China, TX to Arlington, TX is 303.5 miles and takes about 5h 27m via I 45 and US 90, with a fuel budget near $44 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Great Plains region, starting and ending in Texas. Most of your drive will be on the interstate, making for a straightforward journey. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short duration, this route is well-suited for a single-day trip.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
151.8 miles from China, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 45m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 45
202.1 mi
3h 27m
US 90
33.9 mi
38m
East Grand Parkway North
32.5 mi
34m
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
15.1 mi
16m
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
6.1 mi
6m
West Clayton Street
5.1 mi
6m
South Collins Street
3.9 mi
7m
Interstate 45 North Frontage Road
2 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 45
— 202.1 mi, about 3h 27m
Traffic on I-45
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 14 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
1 PM
~1,496 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,185
Quietest
1 AM
~238 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 45 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between China, TX and Arlington, TX.
1
Start on North Broadway
189 ft·10 sec·North Broadway
2
Turn right onto US 90
34 mi·38 min·US 90
3
Turn right onto TX 321
0.2 mi·23 sec·North Cleveland Street
4
Turn left onto FM 1960
5.1 mi·6 min·West Clayton Street
5
Turn right onto East Grand Parkway North
0.1 mi·14 sec·East Grand Parkway North
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·35 sec
7
Merge onto TX 99 Toll
32 mi·34 min·East Grand Parkway North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·45 sec
Toward Houston, DallasUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Turn right onto Interstate 45 North Frontage Road
2.0 mi·3 min·Interstate 45 North Frontage Road
Use the right lane.
10
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·8 sec
Toward I 45 North
11
Merge onto I 45
202 mi·3 hr 27 min·I 45
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
1.0 mi·2 min
Exit 276AToward I 20 West: Fort WorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 20
15 mi·16 min·Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 20
6.1 mi·6 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 451Toward Collins StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Turn straight onto East Interstate 20
0.1 mi·17 sec·East Interstate 20
17
Turn right onto South Collins Street
3.9 mi·7 min·South Collins Street
Use the right lane.
18
Turn left onto East Abram Street
0.6 mi·1 min·East Abram Street
Use the left lane.
19
Arrive at destination
West Abram Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this drive, aim to depart early in the morning to avoid any potential traffic, especially as you near Arlington. With a total duration of just over five hours, you can comfortably complete this trip in one day. The longest stretch without a major break is over 200 miles on I 45, so plan for a fuel and stretch stop before you hit that mark. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as services can be spread out on some highway sections.
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 151.8 miles from China, TX, or about 2h 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 202.1 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 67 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 151.8 miles or 2h 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 4h 25m
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 China, 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 China, TX
This is one driving day of about 303.5 miles and 5h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 67 miles from China, 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 I 45 for about 202.1 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 39.5 and 298.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
39.5 mi into trip|~46m in|TX 99 Toll / East Grand Parkway North
Merge onto TX 99 Toll / East Grand Parkway North
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
72 mi into trip|~1h 21m in
Take the exit toward Houston, Dallas
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.
Toward Houston, Dallas
5
72.3 mi into trip|~1h 22m in|Interstate 45 North Frontage Road
Turn right onto Interstate 45 North Frontage Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
276.5 mi into trip|~4h 53m in
Take the exit toward I 20 West: Fort Worth
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 276A
Toward I 20 West: Fort Worth
7
298.6 mi into trip|~5h 18m in
Take the exit toward Collins Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 451
Toward Collins Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.57 one way
$83.14 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg106 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$46.43
$92.87
premium
$4.23
$50.48
$100.97
diesel
$4.80
$57.31
$114.61
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 106.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
91.1
1
$31.87
$14.57
Efficient EV
75.9
0
$26.56
$12.14
EV Truck/SUV
121.4
1
$42.49
$19.42
Gas CO2
106 kg
EV CO2
36 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
China, TX
Late night
in China on Sunday
Local time
1:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
92°F
Mostly Sunny
S 5 mph6% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 2:38PM CDT until July 22 at 11:48AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 2:38PM CDT until July 18 at 6:00PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Arlington, TX
Late night
in Arlington on Sunday
Local time
1:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
92°F
Partly Sunny
S 10 to 15 mph12% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 2:38PM CDT until July 22 at 11:48AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 2:38PM CDT until July 18 at 6:00PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
77°F
Italy, TX
152 mi in
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
5h 27m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is 94% highway, with a significant 202.1-mile stretch on I 45. You'll experience mostly highway cruising until you approach Arlington, where you'll transition to surface roads. Expect a high volume of exits and urban merging as you get closer to your destination.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 202.1 mi on I 45.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 45 and US 90. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 39.5 miles in near TX 99 Toll / East Grand Parkway North.
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 303.5 miles you will encounter 15 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 39.5 miles (TX 99 Toll / East Grand Parkway North): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 72 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 72.3 miles (Interstate 45 North Frontage Road): Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
609 ft43 ft
Total Climb
732 ft
Total Descent
171 ft
Highest Point
609 ft
~281.9 mi in
Elevation Range
566 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between China, TX and Arlington, TX, road signs point toward Houston 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 5h 27m. Total distance: 303.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 202.1 miles on I 45. 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 39.5 miles (TX 99 Toll / East Grand Parkway North): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 72 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 72.3 miles (Interstate 45 North Frontage Road): Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 10.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Arlington, TX before the return drive.
