How far is Dallas, TX from Universal City, TX?
The driving distance from Dallas, TX to Universal City, TX is about 259.3 miles (417.3 km), with a travel time of about 04h 39m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 240.1 miles (386.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 18m 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 39m.
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.
The most populous city in Bell County, 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 Universal City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dallas and Universal City.
-
1
Start on North Lamar Street
1233 ft · 34 sec · North Lamar Street
-
2
Turn right onto Elm Street
1125 ft · 31 sec · Elm Street
-
3
Continue on Elm Street
709 ft · 14 sec · Elm Street
-
4
Take the ramp straight toward I 30, I 35E
100 m · 8 sec
-
5
Keep slight left to continue on I 30 West, I 35E South
835 ft · 20 sec
-
6
Keep slight right to continue on I 35E South
101 m · 8 sec
-
7
Merge slight right onto South Stemmons Freeway
1.4 km · 1 min · South Stemmons Freeway
-
8
Continue on South R L Thornton Freeway
2866 ft · 44 sec · South R L Thornton Freeway
-
9
Continue on South R L Thornton Freeway
89.3 mi · 1 hr 32 min · South R L Thornton Freeway
-
10
Continue on North Jack Kultgen Expressway
6.6 mi · 8 min · North Jack Kultgen Expressway
-
11
Continue on Purple Heart Trail
37.9 mi · 39 min · Purple Heart Trail
-
12
Keep slight left
55.8 mi · 59 min
-
13
Keep slight left to continue on Purple Heart Trail
49.8 mi · 55 min · Purple Heart Trail
-
14
Continue on Interstate Highway 35
1.7 mi · 2 min · Interstate Highway 35
-
15
Continue on Purple Heart Trail
8.8 mi · 9 min · Purple Heart Trail
-
16
Take the exit slight right toward Cibolo Valley Drive
1142 ft · 28 sec
-
17
Turn straight onto Interstate 35 North
1.5 km · 1 min · Interstate 35 North
-
18
Turn left onto Natural Bridge Caverns Road
3.2 mi · 6 min · Natural Bridge Caverns Road
-
19
Turn right onto John E Peterson Boulevard
1.4 mi · 3 min · John E Peterson Boulevard
-
20
Continue on Gordon A Blake Highway
1.5 km · 2 min · Gordon A Blake Highway
-
21
Turn right onto Pat Booker Road
1829 ft · 1 min · Pat Booker Road
-
22
Turn left
12 m · 3 sec
-
23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Dallas and Universal City.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
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 Universal City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Dallas to Universal City?
The road trip is about 259.3 miles (417.3 km) and usually takes 04h 39m 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?
Temple is a useful midpoint, sitting about 129.9 miles from Dallas and 129.4 miles from Universal City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 240.1 miles (386.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 19.2 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 7:42 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $34.58 one way or $69.16 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 81.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Dallas and Mostly Sunny near Universal City.
Stop Ideas Near Temple
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 Temple.
Temple
Killeen, Texas
McGregor
Fort Hood, Texas
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Dallas and Universal City. Straight-line distance: 240.12 mi (386.44 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 Universal City
Community in the San Fernando Valley region of Los Angeles County, California
| Population | 20,890 |
| Coordinates | 29.5480100, -98.2911200 |
| Altitude | 233 |
| Country | United States |
End: Universal City (-98.29112, 29.54801)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 417 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 38m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 28m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 11m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 19m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 42m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 14m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $34.58 | $69.16 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $38.91 | $77.81 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $42.01 | $84.02 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $36.54 | $73.07 |
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 13, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.