Trip from Progreso, TX to Dallas, TX

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

9h 26m

Distance

514 mi

827 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$70

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 26 min

4 AM

9h 18m ★

6 AM

9h 27m

8 AM

9h 44m

10 AM

9h 32m

12 PM

9h 31m

3 PM

9h 33m

5 PM

9h 43m

8 PM

9h 21m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time

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Progreso, TX

Thomas balabaud

Dallas, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Traveling from Progreso to Dallas covers 537.2 miles across the heart of the Great Plains, a journey that typically takes about 7 hours and 46 minutes of drive time. While it is technically possible to complete this trip in a single day, be prepared for a substantial stint behind the wheel that requires focus and stamina. You should budget approximately $80 for fuel to cover the distance, so plan your gas stops accordingly before setting out. Since the route remains entirely within Texas, you will experience a consistent regional feel throughout the drive. Whether you prefer to power through in one go or break it up, having a clear plan for your two planned stops will make the transition from the border region to North Texas much more manageable.

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

257 miles from Progreso, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 57m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Purple Heart Trail	97.7 mi	1h 39m
I 69C	92 mi	1h 43m
Pickle Parkway	58.5 mi	54m
I 35E	58.1 mi	1h
US 281	57.1 mi	1h
King David Drive	31.8 mi	39m
State Highway 80 North	30.8 mi	35m
State Highway 80	23.6 mi	25m

Longest stretch: Purple Heart Trail — 97.7 mi, about 1h 39m

Traffic on I-35

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 24 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 Progreso, TX and Dallas, TX.

Start on East Palm Avenue

430 ft · 21 sec · East Palm Avenue

Turn right onto FM 1015 Spur

1.1 mi · 2 min · FM 1015 Spur

Turn right onto Gonzalez Road

0.2 mi · 56 sec · Gonzalez Road

Turn left onto FM 1015

3.8 mi · 5 min · FM 1015

Turn left onto Expressway 83

0.7 mi · 1 min · Expressway 83

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 32 sec

Toward I 2 West, US 83 West

Merge onto I 2; US 83

13 mi · 14 min · I 2; US 83

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.9 mi · 1 min

Exit 146A Toward I 69C North, US 281: Edinburg Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 69C

22 mi · 23 min · I 69C

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on US 281

57 mi · 1 hr · US 281

Keep slight right at fork onto I 69C; US 281

70 mi · 1 hr 19 min · I 69C; US 281

Keep slight left at fork onto US 281

11 mi · 14 min · Nueces Street

Turn right onto TX 72

32 mi · 39 min · King David Drive

Continue on TX 72; TX 239

0.8 mi · 1 min · West Main Street

Keep slight left at fork onto TX 72; TX 239

233 ft · 3 sec · East Main Street

Continue on FM 792

8.4 mi · 10 min · Helena Road

Turn straight onto TX 80

24 mi · 25 min · State Highway 80

Continue on TX 80

1.0 mi · 2 min · South Nixon Avenue

Continue on TX 80; TX 97

31 mi · 35 min · State Highway 80 North

Continue on US 183

10 mi · 11 min · US 183

Continue on US 183

4.9 mi · 8 min · South Colorado Street

Continue on US 183

0.2 mi · 16 sec · United States Highway 183

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 35 sec

Toward TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco

Merge onto TX 130 Toll

59 mi · 54 min · Pickle Parkway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 49 sec

Toward I 35 North: Waco Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 35

65 mi · 1 hr 6 min · Purple Heart Trail

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 35

6.6 mi · 7 min · South Jack Kultgen Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 35; US 77

33 mi · 33 min · Purple Heart Trail

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E

58 mi · 1 hr · I 35E

Toward I 35E: Dallas Use the slight right lane.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 30 sec

Exit 429A Toward Continental Avenue Use the slight right lane.

Turn right onto Continental Avenue

0.2 mi · 31 sec · Continental Avenue

Use the right lane.

Turn slight right onto North Lamar Street

433 ft · 10 sec · North Lamar Street

Arrive at destination

North Lamar Street

Trip Plan

To make this 537.2-mile trek as comfortable as possible, try to depart early in the morning to beat potential congestion and maximize daylight hours. Since the trip requires two stops, aim to space them out evenly to keep your energy levels consistent throughout the nearly 8-hour drive. Keep your $80 fuel budget in mind as you monitor your gauge, especially when passing through smaller towns where gas stations might be less frequent. A smart strategy is to identify your two stops ahead of time so you aren't scrambling when you need a break from the wheel. Remember that staying hydrated and taking short walks during those two stops will significantly help you stay alert as you approach your final destination in Dallas.

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 257 miles from Progreso, TX, or about 4h 57m 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 113 miles or 2h 7m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 257 miles or 4h 57m 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 257 miles or 4h 57m

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 22m

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 Progreso, 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 Progreso, TX

Aim for roughly 257 miles and 4.7 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Finish the approach into Dallas, TX

Aim for roughly 257 miles and 4.7 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 113 miles from Progreso, 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.

First major stop

Coffee and fuel

San Antonio, TX

170 mi into the route

Best for: Coffee, fuel, and an easy first stretch

This is a natural early stop once the first hours of the drive are behind you.

Overnight Options

Night 1

San Antonio, TX

257 mi · about 4.7h in

A practical overnight split lands near San Antonio, TX after about 257 miles or 4.7 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

San Diego, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 113 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

San Antonio, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 257 miles from Progreso, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Purple Heart Trail if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 97.7 miles.

Overnight split

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 website

Estero Llano Grande State Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour

Weslaco, Texas

Hours: 8 am–10 pm

+19565653919

Visit website

Village of Salado Visitors Center

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour

Salado, Texas

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+12549478634

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 17

5 decision points cluster between mile 18.9 and 513.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

18.9 mi into trip | ~25m in

Take the exit toward I 69C North, US 281: Edinburg

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 146A Toward I 69C North, US 281: Edinburg

291.7 mi into trip | ~5h 40m 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

350.7 mi into trip | ~6h 36m 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

455.4 mi into trip | ~8h 24m 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

513.5 mi into trip | ~9h 25m 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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$70.40 one way

$140.80 round trip

$3.48/gal 25.4 MPG avg 180 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$3.89	$78.64	$157.28
premium	$4.23	$85.50	$171.00
diesel	$4.80	$97.05	$194.11

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$70

Hotel (1n)

$80–$140

Meals

$50–$100

Total

$200–$310

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 179.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.

Driving Electric?

About $54 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	154.2	1	$53.97	$24.67
Efficient EV	128.5	1	$44.98	$20.56
EV Truck/SUV	205.6	2	$71.96	$32.90

Gas CO2

180 kg

EV CO2

60 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.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Jul 16, 2026

Origin

Progreso, TX

Late night in Progreso on Sunday

Local time

1:41 AM

CDT

Current temp

96°F

Mostly Sunny

SE 18 mph 2% chance Live forecast

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 16 at 5:05PM CDT until July 16 at 5:30PM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 5:00PM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA

Destination

Dallas, TX

Late night in Dallas on Sunday

Local time

1:41 AM

CDT

Current temp

90°F

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

S 10 mph 46% chance Live forecast

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 16 at 5:05PM CDT until July 16 at 5:30PM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 5:00PM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA

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 cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

9h 26m 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...

5 mi from route ~13 min detour Free near mile 425.4

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a long-distance haul that relies on a mix of local roads like Gonzales and Gonzalez Road, transitioning into the flow of Expressway 83. Because this route involves 0% highway share, you will be navigating through local thoroughfares rather than relying on high-speed interstate cruising. The drive demands your full attention as you navigate these varied road types over the course of nearly 8 hours. You will find that the personality of the road shifts as you move away from Progreso, requiring you to remain adaptable to changing traffic patterns and road conditions. It is a steady, straightforward push northward that offers a practical look at the Texas landscape between these two points.

69% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

33 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?

8/10

At 9h 26m, this is a long-haul route where pacing matters more than any single turn. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 18.9 miles in.

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 17 significant decision points across 514 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 18.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 291.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 350.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

706 ft 70 ft

Total Climb

817 ft

Total Descent

458 ft

Highest Point

706 ft

~367.2 mi in

Elevation Range

636 ft

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Progreso, TX to Dallas, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Waco along the way.

Waco

291.7 mi in | ~5h 40m

About the Cities

Starting in Progreso, 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).

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 257 miles on day one.

Yes — we found about 38 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 38 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Not recommended in a single day. At 9.4 hours each way, a round trip means 18.9 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, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Explore More

Explore more options from Progreso, TX or browse trips ending in Dallas, TX.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TX road trips.

Trip from Progreso, TX to Dallas, TX

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Traffic on I-35

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Overnight Options

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

Quality Services Towing & Tires

Hill County Northbound Rest Area

Rest Area

Brooks County Rest Area

TA

Love's Travel Stop

Flying J Travel Plaza

Pilot Travel Center

Hill County Southbound Rest Area

Rest Area

Flying J Travel Center

Love's Travel Stop

Flying J Travel Center

Pilot Travel Center

Love's Travel Stop

Love's Travel Stop

Petro Stopping Centers

Buc-ee's

Service Plaza

QuikTrip

QuikTrip

Circle K

Ascent Travel Center

Bell County Northbound Rest Area

Pilot Travel Center

Bell County Southbound Rest Area

QuikTrip

Walburg Travel Center & Food Court

Road Ranger

Love's Travel Stop

QuikTrip

Buc-ee's

TA

Service Plaza

Service Plaza

Love's Travel Stop

Service Plaza

Pilot Travel Center

City Park

Estero Llano Grande State Park

Village of Salado Visitors Center

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Progreso, TX

Dallas, TX

Same local time

6 degrees cooler at arrival

9h 26m on the road

National Parks Near This Route

Waco Mammoth National Monument

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Elevation Profile

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Starting in Progreso, TX

Arriving in Dallas, TX

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Should I split this drive into multiple days?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Are there national parks near this route?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built