Getting east from DFW airport? (Dallas, Greenville: rental car, rental, credit card)

[K12144]

Everything I've read says "avoid going through downtown Dallas," which makes sense to me. I'm headed east on I-30, renting a car. What's the best way to go (and come back...)? I'm looking to avoid toll roads (I know I'll have to pay to get out of the airport on International Pkwy, but I can pay that in cash, right?). Google Maps is giving me a few options (see linked picture); I'm not sure how far out I need to go to avoid downtown while not adding unnecessary distance to my trip? Any other driving tips? (I know traffic is insane, exits are easy to miss, and exit ramps are treacherous.)


Thanks!

https://imgur.com/a/jG2vvZC

[jbb303]

The route you posted using 635 should be fine. The George Bush Tollway route doesn't look much farther as far as drive time goes, but that is way out of the way. The route using 380 is a waste. Any time you would save by avoiding in town traffic will be off set by sitting through red lights.

[rabbit33]

Go out north entrance, immediately exit off the right to 635 East, carry around to I-30 on the east side of town as you showed.

[tmtex]

635. Keep in mind where it says 1hr 37min, is construction and according to the radio there is always a wreck there

[EDS_]

Originally Posted by rabbit33

Go out north entrance, immediately exit off the right to 635 East, carry around to I-30 on the east side of town as you showed.

100%.


Also.................OP if you must use cash be sure to exit through a tollbooth lane that accepts cash - most do not. Payment options per lane are well marked.

ETA - paying by card opens up more lanes.


Might not be a bad idea to have cash and a credit card at the ready. The cash lanes tend to move slowly as people fumble around for money.

[ChristieP]

No, you do not have to pay to get out of the airport in a rental car as long as you use the south exit. Rental Car Drive and its entrance onto International Blvd are south of the toll booths. Just get onto the road, and follow the signs to 183.

I would not recommend taking 635 East to I-30. There is a large stretch of 635 (from US 75 to I-30) that is under major construction, and it is not a fun drive at all right now. Yes, there are frequent wrecks in the construction zone. Honestly, I would take any other route to avoid that section!

Set your GPS to "avoid toll roads" and follow the instructions to avoid traffic. I personally use the app Waze since it gives real-time traffic updates. The route it tells me to take can literally vary by the hour, so just trust it to find the best way for you.

[Rakin]

And it depends on your travel time. If you are traveling from about 9am to 2pm then going downtown might be a good option. Not during rush hours.

[Grainraiser]

Knowing your arrival time would help a great bit when providing you the best option.

[TheOverdog]

And it depends on your travel time. If you are traveling from about 9am to 2pm then going downtown might be a good option. Not during rush hours.

Outside the hours between 7:00am - 9:30am and 4:00-6:00pm, going through DT Dallas is perfectly fine. You can also hit a random south ramp on I30 west of downtown to get to I20 to avoid downtown for a short period, and then bounce back up to I30 vial like 635 or Loop 12 or 205 or 34, depending on how far east you are going.

[TheOverdog]

You can also take 380 to Greenville, and hit I30 there if your main goal is to avoid as much heavy traffic as you can. There are stop lights, but it's normal traffic.