This 245.2-mile drive from Redwood to Arlington, Texas, is estimated to take about 3 hours and 50 minutes of pure driving time. It's a manageable one-day trip, perfect for getting from the Great Plains region of Texas to another part of the same region without needing an overnight stop. Expect a fuel cost of around $37 for this journey. The route primarily utilizes local roads and Interstate 35, with a significant number of turns, making it a more engaging local drive than a straightforward highway cruise. With only one designated stop, this trip is designed for efficiency.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
117.2 miles from Redwood, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 8m 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 4h 16m. Total distance: 234.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 16m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
The profile of this drive is best described as 'turn-heavy local drive,' meaning you'll be navigating a series of turns and intersections rather than settling into a long highway stretch. With 0% highway share, prepare for a constant engagement with the road. You won't experience any long, uninterrupted stretches of driving; instead, the journey will likely feel more dynamic as you transition between different local roads and segments of the Purple Heart Trail and Interstate 35. This character suggests a drive where attentiveness to navigation is key.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Purple Heart Trail is the longest continuous segment at about 159 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 37.1 miles in near I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail.
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 15 significant decision points across 234.3 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 37.1 miles (I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 172.4 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 217.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
37.1 mi into trip|~44m in|I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
172.4 mi into trip|~3h 5m in|I 35W
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W toward I 35W: Fort Worth
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 35W: Fort Worth
7
217.5 mi into trip|~3h 52m in
Take the exit toward I 20 East: Dallas
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 45B
Toward I 20 East: Dallas
7
217.8 mi into trip|~3h 53m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 20 East: Dallas
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 20 East: Dallas
8
228.5 mi into trip|~4h 5m in
Take the exit toward FM 157 South: UT Arlington, Mansfield
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 449A
Toward FM 157 South: UT Arlington, Mansfield
Step-by-step road directions between Redwood, TX and Arlington, TX.
1
Start on FM 1978
1.4 mi·2 min·FM 1978
2
At end of road, turn left onto FM 621
4.0 mi·6 min·FM 621
3
Turn right onto TX 123
0.2 mi·27 sec·South Guadalupe Street
4
Turn right onto North Interstate 35
0.9 mi·1 min·North Interstate 35
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·23 sec
6
Merge onto I 35
30 mi·33 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35; US 290
96 mi·1 hr 40 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 35
6.6 mi·7 min·South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 35; US 77
33 mi·33 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W
45 mi·47 min·I 35W
Toward I 35W: Fort WorthUse the slight left lane.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Exit 45BToward I 20 East: DallasUse the right lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·58 sec
Toward I 20 East: DallasUse the slight left lane.
13
Merge onto I 20
5.7 mi·6 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 20
4.6 mi·4 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Toward I 20 East: Dallas
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Exit 449AToward FM 157 South: UT Arlington, MansfieldUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on West Interstate 20
0.3 mi·24 sec·West Interstate 20
17
Turn left onto FM 157
1.0 mi·1 min·South Cooper Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto FM 157
1.7 mi·2 min·South Cooper Street
Use the left lane.
19
Turn right onto Spur 303
0.5 mi·50 sec·West Pioneer Parkway
Use the right lane.
20
Turn left onto South Center Street
1.2 mi·2 min·South Center Street
Use the left lane.
21
Continue on South Mesquite Street
0.8 mi·1 min·South Mesquite Street
22
Turn left onto East Abram Street
0.1 mi·26 sec·East Abram Street
23
Arrive at destination
West Abram Street
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour 50-minute duration, starting your drive in Redwood, TX, in the morning will allow you to reach Arlington with ample time to spare. Since this is a one-day trip with only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially as you navigate the various local roads; the estimated $37 fuel cost is a good benchmark. A specific tip for this route: pay close attention to signage for 'Purple Heart Trail' as it's a key component of your navigation through Texas.
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 117.2 miles from Redwood, TX, or about 2h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 159 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 52 miles or 1h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 117.2 miles or 2h 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 3h 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 Redwood, 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 Redwood, TX
This is one driving day of about 234.3 miles and 4h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 miles from Redwood, 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 Purple Heart Trail for about 159 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 117.2 mi from Redwood, TX
· 2h 8m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Waco Mammoth National Monument
National Monument
Standing as tall as 14 feet and weighing 20,000 pounds, Columbian mammoths roamed across what is present-day Texas thousands of years ago. Today, the fossil specimens represent the nation's first and...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 137.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.40 one way
$70.81 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg82 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$38.75
$77.50
premium
$4.54
$41.83
$83.67
diesel
$5.61
$51.73
$103.46
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 82 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
70.3
0
$24.60
$11.25
Efficient EV
58.6
0
$20.50
$9.37
EV Truck/SUV
93.7
1
$32.80
$15.00
Gas CO2
82 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 17, 2026
Origin
Redwood, TX
Evening
in Redwood on Friday
Local time
5:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Arlington, TX
Evening
in Arlington on Friday
Local time
5:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Mostly Clear
S 10 to 15 mph5% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 16 at 10:11PM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 16 at 8:59PM CDT until April 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Amarillo 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
5 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
4h 16m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Redwood, TX to Arlington, TX covers 234.3 miles and takes about 4h 16m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Purple Heart Trail, I 35W, Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 117.2 miles from Redwood, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $35.40 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 234.3 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 37.1 miles (I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 172.4 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 217.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Redwood, TX to Arlington, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Waco Mammoth National Monument.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
