Origin
Allen, TX
Afternoon in Allen on Sunday
Local time
4:50 PM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Allen, TX to Arlington, TX
Drive Time
53m
Distance
43.5 mi
70 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 49m
★
6 AM
0h 53m
8 AM
1h 2m
10 AM
0h 56m
12 PM
0h 55m
3 PM
0h 57m
5 PM
1h 1m
8 PM
0h 50m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Allen, TX
Thomas balabaud
Arlington, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Trip Overview
If you are planning to travel from Allen to Arlington, you are looking at a straightforward 43.5-mile journey across the heart of the Great Plains region. Expect to spend about 53 minutes behind the wheel, making this an ideal day trip that requires no overnight stay. Your route primarily utilizes the Central Expressway, the President George Bush Turnpike, and I-635 TEXpress to navigate between these two Texas cities. Budgeting roughly $7 for fuel should cover your travel costs comfortably. Because the entire drive remains within the same region, you won't encounter major environmental transitions, allowing for a predictable and efficient transit. This is a practical, no-nonsense connection that gets you from point A to point B without any necessary stops.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
21.7 miles from Allen, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 24m into the drive .
Drive Character
This highway-focused drive is defined by its efficiency, with 85 percent of the route consisting of high-speed thoroughfares. You will spend a significant portion of your time on major interstates and turnpikes, offering a consistent pace rather than a scenic, winding experience. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 12.5-mile segment on the Central Expressway, which sets the tone for the rest of the transit. While the road is engineered for speed and connectivity, it lacks the technical curves of rural backroads. Prepare for a modern, urban driving experience where the focus is firmly on navigating the busy infrastructure that links these two areas.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Central Expressway is the longest continuous segment at about 12.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Central Expressway and President George Bush Turnpike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 13.7 miles in.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 43.5 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: at 13.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 14 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 24.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 20 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
13.7 mi into trip
|
~16m in
Take the exit toward I 635
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Exit 21
Toward I 635
7
14 mi into trip
|
~16m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 635 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 635 West
8
24.2 mi into trip
|
~27m in
Take the exit toward PGBT Toll South: President George Bush Turnpike, Las Colinas Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 30
Toward PGBT Toll South: President George Bush T...
7
24.6 mi into trip
|
~28m in
Keep slight left at fork toward PGBT South: President George Bush Turnpike South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward PGBT South: President George Bush Turnpi...
7
40.8 mi into trip
|
~47m in
Take the exit toward FM 157: Collins Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 28B
Toward FM 157: Collins Street
Towns Along This Route
Between Allen, TX and Arlington, TX, road signs point toward Pgbt Toll South: President George Bush Turnpike and Pgbt South: President George Bush Turnpike South.
Pgbt Toll South: President George Bush Turnpike
24.2 mi in
|
~27m
Pgbt South: President George Bush Turnpike South
24.6 mi in
|
~28m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Central Expressway | 12.5 mi | 13m |
| President George Bush Turnpike | 12 mi | 12m |
| I 635 TEXpress | 3.5 mi | 3m |
| Tom Landry Freeway | 3.3 mi | 4m |
| Lyndon B Johnson Freeway | 3 mi | 3m |
| Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway | 2.4 mi | 2m |
| North Center Street | 1.8 mi | 4m |
| Wet N Wild Way | 0.5 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Central Expressway
— 12.5 mi, about 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Allen, TX and Arlington, TX.
1
Start on West Main Street
449 ft
·
15 sec
·
West Main Street
2
Turn left onto South Allen Drive
527 ft
·
14 sec
·
South Allen Drive
Use the none lane.
3
Turn right onto West McDermott Drive
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
West McDermott Drive
Use the right lane.
4
Turn left onto South Central Expressway
0.4 mi
·
40 sec
·
South Central Expressway
Use the left lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward US 75 South
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
6
Merge onto US 75
13 mi
·
13 min
·
Central Expressway
Use the none lane.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 21
Toward I 635
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.9 mi
·
55 sec
Toward I 635 West
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 635
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway
Use the none lane.
10
Continue on I 635
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Use the none lane.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
32 sec
Toward I 635 TEXpress West
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 635 TEXpress
3.5 mi
·
3 min
·
I 635 TEXpress
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 635
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
39 sec
Exit 30
Toward PGBT Toll South: President George Bush Turnpike, Las Colinas Boulevard
Use the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward PGBT South: President George Bush Turnpike South
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto PGBT
12 mi
·
12 min
·
President George Bush Turnpike
Use the none lane.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward I 30 West: Fort Worth
Use the slight right lane.
18
Merge onto I 30
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Tom Landry Freeway
Use the none lane.
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Exit 28B
Toward FM 157: Collins Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Turn straight onto Wet N Wild Way
0.5 mi
·
59 sec
·
Wet N Wild Way
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
21
Turn left onto North Center Street
1.8 mi
·
4 min
·
North Center Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
22
Turn right onto West Abram Street
297 ft
·
8 sec
·
West Abram Street
23
Arrive at destination
West Abram Street
Trip Plan
Since this 53-minute trip is quite short, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. However, given the reliance on major highways like the President George Bush Turnpike and I-635 TEXpress, it is wise to avoid peak commuting hours to ensure you maintain that estimated duration. You won't need to plan for any formal stops, but keeping your fuel tank topped off before leaving Allen will easily cover the $7 estimated cost for the entire 43.5-mile trip. Because this is a high-speed route, stay alert for sudden changes in traffic flow on the highway segments. Use the mobility of your own vehicle to your advantage, as the lack of required rest breaks allows you to complete the drive in one efficient push.
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 21.7 miles from Allen, TX, or about 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 12.5 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 43.5 miles or 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 21.7 miles or 24m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 42m
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 Allen, 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 Allen, TX
This is one driving day of about 43.5 miles and 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Allen, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Central Expressway for about 12.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 21.7 mi from Allen, TX · 24m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
22 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 43.5 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 21.7 miles from Allen, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Arlington, TX
The final approach into Arlington, TX usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Arlington, TX.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$6.64 one way
$13.29 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
15 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $7.28 | $14.56 |
| premium | $4.59 | $7.86 | $15.73 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $9.66 | $19.33 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.99
Central Expressway
(12.9 mi)
$1.03
President George Bush Turnpike
(12 mi)
$0.96
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$7
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$34–$59
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 15.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 13 | 0 | $4.57 | $2.09 |
| Efficient EV | 10.9 | 0 | $3.81 | $1.74 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 17.4 | 0 | $6.09 | $2.78 |
Gas CO2
15 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (67% 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.
Destination
Arlington, TX
Afternoon in Arlington on Sunday
Local time
4:50 PM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
65°F
Addison, TX
22 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
20 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
53m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Allen, TX to Arlington, TX covers 43.5 miles and takes about 53m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Central Expressway, President George Bush Turnpike, I 635 TEXpress. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 21.7 miles from Allen, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $6.64 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 43.5 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 13.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 14 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 24.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Allen, TX and Arlington, TX, road signs point toward Pgbt Toll South: President George Bush Turnpike and Pgbt South: President George Bush Turnpike South.
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