Ralls, TX to Arlington, TX is 305 miles and takes about 5h 34m via Central East Freeway and US 82, with a fuel budget near $44 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Great Plains region, primarily across Texas. Expect a straightforward trip that's manageable in a single day. Consider this route if you're looking for an efficient way to cover ground between these two Texas locations without much fuss.
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
152.5 miles from Ralls, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 42m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Central East Freeway
98.6 mi
1h 45m
5th Street
93.5 mi
1h 38m
US 82
49 mi
55m
US Highway 82
33.2 mi
34m
Tom Landry Freeway
4.8 mi
6m
US 81
4.6 mi
4m
I 820 TEXpress
3.3 mi
3m
I 820
3 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Central East Freeway
— 98.6 mi, about 1h 45m
Traffic on I-30
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 4 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
7 AM
~4,470 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~418 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 50 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 Ralls, TX and Arlington, TX.
1
Start on US 82; TX 114
0.7 mi·49 sec·4th Street
2
Continue on US 82; TX 114
7.3 mi·7 min·US Highway 82
3
Continue on US 82; TX 114
1.0 mi·1 min·West Main Street
4
Continue on US 82; TX 114
24 mi·25 min·US Highway 82
5
Continue on US 82; TX 114
94 mi·1 hr 38 min·5th Street
6
Continue on US 82; TX 114
1.6 mi·1 min·West California Street
7
Turn left onto US 82; US 183 Business; US 277 Business; US 283 Business
0.6 mi·40 sec·North Main Street
8
Continue on US 82; US 183 Business; US 277 Business; US 283 Business
1.5 mi·1 min·US Highway 82
9
Take the exit onto US 82
48 mi·53 min·US 82
Toward US 82 East, US 183 North, US 277 North, US 283 North: Wichita Falls
10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 82
0.9 mi·1 min·US 82
Toward US 82 East, US 281 South, US 287 South: Fort Worth
11
Merge onto US 82; US 281; US 287
0.3 mi·19 sec·Central East Freeway
12
Keep slight right at fork onto US 82; US 287
1.8 mi·1 min·Central East Freeway
13
Keep slight right at fork onto US 82; US 287
97 mi·1 hr 43 min·Central East Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on US 81; US 287
4.6 mi·4 min·US 81; US 287
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto I 35W; US 287
2.3 mi·2 min·North Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.4 mi·24 sec
Exit 57Toward I 820Use the slight right lane.
17
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Toward I 820 EastUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
18
Merge onto I 820
0.4 mi·24 sec·Northeast Loop
19
Take the exit
0.1 mi·7 sec
Toward I 820 Express East Toll
20
Merge onto I 820 TEXpress
3.3 mi·3 min·I 820 TEXpress
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.1 mi·18 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Merge onto I 820
2.3 mi·2 min·Northeast Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Merge onto I 820; TX 121; TX 183
0.8 mi·56 sec·Airport Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 820
3.0 mi·3 min·I 820
Toward I 820 SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
1.2 mi·2 min
Exit 28AToward I 30 East: DallasUse the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Merge onto I 30
4.8 mi·6 min·Tom Landry Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 27AToward Lamar Boulevard, Cooper StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Turn right onto North Cooper Street
0.7 mi·1 min·North Cooper Street
29
Turn left onto West Randol Mill Road
0.4 mi·49 sec·West Randol Mill Road
Use the left lane.
30
Turn right onto North Center Street
1.0 mi·2 min·North Center Street
Use the right lane.
31
Turn right onto West Abram Street
297 ft·8 sec·West Abram Street
32
Arrive at destination
West Abram Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 34m estimated drive time, leaving Ralls in the morning is a good strategy to ensure you arrive in Arlington with plenty of daylight. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short duration, you have flexibility in pacing yourself. Keep an eye on fuel, especially during the 98.6-mile stretch on the Central East Freeway, as services might be less frequent in some sections. The $44 fuel cost is an estimate, so checking local prices before you depart is always wise.
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 152.5 miles from Ralls, TX, or about 2h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 98.6 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 67 miles or 1h 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 152.5 miles or 2h 42m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 29m
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 Ralls, 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 Ralls, TX
This is one driving day of about 305 miles and 5h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 67 miles from Ralls, 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 Central East Freeway for about 98.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
The midpoint is around 152.5 miles from Ralls, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before Central East Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 98.6 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 285.1 and 302.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
285.1 mi into trip|~5h 7m in
Take the exit toward I 820
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 57
Toward I 820
7
285.5 mi into trip|~5h 7m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 820 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 820 East
7
293.5 mi into trip|~5h 17m in|I 820
Keep slight left at fork onto I 820 toward I 820 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 820 South
7
296.5 mi into trip|~5h 20m in
Take the exit toward I 30 East: Dallas
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 28A
Toward I 30 East: Dallas
8
302.6 mi into trip|~5h 29m in
Take the exit toward Lamar Boulevard, Cooper Street
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 27A
Toward Lamar Boulevard, Cooper Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.78 one way
$83.55 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg107 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$46.66
$93.33
premium
$4.23
$50.73
$101.47
diesel
$4.80
$57.59
$115.18
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 106.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
91.5
1
$32.03
$14.64
Efficient EV
76.3
0
$26.69
$12.20
EV Truck/SUV
122
1
$42.70
$19.52
Gas CO2
107 kg
EV CO2
36 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Ralls, TX
Late night
in Ralls on Monday
Local time
4:48 AM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 15 mph25% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 2:38PM CDT until July 22 at 11:48AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 2:38PM CDT until July 18 at 6:00PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Arlington, TX
Late night
in Arlington on Monday
Local time
4:48 AM
CDT
Current temp
92°F
Partly Sunny
S 10 to 15 mph12% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 2:38PM CDT until July 22 at 11:48AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 2:38PM CDT until July 18 at 6:00PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
102°F
Henrietta, TX
153 mi in
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
8 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
5h 34m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip features a substantial highway component, with 65% of the drive on major roadways. You'll encounter a continuous stretch of 98.6 miles on the Central East Freeway. The route begins on surface streets like 5th Street before transitioning to the freeway system and US 82. Be prepared for a good amount of highway cruising, with periods of dense exits as you approach more populated areas.
65% 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: 98.6 mi on Central East Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Central East Freeway and 5th Street. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 285.1 miles in.
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 305 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 285.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 285.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 293.5 miles (I 820): 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 5h 34m. Total distance: 305 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 98.6 miles on Central East Freeway. 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 285.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 285.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 293.5 miles (I 820): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.6 hours each way, a round trip means 11.2 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.
