Hill County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Von Ormy, TX to Dallas, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 9m
Distance
287.8 mi
463 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$39
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 56m
★
6 AM
5h 10m
8 AM
5h 37m
10 AM
5h 19m
12 PM
5h 16m
3 PM
5h 20m
5 PM
5h 35m
8 PM
5h 2m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Von Ormy, TX
Thomas balabaud
Dallas, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Von Ormy, TX to Dallas, TX is 287.8 miles and takes about 5h 9m via Purple Heart Trail and I 35E, with a fuel budget near $42 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip primarily stays within the Great Plains region, offering a straightforward drive that transitions from surface roads to interstate cruising. It's a manageable one-day trip, ideal if you're looking to cover ground efficiently without an overnight stay. Plan for a route that balances rural stretches with increasing urban influence as you approach Dallas.
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
143.9 miles from Von Ormy, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 38m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Purple Heart Trail | 190.9 mi | 3h 21m |
| I 35E | 58.1 mi | 1h |
| South Pan Am Expressway | 21.5 mi | 26m |
| North Pan Am Expressway | 7.4 mi | 8m |
| South Jack Kultgen Expressway | 6.6 mi | 7m |
| Interstate Highway 35 | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| Interstate 35 South | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Continental Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Purple Heart Trail
— 190.9 mi, about 3h 21m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 56 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~3,739 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~608 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.1×
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 Von Ormy, TX and Dallas, TX.
1
Start on Old Quintana Road
475 ft
·
28 sec
·
Old Quintana Road
2
Turn sharp left onto Interstate 35 South
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Interstate 35 South
3
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
Toward I 35 North
4
Merge onto I 35
2.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Continue on I 35
9.3 mi
·
11 min
·
South Pan Am Expressway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
South Pan Am Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35
10 mi
·
13 min
·
South Pan Am Expressway
Toward I 37, US 281: Upper Level, Corpus Christi, Johnson City
Use the straight lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto North Pan Am Expressway
7.4 mi
·
8 min
·
North Pan Am Expressway
Toward I 35: Austin
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 35
12 mi
·
12 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 35
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Interstate Highway 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 35
48 mi
·
52 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35; US 290
96 mi
·
1 hr 40 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 35
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 35; US 77
33 mi
·
33 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E
58 mi
·
1 hr
·
I 35E
Toward I 35E: Dallas
Use the slight right lane.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Exit 429A
Toward Continental Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
17
Turn right onto Continental Avenue
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
Continental Avenue
Use the right lane.
18
Turn slight right onto North Lamar Street
433 ft
·
10 sec
·
North Lamar Street
19
Arrive at destination
North Lamar Street
Trip Plan
Consider departing Von Ormy early in the morning to maximize daylight and avoid potential afternoon traffic building up on I-35E as you near Dallas. This 287.8-mile drive can comfortably be completed in a single day, so there's no need to split it unless you prefer a more leisurely pace. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 190.9-mile stretch on Purple Heart Trail, as services might be less frequent than on the interstate. Your estimated fuel cost is around $42, so factor that into your budget.
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 143.9 miles from Von Ormy, TX, or about 2h 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 190.9 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 63 miles or 1h 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 143.9 miles or 2h 38m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 14m
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 Von Ormy, 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 Von Ormy, TX
This is one driving day of about 287.8 miles and 5h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 miles from Von Ormy, 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 Purple Heart Trail for about 190.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
144 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 63 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 143.9 miles from Von Ormy, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Purple Heart Trail if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 190.9 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Hill County Southbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Ascent Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Bell County Northbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Bell County Southbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Walburg Travel Center & Food Court
0.2 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Marlstone Retail Center
0.4 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.9 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
1.5 mi from route
Service Plaza
2.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
2.3 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
2.4 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
2.5 mi from route
Animal World & Snake Farm Zoo
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, right off the route
First break
0.2 mi from route
New Braunfels, Texas
Hours: 10 am–6 pm
+18304024603
Visit websiteCity Park
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.4 mi from route
~3 min detour
Dallas, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+19724823055
Visit websiteChildren's Park
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
1.5 mi from route
~4 min detour
San Marcos, Texas
Hours: 6 am–11 pm
+15123938400
Visit websiteCalaboose African American History Museum
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
1.4 mi from route
~3 min detour
San Marcos, Texas
Hours: 10 am–2 pm
+15123938421
Visit websitePioneer Farms
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Early stretch
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Austin, Texas
Hours: 10 am–2 pm
+15128371215
Visit websiteVillage of Salado Visitors Center
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Halfway reset
0.9 mi from route
~2 min detour
Salado, Texas
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+12549478634
Visit websiteUS Army Medical Department Museum
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
First break
2.2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Fort Sam Houston, Texas
+12102216358
Visit websiteSan Antonio Botanical Garden
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
First break
2.7 mi from route
~7 min detour
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 8 am–6 pm
+12105361400
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 105 decision points cluster between mile 12.8 and 287.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
12.8 mi into trip
|
~15m in
|
I 35 / South Pan Am Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35 / South Pan Am Expressway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
14.5 mi into trip
|
~17m in
|
I 35 / South Pan Am Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35 / South Pan Am Expressway toward I 37, US 281: Upper Level, Corpus Christi, Johnson City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 37, US 281: Upper Level, Corpus Christ...
7
25 mi into trip
|
~31m in
|
North Pan Am Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto North Pan Am Expressway toward I 35: Austin
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35: Austin
7
229.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 7m 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
287.3 mi into trip
|
~5h 8m 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
$39.42 one way
$78.84 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
101 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $44.03 | $88.06 |
| premium | $4.23 | $47.87 | $95.74 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $54.34 | $108.68 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 100.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 86.3 | 1 | $30.22 | $13.81 |
| Efficient EV | 72 | 0 | $25.18 | $11.51 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 115.1 | 1 | $40.29 | $18.42 |
Gas CO2
101 kg
EV CO2
34 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.
Origin
Von Ormy, TX
Afternoon in Von Ormy on Sunday
Local time
12:18 PM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Mostly Cloudy
SE 10 to 15 mph
3% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 7:21PM CDT until July 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 2:38PM CDT until July 22 at 11:48AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Dallas, TX
Afternoon in Dallas on Sunday
Local time
12:18 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 5 to 10 mph
2% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 7:21PM CDT until July 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 2:38PM CDT until July 22 at 11:48AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio 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
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
5h 9m 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.
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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 198.5
View on nps.gov
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Welcome to San Antonio Missions, a National Park Service site and the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Texas. Each mission in the park is a center of community and has been since the early 1700s. Th...
7 mi from route
~16 min detour
Free
near mile 9.9
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 33% of this 287.8-mile trip on highways, with the remaining portion on surface roads. The longest continuous stretch on surface roads is 190.9 miles along the Purple Heart Trail. Expect a mix of driving experiences, starting with more rural cruising before merging onto I-35E, which will likely bring denser traffic and more frequent exits as you get closer to Dallas.
33% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 190.9 mi on Purple Heart Trail.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 12.8 miles in near I 35 / South Pan Am Expressway.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 287.8 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 12.8 miles (I 35 / South Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 14.5 miles (I 35 / South Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 25 miles (North Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
734 ft
428 ft
Total Climb
171 ft
Total Descent
415 ft
Highest Point
734 ft
~82.2 mi in
Elevation Range
306 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Von Ormy, TX and Dallas, TX, road signs point toward Corpus Christi and Johnson City.
Corpus Christi
14.5 mi in
|
~17m
|
via I 35
Johnson City
14.5 mi in
|
~17m
|
via I 35
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Starbucks
Cafe
Later in the drive, right off the route
Final third
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Waco, TX
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Visit websiteWeekend Coffee
Cafe
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Hours: 07:00-15:00
Visit websiteStarbucks
Cafe
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.6 mi from route
~1 min detour
Dallas, TX
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Visit websiteCorner Bakery
Cafe
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.2 mi from route
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Flightpath Coffee House
Cafe
Early in the drive, right off the route
Early stretch
0.7 mi from route
~2 min detour
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Visit websiteEpoch Coffee
Cafe
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
1.2 mi from route
~3 min detour
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Hours: 24/7
Visit websiteThe Omelettry
Restaurant
Early in the drive, right off the route
Early stretch
0.2 mi from route
Austin, TX
Cuisine: breakfast
Hours: 07:00-15:00
Visit websiteMoak's Family Texas BBQ
Restaurant
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.2 mi from route
Cuisine: barbecue
Hours: Mo-Su 11:00-21:00
Visit websiteWingBucket
Fast_food
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
Dallas, TX
Cuisine: chicken
Hours: Su-Th 11:00-22:00; Fr,Sa 11:00-24:00
Visit websiteTrujillo's Comedor Y Cantina
Restaurant
Later in the drive, right off the route
Final third
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
Waco, TX
Cuisine: mexican
Hours: Tu-Sa 11:00-22:00
Visit websiteCommissary
Restaurant
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
Dallas, TX
Cuisine: coffee_shop;sandwich;american;ice_cream;bakery
Hours: Mo-Sa 07:00-16:00; Su 07:00-14:00
Visit websiteTexas Roadhouse
Restaurant
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Halfway reset
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
Temple, TX
Cuisine: steak_house
Hours: Mo-Th 15:00-22:00; Fr,Sa 11:00-23:00; Su...
Visit websiteWaco Traffic Circle
Attraction
Later in the drive, right off the route
Final third
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Giant Eye
Attraction
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Trinity River Greenbelt Park
Park
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.5 mi from route
~4 min detour
Legacy of Love Monument
Attraction
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.8 mi from route
~5 min detour
Hours: 24/7
Frank H. Caven Memorial Garden
Attraction
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.8 mi from route
~5 min detour
Santa Rita No. 1 Oil Well
Attraction
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
2.1 mi from route
~5 min detour
Museum of Illusions
Museum
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.1 mi from route
Dallas, TX
Hours: Su-Th 10:00-20:00; Fr-Sa 10:00-21:00
Visit websiteThe Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza
Museum
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Dallas, TX
Hours: We-Su 10:00-17:00
Visit websiteWaples-Platter Buildings
Yes
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.2 mi from route
TX
Adolphus Hotel
Memorial
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
Visit website
Elisabet Ney Museum
Museum
Early in the drive, right off the route
Early stretch
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
TX
Hours: We-Su 12:00-17:00
Visit websiteA. H. Belo House
Memorial
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.6 mi from route
~1 min detour
Visit website
Days Inn
Hotel
Later in the drive, right off the route
Final third
0.7 mi from route
~2 min detour
Waco, TX
Visit websiteHotel Crescent Court
Hotel
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
Dallas, TX
Kyle Hotel
Hotel
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
1.4 mi from route
~4 min detour
TX
WoodSpring Suites
Hotel
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
1.9 mi from route
~5 min detour
Omni Hotel & Resorts
Hotel
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Lucky's RV Park
Caravan_site
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
3.3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Temple, TX
Points of interest from OpenStreetMap contributors. Listings may not reflect current hours or availability.
About the Cities
Starting in Von Ormy, TX
Full guide →Founded 1827
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 5h 9m. Total distance: 287.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 190.9 miles on Purple Heart Trail. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 34 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 34 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 12.8 miles (I 35 / South Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 14.5 miles (I 35 / South Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 25 miles (North Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument and San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.3 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.
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, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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