How far is Dallas, TX from Columbus, TX?
The driving distance from Dallas, TX to Columbus, TX is about 241.4 miles (388.5 km), with a travel time of about 04h 31m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 213.1 miles (343 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 03m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 04h 31m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Falls County, Texas, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Dallas and Columbus.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dallas and Columbus.
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1
Start on North Lamar Street
1233 ft · 34 sec · North Lamar Street
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2
Turn right onto Elm Street
1125 ft · 31 sec · Elm Street
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3
Continue on Elm Street
709 ft · 14 sec · Elm Street
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4
Take the ramp straight toward I 30, I 35E
100 m · 8 sec
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5
Keep slight left to continue on I 30 West, I 35E South
835 ft · 20 sec
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6
Keep slight right to continue on I 35E South
101 m · 8 sec
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7
Merge slight right onto South Stemmons Freeway
1.4 km · 1 min · South Stemmons Freeway
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8
Continue on South R L Thornton Freeway
2866 ft · 44 sec · South R L Thornton Freeway
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9
Continue on South R L Thornton Freeway
89.3 mi · 1 hr 32 min · South R L Thornton Freeway
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10
Continue on North Jack Kultgen Expressway
4.3 mi · 5 min · North Jack Kultgen Expressway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward Loop 396
1239 ft · 30 sec
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12
Turn straight onto South Jack Kultgen Expressway
707 ft · 25 sec · South Jack Kultgen Expressway
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13
Turn left onto South Valley Mills Drive
760 ft · 20 sec · South Valley Mills Drive
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14
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward The Circle
38 m · 6 sec · Robinson Drive
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15
Exit the rotary onto Robinson Drive
29.5 mi · 34 min · Robinson Drive
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16
Continue straight
19.1 mi · 22 min
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17
Turn left onto East 4th Street
1340 ft · 19 sec · East 4th Street
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18
Continue on Kemp Street
1272 ft · 16 sec · Kemp Street
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19
Continue on East 1st Street
2.9 mi · 3 min · East 1st Street
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20
Take the exit slight right
66.3 mi · 1 hr 19 min
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21
Turn sharp left onto East State Highway 71 Bypass
1723 ft · 36 sec · East State Highway 71 Bypass
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22
Take the ramp slight left
1602 ft · 39 sec
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23
Merge slight left onto East State Highway 71 Bypass
22.3 mi · 23 min · East State Highway 71 Bypass
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24
Take the exit slight right toward TX 71 Business: Columbus
1272 ft · 42 sec
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25
Turn left
3.2 mi · 6 min
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26
Turn left onto Walnut Street
2294 ft · 1 min · Walnut Street
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Walnut Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Dallas and Columbus.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
South R L Thornton Freeway
Continue on South R L Thornton Freeway
89.3 mi · 01h 32m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Dallas and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Columbus.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Dallas to Columbus?
The road trip is about 241.4 miles (388.5 km) and usually takes 04h 31m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Lott is a useful midpoint, sitting about 120.9 miles from Dallas and 120.5 miles from Columbus.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 213.1 miles (343 km), while the road route adds roughly 28.3 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:56 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $32.20 one way or $64.39 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 75.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Dallas and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Columbus.
Stop Ideas Near Lott
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Lott.
Temple
Waco, TX
McGregor
Killeen, Texas
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Dallas and Columbus. Straight-line distance: 213.14 mi (343.02 km).
#1 Dallas
The ninth most populous city in the United States and the center of the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area.
| Population | 1,343,266 |
| Coordinates | 32.7830600, -96.8066700 |
| Altitude | 128 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Columbus
City in Colorado County, Texas, United States
| Population | 3,699 |
| Coordinates | 29.7066200, -96.5396900 |
| Altitude | 62 |
| Country | United States |
End: Columbus (-96.53969, 29.70662)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 388 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 02m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 02m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 49m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 01m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 26m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 00m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $32.20 | $64.39 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $36.23 | $72.45 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $39.12 | $78.23 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $34.02 | $68.04 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Texas · Apr 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.