How far is Houston, TX from Lake Dallas, TX?
The driving distance from Houston, TX to Lake Dallas, TX is about 268.7 miles (432.4 km), with a travel time of about 04h 49m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 251.7 miles (405.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 39m 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 49m.
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 Leon County, Texas
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Houston and Lake Dallas.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Houston and Lake Dallas.
-
1
Start on Louisiana Street
145 m · 20 sec · Louisiana Street
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2
Turn right onto Franklin Street
664 ft · 28 sec · Franklin Street
-
3
Turn left onto Travis Street
1205 ft · 29 sec · Travis Street
-
4
Take the ramp straight toward I 45 North Express Lane
1.6 km · 2 min
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5
Merge slight left onto North Freeway
236.9 mi · 4 hr 9 min · North Freeway
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6
Take the exit slight right toward Waco, Denton
3139 ft · 1 min
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7
Continue on Woodall Rodgers Freeway
1.4 km · 1 min · Woodall Rodgers Freeway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 35E North: Denton
1980 ft · 48 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto North Stemmons Freeway
4.1 mi · 5 min · North Stemmons Freeway
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10
Keep slight right to continue on North Stemmons Freeway
23.3 mi · 26 min · North Stemmons Freeway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward Lake Dallas Drive
543 ft · 13 sec
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12
Turn straight onto South Stemmons Freeway
2132 ft · 45 sec · South Stemmons Freeway
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13
Turn right onto South Lake Dallas Drive
2065 ft · 1 min · South Lake Dallas Drive
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14
Turn straight
52 m · 11 sec
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15
Turn slight right onto Main Street
1138 ft · 31 sec · Main Street
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Houston and Lake Dallas.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
North Freeway
Merge slight left onto North Freeway
237 mi · 04h 09m
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.
Mostly Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Houston and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Lake Dallas.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Houston to Lake Dallas?
The road trip is about 268.7 miles (432.4 km) and usually takes 04h 49m 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?
Buffalo is a useful midpoint, sitting about 134.6 miles from Houston and 134.1 miles from Lake Dallas.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 251.7 miles (405.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 17 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 7:20 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $35.82 one way or $71.65 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 84.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Houston and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Lake Dallas.
Stop Ideas Near Buffalo
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 Buffalo.
Bryan, TX
Waco, TX
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Houston and Lake Dallas. Straight-line distance: 251.72 mi (405.11 km).
#1 Houston
The fourth most populous city in the United States and the center of the Houston metropolitan area.
| Population | 2,316,120 |
| Coordinates | 29.7632800, -95.3632700 |
| Altitude | 12 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Lake Dallas
City in Denton County, Texas, United States
| Population | 8,124 |
| Coordinates | 33.1192900, -97.0255600 |
| Altitude | 175 |
| Country | United States |
End: Lake Dallas (-97.02556, 33.11929)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 432 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 57m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 43m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 22m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 28m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 50m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 21m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $35.82 | $71.65 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $40.31 | $80.62 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $43.52 | $87.05 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $37.85 | $75.71 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.