Traveling from Sundown to Dallas covers a 380.8-mile journey that typically takes about 5 hours and 56 minutes to complete. Because this route stays entirely within the Great Plains region of Texas, you can expect a consistent landscape throughout your trip. While the drive is feasible as a single-day commitment, be prepared for a long stint behind the wheel. You should budget approximately $57 for fuel to cover the distance. Since the route relies on local roads rather than major interstates, it is best suited for travelers who prefer a slower, more deliberate pace over high-speed highway travel.
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
192.4 miles from Sundown, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 20m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 84
183 mi
3h 5m
US Highway 84
73.9 mi
1h 14m
Tom Landry Freeway
30 mi
35m
East Highway 84
26.9 mi
26m
FM 1585
16.2 mi
16m
West Freeway
15.2 mi
17m
West FM 1585
10 mi
10m
Loop 289
5.9 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
US 84
— 183 mi, about 3h 5m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sundown, TX and Dallas, TX.
1
Start on FM 301
22 ft·2 sec·East Richardson Street
2
Turn right onto FM 303
0.9 mi·1 min·South Slaughter Avenue
3
Continue on FM 303
2.4 mi·2 min·North FM 303
4
Turn right onto FM 1585
10.0 mi·10 min·West FM 1585
5
Keep slight right at fork onto FM 1585; FM 3261
16 mi·16 min·FM 1585; FM 3261
6
Turn left onto US 62; US 82
5.8 mi·6 min·US 62; US 82
7
Take the exit onto Spur 327
2.1 mi·3 min·Spur 327
Toward Spur 327
8
Merge onto Loop 289
5.9 mi·6 min·Loop 289
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward US 84: Slaton, Post
10
Turn straight onto Southeast Loop 289
0.3 mi·34 sec·Southeast Loop 289
11
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·17 sec
12
Merge onto US 84
2.9 mi·3 min·Slaton Road
13
Continue on US 84
6.9 mi·6 min·East Highway 84
14
Continue on US 84
4.5 mi·4 min·Trooper Jerry Don Davis Memorial Highway
15
Continue on US 84
20 mi·20 min·East Highway 84
16
Continue on US 84
1.0 mi·1 min·North US Highway 84
17
Turn left onto Spur 575
0.1 mi·16 sec·East 15th Street
18
Turn right onto TX 207
0.4 mi·37 sec·Ralls Road
19
Turn straight onto TX 207
1.1 mi·2 min·North Avenue F
20
At end of road, turn left onto US 84
74 mi·1 hr 14 min·US Highway 84
21
Keep slight left at fork onto US 84
183 mi·3 hr 5 min·US 84
Toward I 20 East, US 84 East: AbileneUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 30
15 mi·17 min·West Freeway
Exit 421Toward I 30 East: Downtown Fort WorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on I 30
30 mi·35 min·Tom Landry Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.2 mi·14 sec
Exit 45AToward I 35E North: DentonUse the slight right lane.
25
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·15 sec
Toward I 35E North: Denton, Commerce StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 35E North: DentonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Merge onto I 35E
0.2 mi·19 sec·North Stemmons Freeway
28
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 429AToward Continental AvenueUse the slight right lane.
29
Turn right onto Continental Avenue
0.2 mi·31 sec·Continental Avenue
Use the right lane.
30
Turn slight right onto North Lamar Street
433 ft·10 sec·North Lamar Street
31
Arrive at destination
North Lamar Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour and 56-minute duration, plan to depart early in the morning to reach your destination well before nightfall. Since this is a turn-heavy route, keep a reliable GPS handy to monitor the frequent transitions between South Slaughter Avenue and the various FM roads. You only have one planned stop on this 380.8-mile journey, so use that break wisely to stretch your legs and refuel. Because fuel costs are estimated at $57, confirm your vehicle's range before leaving Sundown to ensure you don't run low between rural segments. Staying flexible with your pace will help you manage the fatigue that often comes with driving local roads for nearly six hours.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 192.4 miles from Sundown, TX, or about 3h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 183 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 85 miles or 1h 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 192.4 miles or 3h 20m 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 34m
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 Sundown, 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 Sundown, TX
This is one driving day of about 384.8 miles and 6h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 85 miles from Sundown, 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 US 84 for about 183 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 154.9 and 384.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
154.9 mi into trip|~2h 42m in|US 84
Keep slight left at fork onto US 84 toward I 20 East, US 84 East: Abilene
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 20 East, US 84 East: Abilene
8
337.9 mi into trip|~5h 47m 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
7
383.2 mi into trip|~6h 40m 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
9
383.3 mi into trip|~6h 40m 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
8
384.2 mi into trip|~6h 42m 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
$58.14 one way
$116.29 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg135 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$63.64
$127.29
premium
$4.54
$68.70
$137.41
diesel
$5.61
$84.96
$169.92
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$58
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$83–$108
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 134.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $40 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
115.4
1
$40.40
$18.47
Efficient EV
96.2
1
$33.67
$15.39
EV Truck/SUV
153.9
1
$53.87
$24.63
Gas CO2
135 kg
EV CO2
45 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Sundown, TX
Late night
in Sundown on Sunday
Local time
12:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Dallas, TX
Late night
in Dallas on Sunday
Local time
12:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live 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.
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
8 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
6h 43m on the road
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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is defined by its turn-heavy local nature, as you navigate via South Slaughter Avenue, FM 303, and FM 1585. With a 0% highway share, you won’t find the typical monotonous interstate grind here; instead, the route demands your full attention as you transition between local roads. There is no significant longest stretch of uninterrupted highway, reinforcing the technical feel of this drive. Expect a hands-on experience where the focus remains on navigating local infrastructure rather than cruising at high speeds. It is a unique way to traverse the Texas plains if you enjoy a more personal, winding road experience.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 183 mi on US 84.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 84 and US Highway 84. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 154.9 miles in near US 84.
Driving Effort9/10
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 384.8 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 154.9 miles (US 84): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 337.9 miles (I 30 / West Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 383.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 Sundown, TX and Dallas, TX, road signs point toward Spur 327 and Post.
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 6h 43m. Total distance: 384.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 43m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 183 miles on US 84. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 154.9 miles (US 84): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 337.9 miles (I 30 / West Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 383.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.7 hours each way, a round trip means 13.5 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.
