Traveling from Chandler to Arlington covers 118.3 miles, a manageable distance that typically takes about 2 hours and 10 minutes behind the wheel. Because both locations sit within the Great Plains region of Texas, you will experience a consistent landscape throughout the journey. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about overnight lodging or splitting your travel time. Budgeting approximately $18 for fuel should comfortably cover your expenses for the trek. Since the drive is relatively short and direct, it serves as a straightforward connection between these two points, allowing you to reach your destination without the fatigue associated with longer cross-country hauls.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
59.2 miles from Chandler, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 2m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 20
53.5 mi
53m
US 80
18.9 mi
20m
Tom Landry Freeway
16.9 mi
19m
Toll 49
8.7 mi
9m
East R L Thornton Freeway
7.6 mi
9m
Spur 557
4.4 mi
4m
State Highway 31 West
2.5 mi
3m
North Center Street
1.8 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 53.5 mi, about 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chandler, TX and Arlington, TX.
1
Start on TX 31
1.5 mi·1 min·East Highway 31
2
Continue on TX 31
2.5 mi·3 min·State Highway 31 West
3
Turn left
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward Loop 49 Toll North
4
Merge onto Toll 49
8.7 mi·9 min·Toll 49
5
Take the exit
0.6 mi·53 sec
Toward I 20: Dallas, Shreveport
6
Continue on Loop 49
411 ft·14 sec·Loop 49
7
Turn left onto Interstate 20 West
293 ft·10 sec·Interstate 20 West
8
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·48 sec
Toward I 20 West
9
Merge onto I 20
53 mi·53 min·I 20
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto Spur 557
4.4 mi·4 min·Spur 557
Exit 499AToward DallasUse the slight right lane.
11
Continue on US 80
19 mi·20 min·US 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 30; US 67
7.6 mi·9 min·East R L Thornton Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 30
17 mi·19 min·Tom Landry Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 28BToward FM 157: Collins StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Turn straight onto Wet N Wild Way
0.5 mi·59 sec·Wet N Wild Way
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
16
Turn left onto North Center Street
1.8 mi·4 min·North Center Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
17
Turn right onto West Abram Street
297 ft·8 sec·West Abram Street
18
Arrive at destination
West Abram Street
Trip Plan
Given that this is a 2-hour and 10-minute trip without any mandatory stops, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around local traffic patterns. Since there are no designated stops required, you can easily complete the entire 118.3-mile journey in one go without needing to build in extra rest time. If you prefer to avoid the heaviest congestion, consider checking traffic reports for the Tom Landry Freeway as you approach the Arlington area. Keep your fuel gauge in mind before you head out, as an $18 budget is sufficient for a full trip if you fuel up efficiently. Use the lack of scheduled stops to your advantage by keeping your gear organized and ready for a direct arrival.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 59.2 miles from Chandler, TX, or about 1h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 53.5 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 26 miles or 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 59.2 miles or 1h 2m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 43m
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 Chandler, 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 Chandler, TX
This is one driving day of about 118.3 miles and 2h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Chandler, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 20 for about 53.5 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.9 and 115.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
3.9 mi into trip|~4m in
Turn left toward Loop 49 Toll North
Navigation decision point
Toward Loop 49 Toll North
5
13.3 mi into trip|~15m in
Take the exit toward I 20: Dallas, Shreveport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 20: Dallas, Shreveport
5
13.9 mi into trip|~16m in|Interstate 20 West
Turn left onto Interstate 20 West
Navigation decision point
8
67.8 mi into trip|~1h 10m in|Spur 557
Keep slight right at fork onto Spur 557 toward Dallas
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 499A
Toward Dallas
7
115.7 mi into trip|~2h 4m in
Take the exit toward FM 157: Collins Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 28B
Toward FM 157: Collins Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.88 one way
$35.75 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg41 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$19.57
$39.13
premium
$4.54
$21.12
$42.24
diesel
$5.61
$26.12
$52.24
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
35.5
0
$12.42
$5.68
Efficient EV
29.6
0
$10.35
$4.73
EV Truck/SUV
47.3
0
$16.56
$7.57
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 kg (66% 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 17, 2026
Origin
Chandler, TX
Late night
in Chandler on Tuesday
Local time
3:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Arlington, TX
Late night
in Arlington on Tuesday
Local time
3:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Mostly Clear
S 10 to 15 mph5% chanceLive forecast
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
2 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 10m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 85% of your time will be spent cruising on major roads like I-20, US-80, and the Tom Landry Freeway. You will encounter a mix of fast-paced interstate travel and structured highway segments that keep the momentum steady. The longest uninterrupted stretch occurs during a 53.5-mile block on I-20, where you can settle into a consistent driving rhythm. Because the route relies so heavily on primary corridors, the drive feels efficient and predictable rather than winding or technical. You’ll find that the character of the road remains functional and high-speed, prioritizing quick transit between Chandler and Arlington.
85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 53.5 mi on I 20.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and US 80. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 3.9 miles in.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 118.3 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 3.9 miles: Navigation decision point; at 13.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13.9 miles (Interstate 20 West): Navigation decision point.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
604 ft398 ft
Total Climb
591 ft
Total Descent
388 ft
Highest Point
604 ft
~118.3 mi in
Elevation Range
206 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Chandler, TX and Arlington, TX, road signs point toward Shreveport and Dallas.
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 2h 10m. Total distance: 118.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 53.5 miles on I 20. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.9 miles: Navigation decision point; at 13.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13.9 miles (Interstate 20 West): Navigation decision point.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Arlington, TX before heading back.
