Kyle, TX to Arlington, TX is 219.5 miles and takes about 3h 58m via Purple Heart Trail and I 35W, with a fuel budget near $32 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Great Plains region of Texas, offering a straightforward drive. With a highway share of only 24%, much of your travel will be on surface roads. Given the relatively short duration and manageable distance, this route is well-suited for a single-day excursion, allowing for a relaxed pace.
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
109.8 miles from Kyle, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 58m into the drive
.
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 96 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,405 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,035
Quietest
2 AM
~585 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
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Averaged across 52 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 Kyle, TX and Arlington, TX.
1
Start on North Burleson Street
111 ft·10 sec·North Burleson Street
2
Turn left onto RM 150
0.3 mi·59 sec·West Center Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
3
Turn left onto South Interstate 35
1.3 mi·2 min·South Interstate 35
Use the left / straight lanes.
4
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
5
Merge onto I 35
20 mi·22 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35; US 290
96 mi·1 hr 40 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 35
6.6 mi·7 min·South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 35; US 77
33 mi·33 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W
45 mi·47 min·I 35W
Toward I 35W: Fort WorthUse the slight left lane.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Exit 45BToward I 20 East: DallasUse the right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·58 sec
Toward I 20 East: DallasUse the slight left lane.
12
Merge onto I 20
5.7 mi·6 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 20
4.6 mi·4 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Toward I 20 East: Dallas
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Exit 449AToward FM 157 South: UT Arlington, MansfieldUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on West Interstate 20
0.3 mi·24 sec·West Interstate 20
16
Turn left onto FM 157
1.0 mi·1 min·South Cooper Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto FM 157
1.7 mi·2 min·South Cooper Street
Use the left lane.
18
Turn right onto Spur 303
0.5 mi·50 sec·West Pioneer Parkway
Use the right lane.
19
Turn left onto South Center Street
1.2 mi·2 min·South Center Street
Use the left lane.
20
Continue on South Mesquite Street
0.8 mi·1 min·South Mesquite Street
21
Turn left onto East Abram Street
0.1 mi·26 sec·East Abram Street
22
Arrive at destination
West Abram Street
Trip Plan
Aim to depart Kyle, TX in the morning to maximize daylight and take advantage of the single-day nature of this trip. With a total driving time under 4 hours, you can afford to be flexible with stops. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $32 budget is an estimate and conditions can vary. The longest stretch is nearly 150 miles on Purple Heart Trail, so plan for a break before or during that segment. Given the route's profile of mostly surface roads, be prepared for potentially slower speeds and more frequent stops than a pure highway drive.
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 109.8 miles from Kyle, TX, or about 1h 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 148.9 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 48 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 109.8 miles or 1h 58m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 11m
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 Kyle, 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 Kyle, TX
This is one driving day of about 219.5 miles and 3h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 miles from Kyle, 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 Purple Heart Trail for about 148.9 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 213.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0 mi into trip|~0m in|RM 150 / West Center Street
Turn left onto RM 150 / West Center Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
7
157.6 mi into trip|~2h 48m 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
202.7 mi into trip|~3h 35m 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
203.1 mi into trip|~3h 36m 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
213.8 mi into trip|~3h 48m 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
$30.06 one way
$60.13 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg77 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$33.58
$67.16
premium
$4.23
$36.51
$73.02
diesel
$4.80
$41.45
$82.89
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 76.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
65.9
0
$23.05
$10.54
Efficient EV
54.9
0
$19.21
$8.78
EV Truck/SUV
87.8
1
$30.73
$14.05
Gas CO2
77 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 18, 2026
Origin
Kyle, TX
Morning
in Kyle on Monday
Local time
6:06 AM
CDT
Current temp
92°F
Partly Sunny
S 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 4:08PM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 4:04PM CDT by NWS Lubbock TX
Destination
Arlington, TX
Morning
in Arlington on Monday
Local time
6:06 AM
CDT
Current temp
96°F
Mostly Sunny
S 10 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 4:08PM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 4:04PM CDT by NWS Lubbock 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
4 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
3h 58m 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.
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...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 121.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip features 24% on highways, meaning you'll spend a good portion of your time on surface roads. The longest continuous stretch on a single road is 148.9 miles on the Purple Heart Trail. Expect the transition from highway cruising to surface road navigation to be a noticeable part of the drive. The prevalence of surface roads suggests frequent intersections and varied speed limits as you move between towns.
Only 24% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 148.9 mi on Purple Heart Trail.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near RM 150 / West Center Street.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 219.5 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: near the start (RM 150 / West Center Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 157.6 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 202.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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 3h 58m. Total distance: 219.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 148.9 miles on Purple Heart Trail. 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: near the start (RM 150 / West Center Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 157.6 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 202.7 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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Arlington, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.
