Traveling from Waco to Arlington covers approximately 99.3 miles, making for a straightforward trek through the heart of the Texas Great Plains. You can expect a drive time of about 1 hour and 37 minutes, which is ideal for a single-day excursion. Budgeting around $15 for fuel will cover your transit costs comfortably. Since the entire trip takes place within the state of Texas, you won't need to worry about crossing regional borders or navigating complex terrain changes. It is a highly manageable distance that doesn't require an overnight stay, allowing you the flexibility to complete the journey in one sitting.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
49.2 miles from Waco, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 53m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 35W
45.1 mi
47m
Purple Heart Trail
32.8 mi
32m
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
10.3 mi
11m
West Waco Drive
3.4 mi
6m
South Cooper Street
2.7 mi
4m
South Center Street
1.2 mi
2m
South Mesquite Street
0.8 mi
1m
West Pioneer Parkway
0.5 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 35W
— 45.1 mi, about 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waco, TX and Arlington, TX.
1
Start on US 84
3.4 mi·6 min·West Waco Drive
2
Turn left onto North Interstate 35
0.1 mi·16 sec·North Interstate 35
Use the straight / left lanes.
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward I 35 North, US 77 North
4
Merge onto I 35; US 77
33 mi·32 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W
45 mi·47 min·I 35W
Toward I 35W: Fort WorthUse the slight left lane.
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Exit 45BToward I 20 East: DallasUse the right lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·58 sec
Toward I 20 East: DallasUse the slight left lane.
8
Merge onto I 20
5.7 mi·6 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 20
4.6 mi·4 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Toward I 20 East: Dallas
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Exit 449AToward FM 157 South: UT Arlington, MansfieldUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on West Interstate 20
0.3 mi·24 sec·West Interstate 20
12
Turn left onto FM 157
1.0 mi·1 min·South Cooper Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto FM 157
1.7 mi·2 min·South Cooper Street
Use the left lane.
14
Turn right onto Spur 303
0.5 mi·50 sec·West Pioneer Parkway
Use the right lane.
15
Turn left onto South Center Street
1.2 mi·2 min·South Center Street
Use the left lane.
16
Continue on South Mesquite Street
0.8 mi·1 min·South Mesquite Street
17
Turn left onto East Abram Street
0.1 mi·26 sec·East Abram Street
18
Arrive at destination
West Abram Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the advantage of total scheduling flexibility. Aim to depart outside of peak traffic hours to ensure you maintain your estimated 1 hour and 37 minute travel time. You won't need to plan for any mandatory stops given the modest mileage, but keeping your fuel budget around $15 in mind will help you stay on track financially. Pay close attention to the turn-heavy nature of the route, as staying alert through the various local transitions is key to a smooth arrival. If you are prone to fatigue, even a quick stretch during the 99.3-mile journey can help you finish the drive feeling refreshed.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 49.2 miles from Waco, TX, or about 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 45.1 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 22 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 49.2 miles or 53m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 26m
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 Waco, TX so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Waco, TX
This is one driving day of about 98.5 miles and 1h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Waco, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 35W for about 45.1 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 36.6 and 94.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
36.6 mi into trip|~40m 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
81.7 mi into trip|~1h 27m 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
82 mi into trip|~1h 28m 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
92.7 mi into trip|~1h 40m 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
94.2 mi into trip|~1h 43m 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
$14.88 one way
$29.77 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg35 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$16.29
$32.58
premium
$4.54
$17.59
$35.17
diesel
$5.61
$21.75
$43.50
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 34.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
29.5
0
$10.34
$4.73
Efficient EV
24.6
0
$8.62
$3.94
EV Truck/SUV
39.4
0
$13.79
$6.30
Gas CO2
34 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (65% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Waco, TX
Late night
in Waco on Sunday
Local time
12:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Arlington, TX
Late night
in Arlington on Sunday
Local time
12:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
N 15 to 20 mph42% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 18 at 10:34AM CDT until April 18 at 11:00AM CDT by NWS Fort Worth TX
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued April 18 at 10:29AM CDT until April 19 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Lubbock TX
59°F
Keene, TX
49 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
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
1h 51m 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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that keeps you engaged rather than lulling you into a monotonous highway grind. You will primarily navigate via Interstate 35, I-35 North, and the Purple Heart Trail to reach your destination. While the route connects two major hubs, the character of the road leans more toward local navigation than a high-speed interstate sprint. Because the highway share is effectively zero for long, uninterrupted stretches, you should prepare for a more hands-on driving experience. With no single stretch of Interstate 35 lasting for a significant duration, your focus will remain on managing the local segments of the path.
47% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 45.1 mi on I 35W.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 36.6 miles in near I 35W.
Driving Effort9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 98.5 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 36.6 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 81.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 82 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
Between Waco, TX and Arlington, TX, road signs point toward Fm 157 South: Ut Arlington and Mansfield.
Waco is a city in the Blackland Prairie region of north central Texas. Waco is best known in Texas for being the home of Baylor University, the largest Baptist university in the world, chartered during the Republic of Texas.
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 1h 51m. Total distance: 98.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (47%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 45.1 miles on I 35W. 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.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 36.6 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 81.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 82 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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Arlington, TX before heading back.
