This 510.7-mile drive from Indian Hills, TX to Arlington, TX is a substantial undertaking, estimated to take about 9 hours and 32 minutes. Given its length, it's best split over two days, allowing for a more relaxed pace and time to enjoy the journey. You'll be navigating a mix of major highways, including I 69C, Purple Heart Trail, and Pickle Parkway, with 63% of the route being on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $77. This drive offers a long-distance experience primarily within the Great Plains region of 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
255.4 miles from Indian Hills, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 5h 1m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 69C
141.7 mi
2h 35m
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
— 141.7 mi, about 2h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Indian Hills, TX and Arlington, TX.
1
Start on 11N
0.3 mi·50 sec·Mile 11 North Road
2
Continue on 11N
176 ft·6 sec·Mile 11 North Road
3
Turn left onto FM 491
4.3 mi·7 min·North Farm to Market Road 491
4
Keep slight left at fork onto FM 491
0.9 mi·1 min·FM 491
5
Turn straight onto FM 491
1.1 mi·1 min·FM 491
6
Turn left onto TX 107
1.0 mi·1 min·Mile 16½ North Road
7
Continue on TX 107
9.1 mi·13 min·East Santa Rosa Avenue
8
Turn right onto FM 2128
0.9 mi·1 min·Richardson Road
9
Continue on FM 2128
0.5 mi·40 sec·East Schunior Street
10
Continue on FM 2128
0.8 mi·1 min·East Richardson Street
11
Continue on FM 2128
1.2 mi·1 min·East Richardson Road
12
Turn right onto North Expressway 281
181 ft·3 sec·North Expressway 281
13
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward I 69C North, US 281 North
14
Merge onto I 69C; US 281
71 mi·1 hr 15 min·I 69C; US 281
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 69C; US 281
70 mi·1 hr 19 min·I 69C; US 281
16
Keep slight left at fork onto US 281
11 mi·14 min·Nueces Street
17
Turn right onto TX 72
32 mi·39 min·King David Drive
18
Continue on TX 72; TX 239
0.8 mi·1 min·West Main Street
19
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 72; TX 239
233 ft·3 sec·East Main Street
20
Continue on FM 792
8.4 mi·10 min·Helena Road
21
Turn straight onto TX 80
24 mi·25 min·State Highway 80
22
Continue on TX 80
1.0 mi·2 min·South Nixon Avenue
23
Continue on TX 80; TX 97
31 mi·35 min·State Highway 80 North
24
Continue on US 183
10 mi·11 min·US 183
25
Continue on US 183
4.9 mi·8 min·South Colorado Street
26
Continue on US 183
0.2 mi·16 sec·United States Highway 183
27
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·35 sec
Toward TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco
28
Merge onto TX 130 Toll
59 mi·54 min·Pickle Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·49 sec
Toward I 35 North: WacoUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
30
Merge onto I 35
65 mi·1 hr 6 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Continue on I 35
6.6 mi·7 min·South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Continue on I 35; US 77
33 mi·33 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W
45 mi·47 min·I 35W
Toward I 35W: Fort WorthUse the slight left lane.
34
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Exit 45BToward I 20 East: DallasUse the right lane.
35
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·58 sec
Toward I 20 East: DallasUse the slight left lane.
36
Merge onto I 20
5.7 mi·6 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
37
Keep slight left at fork onto I 20
4.6 mi·4 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Toward I 20 East: Dallas
38
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Exit 449AToward FM 157 South: UT Arlington, MansfieldUse the straight / slight right lanes.
39
Continue on West Interstate 20
0.3 mi·24 sec·West Interstate 20
40
Turn left onto FM 157
1.0 mi·1 min·South Cooper Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
41
Keep slight right at fork onto FM 157
1.7 mi·2 min·South Cooper Street
Use the left lane.
42
Turn right onto Spur 303
0.5 mi·50 sec·West Pioneer Parkway
Use the right lane.
43
Turn left onto South Center Street
1.2 mi·2 min·South Center Street
Use the left lane.
44
Continue on South Mesquite Street
0.8 mi·1 min·South Mesquite Street
45
Turn left onto East Abram Street
0.1 mi·26 sec·East Abram Street
46
Arrive at destination
West Abram Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 9-hour and 32-minute drive, plan to break it into two days, likely with an overnight stop around the halfway point. Aim to start your driving days early to maximize daylight and find more convenient rest stops. With two planned stops, you can build in opportunities to stretch your legs and refuel. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 141.7-mile stretch on I 69C, to ensure you have enough gas to reach your next planned stop. Budgeting approximately $77 for fuel will help you stay on track financially.
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 255.4 miles from Indian Hills, TX, or about 5h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 141.7 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 112 miles or 2h 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 255.4 miles or 5h 1m 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 255.4 miles or 5h 1m
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 8h 24m
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 Indian Hills, 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 Indian Hills, TX
Aim for roughly 255 miles and 4.8 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Arlington, TX
Aim for roughly 255 miles and 4.8 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 112 miles from Indian Hills, 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 141.7 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 24
5 decision points cluster between mile 344 and 504.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
344 mi into trip|~6h 34m 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
448.8 mi into trip|~8h 22m 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
493.9 mi into trip|~9h 9m 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
494.2 mi into trip|~9h 10m 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
504.9 mi into trip|~9h 22m 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
$77.17 one way
$154.34 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg179 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$84.47
$168.93
premium
$4.54
$91.18
$182.36
diesel
$5.61
$112.76
$225.51
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$77
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$207–$317
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 178.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $54 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
153.2
1
$53.62
$24.51
Efficient EV
127.7
1
$44.69
$20.43
EV Truck/SUV
204.3
2
$71.50
$32.68
Gas CO2
179 kg
EV CO2
60 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 Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Indian Hills, TX
Late night
in Indian Hills on Tuesday
Local time
4:39 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Arlington, TX
Late night
in Arlington on Tuesday
Local time
4:39 AM
CDT
Current temp
88°F
Sunny
S 10 mph4% chanceLive 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.
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
15 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
9h 32m 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.
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...
7 mi from route
~18 min detour
Free
near mile 422.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a long-distance drive with a significant portion on highways, accounting for 63% of the total mileage. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 141.7 miles along I 69C. While much of the drive may feel like a straightforward journey, the inclusion of routes like Purple Heart Trail and Pickle Parkway suggests there might be shifts in scenery and road type, moving beyond just a monotonous interstate experience. This route is designed for covering distance efficiently.
63% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
46 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 141.7 mi on I 69C.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
At 9h 32m, this is a long-haul route where pacing matters more than any single turn. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 344 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
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 24 significant decision points across 510.7 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 344 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 448.8 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 493.9 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.
On the drive from Indian Hills, TX to Arlington, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Waco along the way.
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
The longest stretch is about 141.7 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 255 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 344 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 448.8 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 493.9 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 9.5 hours each way, a round trip means 19.1 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.
