Drive Time
37m
Distance
32.4 mi
52 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
Photo: Jeff Stapleton
If you are traveling from Richardson to Arlington, you are looking at a straightforward 32.4-mile trip that typically takes about 37 minutes. This journey stays entirely within the Great Plains region of Texas, making it a quick and easy connection between the two cities. Given the short duration, you definitely do not need an overnight stay; a single day is more than enough to complete the drive. With a fuel budget of just $5, it is a very economical trip to plan. Because the route relies on local streets like East Main Street, West Main Street, and South Central Expressway rather than major highways, you should expect a different pace than a typical interstate commute.
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
16.2 miles from Richardson, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 18m into the drive .
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate experience on this route. Since the highway share is 0%, your time behind the wheel will be spent entirely on local roads, requiring your full attention as you navigate through the area. There is no long-distance cruising here, as the longest stretch without a turn is 0 miles on East Main Street. You will feel the stop-and-go nature of city driving throughout the entire 32.4-mile journey. Prepare for a hands-on driving experience where the road demands constant awareness of your surroundings and frequent navigation adjustments.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Richardson, TX to Arlington, TX is easy. At 37m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Richardson, TX to Arlington, TX is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| East Main Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| West Main Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South Central Expressway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| US 75 South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 635 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 635 West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Lyndon B | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Lyndon B Johnson Freeway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Richardson, TX and Arlington, TX.
Start on the route
Turn left onto East Main Street
Continue on West Main Street
Turn left onto South Central Expressway
Take the ramp slight left toward US 75 South
Merge slight left onto South Central Expressway
Take the exit slight right toward I 635
Keep slight right to continue on I 635 West
Merge slight left onto Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway
Continue on Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Take the exit slight right toward I 635 TEXpress West
Merge slight left onto I 635 TEXpress
Merge slight right onto Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Take the exit slight right toward PGBT Toll South: President George Bush Turnpike, Las Colinas Boulevard
Keep slight left to continue on PGBT South: President George Bush Turnpike South
Merge slight left onto President George Bush Turnpike
Take the exit slight right toward I 30 West: Fort Worth
Merge slight left onto Tom Landry Freeway
Take the exit slight right toward FM 157: Collins Street
Turn straight onto Wet N Wild Way
Turn left onto North Center Street
Turn right onto West Abram Street
Arrive at your destination
Because this route is entirely local, your best strategy is to monitor real-time traffic to avoid bottlenecks on the city streets. With zero scheduled stops required for a 37-minute drive, you have the flexibility to depart whenever fits your schedule best. Keep that $5 fuel budget in mind, but remember that local driving can sometimes consume more gas than highway cruising depending on your vehicle's efficiency. Since you will be navigating turn-heavy roads, ensure your GPS is mounted and ready before you pull away from Richardson. Take advantage of the short distance by planning your errands or arrivals around the peak traffic hours to keep your transit time as close to the 37-minute estimate as possible.
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.
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 32.4 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 16.2 miles or 18m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 32m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Arlington, TX than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Richardson, 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 Richardson, TX
This is one driving day of about 32.4 miles and 37m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 16.2 mi from Richardson, TX · 18m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
16 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.
A short stop after about 32.4 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 16.2 miles from Richardson, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Regular Gas
$4.95 one way
$9.90 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $5.42 | $10.85 |
| premium | $4.59 | $5.86 | $11.71 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $7.20 | $14.40 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$30–$55
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 11.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 9.7 | 0 | $3.40 | $1.56 |
| Efficient EV | 8.1 | 0 | $2.83 | $1.30 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 13 | 0 | $4.54 | $2.07 |
Gas CO2
11 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (64% 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Morning in Richardson on Sunday
Local time
6:47 AM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Arlington on Sunday
Local time
6:47 AM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
61°F
Irving, TX
16 mi in
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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