Origin
Doolittle, TX
Late night in Doolittle on Sunday
Local time
12:58 AM
CDT
Current temp
92°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Doolittle, TX to Arlington, TX
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
9h 2m
Distance
488.7 mi
787 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$74
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
8h 54m
★
6 AM
9h 2m
8 AM
9h 18m
10 AM
9h 8m
12 PM
9h 6m
3 PM
9h 9m
5 PM
9h 18m
8 PM
8h 57m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Doolittle, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Arlington, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 488.7-mile journey from Doolittle, TX to Arlington, TX will take approximately 9 hours and 2 minutes of driving time, making it a substantial trip best split over two days. The route is largely highway-focused, with 64% of it utilizing major roadways. You'll be traveling within the Great Plains region for both your origin and destination. With an estimated fuel cost of $74 and requiring two planned stops, this drive offers a straightforward path. Consider this a practical option for covering significant distance across Texas.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
244.4 miles from Doolittle, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 43m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 69C | 135.9 mi | 2h 29m |
| Purple Heart Trail | 97.7 mi | 1h 39m |
| Pickle Parkway | 58.5 mi | 54m |
| I 35W | 45.1 mi | 47m |
| King David Drive | 31.8 mi | 39m |
| State Highway 80 North | 30.8 mi | 35m |
| State Highway 80 | 23.6 mi | 25m |
| Nueces Street | 11.1 mi | 14m |
Longest stretch:
I 69C
— 135.9 mi, about 2h 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Doolittle, TX and Arlington, TX.
1
Start on 19 1/2 North
0.2 mi
·
42 sec
·
Davis Road
2
Turn right onto Doolittle Road
1.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Doolittle Road
3
Turn left onto FM 2812
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
FM 2812
4
Turn right onto North Expressway 281
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
·
North Expressway 281
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Toward I 69C North, US 281 North
6
Merge onto I 69C; US 281
66 mi
·
1 hr 9 min
·
I 69C; US 281
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 69C; US 281
70 mi
·
1 hr 19 min
·
I 69C; US 281
8
Keep slight left at fork onto US 281
11 mi
·
14 min
·
Nueces Street
9
Turn right onto TX 72
32 mi
·
39 min
·
King David Drive
10
Continue on TX 72; TX 239
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
West Main Street
11
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 72; TX 239
233 ft
·
3 sec
·
East Main Street
12
Continue on FM 792
8.4 mi
·
10 min
·
Helena Road
13
Turn straight onto TX 80
24 mi
·
25 min
·
State Highway 80
14
Continue on TX 80
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
South Nixon Avenue
15
Continue on TX 80; TX 97
31 mi
·
35 min
·
State Highway 80 North
16
Continue on US 183
10 mi
·
11 min
·
US 183
17
Continue on US 183
4.9 mi
·
8 min
·
South Colorado Street
18
Continue on US 183
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
United States Highway 183
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
35 sec
Toward TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco
20
Merge onto TX 130 Toll
59 mi
·
54 min
·
Pickle Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
Toward I 35 North: Waco
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
22
Merge onto I 35
65 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on I 35
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Continue on I 35; US 77
33 mi
·
33 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W
45 mi
·
47 min
·
I 35W
Toward I 35W: Fort Worth
Use the slight left lane.
26
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Exit 45B
Toward I 20 East: Dallas
Use the right lane.
27
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
Toward I 20 East: Dallas
Use the slight left lane.
28
Merge onto I 20
5.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Keep slight left at fork onto I 20
4.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Toward I 20 East: Dallas
30
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Exit 449A
Toward FM 157 South: UT Arlington, Mansfield
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Continue on West Interstate 20
0.3 mi
·
24 sec
·
West Interstate 20
32
Turn left onto FM 157
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South Cooper Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
33
Keep slight right at fork onto FM 157
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
South Cooper Street
Use the left lane.
34
Turn right onto Spur 303
0.5 mi
·
50 sec
·
West Pioneer Parkway
Use the right lane.
35
Turn left onto South Center Street
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
South Center Street
Use the left lane.
36
Continue on South Mesquite Street
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
South Mesquite Street
37
Turn left onto East Abram Street
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
·
East Abram Street
38
Arrive at destination
West Abram Street
Trip Plan
Given the 9-hour duration and 488.7-mile distance, planning for two days is highly recommended to avoid fatigue. Aim to start early to maximize daylight and allow ample time for your two planned stops. The longest stretch of 135.9 miles on I 69C means you'll want to ensure you have sufficient fuel before entering that segment. Keep your estimated fuel cost of $74 in mind as you budget for the trip. Splitting the drive will make the journey much more manageable and enjoyable.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 244.4 miles from Doolittle, TX, or about 4h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 135.9 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 108 miles or 2h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 244.4 miles or 4h 43m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 244.4 miles or 4h 43m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 7h 53m
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 Doolittle, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Doolittle, TX
Aim for roughly 244 miles and 4.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Arlington, TX
Aim for roughly 244 miles and 4.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 108 miles from Doolittle, TX.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 69C for about 135.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Overnight candidate
244 mi into the route
Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start
This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.
Find hotels in Austin, TXOvernight Options
Night 1
244 mi · about 4.5h in
A practical overnight split lands near Austin, TX after about 244 miles or 4.5 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 108 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 244.4 miles from Doolittle, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 69C if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 135.9 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 244 miles or 4.5 hours on the road.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 235 decision points cluster between mile 322.1 and 483 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
322.1 mi into trip
|
~6h 3m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35 North: Waco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35 North: Waco
7
426.8 mi into trip
|
~7h 51m 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
471.9 mi into trip
|
~8h 38m 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
472.2 mi into trip
|
~8h 39m 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
483 mi into trip
|
~8h 51m 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
$73.84 one way
$147.69 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
171 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $80.83 | $161.66 |
| premium | $4.54 | $87.25 | $174.51 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $107.90 | $215.80 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$74
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$204–$314
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 171 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $51 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 146.6 | 1 | $51.31 | $23.46 |
| Efficient EV | 122.2 | 1 | $42.76 | $19.55 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 195.5 | 2 | $68.42 | $31.28 |
Gas CO2
171 kg
EV CO2
57 kg (67% 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.
Destination
Arlington, TX
Late night in Arlington on Sunday
Local time
12:58 AM
CDT
Current temp
88°F
Mostly Sunny
S 10 to 15 mph
4% chance
Live 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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
4 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
9h 2m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for 64% of this 488.7-mile route, primarily utilizing I 69C, Purple Heart Trail, and Pickle Parkway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 135.9 miles on I 69C. While much of the drive is on these main arteries, the character can shift as you transition between them, offering a mix of faster travel and potentially more varied road conditions. It's a route designed for covering ground efficiently.
64% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
38 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 135.9 mi on I 69C.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 69C and Purple Heart Trail. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 322.1 miles in.
Driving Effort
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 488.7 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 322.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 426.8 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 471.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Doolittle, TX to Arlington, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Waco along the way.
Waco
263.1 mi in
|
~5h 7m
About the Cities
Starting in Doolittle, TX
Full guide →Arriving in Arlington, TX
Full guide →Founded 1876
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
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 135.9 miles on I 69C. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 244 miles on day one.
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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 322.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 426.8 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 471.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 9.0 hours each way, a round trip means 18.1 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.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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