Tulia, TX to Dallas, TX is 346.7 miles and takes about 6h 47m via US Highway 287, with a fuel budget near $52 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily stays within the flat, open landscapes of the Texas Great Plains, offering a straightforward journey. Expect a highway-focused experience that makes for a relatively quick transit between these two Texas points. Given the manageable distance and duration, this route is well-suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach Dallas with time to spare.
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
173.3 miles from Tulia, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 41m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Central East Freeway
99.2 mi
1h 46m
US Highway 287
68.2 mi
1h 13m
US Highway 287 East
40.5 mi
42m
9th Street
29.8 mi
44m
Southeast 2nd Street
26.4 mi
39m
State Highway 86
24.9 mi
37m
SH 183 TEXpress
15 mi
14m
I 820 TEXpress
5.5 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
Central East Freeway
— 99.2 mi, about 1h 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tulia, TX and Dallas, TX.
1
Start on TX 86
26 mi·39 min·Southeast 2nd Street
2
Continue on TX 86
1.0 mi·1 min·Lone Star Street
3
Continue on TX 86
16 mi·23 min·State Highway 86
4
Continue on TX 86
1.3 mi·1 min·West Main Street
5
Continue on TX 86
9.1 mi·13 min·State Highway 86
6
Turn left onto TX 70; TX 86
30 mi·44 min·9th Street
7
Continue on TX 86
0.6 mi·1 min·Harper Street
8
Turn right onto US 287
0.3 mi·28 sec·Burnett Street
9
Continue on US 287
14 mi·14 min·US Highway 287
10
Continue on US 287
2.8 mi·3 min·Avenue F Northwest
11
Continue on US 287
54 mi·58 min·US Highway 287
12
Continue on US 287
4.1 mi·4 min·Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on US 70; US 183; US 287
41 mi·42 min·US Highway 287 East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on US 287
4.6 mi·4 min·Northwest Freeway
15
Keep slight right at fork onto US 287
0.6 mi·42 sec·Northwest Freeway
Toward I 44 West, US 277 South, US 281 South, US 287 South: Wichita Falls
16
Merge onto I 44; US 277; US 281; US 287
2.5 mi·3 min·Central Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on US 277; US 281; US 287
0.9 mi·1 min·Lloyd Ruby Overpass
Use the straight lane.
18
Continue on US 281; US 287
0.9 mi·1 min·Central East Freeway
19
Keep slight right at fork onto US 82; US 287
1.8 mi·1 min·Central East Freeway
20
Keep slight right at fork onto US 82; US 287
97 mi·1 hr 43 min·Central East Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on US 81; US 287
4.6 mi·4 min·US 81; US 287
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Merge onto I 35W; US 287
2.3 mi·2 min·North Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.4 mi·24 sec
Exit 57Toward I 820Use the slight right lane.
24
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Toward I 820 EastUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
25
Merge onto I 820
0.4 mi·24 sec·Northeast Loop
26
Take the exit
0.1 mi·7 sec
Toward I 820 Express East Toll
27
Merge onto I 820 TEXpress
5.5 mi·5 min·I 820 TEXpress
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Continue on TX 121 TEXpress; TX 183 TEXpress
4.4 mi·4 min·SH 121/183 TEXpress
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Continue on TX 183 TEXpress
12 mi·11 min·SH 183 TEXpress
Toward TX 183 Express EastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 183 TEXpress
3.3 mi·3 min·SH 183 TEXpress
31
Merge onto TX 183
0.8 mi·50 sec·John W Carpenter Freeway
32
Merge onto I 35E
3.9 mi·4 min·North Stemmons Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Take the exit
0.1 mi·22 sec
Exit 429BToward Continental Avenue, Commerce Street WestUse the slight right lane.
34
Turn straight onto North Stemmons Freeway
0.1 mi·18 sec·North Stemmons Freeway
35
Turn left onto Continental Avenue
0.3 mi·48 sec·Continental Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
36
Turn slight right onto North Lamar Street
433 ft·10 sec·North Lamar Street
37
Arrive at destination
North Lamar Street
Trip Plan
For this 6 hour and 47 minute drive, aim to depart Tulia in the morning to maximize daylight and arrive in Dallas at a reasonable hour. With a total distance of 346.7 miles, you won't need to split this into multiple days, offering flexibility in your schedule. You'll want to keep an eye on fuel, as the estimated cost is $52, and plan for one main stop to refuel and stretch. Since US Highway 287 is the main artery, be aware of potential traffic as you approach the Dallas metroplex.
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 173.3 miles from Tulia, TX, or about 3h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.2 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 76 miles or 1h 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 173.3 miles or 3h 41m 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 43m
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 Tulia, 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 Tulia, TX
This is one driving day of about 346.7 miles and 6h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 76 miles from Tulia, 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 Central East Freeway for about 99.2 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 204.5 and 346 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
204.5 mi into trip|~4h 14m in|US 287 / Northwest Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 287 / Northwest Freeway toward I 44 West, US 277 South, US 281 South, US 287 South: Wichita Falls
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 44 West, US 277 South, US 281 South, U...
6
211.1 mi into trip|~4h 21m in|US 82; US 287 / Central East Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 82; US 287 / Central East Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
314.5 mi into trip|~6h 13m in
Take the exit toward I 820
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 57
Toward I 820
7
314.9 mi into trip|~6h 13m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 820 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 820 East
8
346 mi into trip|~6h 46m in
Take the exit toward Continental Avenue, Commerce Street West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 429B
Toward Continental Avenue, Commerce Street West
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$52.39 one way
$104.77 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg121 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$57.34
$114.68
premium
$4.54
$61.90
$123.80
diesel
$5.61
$76.55
$153.09
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$52
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$77–$102
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 121.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
104
1
$36.40
$16.64
Efficient EV
86.7
0
$30.34
$13.87
EV Truck/SUV
138.7
1
$48.54
$22.19
Gas CO2
121 kg
EV CO2
41 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 20, 2026
Origin
Tulia, TX
Late night
in Tulia on Tuesday
Local time
5:35 AM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Dallas, TX
Late night
in Dallas on Tuesday
Local time
5:35 AM
CDT
Current temp
84°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
36 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 47m 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 is largely a highway-focused drive, with 80% of the route utilizing major roadways like the Central East Freeway and US Highway 287 East. You'll encounter a significant uninterrupted stretch of 99.2 miles on the Central East Freeway, which can make for a consistent pace. The character of the road remains primarily that of a high-speed corridor designed for efficient travel across the state. While not overly technical, the consistent highway nature means you'll be covering ground steadily.
80% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
37 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 99.2 mi on Central East Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Central East Freeway and US Highway 287. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 204.5 miles in near US 287 / Northwest Freeway.
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 18 significant decision points across 346.7 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 204.5 miles (US 287 / Northwest Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 211.1 miles (US 82; US 287 / Central East Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 314.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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 47m. Total distance: 346.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 47m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 99.2 miles on Central East Freeway. 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 204.5 miles (US 287 / Northwest Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 211.1 miles (US 82; US 287 / Central East Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 314.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.8 hours each way, a round trip means 13.6 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.
