How far is Universal City, TX from Dallas, TX?
The driving distance from Universal City, TX to Dallas, TX is about 280.2 miles (451 km), with a travel time of about 04h 04m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 240.1 miles (386.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 09m 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 04m.
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 Universal City and Dallas.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Universal City and Dallas.
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1
Start on the route
12 m · 9 sec
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2
Turn left onto Pat Booker Road
2.3 mi · 5 min · Pat Booker Road
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3
Turn slight right onto East Loop 1604 North
1047 ft · 21 sec · East Loop 1604 North
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4
Take the ramp slight left toward Loop 1604 West
995 ft · 24 sec
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5
Keep slight right to continue on I 35 North: Austin
1.1 km · 1 min
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6
Merge slight left onto North Pan Am Expressway
1.6 mi · 2 min · North Pan Am Expressway
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7
Continue on Purple Heart Trail
11.9 mi · 13 min · Purple Heart Trail
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8
Continue on Interstate Highway 35
1.9 mi · 2 min · Interstate Highway 35
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9
Continue on Purple Heart Trail
47.8 mi · 52 min · Purple Heart Trail
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10
Keep slight right to continue on Purple Heart Trail
95.6 mi · 1 hr 40 min · Purple Heart Trail
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11
Continue on South Jack Kultgen Expressway
6.6 mi · 8 min · South Jack Kultgen Expressway
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12
Continue on Purple Heart Trail
33 mi · 33 min · Purple Heart Trail
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13
Keep slight right to continue on I 35E: Dallas
58.1 mi · 1 hr 1 min
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14
Take the exit slight right toward Continental Avenue
1188 ft · 31 sec
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15
Turn right onto Continental Avenue
1275 ft · 31 sec · Continental Avenue
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16
Turn slight right onto North Lamar Street
132 m · 11 sec · North Lamar Street
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Lamar Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Universal City and Dallas.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
Purple Heart Trail
Keep slight right to continue on Purple Heart Trail
95.6 mi · 01h 40m
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 Sunny leaving Universal City and Sunny near Dallas.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Universal City to Dallas?
The road trip is about 280.2 miles (451 km) and usually takes 04h 04m 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 130.4 miles from Universal City and 149.8 miles from Dallas.
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 40.1 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 8:50 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $37.37 one way or $74.75 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 87.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Universal City and Sunny near Dallas.
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 Universal City and Dallas. Straight-line distance: 240.12 mi (386.44 km).
#1 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 |
#2 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 |
End: North Lamar Street (-96.806574, 32.783135)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 451 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 20m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 00m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 36m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 40m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 00m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 29m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $37.37 | $74.75 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $42.05 | $84.10 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $45.40 | $90.81 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $39.49 | $78.98 |
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.