 / Northwest Freeway toward I 44 West, US 277 South, US 281 South, US 287 South: Wichita Falls
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork onto US 82; US 287 / Central East Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 820
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork toward I 820 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward Continental Avenue, Commerce Street West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$47.91 one way
$95.82 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $53.52 | $107.03 |
| premium | $4.23 | $58.19 | $116.37 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $66.05 | $132.10 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$48
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 122.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 104.9 | 1 | $36.73 | $16.79 |
| Efficient EV | 87.5 | 0 | $30.61 | $13.99 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 139.9 | 1 | $48.97 | $22.39 |
Gas CO2
122 kg
EV CO2
41 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Pampa on Monday
Local time
1:23 AM
CDT
Current temp
89°F
Sunny
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 5:03AM CDT until July 17 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 5:02AM CDT until July 17 at 6:45AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Destination
Late night in Dallas on Monday
Local time
1:23 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Mostly Cloudy
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 5:03AM CDT until July 17 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 5:02AM CDT until July 17 at 6:45AM CDT by NWS San Angelo 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.
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.
This drive is mostly highway, with 88% of the 349.8 miles on major roads like Central East Freeway and US Highway 287 East. You'll experience a longest stretch of 99.2 miles on Central East Freeway, indicating long, uninterrupted cruising. The route generally transitions from more rural highway driving to more developed areas as you approach Dallas. Expect a consistent pace for most of the trip.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Central East Freeway and US Highway 287. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 207.6 miles in near US 287 / Northwest Freeway.
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 24 significant decision points across 349.8 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 207.6 miles (US 287 / Northwest Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 214.2 miles (US 82; US 287 / Central East Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 317.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Gently rolling terrain
Total Climb
71 ft
Total Descent
2,880 ft
Highest Point
3,237 ft
Elevation Range
2,809 ft
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Pampa, TX to Dallas, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Texas 70 South: Clarendon along the way.
Texas 70 South: Clarendon
Founded 1888
Pampa is the second largest city in the High Plains region of the Texas Panhandle. Pampa hosts the Top o' Texas Rodeo each year in July, which brings competitors from Texas and the surrounding states to Gray County. The White Deer Land Company Museum, which showcases ranching exhibits, is in downtown Pampa. In 2020, it was home to 17,000 people.
“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 6h 27m. Total distance: 349.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 27m 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, 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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