Origin
Melissa, TX
Afternoon in Melissa on Thursday
Local time
2:20 PM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Melissa, TX to Arlington, TX
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h 8m
Distance
57.9 mi
93 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 3m
★
6 AM
1h 9m
8 AM
1h 20m
10 AM
1h 13m
12 PM
1h 12m
3 PM
1h 13m
5 PM
1h 19m
8 PM
1h 6m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Melissa, TX
Victor Gavela
Arlington, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Spanning 57.9 miles, this straightforward drive from Melissa to Arlington typically takes about 1 hour and 8 minutes to complete. Because the trip is short and entirely contained within the Great Plains region of Texas, it is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion. You can expect to spend approximately $9 on fuel for the journey, making it a very affordable transit. The route relies heavily on major thoroughfares like the Central Expressway and the President George Bush Turnpike to navigate the metro area efficiently. Whether you are commuting or heading out for a day of activities, this highway-focused drive offers a predictable experience without the need for an overnight stay.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 8m. Total distance: 57.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 8m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a fast-paced, highway-focused experience, as 85% of this route consists of high-speed transit. You will spend the most significant portion of your time on the Central Expressway, which features a long, uninterrupted stretch of 25.2 miles. The personality of this drive is strictly functional, prioritizing speed and efficiency over scenic detours or winding backroads. Navigating the transition between the Central Expressway, I-635 TEXpress, and the President George Bush Turnpike requires staying alert for merging traffic. It is a classic Texas suburban drive that favors steady movement across the metro landscape rather than technical maneuvers.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 22 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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
680 ft
437 ft
Total Climb
505 ft
Total Descent
582 ft
Highest Point
680 ft
Elevation Range
244 ft
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 2.1 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 57.9 miles you will encounter 19 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 2.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 28.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 28.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 19 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
2.1 mi into trip
|
~3m 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
28.1 mi into trip
|
~31m 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
28.4 mi into trip
|
~32m 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
38.6 mi into trip
|
~43m 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
39 mi into trip
|
~44m 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 Melissa, 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
38.6 mi in
|
~43m
Pgbt South: President George Bush Turnpike South
39 mi in
|
~44m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Central Expressway | 25.2 mi | 27m |
| 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 |
| McKinney Street | 1 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Central Expressway
— 25.2 mi, about 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Melissa, TX and Arlington, TX.
1
Start on FM 545
375 ft
·
22 sec
·
West Cooper Street
2
Turn left onto TX 5
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
McKinney Street
3
Turn right onto TX 121
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Sam Rayburn Highway
4
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 75 South, TX 121 South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Merge onto US 75; TX 121
25 mi
·
27 min
·
Central Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 21
Toward I 635
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.9 mi
·
55 sec
Toward I 635 West
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 635
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 635
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
32 sec
Toward I 635 TEXpress West
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 635 TEXpress
3.5 mi
·
3 min
·
I 635 TEXpress
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 635
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
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.
14
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.
15
Merge onto PGBT
12 mi
·
12 min
·
President George Bush Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward I 30 West: Fort Worth
Use the slight right lane.
17
Merge onto I 30
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Tom Landry Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Exit 28B
Toward FM 157: Collins Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Turn straight onto Wet N Wild Way
0.5 mi
·
59 sec
·
Wet N Wild Way
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
20
Turn left onto North Center Street
1.8 mi
·
4 min
·
North Center Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
21
Turn right onto West Abram Street
297 ft
·
8 sec
·
West Abram Street
22
Arrive at destination
West Abram Street
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 28.9 mi from Melissa, TX · 33m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
29 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 13 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 28.9 miles from Melissa, 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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$8.75 one way
$17.50 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
20 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $9.58 | $19.15 |
| premium | $4.54 | $10.34 | $20.68 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $12.78 | $25.57 |
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.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$9
Tolls
$3
Total
$12
Estimated CO2 emission: 20.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 17.4 | 0 | $6.08 | $2.78 |
| Efficient EV | 14.5 | 0 | $5.07 | $2.32 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 23.2 | 0 | $8.11 | $3.71 |
Gas CO2
20 kg
EV CO2
7 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
Afternoon in Arlington on Thursday
Local time
2:20 PM
CDT
Current temp
85°F
Partly Sunny
S 15 mph
10% chance
Live forecast
High Wind Watch
High Wind Watch issued April 12 at 11:58PM MDT until April 14 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 13 at 12:38AM CDT until April 13 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX
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
14 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 8m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Melissa, TX to Arlington, TX covers 57.9 miles and takes about 1h 8m 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 28.9 miles from Melissa, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $8.75 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 57.9 miles you will encounter 19 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 2.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 28.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 28.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Melissa, TX and Arlington, TX, road signs point toward Pgbt Toll South: President George Bush Turnpike and Pgbt South: President George Bush Turnpike South.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 437 ft to 680 ft elevation with about 505 ft of total climbing.
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