Origin
Arlington, TX
Afternoon in Arlington on Sunday
Local time
1:47 PM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Arlington, TX to Bedford, TX
Drive Time
20m
Distance
11 mi
18 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$2
one way
Arlington, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Bedford, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a quick transition between Arlington and Bedford, this 11-mile journey is an efficient way to cross the Great Plains region. Expect to spend about 20 minutes behind the wheel, making this a perfect candidate for a single-day trip that requires no overnight stops. With a modest fuel budget of just $2, the drive is highly economical for commuters or casual travelers alike. You will navigate primarily via North Collins Street, Airport Freeway, and South Mesquite Street. Since both cities are located within Texas, you will remain in a familiar environment throughout the entire transit. It is a straightforward, practical route that prioritizes speed and utility over long-distance exploration.
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
5.5 miles from Arlington, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 11m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that keeps you engaged rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. The route features a 28% highway share, meaning you will spend the majority of your time navigating local surface streets. Your longest uninterrupted stretch is a 3-mile segment on North Collins Street, which sets the pace for the rest of the short trip. Because the drive is primarily local, the road character shifts frequently between neighborhood thoroughfares and arterial transit routes. Be prepared for a dynamic driving experience that requires constant attention to turns rather than long periods of highway autopilot.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
North Collins Street is the longest continuous segment at about 3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
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 around 2.2 miles in near East Lamar Boulevard.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 11 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 2.2 miles (East Lamar Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 7.6 miles (Airport Freeway): Lane positioning matters here; at 7.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
2.2 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
East Lamar Boulevard
Turn right onto East Lamar Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
7.6 mi into trip
|
~14m in
|
Airport Freeway
Turn left onto Airport Freeway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
7
7.7 mi into trip
|
~15m in
Take the ramp toward TX 183 West, TX 183 Express Toll West
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward TX 183 West, TX 183 Express Toll West
6
7.9 mi into trip
|
~15m in
Keep slight left at fork toward TX 183 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward TX 183 West
6
10.1 mi into trip
|
~18m in
Take the exit toward Bedford Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Bedford Road
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North Collins Street | 3 mi | 5m |
| Airport Freeway | 2.1 mi | 2m |
| South Mesquite Street | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| South Industrial Boulevard | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| Highway 157 | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| North Center Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Bedford Road | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| East Lamar Boulevard | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
North Collins Street
— 3 mi, about 5m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arlington, TX and Bedford, TX.
1
Start on West Abram Street
93 ft
·
8 sec
·
West Abram Street
2
Continue on West Abram Street
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
West Abram Street
Use the none lane.
3
Turn left onto South Mesquite Street
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
South Mesquite Street
Use the left lane.
4
Turn straight onto North Center Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North Center Street
Use the none lane.
5
Continue on Lincoln Drive
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
·
Lincoln Drive
6
Turn right onto East Lamar Boulevard
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
East Lamar Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Turn left onto FM 157
3.0 mi
·
5 min
·
North Collins Street
Use the none lane.
8
Continue on FM 157
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Highway 157
Use the none lane.
9
Continue on FM 157
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
South Industrial Boulevard
Use the none lane.
10
Turn left onto Airport Freeway
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
Airport Freeway
Use the left / straight lanes.
11
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Toward TX 183 West, TX 183 Express Toll West
Use the slight left lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
Toward TX 183 West
13
Merge onto TX 183
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Airport Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
Toward Bedford Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Turn straight onto Airport Freeway
276 ft
·
6 sec
·
Airport Freeway
16
Turn right onto Bedford Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Bedford Road
17
Turn right onto Forest Ridge Drive
95 ft
·
2 sec
·
Forest Ridge Drive
Use the none lane.
18
Arrive at destination
Forest Ridge Drive
Trip Plan
Given the short 20-minute duration, you have total flexibility in your departure time, though avoiding peak traffic hours is always a smart move. Because the trip is only 11 miles long, there is no need to plan for formal rest stops or mid-trip breaks. Keep your $2 fuel budget in mind, as this quick transit is very light on your wallet. Since this is a turn-heavy route, make sure your navigation app is ready before you pull out of your starting point in Arlington. Use the short length to your advantage by planning your arrival in Bedford to coincide with exactly when you need to be there, rather than worrying about a complex itinerary.
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 5.5 miles from Arlington, TX, or about 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 3 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 11 miles or 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 5.5 miles or 11m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bedford, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Arlington, 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 Arlington, TX
This is one driving day of about 11 miles and 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Arlington, 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 North Collins Street for about 3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 5.5 mi from Arlington, TX · 11m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
6 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 11 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 5.5 miles from Arlington, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Bedford, TX
The final approach into Bedford, 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 Bedford, 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
$1.68 one way
$3.36 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
4 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $1.84 | $3.68 |
| premium | $4.59 | $1.99 | $3.98 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $2.44 | $4.89 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$27–$52
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 3.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 75% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 3.3 | 0 | $1.15 | $0.53 |
| Efficient EV | 2.8 | 0 | $0.96 | $0.44 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 4.4 | 0 | $1.54 | $0.70 |
Gas CO2
4 kg
EV CO2
1 kg (75% 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
Bedford, TX
Afternoon in Bedford on Sunday
Local time
1:47 PM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
65°F
Addison, TX
6 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
1 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
20m 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 Arlington, TX to Bedford, TX covers 11 miles and takes about 20m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are North Collins Street, Airport Freeway, South Mesquite Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 5.5 miles from Arlington, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $1.68 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 12 significant decision points across 11 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 2.2 miles (East Lamar Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 7.6 miles (Airport Freeway): Lane positioning matters here; at 7.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Arlington, TX to Bedford, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Bedford, TX
More trips to Bedford, TX
Explore more options from Arlington, TX or browse trips ending in Bedford, TX.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TX road trips.
Explore maps for Arlington, TX or Bedford, TX on MapSof.net.