Driving from Austin to Arlington covers approximately 199.9 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 3 minutes. Because this is a relatively short distance, it functions perfectly as a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You will navigate through the Great Plains, utilizing a mix of local roads like Red River Street and East 7th Street before transitioning to Interstate 35. Budgeting around $30 for fuel should be sufficient to get you from point A to point B. This route is straightforward, making it an accessible option for travelers looking to get between these two Texas hubs efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
99.4 miles from Austin, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 45m into the drive
.
Step-by-step road directions between Austin, TX and Arlington, TX.
1
Start on East 5th Street
0.3 mi·52 sec·East 5th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
2
Turn left onto Red River Street
0.1 mi·20 sec·Red River Street
Use the left lane.
3
Turn right onto East 7th Street
0.1 mi·17 sec·East 7th Street
Use the right lane.
4
Turn left onto North Interstate 35
0.2 mi·26 sec·North Interstate 35
Use the left lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward I 35 North, US 290 East
6
Merge onto I 35; US 290
0.6 mi·42 sec·Purple Heart Trail
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35; US 290
96 mi·1 hr 40 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 35
6.6 mi·7 min·South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 35; US 77
33 mi·33 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W
45 mi·47 min·I 35W
Toward I 35W: Fort WorthUse the slight left lane.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Exit 45BToward I 20 East: DallasUse the right lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·58 sec
Toward I 20 East: DallasUse the slight left lane.
13
Merge onto I 20
5.7 mi·6 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 20
4.6 mi·4 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Toward I 20 East: Dallas
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Exit 449AToward FM 157 South: UT Arlington, MansfieldUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on West Interstate 20
0.3 mi·24 sec·West Interstate 20
17
Turn left onto FM 157
1.0 mi·1 min·South Cooper Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto FM 157
1.7 mi·2 min·South Cooper Street
Use the left lane.
19
Turn right onto Spur 303
0.5 mi·50 sec·West Pioneer Parkway
Use the right lane.
20
Turn left onto South Center Street
1.2 mi·2 min·South Center Street
Use the left lane.
21
Continue on South Mesquite Street
0.8 mi·1 min·South Mesquite Street
22
Turn left onto East Abram Street
0.1 mi·26 sec·East Abram Street
23
Arrive at destination
West Abram Street
Trip Plan
Since the trip takes just over three hours, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though planning to avoid peak local traffic is always a wise move. You should anticipate making at least one stop during the journey to stretch your legs, especially given the turn-heavy nature of the route. Keep your fuel budget of $30 in mind as you plan your stops, ensuring you have enough for any unexpected detours or idling in traffic. Because the route relies on local streets rather than a long, continuous highway, keep a close watch on your GPS to navigate the various turns accurately. Prioritize a steady pace and stay alert, as the lack of highway miles means you will be dealing with more complex road transitions than a standard interstate commute.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 99.4 miles from Austin, TX, or about 1h 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 129.2 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 44 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 99.4 miles or 1h 45m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Arlington, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Austin, TX so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Austin, TX
This is one driving day of about 198.7 miles and 3h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 miles from Austin, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Purple Heart Trail for about 129.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.5 and 193 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0.5 mi into trip|~1m in|East 7th Street
Turn right onto East 7th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
136.8 mi into trip|~2h 24m in|I 35W
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W toward I 35W: Fort Worth
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 35W: Fort Worth
7
181.9 mi into trip|~3h 11m in
Take the exit toward I 20 East: Dallas
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 45B
Toward I 20 East: Dallas
7
182.2 mi into trip|~3h 11m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 20 East: Dallas
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 20 East: Dallas
8
193 mi into trip|~3h 23m in
Take the exit toward FM 157 South: UT Arlington, Mansfield
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 449A
Toward FM 157 South: UT Arlington, Mansfield
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.02 one way
$60.05 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg70 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$32.86
$65.73
premium
$4.54
$35.48
$70.95
diesel
$5.61
$43.87
$87.74
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 69.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
59.6
0
$20.86
$9.54
Efficient EV
49.7
0
$17.39
$7.95
EV Truck/SUV
79.5
0
$27.82
$12.72
Gas CO2
70 kg
EV CO2
23 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 13, 2026
Origin
Austin, TX
Night
in Austin on Saturday
Local time
11:15 PM
CDT
Current temp
86°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 10 mph19% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 13 at 3:08PM CDT until April 13 at 4:15PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 13 at 3:02PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Destination
Arlington, TX
Night
in Arlington on Saturday
Local time
11:15 PM
CDT
Current temp
85°F
Mostly Sunny
S 15 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 13 at 3:08PM CDT until April 13 at 4:15PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 13 at 3:02PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
1 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 34m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Waco Mammoth National Monument
National Monument
Standing as tall as 14 feet and weighing 20,000 pounds, Columbian mammoths roamed across what is present-day Texas thousands of years ago. Today, the fossil specimens represent the nation's first and...
4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 102.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous highway cruise, as the route is defined by its reliance on city streets and local thoroughfares. While the drive covers nearly 200 miles, the highway share is 0%, meaning you will spend your time navigating local traffic patterns and intersections rather than maintaining steady speeds on open interstates. You should remain attentive behind the wheel, as the lack of long, uninterrupted highway stretches requires more active driving focus. The character of the road changes as you move off the local Austin streets and onto the primary corridors heading north toward Arlington. It is a practical route that emphasizes urban maneuvering over high-speed touring.
Only 27% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 129.2 mi on Purple Heart Trail.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near East 7th Street.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 198.7 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (East 7th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 136.8 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 181.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Austin is a city of about 1,054,000 (2026) surpassing Fort Worth to become the 4th most populous city in Texas. It is on the southeast edge of the Hill Country region of Texas, making it the fourth-largest city in the state and the 11th-largest in the country. It is the capital of Texas and a college town, and also a center of an alternative culture away from the major cities on the US coasts, though the city is rapidly gentrifying with its rising popularity. Austin's attitude is commonly emblazoned about town on T-shirts and bumper stickers that read: "Keep Austin Weird." Austin is also marketed as the Live Music Capital of the World due to the large number of venues.
Top landmarks
•Texas State Capitol — capitol and seat of government of the U.S. state of Texas
•Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum — presidential library and museum for U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson in Austin,...
•Texas State Cemetery — historic cemetery in Austin, Texas, USA
Arlington is a city in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex metropolitan area, in the Prairies and Lakes region of Texas. With a population of almost 400,000 (2019), it is Texas' seventh largest, and the third largest in the Metroplex. Arlington is south of the sprawling DFW International Airport.
Top landmarks
•Six Flags Over Texas — amusement park
•Mini Mine Train — Steel roller coaster
•Arlington Museum of Art — art museum in Texas, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 34m. Total distance: 198.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 129.2 miles on Purple Heart Trail. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Arlington, TX before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (East 7th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 136.8 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 181.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Arlington, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.
