Origin
Forest Hill, TX
Evening in Forest Hill on Thursday
Local time
5:58 PM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Forest Hill, TX to Arlington, TX
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
2h 16m
Distance
115.4 mi
186 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$17
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 7m
★
6 AM
2h 17m
8 AM
2h 36m
10 AM
2h 23m
12 PM
2h 22m
3 PM
2h 24m
5 PM
2h 35m
8 PM
2h 11m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Forest Hill, TX
Eddie O.
Arlington, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Forest Hill, TX to Arlington, TX covers 115.4 miles and takes about 2h 16m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Central Expressway, US Highway 82 West, South State Highway 121 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 25.2 miles on Central Expressway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $17.44 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
57.7 miles from Forest Hill, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 8m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 16m. Total distance: 115.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 16m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (81%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 2h 16m highway drive covering 115.4 miles, with most of the trip on Central Expressway and US Highway 82 West. The longest continuous stretch is about 25.2 miles on Central Expressway.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 28 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 25.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Central Expressway and US Highway 82 West. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 59.6 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 115.4 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 59.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 85.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 85.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 22 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
59.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 11m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 75 South, TX 121 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 75 South, TX 121 South
7
85.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 39m 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
85.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 40m 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
96.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 51m 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
96.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 51m 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...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Forest Hill, TX and Arlington, TX, road signs point toward Trenton, Pgbt Toll South: President George Bush Turnpike and Pgbt South: President George Bush Turnpike South.
Trenton
24.6 mi in
|
~31m
Pgbt Toll South: President George Bush Turnpike
96.1 mi in
|
~1h 51m
Pgbt South: President George Bush Turnpike South
96.5 mi in
|
~1h 51m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Central Expressway | 25.2 mi | 27m |
| US Highway 82 West | 21.1 mi | 23m |
| South State Highway 121 | 16.9 mi | 18m |
| Sam Rayburn Highway | 15.2 mi | 17m |
| President George Bush Turnpike | 12 mi | 12m |
| I 635 TEXpress | 3.5 mi | 3m |
| FM 38 | 3.5 mi | 8m |
| Tom Landry Freeway | 3.3 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
Central Expressway
— 25.2 mi, about 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Forest Hill, TX and Arlington, TX.
1
Start on County Road 35050
231 ft
·
15 sec
·
County Road 35050
2
Turn left onto FM 38
3.5 mi
·
8 min
·
FM 38
3
Turn right onto US 82
21 mi
·
23 min
·
US Highway 82 West
4
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
Exit 670
Toward TX 121: Randolph, Trenton
5
Turn straight onto West US Highway 82
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
West US Highway 82
6
Turn left onto TX 121
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
North State Highway 121
7
Turn right onto TX 56; TX 121
0.5 mi
·
37 sec
·
West Sam Rayburn Drive
8
Turn slight left onto TX 121
17 mi
·
18 min
·
South State Highway 121
9
Continue on TX 121
15 mi
·
17 min
·
Sam Rayburn Highway
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 75 South, TX 121 South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto US 75; TX 121
25 mi
·
27 min
·
Central Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 21
Toward I 635
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.9 mi
·
55 sec
Toward I 635 West
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto I 635
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I 635
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
32 sec
Toward I 635 TEXpress West
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Merge onto I 635 TEXpress
3.5 mi
·
3 min
·
I 635 TEXpress
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Merge onto I 635
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
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.
20
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.
21
Merge onto PGBT
12 mi
·
12 min
·
President George Bush Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward I 30 West: Fort Worth
Use the slight right lane.
23
Merge onto I 30
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Tom Landry Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Exit 28B
Toward FM 157: Collins Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Turn straight onto Wet N Wild Way
0.5 mi
·
59 sec
·
Wet N Wild Way
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
26
Turn left onto North Center Street
1.8 mi
·
4 min
·
North Center Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
27
Turn right onto West Abram Street
297 ft
·
8 sec
·
West Abram Street
28
Arrive at destination
West Abram Street
Trip Plan
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 57.7 miles from Forest Hill, TX, or about 1h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 25.2 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 25 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 57.7 miles or 1h 8m 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 49m
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 Forest Hill, 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 Forest Hill, TX
This is one driving day of about 115.4 miles and 2h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Forest Hill, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Central Expressway for about 25.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 57.7 mi from Forest Hill, TX · 1h 8m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
58 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 25 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 57.7 miles from Forest Hill, 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
$17.44 one way
$34.87 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
40 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $19.09 | $38.17 |
| premium | $4.54 | $20.60 | $41.21 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $25.48 | $50.96 |
Estimated Tolls: $2.98
Central Expressway
(25.2 mi)
$2.02
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
$17
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 40.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 34.6 | 0 | $12.12 | $5.54 |
| Efficient EV | 28.9 | 0 | $10.10 | $4.62 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 46.2 | 0 | $16.16 | $7.39 |
Gas CO2
40 kg
EV CO2
14 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.
Destination
Arlington, TX
Evening in Arlington on Thursday
Local time
5:58 PM
CDT
Current temp
55°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
3 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 16m 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 Forest Hill, TX to Arlington, TX covers 115.4 miles and takes about 2h 16m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Central Expressway, US Highway 82 West, South State Highway 121. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 57.7 miles from Forest Hill, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $17.44 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 22 significant decision points across 115.4 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 59.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 85.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 85.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Forest Hill, TX and Arlington, TX, road signs point toward Trenton, Pgbt Toll South: President George Bush Turnpike and Pgbt South: President George Bush Turnpike South.
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