Stafford, TX to Dallas, TX is 257.4 miles and takes about 4h 37m via North Freeway, with a fuel budget near $39 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a single-day trip focused on highway driving, with 88% of the route utilizing major roadways. You'll be traveling between two locations within the Great Plains region, so expect a relatively consistent landscape throughout your journey. Given the relatively short duration and straightforward path, this drive is ideal for a quick transition between these Texas cities.
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
128.7 miles from Stafford, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 21m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
North Freeway
223.1 mi
3h 51m
West Sam Houston Tollway South
12.2 mi
14m
West Sam Houston Tollway North
10.2 mi
11m
North Sam Houston Tollway West
2.6 mi
3m
Murphy Road
1.2 mi
2m
Elm Street
0.9 mi
1m
Southwest Freeway
0.8 mi
<1m
North Sam Houston Parkway West
0.8 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
North Freeway
— 223.1 mi, about 3h 51m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Stafford, TX and Dallas, TX.
1
Start on this road
111 ft·10 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto US 90 Alt
0.4 mi·55 sec·North Main Street
3
Take the exit
0.3 mi·26 sec
Use the right lane.
4
Turn straight onto FM 1092
1.2 mi·2 min·Murphy Road
5
Turn left onto West Airport Boulevard
0.7 mi·1 min·West Airport Boulevard
Use the left lane.
6
Turn right onto Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
0.1 mi·10 sec·Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
Use the right lane.
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward I 69 North, US 59 NorthUse the slight left lane.
8
Merge onto I 69; US 59
0.8 mi·57 sec·Southwest Freeway
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·17 sec
Exit 115Toward Sam Houston TollwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto BW 8
0.6 mi·42 sec·West Sam Houston Parkway South
12
Continue on SHT
12 mi·14 min·West Sam Houston Tollway South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit onto SHT
0.4 mi·27 sec·West Sam Houston Tollway North
Use the slight right lane.
14
Merge onto SHT
9.8 mi·11 min·West Sam Houston Tollway North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto SHT
2.6 mi·3 min·North Sam Houston Tollway West
Use the slight right lane.
16
Continue on BW 8
0.8 mi·53 sec·North Sam Houston Parkway West
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward I 45 North, I 45 South: Dallas, DowntownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork
1.5 mi·3 min
Toward I 45 North: DallasUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
19
Merge onto I 45
223 mi·3 hr 51 min·North Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 284BToward Main Street West, Elm StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·14 sec
Toward Elm StreetUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
22
Turn straight onto Elm Street
0.9 mi·1 min·Elm Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
23
Turn right onto North Lamar Street
0.2 mi·30 sec·North Lamar Street
24
Arrive at destination
North Lamar Street
Trip Plan
With a drive time of under 5 hours, you have flexibility to leave Stafford, TX at your convenience, though an early start will give you ample daylight. The longest stretch without a change in main road is over 223 miles, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly before you hit that segment. Given the $39 estimated fuel cost, keeping an eye on your gas gauge on the North Freeway is a good idea, as services might be more spaced out. This is a one-stop trip, so aim for a break around the halfway point to stretch your legs.
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 128.7 miles from Stafford, TX, or about 2h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 223.1 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 57 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 128.7 miles or 2h 21m 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 47m
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 Stafford, 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 Stafford, TX
This is one driving day of about 257.4 miles and 4h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 miles from Stafford, 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 223.1 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.8 and 256.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
2.8 mi into trip|~5m in
Take the ramp toward I 69 North, US 59 North
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 69 North, US 59 North
7
3.8 mi into trip|~6m in
Take the exit toward Sam Houston Tollway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 115
Toward Sam Houston Tollway
7
31.2 mi into trip|~38m in
Take the exit toward I 45 North, I 45 South: Dallas, Downtown
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.
Toward I 45 North, I 45 South: Dallas, Downtown
8
256 mi into trip|~4h 33m 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
256.2 mi into trip|~4h 34m 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
$38.89 one way
$77.79 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg90 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$42.57
$85.14
premium
$4.54
$45.96
$91.91
diesel
$5.61
$56.83
$113.66
Estimated Tolls: $2.00
Sam Houston Tollway
(25 mi)$2.00
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 90.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
77.2
0
$27.03
$12.36
Efficient EV
64.4
0
$22.52
$10.30
EV Truck/SUV
103
1
$36.04
$16.47
Gas CO2
90 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (67% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Stafford, TX
Late night
in Stafford on Tuesday
Local time
3:10 AM
CDT
Current temp
88°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Dallas, TX
Late night
in Dallas on Tuesday
Local time
3:10 AM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Mostly Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SSW 10 to 15 mph66% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued April 17 at 5:31PM CDT until April 18 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Houston/Galveston TX
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 17 at 2:03PM CDT until April 18 at 8:00AM CDT by NWS Norman OK
80°F
Madisonville, TX
129 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
32 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 37m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is primarily highway-focused, with 88% of the 257.4 miles on major roads like the North Freeway and West Sam Houston Tollway. You'll experience a long, uninterrupted stretch of 223.1 miles on the North Freeway, suggesting a consistent pace for most of your trip. The profile indicates a straightforward highway experience, meaning you'll likely encounter minimal complexities and a steady flow of traffic for the majority of the 4h 37m journey.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 223.1 mi on North Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on North Freeway and West Sam Houston Tollway South. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.8 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 19 significant decision points across 257.4 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 2.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 31.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Stafford, TX to Dallas, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Downtown along the way.
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...
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 37m. Total distance: 257.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 37m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 223.1 miles on North Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.00 in tolls one way, starting with Sam Houston Tollway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
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 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 31.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Dallas, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.
