How far is Dallas, TX from Cottonwood Shores, TX?
The driving distance from Dallas, TX to Cottonwood Shores, TX is about 212.3 miles (341.6 km), with a travel time of about 04h 01m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 177.9 miles (286.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 02m 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 01m.
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 Texas
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Dallas and Cottonwood Shores.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dallas and Cottonwood Shores.
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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
6.6 mi · 8 min · North Jack Kultgen Expressway
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11
Continue on Purple Heart Trail
37.9 mi · 39 min · Purple Heart Trail
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12
Keep slight left
8.9 mi · 9 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward FM 2268, FM 2843: Holland, Florence
1453 ft · 35 sec
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14
Turn straight onto South Robertson Road
663 ft · 12 sec · South Robertson Road
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15
Continue on South I-35 Frontage Road
3142 ft · 54 sec · South I-35 Frontage Road
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16
Turn slight right
14.6 mi · 18 min
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17
At the end of the road, turn right onto FM 487
2.4 mi · 3 min · FM 487
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18
Continue on East Main Street
714 ft · 15 sec · East Main Street
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19
Take the ramp right toward TX 195 North
1712 ft · 42 sec
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20
Merge slight left
1562 ft · 18 sec
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21
Take the exit slight right toward TX 138: Lampasas
1658 ft · 47 sec
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22
Turn left onto State Highway 138
6.9 mi · 8 min · State Highway 138
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23
At the end of the road, turn right onto North US Highway 183
941 ft · 18 sec · North US Highway 183
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24
Turn left onto East Ranch Road 243
2916 ft · 42 sec · East Ranch Road 243
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25
Continue on East RM 243
1 mi · 1 min · East RM 243
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26
Keep slight left to continue on East RM 243
11.1 mi · 15 min · East RM 243
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27
Turn right onto West State Highway 29
9 mi · 11 min · West State Highway 29
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28
Continue on East Polk Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · East Polk Street
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29
Turn left onto South Water Street
2 mi · 3 min · South Water Street
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30
Continue on South US Highway 281
12 mi · 16 min · South US Highway 281
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31
Take the exit right
63 m · 6 sec
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32
Turn straight onto West Ranch Road 2147
3.4 mi · 6 min · West Ranch Road 2147
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33
Turn right onto Dutch Leming Lane
84 m · 12 sec · Dutch Leming Lane
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34
Continue on Pecan Lane
1541 ft · 49 sec · Pecan Lane
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35
Turn left onto Willow Drive
72 m · 12 sec · Willow Drive
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36
Turn right onto Magnolia Lane
611 ft · 27 sec · Magnolia Lane
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37
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Magnolia Lane
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Dallas and Cottonwood Shores.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
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.
Sunny leaving Dallas and Mostly Sunny near Cottonwood Shores.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Dallas to Cottonwood Shores?
The road trip is about 212.3 miles (341.6 km) and usually takes 04h 01m 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?
Lorena is a useful midpoint, sitting about 106.3 miles from Dallas and 106 miles from Cottonwood Shores.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 177.9 miles (286.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 34.4 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 8:58 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $28.30 one way or $56.61 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 66.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Dallas and Mostly Sunny near Cottonwood Shores.
Stop Ideas Near Lorena
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 Lorena.
McGregor
Waco, TX
Temple
Killeen, Texas
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Dallas and Cottonwood Shores. Straight-line distance: 177.88 mi (286.27 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 Cottonwood Shores
City in Burnet County, Texas, United States
| Population | 1,313 |
| Coordinates | 30.5557500, -98.3239100 |
| Altitude | 253 |
| Country | United States |
End: Cottonwood Shores (-98.32391, 30.55575)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 342 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 04m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 18m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 14m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 32m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 01m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 38m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $28.30 | $56.61 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $31.85 | $63.69 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $34.39 | $68.77 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $29.91 | $59.82 |
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 · May 31, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.