Trip from DeSoto, TX to Arlington, TX

Drive Time

32m

Distance

22.6 mi

36 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$3

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 8 min
4 AM
0h 30m ★
6 AM
0h 33m
8 AM
0h 38m
10 AM
0h 35m
12 PM
0h 34m
3 PM
0h 35m
5 PM
0h 38m
8 PM
0h 31m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown DeSoto, TX, TX

DeSoto, TX

Jeff Stapleton

Downtown Arlington, TX, TX

Arlington, TX

Jeff Stapleton

Trip Overview

If you are planning a quick excursion from DeSoto to Arlington, you can expect a manageable 23-mile journey. This transit typically takes about 34 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day trip that requires no overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via the Lyndon B Johnson Freeway, the Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway, and Collins Street. Budgeting roughly $3 for fuel should cover the cost of this short transit between these two Texas locations. Both cities are situated within the Great Plains region, ensuring the landscape remains consistent throughout your brief time on the road.

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

11.3 miles from DeSoto, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 16m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. Since the route features zero highway share, your focus will be on navigating local thoroughfares rather than maintaining high speeds on open stretches. Because there are no designated stops, you will likely find yourself behind the wheel for the duration of the 34-minute trip without interruption. The road demands your attention as you transition between major local arteries, offering a practical, hands-on driving experience. You will navigate a series of varied turns that define the character of this short, urban-focused trek.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 10 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 7.3 miles.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

745 ft 461 ft

Total Climb

398 ft

Total Descent

458 ft

Highest Point

745 ft

~7.5 mi in

Elevation Range

284 ft

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 5 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 3.9 miles in near Lyndon B Johnson Freeway.

Route Complexity 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 22.6 miles you will encounter 5 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 3.9 miles (Lyndon B Johnson Freeway): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.7 miles (I 20 / Lyndon B Johnson Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 17.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 5 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

5
3.9 mi into trip | ~7m in | Lyndon B Johnson Freeway

Turn left onto Lyndon B Johnson Freeway

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / left lanes.
5
4.7 mi into trip | ~9m in | I 20 / Lyndon B Johnson Freeway

Merge onto I 20 / Lyndon B Johnson Freeway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
17.7 mi into trip | ~23m in

Take the exit toward Collins Street

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 451 Toward Collins Street
5
18.1 mi into trip | ~24m in | South Collins Street

Turn right onto South Collins Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
4
22 mi into trip | ~31m in | East Abram Street

Turn left onto East Abram Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway 7.3 mi 8m
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway 6.1 mi 6m
North Hampton Road 3.9 mi 7m
South Collins Street 3.9 mi 7m
East Abram Street 0.6 mi 1m
East Interstate 20 0.1 mi <1m
West Abram Street Unavailable Refreshing

Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.

Longest stretch: Lyndon B Johnson Freeway — 7.3 mi, about 8m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between DeSoto, TX and Arlington, TX.

1

Start on North Hampton Road

3.9 mi · 7 min · North Hampton Road
2

Turn left onto Lyndon B Johnson Freeway

0.4 mi · 44 sec · Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Use the straight / left lanes.
3

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 54 sec
4

Merge onto I 20

7.0 mi · 7 min · Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5

Continue on I 20

6.1 mi · 6 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 29 sec
Exit 451 Toward Collins Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Turn straight onto East Interstate 20

0.1 mi · 17 sec · East Interstate 20
8

Turn right onto South Collins Street

3.9 mi · 7 min · South Collins Street
Use the right lane.
9

Turn left onto East Abram Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · East Abram Street
Use the left lane.
10

Arrive at destination

West Abram Street

Trip Plan

Given the short 23-mile distance, you have significant flexibility regarding your departure time for this trip. While the drive is quick, stay alert for the frequent turns required when navigating through the local road network. Since the journey is brief and requires no long-haul planning, you can easily complete it in one go without the need for rest stops. Keep your $3 fuel budget in mind as you prepare your vehicle for the transit. A helpful tip for this specific route is to double-check your navigation before hitting Collins Street, as the turn-heavy nature of the drive makes consistent lane positioning essential.

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 11.3 miles from DeSoto, TX, or about 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 7.3 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 22.6 miles or 32m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 11.3 miles or 16m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 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 DeSoto, 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 DeSoto, TX

This is one driving day of about 22.6 miles and 32m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from DeSoto, 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 Lyndon B Johnson Freeway for about 7.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 11.3 mi from DeSoto, TX · 16m into the drive

Downtown Grand Prairie, TX, TX

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Grand Prairie, TX

11 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

Grand Prairie, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 22.6 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Grand Prairie, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 11.3 miles from DeSoto, 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

$3.45 one way

$6.90 round trip

$3.88/gal 25.4 MPG avg 8 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.25 $3.78 $7.57
premium $4.59 $4.08 $8.17
diesel $5.64 $5.02 $10.04

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$3

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$28–$53

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 7.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 63% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 6.8 0 $2.37 $1.08
Efficient EV 5.7 0 $1.98 $0.90
EV Truck/SUV 9 0 $3.16 $1.45

Gas CO2

8 kg

EV CO2

3 kg (63% 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 data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

DeSoto, TX

Afternoon in DeSoto on Sunday

Local time

4:55 PM

CDT

Current temp

59°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Arlington, TX

Afternoon in Arlington on Sunday

Local time

4:55 PM

CDT

Current temp

80°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

21 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

32m 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 DeSoto, TX to Arlington, TX covers 22.6 miles and takes about 32m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Lyndon B Johnson Freeway, Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway, North Hampton Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 11.3 miles from DeSoto, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $3.45 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 22.6 miles you will encounter 5 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.9 miles (Lyndon B Johnson Freeway): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.7 miles (I 20 / Lyndon B Johnson Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 17.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from DeSoto, TX to Arlington, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 461 ft to 745 ft elevation with about 398 ft of total climbing.

Was this route helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Return Trip

Arlington, TX to DeSoto, TX

Plan the drive back the other way.

22.9 mi 33m

Explore more options from DeSoto, TX or browse trips ending in Arlington, TX.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TX road trips.

Explore maps for DeSoto, TX or Arlington, TX on MapSof.net.