Hill County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Waller, TX to Dallas, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 8m
Distance
231.7 mi
373 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$32
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 56m
★
6 AM
4h 9m
8 AM
4h 35m
10 AM
4h 18m
12 PM
4h 15m
3 PM
4h 19m
5 PM
4h 34m
8 PM
4h 1m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Waller, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Dallas, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Waller, TX to Dallas, TX is 231.7 miles and takes about 4 hours 8 minutes via TX 6 and I-35E, with a fuel budget near $34 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive takes you across the Great Plains region of Texas, staying within the state for its entirety. Expect a predominantly highway experience, making it a straightforward trip if you're looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B. It's well-suited for a single-day journey, allowing you to reach your destination with plenty of 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
115.9 miles from Waller, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 6m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| TX 6 | 69 mi | 1h 15m |
| I 35E | 58.1 mi | 1h |
| North State Highway 6 | 43.3 mi | 43m |
| Purple Heart Trail | 31.5 mi | 31m |
| East State Highway 6 | 9.1 mi | 9m |
| US 290 | 8.5 mi | 9m |
| East Loop 340 | 4.9 mi | 6m |
| South Main Street | 2.2 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
TX 6
— 69 mi, about 1h 15m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 16 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~4,837 veh/hr typical · worst 5,660
Quietest
2 AM
~666 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 43 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 Waller, TX and Dallas, TX.
1
Start on US 290 Bus
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
·
Hempstead Highway
2
Turn right onto FM 362
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
FM 362
3
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
Toward US 290 West, TX 6 North
Use the left lane.
4
Merge onto US 290; TX 6
8.5 mi
·
9 min
·
US 290; TX 6
5
Take the exit onto TX 6
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
TX 6
Toward College Station, Bryan
Use the slight right lane.
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Turn right
0.2 mi
·
12 sec
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Continue on TX 6
11 mi
·
12 min
·
TX 6
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Turn straight onto TX 6
58 mi
·
1 hr 1 min
·
TX 6
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 6
5.8 mi
·
5 min
·
North State Highway 6
11
Continue on TX 6
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
South Main Street
12
Continue on TX 6
37 mi
·
37 min
·
North State Highway 6
13
Continue on TX 6
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
South Memorial Street
14
Continue on TX 6
9.1 mi
·
9 min
·
East State Highway 6
15
Take the exit onto TX 6
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
TX 6
16
Turn right onto Loop 340
4.9 mi
·
6 min
·
East Loop 340
17
Take the exit
354 ft
·
10 sec
18
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
23 sec
Toward I 35 North
19
Merge onto I 35; US 77
31 mi
·
31 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E
58 mi
·
1 hr
·
I 35E
Toward I 35E: Dallas
Use the slight right lane.
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Exit 429A
Toward Continental Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
22
Turn right onto Continental Avenue
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
Continental Avenue
Use the right lane.
23
Turn slight right onto North Lamar Street
433 ft
·
10 sec
·
North Lamar Street
24
Arrive at destination
North Lamar Street
Trip Plan
With a drive time of just over 4 hours, this trip is best tackled in a single day, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. Leaving in the morning will give you ample daylight to complete the 231.7 miles. You'll want to keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the estimated cost is $34, and there's one designated stop mentioned, though you may find more opportunities along the way. Given the predominantly highway nature of the route, aim to refuel before entering the potentially more congested Dallas area to ensure a smooth arrival.
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 115.9 miles from Waller, TX, or about 2h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 69 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 51 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 115.9 miles or 2h 6m 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 24m
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 Waller, 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 Waller, TX
This is one driving day of about 231.7 miles and 4h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 miles from Waller, 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 TX 6 for about 69 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
116 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 51 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 115.9 miles from Waller, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before TX 6 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 69 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.
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Hill County Southbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.9 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
1.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
2.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
2.5 mi from route
City 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 websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 165 decision points cluster between mile 1.3 and 231.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
1.3 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Take the ramp toward US 290 West, TX 6 North
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward US 290 West, TX 6 North
7
10.2 mi into trip
|
~13m in
|
TX 6
Take the exit onto TX 6 toward College Station, Bryan
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward College Station, Bryan
7
10.5 mi into trip
|
~13m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
173.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 6m 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
231.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 7m 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
$31.74 one way
$63.47 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
81 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $35.45 | $70.90 |
| premium | $4.23 | $38.54 | $77.08 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $43.75 | $87.50 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 81.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 69.5 | 0 | $24.33 | $11.12 |
| Efficient EV | 57.9 | 0 | $20.27 | $9.27 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 92.7 | 1 | $32.44 | $14.83 |
Gas CO2
81 kg
EV CO2
27 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.
Origin
Waller, TX
Night in Waller on Monday
Local time
9:03 PM
CDT
Current temp
92°F
Mostly Sunny
S 5 mph
7% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 9:55AM CDT until July 19 at 11:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 9:53AM CDT until July 19 at 7:15PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Dallas, TX
Night in Dallas on Monday
Local time
9:03 PM
CDT
Current temp
97°F
Mostly Sunny
S 5 to 10 mph
2% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 9:55AM CDT until July 19 at 11:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 9:53AM CDT until July 19 at 7:15PM 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
5 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
4h 8m 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
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 143.8
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is 81% highway, meaning you'll spend the majority of your time on high-speed roads. The longest continuous stretch on TX 6 covers 69 miles, offering a consistent cruising experience before transitioning to I-35E. You'll notice a significant number of exits as you approach and enter the Dallas area, requiring your attention for navigation. The drive is primarily a swift connection between two points, with less emphasis on gradual scenic transitions.
81% 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: 69 mi on TX 6.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on TX 6 and I 35E. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.3 miles in.
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 16 significant decision points across 231.7 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 1.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.2 miles (TX 6): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
664 ft
224 ft
Total Climb
533 ft
Total Descent
355 ft
Highest Point
664 ft
~182.1 mi in
Elevation Range
440 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Waller, TX
Full guide →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 4h 8m. Total distance: 231.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 8m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (81%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 69 miles on TX 6. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 17 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 17 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.2 miles (TX 6): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.3 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, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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