Origin
Henderson, TX
Late night in Henderson on Sunday
Local time
2:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Henderson, 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
2h 53m
Distance
156.8 mi
252 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 42m
★
6 AM
2h 53m
8 AM
3h 15m
10 AM
3h 1m
12 PM
2h 59m
3 PM
3h 2m
5 PM
3h 14m
8 PM
2h 47m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Henderson, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Arlington, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 156.8-mile drive from Henderson, TX to Arlington, TX is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 53 minutes. The majority of your journey, 94%, will be on highways, primarily I-20 and US 80, with a stretch on the Tom Landry Freeway. This route, entirely within the Great Plains region of Texas, offers a straightforward highway-focused experience. With an estimated fuel cost of around $24, it's an economical option for a quick getaway or a necessary commute. Given its relatively short duration and focused highway profile, planning for one stop is sufficient for most travelers.
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
78.4 miles from Henderson, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 25m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 20 | 83.8 mi | 1h 23m |
| US 80 | 18.9 mi | 20m |
| Tom Landry Freeway | 16.9 mi | 19m |
| US 259 | 9.2 mi | 10m |
| East R L Thornton Freeway | 7.6 mi | 9m |
| State Highway 135 North | 4.7 mi | 5m |
| Spur 557 | 4.4 mi | 4m |
| US 259 Business | 2.8 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 83.8 mi, about 1h 23m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Henderson, TX and Arlington, TX.
1
Start on US 79 Business; TX 64 Business
45 ft
·
4 sec
·
East Main Street
2
Continue on TX 64 Business
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
North Main Street
3
Turn left onto TX 64 Business
421 ft
·
8 sec
·
West Depot Street
4
At end of road, turn right onto TX 64 Business
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
North Van Buren Street
5
Turn right onto FM 2276
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
FM 2276
6
At end of road, turn left onto US 259; FM 2276
9.2 mi
·
10 min
·
US 259; FM 2276
7
Keep slight right at fork onto US 259 Business
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
US 259 Business
8
Turn left onto Houston Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Houston Street
9
Keep slight right at fork onto Houston Street
371 ft
·
7 sec
·
Houston Street
10
Enter roundabout onto TX 135
124 ft
·
1 sec
·
State Highway 135 North
11
Continue on TX 135
4.6 mi
·
5 min
·
State Highway 135 North
12
Turn left onto I-20 Access Road
94 ft
·
2 sec
·
I-20 Access Road
13
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Toward I 20 West: Dallas
14
Merge onto I 20
84 mi
·
1 hr 23 min
·
I 20
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto Spur 557
4.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Spur 557
Exit 499A
Toward Dallas
Use the slight right lane.
16
Continue on US 80
19 mi
·
20 min
·
US 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Merge onto I 30; US 67
7.6 mi
·
9 min
·
East R L Thornton Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on I 30
17 mi
·
19 min
·
Tom Landry Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Exit 28B
Toward FM 157: Collins Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Turn straight onto Wet N Wild Way
0.5 mi
·
59 sec
·
Wet N Wild Way
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
21
Turn left onto North Center Street
1.8 mi
·
4 min
·
North Center Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
22
Turn right onto West Abram Street
297 ft
·
8 sec
·
West Abram Street
23
Arrive at destination
West Abram Street
Trip Plan
This 2-hour and 53-minute journey is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, so you have the flexibility to leave when you're ready. Aiming for an early departure can help you avoid heavier traffic as you get closer to Arlington. With only one recommended stop and a manageable 156.8 miles, you can easily break up the drive with a brief rest. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without a major exit is 83.8 miles on I-20. Planning your fuel stop before this longer segment will ensure a smooth continuation of your trip.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 78.4 miles from Henderson, TX, or about 1h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 83.8 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 34 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 78.4 miles or 1h 25m 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 17m
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 Henderson, 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 Henderson, TX
This is one driving day of about 156.8 miles and 2h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Henderson, 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 20 for about 83.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
78 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 78.4 miles from Henderson, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 20 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 83.8 miles.
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 175 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 154.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
TX 64 Business / West Depot Street
Turn left onto TX 64 Business / West Depot Street
Navigation decision point
6
17.5 mi into trip
|
~23m in
|
TX 135 / State Highway 135 North
Enter roundabout onto TX 135 / State Highway 135 North
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
22.5 mi into trip
|
~29m in
|
I 20
Merge onto I 20
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
106.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 53m 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
154.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 47m 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
$23.69 one way
$47.39 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
55 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $25.93 | $51.87 |
| premium | $4.54 | $28.00 | $55.99 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $34.62 | $69.24 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 54.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 47 | 0 | $16.46 | $7.53 |
| Efficient EV | 39.2 | 0 | $13.72 | $6.27 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 62.7 | 0 | $21.95 | $10.04 |
Gas CO2
55 kg
EV CO2
18 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.
Destination
Arlington, TX
Late night in Arlington on Sunday
Local time
2:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
88°F
Sunny
S 10 mph
4% chance
Live forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 16 at 12:44PM CDT until April 16 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 16 at 12:44PM CDT until April 17 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Amarillo 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
35 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 53m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive for 94% of this 156.8-mile trip. You'll spend most of your time on I-20 and US 80, which generally means consistent speeds and a relatively predictable road. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 83.8 miles on I-20, so be prepared for an extended period of highway cruising. While the route is primarily functional, the transition to the Tom Landry Freeway as you approach Arlington will signal your entry into a more urban environment. This drive is about efficient travel rather than winding backroads.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 83.8 mi on I 20.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and US 80. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near TX 64 Business / West Depot Street.
Driving Effort
8/10
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 156.8 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 0.2 miles (TX 64 Business / West Depot Street): Navigation decision point; at 17.5 miles (TX 135 / State Highway 135 North): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 22.5 miles (I 20): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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 Henderson, TX to Arlington, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Dallas along the way.
Dallas
106.3 mi in
|
~1h 53m
|
via Spur 557
About the Cities
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).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 53m. Total distance: 156.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 53m 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 83.8 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. 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 0.2 miles (TX 64 Business / West Depot Street): Navigation decision point; at 17.5 miles (TX 135 / State Highway 135 North): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 22.5 miles (I 20): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Arlington, TX before heading back.
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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