Trip from Stamford, 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 20, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 55m

Distance

218.3 mi

351 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$30

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min

4 AM

3h 42m ★

6 AM

3h 55m

8 AM

4h 21m

10 AM

4h 4m

12 PM

4h 2m

3 PM

4h 6m

5 PM

4h 20m

8 PM

3h 48m

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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Download GPX

Stamford, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Dallas, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Stamford to Dallas is 218 miles and takes about 3 hours 55 minutes via I 20, with a fuel budget near $32 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive takes you across the Great Plains region of Texas, mostly on the interstate. It's a straightforward trip, ideal for a single day of travel. You'll find this route to be efficient for getting between these two Texas cities. Consider this a practical way to cover the distance with minimal fuss.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

109.2 miles from Stamford, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 56m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 20	135 mi	2h 17m
Tom Landry Freeway	30 mi	35m
Commercial Avenue	18.6 mi	20m
West Freeway	15.2 mi	17m
US 277	14.2 mi	16m
Pine Street	2.4 mi	3m
West McHarg Street	0.7 mi	1m
Continental Avenue	0.2 mi	<1m

Longest stretch: I 20 — 135 mi, about 2h 17m

Traffic on I-20

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 44 FHWA count stations on your route.

Peak

4 PM

~1,819 veh/hr typical · worst 2,291

Quietest

2 AM

~200 veh/hr

Peak-to-quiet ratio

9.1×

busier at peak than in the quiet hours

12a 6a noon 6p 11p

Averaged across 52 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 Stamford, TX and Dallas, TX.

Start on TX 6

60 ft · 3 sec · East McHarg Avenue

Continue on US 277 Business

0.7 mi · 1 min · West McHarg Street

Turn left onto US 277 Frontage Road

335 ft · 6 sec · US 277 Frontage Road

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 33 sec

Merge onto US 277

14 mi · 16 min · US 277

Turn slight right onto US 83; US 277

19 mi · 20 min · Commercial Avenue

Take the exit onto US 83 Bus

2.4 mi · 3 min · Pine Street

Toward US 83 Business: Abilene

Turn slight right

389 ft · 17 sec

Take the ramp

0.1 mi · 17 sec

Toward I 20 East: Fort Worth

Merge onto I 20

135 mi · 2 hr 17 min · I 20

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 30

15 mi · 17 min · West Freeway

Exit 421 Toward I 30 East: Downtown Fort Worth Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 30

30 mi · 35 min · Tom Landry Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 14 sec

Exit 45A Toward I 35E North: Denton Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 15 sec

Toward I 35E North: Denton, Commerce Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min

Toward I 35E North: Denton Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 35E

0.2 mi · 19 sec · North Stemmons Freeway

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

Leaving Stamford in the morning will give you ample daylight to reach Dallas, especially since the drive is under 4 hours. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in when and where you choose to take a break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without services could be up to 135 miles on I 20. The estimated fuel cost is around $32, so plan accordingly. Given the short duration, you can easily depart whenever you're ready.

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 109.2 miles from Stamford, TX, or about 1h 56m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 135 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 48 miles or 53m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 109.2 miles or 1h 56m 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 8m

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 Stamford, 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 Stamford, TX

This is one driving day of about 218.3 miles and 3h 55m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 miles from Stamford, 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 I 20 for about 135 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Palo Pinto and Parker Counties, Texas, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Mineral Wells, TX

109 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.

Pacing Suggestions

Abilene, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 48 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Stephenville, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 109.2 miles from Stamford, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

0.3 mi from route

QuikTrip

0.8 mi from route

QuikTrip

Hours: 11:30 am–4 pm

+18173364373

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 12

5 decision points cluster between mile 171.5 and 217.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

171.5 mi into trip | ~2h 59m in | I 30 / West Freeway

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 421 Toward I 30 East: Downtown Fort Worth

216.7 mi into trip | ~3h 52m in

Take the exit toward I 35E North: Denton

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 45A Toward I 35E North: Denton

216.9 mi into trip | ~3h 52m in

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 35E North: Denton, Commerce Street

217 mi into trip | ~3h 52m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 35E North: Denton

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 35E North: Denton

217.8 mi into trip | ~3h 54m 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

$29.90 one way

$59.80 round trip

$3.48/gal 25.4 MPG avg 76 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$3.89	$33.40	$66.80
premium	$4.23	$36.31	$72.62
diesel	$4.80	$41.22	$82.44

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$30

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$55–$80

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 76.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.

Driving Electric?

About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	65.5	0	$22.92	$10.48
Efficient EV	54.6	0	$19.10	$8.73
EV Truck/SUV	87.3	1	$30.56	$13.97

Gas CO2

76 kg

EV CO2

26 kg (66% 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 Jul 18, 2026

Origin

Stamford, TX

Late night in Stamford on Monday

Local time

2:19 AM

CDT

Current temp

90°F

Sunny

S 15 mph 10% chance Live forecast

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 4:46PM CDT until July 18 at 5:30PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX

Flash Flood Warning

Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 4:38PM CDT until July 18 at 6:45PM CDT by NWS Lubbock TX

Destination

Dallas, TX

Late night in Dallas on Monday

Local time

2:19 AM

CDT

Current temp

97°F

Mostly Sunny

SSW 10 mph 1% chance Live forecast

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 4:46PM CDT until July 18 at 5:30PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX

Flash Flood Warning

Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 4:38PM CDT until July 18 at 6:45PM CDT by NWS Lubbock 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

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

7 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

3h 55m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

This drive is predominantly highway, with 89% of the route on high-speed roads. You'll encounter a substantial 135-mile stretch on I 20 before transitioning to surface roads like Commercial Avenue as you approach Dallas. Expect a familiar interstate experience with frequent exits for services and towns along the way. The final segment will involve navigating urban merging as you enter the Dallas metroplex.

89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 135 mi on I 20.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and Tom Landry Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 171.5 miles in near I 30 / West Freeway.

Driving Effort 9/10

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 12 significant decision points across 218.3 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 171.5 miles (I 30 / West Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 216.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 216.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Elevation Profile

Gently rolling terrain

1,933 ft 428 ft

Total Climb

770 ft

Total Descent

1,954 ft

Highest Point

1,933 ft

~46.8 mi in

Elevation Range

1,505 ft

About the Cities

Starting in Stamford, TX

Full guide →

Stamford is in the North Central Plains region of Texas.

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).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 55m. Total distance: 218.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 135 miles on I 20. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — we found about 26 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 1 meaningful breaks. There are 26 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

Possible but tiring. At 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Dallas, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.

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, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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

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Trip from Stamford, TX to Dallas, TX

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Traffic on I-20

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

Picnic Area

I-20 Westbound Picnic Area

I-20 Eastbound Picnic Area

Service Plaza

Pilot Travel Center

Eastland County Eastbound Rest Area

Eastland County Westbound Rest Area

QuikTrip

Love's Travel Stop

Road Ranger

Love's Travel Stop

Love's Travel Stop

Service Plaza

Petro Stopping Centers

Callahan County Eastbound Rest Area

Callahan County Westbound Rest Area

Flying J Travel Center

Picnic Area

Waterfall Overlook

Rest Area

Hill Arbor

Rest Area

Rest Area

QuikTrip

QuikTrip

Service Plaza

City Park

Forest Park Miniature Railroad

Ripley's Believe It or Not!

Louis Tussaud's Palace of Wax

Fort Worth Herd

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Stamford, TX

Dallas, TX

Same local time

7 degrees warmer at arrival

3h 55m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Elevation Profile

About the Cities

Starting in Stamford, TX

Arriving in Dallas, TX

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

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?

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

How this page is built

Explore More

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