According to Mapquest, it should take 7.5 hours to drive from Memphis Tn to Dallas Tx. Does this sound right? Could it take longer due to construction. The times are often not correct on the map sites. Also, to take a tour of Dallas, where would be a good place to seek lodging? Planning to stay near the Mesquite rodeo on Saturday but we will arrive on Friday and want to see the city on Saturday. If travel time is less than expected, we may be able to get in to see the rodeo on Friday and tour Saturday. Hard to plan having never been there. Any help would be much appreciated. I was thinking of taking the JFK Gray line tour to see downtown Dallas.

Can't answer as far as the travel time, but just fyi: the area around the rodeo/mesquite is not so great. Fairly run down/warehousy in that area through Garland on the way to Dallas. But I am the sort who will stay in a hotel in a nicer area even if it means I have to drive further to get where I want to go. I just appreciate the safety more. What is your price limit? That would help in aiding you to find a place to stay. There are some decent places off of 75 & Campbell, we well as the Toll Road north of the Galleria, and 75 & Northpark. I have a downtown hotel I am very fond of, which runs cheaper on the weekend due to less business traffic, but it still runs at the cheapest around $125.

7.5 hours is about right, barring any construction. I-40 west of Little Rock was under work last time I was through, but hopefully it is done by now.

If you're planning to stay at the Hampton Inn & Suites at the Rodeo Center, you will be in for a treat! Staff is great, the hotel is awesome, and you can't beat the convenience. I host an annual event there and amalways impressed. The area is rather blue-collar, but it is very safe. I've been going to the Mesquite Rodeo since the 1970s and have nevery had a problem.

It is 450+ miles from Memphis to Dallas. From Memphis to Little Rock is 3 hours, from Little Rock to Dallas is 6 hours. That is without stopping and no construction. You will take I 30 out of Little Rock and it's always under construction. If you take I 40 west of Little Rock you will end up in Oklahoma not Texas. In Little Rock follow the signs that say Texarkana, or I 30 west.

We live an hour east of Dallas on I-30 and it takes us 6 hours to get to Memphis so it should take you 7 hours to get to Mesquite.