Magnolia, TX to Arlington, TX is 231.1 miles and takes about 4h 13m via TX 6 and I-35W, with a fuel budget near $34 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Great Plains region, offering a straightforward path between two Texas cities. It's a predominantly highway route, making it a practical choice for a quick trip. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short duration, it's ideal for a single-day adventure.
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
115.6 miles from Magnolia, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 6m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
TX 6
50 mi
53m
I 35W
45.1 mi
47m
North State Highway 6
43.3 mi
43m
Purple Heart Trail
31.5 mi
31m
Aggie Expressway
15.5 mi
17m
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
10.3 mi
11m
East State Highway 6
9.1 mi
9m
State Highway 105
5.8 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
TX 6
— 50 mi, about 53m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 20 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~1,924 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,733
Quietest
2 AM
~303 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
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 Magnolia, TX and Arlington, TX.
1
Start on FM 1774
1.3 mi·2 min·Farm to Market Road 1774
2
Turn right onto FM 1486
2.3 mi·4 min·South Farm to Market Road 1486
3
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·53 sec
4
Merge onto TX 249 Toll
15 mi·17 min·Aggie Expressway
5
Continue on TX 105
5.8 mi·6 min·State Highway 105
6
Turn right onto TX 105
0.2 mi·16 sec·State Highway 6
7
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·18 sec
8
Merge onto TX 6
50 mi·53 min·TX 6
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 6
5.8 mi·5 min·North State Highway 6
10
Continue on TX 6
2.2 mi·3 min·South Main Street
11
Continue on TX 6
37 mi·37 min·North State Highway 6
12
Continue on TX 6
2.2 mi·2 min·South Memorial Street
13
Continue on TX 6
9.1 mi·9 min·East State Highway 6
14
Take the exit onto TX 6
0.3 mi·33 sec·TX 6
15
Turn right onto Loop 340
4.9 mi·6 min·East Loop 340
16
Take the exit
354 ft·10 sec
17
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·23 sec
Toward I 35 North
18
Merge onto I 35; US 77
31 mi·31 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W
45 mi·47 min·I 35W
Toward I 35W: Fort WorthUse the slight left lane.
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Exit 45BToward I 20 East: DallasUse the right lane.
21
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·58 sec
Toward I 20 East: DallasUse the slight left lane.
22
Merge onto I 20
5.7 mi·6 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight left at fork onto I 20
4.6 mi·4 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Toward I 20 East: Dallas
24
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Exit 449AToward FM 157 South: UT Arlington, MansfieldUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Continue on West Interstate 20
0.3 mi·24 sec·West Interstate 20
26
Turn left onto FM 157
1.0 mi·1 min·South Cooper Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
27
Keep slight right at fork onto FM 157
1.7 mi·2 min·South Cooper Street
Use the left lane.
28
Turn right onto Spur 303
0.5 mi·50 sec·West Pioneer Parkway
Use the right lane.
29
Turn left onto South Center Street
1.2 mi·2 min·South Center Street
Use the left lane.
30
Continue on South Mesquite Street
0.8 mi·1 min·South Mesquite Street
31
Turn left onto East Abram Street
0.1 mi·26 sec·East Abram Street
32
Arrive at destination
West Abram Street
Trip Plan
Leaving Magnolia in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight and avoid potential rush hour traffic as you near Arlington. Since this is a one-day drive, you can afford to be flexible with your single recommended stop. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 50-mile stretch on TX 6, as services might be spaced out. The estimated fuel cost of $34 is a good baseline, but it's always wise to have a little extra buffer.
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 115.6 miles from Magnolia, TX, or about 2h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 50 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 51 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 115.6 miles or 2h 6m 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 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 Magnolia, 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 Magnolia, TX
This is one driving day of about 231.1 miles and 4h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 miles from Magnolia, 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 TX 6 for about 50 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 169.2 and 226.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
169.2 mi into trip|~3h 2m 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
214.3 mi into trip|~3h 50m 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
214.6 mi into trip|~3h 50m 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
225.4 mi into trip|~4h 2m 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
6
226.8 mi into trip|~4h 5m in|FM 157 / South Cooper Street
Keep slight right at fork onto FM 157 / South Cooper Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.65 one way
$63.31 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg81 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$35.36
$70.71
premium
$4.23
$38.44
$76.88
diesel
$4.80
$43.64
$87.27
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 80.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
69.3
0
$24.27
$11.09
Efficient EV
57.8
0
$20.22
$9.24
EV Truck/SUV
92.4
1
$32.35
$14.79
Gas CO2
81 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (67% 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
Magnolia, TX
Late night
in Magnolia on Monday
Local time
5:45 AM
CDT
Current temp
93°F
Partly Sunny
S 5 mph11% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 9:55AM CDT until July 19 at 11:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 9:53AM CDT until July 19 at 7:15PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Arlington, TX
Late night
in Arlington on Monday
Local time
5:45 AM
CDT
Current temp
95°F
Mostly Sunny
SSW 10 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 9:55AM CDT until July 19 at 11:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 9:53AM CDT until July 19 at 7:15PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio 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
2 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
4h 13m 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.
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...
6 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 135.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is 73% highway, so expect long stretches of consistent speed. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 50 miles on TX 6 before merging onto I-35W. The transition from TX 6 to I-35W will likely involve more frequent exits and merging traffic as you approach the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.
73% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 50 mi on TX 6.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on TX 6 and I 35W. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 169.2 miles in near I 35W.
Driving Effort10/10
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 22 significant decision points across 231.1 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 169.2 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 214.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 214.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 4h 13m. Total distance: 231.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (73%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 50 miles on TX 6. 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 169.2 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 214.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 214.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Arlington, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.
