This 535.4-mile journey from South Point, TX to Dallas, TX is a significant undertaking, estimated to take around 10 hours to complete. Given the distance and duration, it's best planned as a two-day trip rather than attempting it all in one go. You'll primarily travel on U.S. Highway 77, Purple Heart Trail, and Pickle Parkway, with about 75% of the route utilizing highways. The estimated fuel cost for this long-distance drive is around $81. This route traverses the Great Plains region for both its start and end points, offering a consistent landscape throughout your travels.
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
267.7 miles from South Point, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 5h 22m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
U.S. Highway 77
126.7 mi
2h 20m
Purple Heart Trail
97.7 mi
1h 39m
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:
U.S. Highway 77
— 126.7 mi, about 2h 20m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between South Point, TX and Dallas, TX.
1
Start on Alabama Avenue
0.3 mi·51 sec·Alabama Avenue
2
Turn slight left onto Maine Street
0.2 mi·59 sec·Maine Street
3
Turn right onto FM 1419
1.0 mi·1 min·Southmost Road
4
Turn right onto FM 3068
7.0 mi·11 min·South Indiana Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Continue on FM 511
2.5 mi·3 min·FM 511
6
Take the ramp onto FM 511
2.0 mi·2 min·FM 511
7
Continue on I 169; TX 550 Toll
0.9 mi·58 sec·I-169, TX 550 Toll
8
Continue on I 169; TX 550 Toll
3.6 mi·3 min·Interstate 169
9
Merge onto I 69E; US 77; US 83
2.2 mi·2 min·North Expressway
10
Continue on I 69E; US 77; US 83
102 mi·1 hr 53 min·U.S. Highway 77
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·14 sec
12
Merge onto I 69E; US 77
1.2 mi·1 min·I 69E; US 77
13
Continue on U.S. Highway 77
12 mi·12 min·U.S. Highway 77
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
15
Turn straight onto US Highway 77 Frontage Road
485 ft·17 sec·US Highway 77 Frontage Road
16
Turn right onto County Road 10
1.0 mi·4 min·County Road 10
17
Turn left onto County Road 79
4.0 mi·15 min·County Road 79
18
Turn left onto County Road 18
0.2 mi·43 sec·County Road 18
19
Turn sharp right
1.1 mi·2 min
20
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·57 sec
21
Merge onto US 77
2.3 mi·2 min·Driscoll Bypass
22
Continue on US 77
13 mi·14 min·U.S. Highway 77
23
Merge onto I 37; US 77; I 69E
1.4 mi·1 min·I 37; US 77; I 69E
24
Keep slight left at fork
1.3 mi·1 min
25
Continue on I 37
18 mi·18 min·I 37
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Toward TX 359: Mathis, Skidmore
27
Turn right onto TX 359
12 mi·16 min·State Highway 359
28
At end of road, turn left onto US 181
0.8 mi·55 sec·South 8th Street
29
Continue on US 181
40 mi·45 min·US Highway 181 South
30
Continue on US 181
1.2 mi·1 min·South Sunset Strip Drive
31
Turn right onto TX 72; TX 239
0.8 mi·1 min·West Main Street
32
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 72; TX 239
233 ft·3 sec·East Main Street
33
Continue on FM 792
8.4 mi·10 min·Helena Road
34
Turn straight onto TX 80
24 mi·25 min·State Highway 80
35
Continue on TX 80
1.0 mi·2 min·South Nixon Avenue
36
Continue on TX 80; TX 97
31 mi·35 min·State Highway 80 North
37
Continue on US 183
10 mi·11 min·US 183
38
Continue on US 183
4.9 mi·8 min·South Colorado Street
39
Continue on US 183
0.2 mi·16 sec·United States Highway 183
40
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·35 sec
Toward TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco
41
Merge onto TX 130 Toll
59 mi·54 min·Pickle Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
42
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·49 sec
Toward I 35 North: WacoUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
43
Merge onto I 35
65 mi·1 hr 6 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
44
Continue on I 35
6.6 mi·7 min·South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
45
Continue on I 35; US 77
33 mi·33 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
46
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E
58 mi·1 hr·I 35E
Toward I 35E: DallasUse the slight right lane.
47
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 429AToward Continental AvenueUse the slight right lane.
48
Turn right onto Continental Avenue
0.2 mi·31 sec·Continental Avenue
Use the right lane.
49
Turn slight right onto North Lamar Street
433 ft·10 sec·North Lamar Street
50
Arrive at destination
North Lamar Street
Trip Plan
For this 10-hour drive spanning 535.4 miles, splitting the journey over two days is highly recommended for a more relaxed experience. Plan for at least two stops to break up the driving and refuel. The longest stretch without a significant change in road type is over 126 miles on U.S. Highway 77, so ensure you have adequate fuel before embarking on this segment. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you navigate the less populated sections between towns, and factor in the $81 fuel cost when budgeting for your trip.
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 267.7 miles from South Point, TX, or about 5h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 126.7 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 118 miles or 2h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 267.7 miles or 5h 22m 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 267.7 miles or 5h 22m
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 9h
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 South Point, 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 South Point, TX
Aim for roughly 268 miles and 5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Dallas, TX
Aim for roughly 268 miles and 5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 118 miles from South Point, 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 U.S. Highway 77 for about 126.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 25
5 decision points cluster between mile 313.1 and 535.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
313.1 mi into trip|~6h 18m 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
372.1 mi into trip|~7h 13m 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
476.8 mi into trip|~9h 1m 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
534.8 mi into trip|~10h 2m 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
535.1 mi into trip|~10h 2m in|Continental Avenue
Turn right onto Continental Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$80.90 one way
$161.80 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg187 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$88.55
$177.10
premium
$4.54
$95.59
$191.18
diesel
$5.61
$118.21
$236.42
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$81
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$211–$321
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 187.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $56 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
160.6
1
$56.22
$25.70
Efficient EV
133.9
1
$46.85
$21.42
EV Truck/SUV
214.2
2
$74.96
$34.27
Gas CO2
187 kg
EV CO2
63 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.
Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
South Point, TX
Night
in South Point on Saturday
Local time
11:38 PM
CDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Dallas, TX
Night
in Dallas on Saturday
Local time
11:38 PM
CDT
Current temp
88°F
Mostly Sunny
S 5 to 10 mph8% chanceLive forecast
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
2 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
10h 3m 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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 450.6
On May 8, 1846, U.S. and Mexican troops clashed on the prairie of Palo Alto. The battle was the first in a two-year long war that changed the map of North America. Although the two countries have deve...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 18.8
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
~67 min detour
$25
near mile 93.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a mix of driving experiences on this route, with a substantial 75% highway share. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 126.7 miles on U.S. Highway 77, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent travel. While not exclusively an interstate grind, the prevalence of highways suggests a generally efficient pace. The road character will likely shift as you transition between U.S. highways and parkways, offering varied driving conditions as you progress toward Dallas.
75% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
50 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 126.7 mi on U.S. Highway 77.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on U.S. Highway 77 and Purple Heart Trail. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 313.1 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 25 significant decision points across 535.4 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 313.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 372.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 476.8 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between South Point, TX and Dallas, TX, road signs point toward Skidmore and Waco.
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...
The longest stretch is about 126.7 miles on U.S. Highway 77. 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 268 miles on day one.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 313.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 372.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 476.8 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument, Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park and Padre Island National Seashore. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 10.1 hours each way, a round trip means 20.1 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.
