Evacuation Guide

Dallas, Texas Evacuation Routes

Plan your escape with optimized routes and safe zones

Google Maps

Threat Assessment

Tornado

Dallas is in Tornado Alley. EF3-EF5 tornadoes possible March through June. 2019 EF3 hit North Dallas.

Severe Weather

Hailstorms, damaging straight-line winds, and severe thunderstorms frequent spring through fall.

Extreme Heat

Summer temperatures routinely exceed 105F. Heat-related illness and power grid strain.

Flash Flood

Rapid creek and river flooding during heavy rain. Trinity River levee system protects downtown.

Ice Storm

Winter ice storms can paralyze the city. 2021 winter storm caused multi-day power outages.

Industrial Accident

Rail corridors carry hazardous materials through urban core. Chemical plant proximity.

Evacuation Routes

I-35E South to Waco

primary

Primary southern evacuation via I-35E through Waxahachie to Waco. Major interstate corridor with many services.

96 miles to Waco1.5 hours (normal), 3-5 hours (evacuation)

I-35E is heavily trafficked - expect significant delays

Tornado risk along entire corridor - monitor weather radio

Tornado

Industrial Accident

Civil Unrest

I-35E North to Denton/Oklahoma

primary

Northern evacuation via I-35E to Denton and continuing to Oklahoma. Leads away from Gulf storm threats.

40 miles to Denton, 200 miles to Oklahoma City45 min to Denton (normal), 2-4 hours (evacuation)

I-35E merges with I-35W near Denton - heavy congestion

Lake Lewisville dam area - avoid during flood events

Hurricane Remnants

Extreme Heat

Flood

I-30 East to Texarkana

secondary

Eastern evacuation via I-30 through Rockwall, Sulphur Springs, and on to Texarkana at the Arkansas border.

180 miles to Texarkana2.5 hours (normal), 5-7 hours (evacuation)

Long stretch with limited services between Greenville and Texarkana

Flash flood risk at multiple creek crossings

Tornado

Extreme Heat

Industrial Accident

I-20 West to Abilene

secondary

Western evacuation via I-20 through Fort Worth and into the open plains of West Texas.

180 miles to Abilene2.5 hours (normal), 5-7 hours (evacuation)

West Texas is sparsely populated - carry extra fuel and water

Extreme heat in summer - vehicle overheating risk

Flood

Industrial Accident

Civil Unrest

I-635 (LBJ Freeway) Bypass Loop

tertiary

Use the I-635 loop to bypass downtown Dallas congestion and connect to outbound highways.

Loop around Dallas metro1 hour (normal), 2-4 hours (evacuation)

LBJ Express toll lanes may allow faster transit if EZ Pass available

Multiple interchange construction zones

Bypassing Downtown

Connecting Routes

Airport Access

Trinity Trails Network

foot

On-foot or bicycle evacuation along the Trinity River trails. Extensive paved trail system through the river corridor.

10 miles to White Rock Lake3-4 hours on foot, 1 hour by bike

Trinity River floodway is dangerous during flash floods - do NOT use during storms

Check weather conditions before using riverside trails

Vehicle Unavailable

Road Blockage

Grid Down

Interactive Map

Loading map...

Open in Google Maps

Safe Zones & Rally Points

Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center (Emergency Shelter)

shelter • Capacity: 10,000

Parkland Memorial Hospital

hospital • Capacity: 862

Baylor University Medical Center

hospital • Capacity: 914

UT Southwestern Medical Center

hospital • Capacity: 740

Dallas Fire-Rescue Station 1

fire station

Fair Park

rally point

White Rock Lake Park

rally point

DFW International Airport

resource

Cotton Bowl Stadium

shelter • Capacity: 92,100

Reunion Tower Rally Point

rally point

Methodist Dallas Medical Center

hospital • Capacity: 515

Reverchon Park

rally point

Bachman Lake Park

rally point

Dallas Love Field Airport

resource

Get Your Personalized Escape Plan

Generate a complete AI-powered evacuation plan with gear recommendations, family coordination, and step-by-step instructions.

Generate My Plan