How far is Dallas, TX from Memphis, TX?

The driving distance from Dallas, TX to Memphis, TX is about 277.1 miles (445.9 km), with a travel time of about 04h 56m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 252.6 miles (406.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 52m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
277.04 mi
04h 56m
Flight
252.65 mi
406.6 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Dallas.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
252.65 mi
Kilometers
406.6 km
Flight Time
00h 30m

Driving Distance

Road route
277.04 mi
Kilometers
445.85 km
Drive Time
04h 56m

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 56m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Memphis
Thu, Apr 23, 7:57 AM CDT
Return by in Dallas
Thu, Apr 23, 12:53 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Dallas
2026-04-23T03:00
Arrive Memphis
Thu, Apr 23, 7:57 AM CDT
Route Timing
04h 56m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:56 AM to 12:56 PM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
7:08 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Dallas
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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.

Mid-route stop
Wichita Falls
TX

The most populous city in Wichita County, Texas.

From Dallas
138.4 mi
02h 28m
To Memphis
138.6 mi
02h 28m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
81°F
Thursday

Mostly Cloudy

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph S
Destination
93°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Dallas and Memphis.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Dallas and Memphis.

  1. 1

    Start on North Lamar Street

    1912 ft · 47 sec · North Lamar Street

  2. 2

    Take the ramp right toward I 35E North

    41 m · 4 sec

  3. 3

    Turn right onto I 35E North

    2392 ft · 58 sec

  4. 4

    Keep slight left to continue on I 35E North

    1282 ft · 31 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left onto North Stemmons Freeway

    3.5 mi · 4 min · North Stemmons Freeway

  6. 6

    Keep slight left to continue on John W Carpenter Freeway

    1.2 km · 49 sec · John W Carpenter Freeway

  7. 7

    Keep slight left to continue on SH 183 TEXpress

    1.5 mi · 2 min · SH 183 TEXpress

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on SH 183 TEXpress

    14.9 mi · 15 min · SH 183 TEXpress

  9. 9

    Continue on SH 121/183 TEXpress

    2 mi · 2 min · SH 121/183 TEXpress

  10. 10

    Continue on SH 183 TEXpress

    644 ft · 7 sec · SH 183 TEXpress

  11. 11

    Continue on SH 121/183 TEXpress

    1.1 km · 43 sec · SH 121/183 TEXpress

  12. 12

    Continue on I 820 TEXpress

    6.2 mi · 6 min · I 820 TEXpress

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward I 35W Express: Fort Worth, Denton

    1079 ft · 26 sec

  14. 14

    Keep slight right to continue on I 35W Express North: Denton

    1.3 km · 50 sec

  15. 15

    Merge slight left onto I 35W TEXpress

    2.3 mi · 2 min · I 35W TEXpress

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right toward US 81 North, US 287 North: Decatur

    1.1 km · 1 min

  17. 17

    Merge slight left

    1.7 mi · 2 min

  18. 18

    Continue straight

    101.7 mi · 1 hr 48 min

  19. 19

    Continue on Lloyd Ruby Overpass

    1.3 km · 59 sec · Lloyd Ruby Overpass

  20. 20

    Continue on Central Freeway

    2.4 mi · 3 min · Central Freeway

  21. 21

    Keep slight left to continue on Northwest Freeway

    5.3 mi · 6 min · Northwest Freeway

  22. 22

    Continue on US Highway 287 East

    40.5 mi · 42 min · US Highway 287 East

  23. 23

    Continue on Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Highway

    4.1 mi · 4 min · Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Highway

  24. 24

    Continue on US Highway 287 West

    25.7 mi · 26 min · US Highway 287 West

  25. 25

    Continue on East 11th Street

    28.7 mi · 33 min · East 11th Street

  26. 26

    Continue on Avenue F Northeast

    2.8 mi · 3 min · Avenue F Northeast

  27. 27

    Continue on US Highway 287

    13.8 mi · 15 min · US Highway 287

  28. 28

    Continue on Burnett Street

    1.1 km · 1 min · Burnett Street

  29. 29

    Continue on US Highway 287

    13.6 mi · 14 min · US Highway 287

  30. 30

    Turn straight onto Boykin Drive

    2565 ft · 35 sec · Boykin Drive

  31. 31

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Boykin Drive

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Dallas and Memphis.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
31 steps
2 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
3 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
11.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US 81 North
104 mi · 38%
US Highway 287 East
40.5 mi · 15%
East 11th Street
28.7 mi · 10%
US Highway 287
27.3 mi · 10%
US Highway 287 West
25.7 mi · 9%
SH 183 TEXpress
16.5 mi · 6%
Longest Stretch

US 81 North

Continue straight

102 mi · 01h 48m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
04h 56m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
09h 52m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+24.5 mi
252.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Wichita Falls
02h 28m from Dallas
Leave By
7:08 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Cloudy leaving Dallas and Mostly Sunny near Memphis.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Dallas to Memphis?

The road trip is about 277.1 miles (445.9 km) and usually takes 04h 56m 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?

Wichita Falls is a useful midpoint, sitting about 138.4 miles from Dallas and 138.6 miles from Memphis.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 252.6 miles (406.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 24.5 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 7:08 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $36.96 one way or $73.92 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 86.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around Dallas and Mostly Sunny near Memphis.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Dallas and Memphis. Straight-line distance: 252.65 mi (406.6 km).

Dallas

#1 Dallas

The ninth most populous city in the United States and the center of the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area.

Population1,343,266
Coordinates32.7830600, -96.8066700
Altitude128
CountryUnited States
Memphis

#2 Memphis

City in Texas

Population1,996
Coordinates34.7247800, -100.5340100
Altitude627
CountryUnited States
Start: Dallas (-96.80667, 32.78306)
End: Memphis (-100.53401, 34.72478)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 446 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)09h 13m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 55m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 32m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 37m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 57m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 27m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
9.78 gal
37.01 L · about $36.96
Round trip
$73.92
19.56 gal · 74.02 L
Estimated CO2
86.9 kg one way
Round trip: 173.8 kg / 383 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.78 $36.96 $73.92
Mid-grade $4.25 $41.58 $83.17
Premium $4.59 $44.90 $89.80
Diesel $3.99 $39.05 $78.10

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

There is no time difference between Dallas and Memphis. The current time is 03:00:37.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.