Traveling from Ore City to Arlington covers 164.1 miles and takes approximately 3 hours and 1 minute of driving time. Because this journey is relatively short, it is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about booking overnight accommodations. You can expect to spend about $25 on fuel for the trek, making it a budget-friendly option for your schedule. The route primarily traverses the Texas Great Plains, keeping you within the same familiar regional landscape from start to finish. Since 94% of the drive is highway-focused, you will spend the vast majority of your time cruising at consistent speeds. Overall, this is a straightforward, practical connection that gets you from point A to point B without unnecessary complexity.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
82 miles from Ore City, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 30m into the drive
.
Arlington is a city in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex metropolitan area, in the Prairies and Lakes region of Texas. With a population of almost 400,000 (2019), it is Texas' seventh largest, and the third largest in the Metroplex. Arlington is south of the sprawling DFW International Airport.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 1m. Total distance: 164.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a drive defined by efficiency, as your path relies heavily on I-20, TX-155, and US-80. With 94% of the trip occurring on highways, you should prepare for a consistent, high-speed experience rather than a slow-paced backroads tour. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 68.3 miles on I-20, which will likely be the most monotonous portion of your journey. As you transition between these main roads, the character of the drive remains functional and focused on steady progress. You will spend most of your time behind the wheel navigating major thoroughfares, so keep your attention sharp for changing traffic patterns as you approach the more urbanized areas near Arlington.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 20 is the longest continuous segment at about 68.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and TX 155. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.1 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 164.1 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 3.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 33.7 miles (US 80; TX 155 / West Broadway Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 44.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
3.1 mi into trip|~3m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
33.7 mi into trip|~39m in|US 80; TX 155 / West Broadway Street
Turn right onto US 80; TX 155 / West Broadway Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
44.9 mi into trip|~52m in
Take the exit toward West I 20
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward West I 20
8
113.6 mi into trip|~2h 1m in|Spur 557
Keep slight right at fork onto Spur 557 toward Dallas
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 499A
Toward Dallas
7
161.4 mi into trip|~2h 55m 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 Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Ore City, TX to Arlington, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Dallas along the way.
Dallas
113.6 mi in|~2h 1m|via Spur 557
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 20
68.3 mi
1h 8m
TX 155
39.5 mi
45m
US 80
18.9 mi
20m
Tom Landry Freeway
16.9 mi
19m
East R L Thornton Freeway
7.6 mi
9m
Spur 557
4.4 mi
4m
US 259
2.8 mi
3m
North Center Street
1.8 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 68.3 mi, about 1h 8m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ore City, TX and Arlington, TX.
1
Start on US 259
2.8 mi·3 min·US 259
2
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
3
Keep slight left at fork
258 ft·12 sec
4
Turn left onto TX 155
16 mi·17 min·TX 155
5
Turn left onto US 271; TX 155
1.5 mi·1 min·North Wood Street
6
Turn straight onto TX 155
13 mi·15 min·TX 155
7
Turn right onto US 80; TX 155
0.9 mi·1 min·West Broadway Street
Use the left lane.
8
Turn left onto TX 155
10 mi·12 min·TX 155
Use the left lane.
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi·49 sec
Toward West I 20
10
Merge onto I 20
68 mi·1 hr 8 min·I 20
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto Spur 557
4.4 mi·4 min·Spur 557
Exit 499AToward DallasUse the slight right lane.
12
Continue on US 80
19 mi·20 min·US 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 30; US 67
7.6 mi·9 min·East R L Thornton Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 30
17 mi·19 min·Tom Landry Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 28BToward FM 157: Collins StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Turn straight onto Wet N Wild Way
0.5 mi·59 sec·Wet N Wild Way
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
17
Turn left onto North Center Street
1.8 mi·4 min·North Center Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
18
Turn right onto West Abram Street
297 ft·8 sec·West Abram Street
19
Arrive at destination
West Abram Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 3-hour trip, aim to depart early to avoid potential congestion on the interstate segments. Since the route is short, you only need to plan for one strategic stop to stretch your legs or grab a coffee. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before merging onto the longer 68.3-mile stretch of I-20, as service availability can fluctuate. Being that you are traveling through the Great Plains, be mindful of wind conditions that can impact your fuel efficiency on these open highway stretches. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, so feel free to adjust your departure time to bypass peak commuter hours in the Arlington area.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 82 miles from Ore City, TX, or about 1h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 68.3 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 36 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 82 miles or 1h 30m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 24m
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 Ore City, 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 Ore City, TX
This is one driving day of about 164.1 miles and 3h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Ore City, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 20 for about 68.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 82 mi from Ore City, TX
· 1h 30m into the drive
The midpoint is around 82 miles from Ore City, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before I 20 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 68.3 miles.
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
$24.80 one way
$49.59 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg57 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$27.14
$54.28
premium
$4.54
$29.30
$58.60
diesel
$5.61
$36.23
$72.46
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 57.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
49.2
0
$17.23
$7.88
Efficient EV
41
0
$14.36
$6.56
EV Truck/SUV
65.6
0
$22.97
$10.50
Gas CO2
57 kg
EV CO2
19 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.
Forecast as of Apr 12, 2026
Origin
Ore City, TX
Evening
in Ore City on Friday
Local time
6:02 PM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
S 10 mph57% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 12 at 3:19PM CDT until April 12 at 3:45PM CDT by NWS Fort Worth TX
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 12 at 2:59PM CDT by NWS Houston/Galveston TX
Destination
Arlington, TX
Evening
in Arlington on Friday
Local time
6:02 PM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 15 mph51% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 12 at 3:19PM CDT until April 12 at 3:45PM CDT by NWS Fort Worth TX
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 12 at 2:59PM CDT by NWS Houston/Galveston TX
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
2 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
3h 1m 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 Ore City, TX to Arlington, TX covers 164.1 miles and takes about 3h 1m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 20, TX 155, US 80. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 82 miles from Ore City, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $24.80 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 164.1 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 3.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 33.7 miles (US 80; TX 155 / West Broadway Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 44.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
On the drive from Ore City, TX to Arlington, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Dallas along the way.
