Trip from Tyler, TX to Arlington, TX

Drive Time

2h 10m

Distance

117.6 mi

189 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$18

one way

Downtown Tyler, TX, TX

Tyler, TX

Action Construction Equipment Ltd. - ACE

Downtown Arlington, TX, TX

Arlington, TX

Jeff Stapleton

Trip Overview

Traveling from Tyler to Arlington covers 117.6 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 10 minutes. Because this trip is relatively short, it is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about overnight lodging. You can expect to spend approximately $18 on fuel for the journey. The route stays entirely within the Great Plains region of Texas, ensuring a consistent landscape throughout your transit. Since the drive is straightforward and efficient, it serves as a practical connection between these two Texas hubs. Whether you are heading out for business or leisure, the predictable nature of this trek makes it easy to fit into a busy schedule.

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

58.8 miles from Tyler, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 2m into the drive .

Drive Character

This highway-focused drive relies heavily on major thoroughfares, with 92% of your time spent on high-speed roads. You will primarily navigate via I-20, US-80, and the Tom Landry Freeway as you transition from East Texas toward the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 56.4-mile segment on I-20, which keeps the pace steady and consistent. Expect a functional, interstate-heavy experience rather than a winding scenic byway. As you approach Arlington, the road transforms from open highway into the denser traffic patterns of a major urban center.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 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 56.4 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and US 80. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 10.7 miles in near I 20.

Route Complexity 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 117.6 miles you will encounter 8 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 10.7 miles (I 20): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 67.1 miles (Spur 557): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 90.4 miles (I 30; US 67 / East R L Thornton Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 8 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

5
10.7 mi into trip | ~14m in | I 20

Merge onto I 20

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
67.1 mi into trip | ~1h 10m 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
5
90.4 mi into trip | ~1h 35m in | I 30; US 67 / East R L Thornton Freeway

Merge onto I 30; US 67 / East R L Thornton Freeway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
115 mi into trip | ~2h 4m 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
4
115.8 mi into trip | ~2h 6m in | North Center Street

Turn left onto North Center Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left / straight lanes.

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Tyler, TX to Arlington, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Dallas along the way.

Dallas

67.1 mi in | ~1h 10m | via Spur 557

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 20 56.4 mi 56m
US 80 18.9 mi 20m
Tom Landry Freeway 16.9 mi 19m
East R L Thornton Freeway 7.6 mi 9m
US Highway 69 North 5.8 mi 6m
Spur 557 4.4 mi 4m
West Gentry Parkway 2.8 mi 4m
North Center Street 1.8 mi 4m
Longest stretch: I 20 — 56.4 mi, about 56m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Tyler, TX and Arlington, TX.

1

Start on North Broadway Avenue

0.6 mi · 59 sec · North Broadway Avenue
2

Turn left onto Spur 147

2.8 mi · 4 min · West Gentry Parkway
3

Continue on US 69

1.1 mi · 1 min · Mineola Highway
4

Continue on US 69

5.8 mi · 6 min · US Highway 69 North
5

Continue on US 69

363 ft · 8 sec · South Main Street
6

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 43 sec
7

Merge onto I 20

56 mi · 56 min · I 20
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Keep slight right at fork onto Spur 557

4.4 mi · 4 min · Spur 557
Exit 499A Toward Dallas Use the slight right lane.
9

Continue on US 80

19 mi · 20 min · US 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Merge onto I 30; US 67

7.6 mi · 9 min · East R L Thornton Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Continue on I 30

17 mi · 19 min · Tom Landry Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 36 sec
Exit 28B Toward FM 157: Collins Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Turn straight onto Wet N Wild Way

0.5 mi · 59 sec · Wet N Wild Way
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
14

Turn left onto North Center Street

1.8 mi · 4 min · North Center Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
15

Turn right onto West Abram Street

297 ft · 8 sec · West Abram Street
16

Arrive at destination

West Abram Street

Trip Plan

Since this is a manageable 2-hour and 10-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. Aim to avoid peak commute hours when entering the Arlington area to ensure your arrival remains stress-free. With no mandatory stops required by the route, you can easily complete the entire 117.6-mile distance in one go if you prefer. Keep in mind that the $18 fuel estimate is a baseline, so checking your vehicle's efficiency before departing will help you budget accurately. A helpful tip for this specific route is to stay alert for transitioning signage when switching from I-20 to the Tom Landry Freeway, as the traffic volume tends to shift significantly at that juncture.

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 58.8 miles from Tyler, TX, or about 1h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 56.4 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 80 miles or 1h 24m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 58.8 miles or 1h 2m 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 43m

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 Tyler, 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 Tyler, TX

This is one driving day of about 117.6 miles and 2h 10m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Tyler, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 20 for about 56.4 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 58.8 mi from Tyler, TX · 1h 2m into the drive

Downtown Allen, TX, TX

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Allen, TX

59 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.

Popular next leg

Allen, TX to Arlington, TX

43.5 mi · 53m

Pacing Suggestions

Allen, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Allen, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 58.8 miles from Tyler, 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

$17.96 one way

$35.93 round trip

$3.88/gal 25.4 MPG avg 41 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.25 $19.69 $39.37
premium $4.59 $21.26 $42.51
diesel $5.64 $26.13 $52.25

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$18

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$43–$68

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 41.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 35.3 0 $12.35 $5.64
Efficient EV 29.4 0 $10.29 $4.70
EV Truck/SUV 47 0 $16.46 $7.53

Gas CO2

41 kg

EV CO2

14 kg (66% 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 data refreshed 17 hours ago

Origin

Tyler, TX

Afternoon in Tyler on Sunday

Local time

2:43 PM

CDT

Current temp

65°F

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

S 5 to 10 mph 19% chance Live forecast

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 11 at 9:42PM CDT until April 11 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Fort Worth TX

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 11 at 9:30PM CDT until April 13 at 9:27AM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA

Destination

Arlington, TX

Afternoon in Arlington on Sunday

Local time

2:43 PM

CDT

Current temp

67°F

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

SSE 15 mph 34% chance Live forecast

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 11 at 9:42PM CDT until April 11 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Fort Worth TX

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 11 at 9:30PM CDT until April 13 at 9:27AM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA

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

2h 10m 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 Tyler, TX to Arlington, TX covers 117.6 miles and takes about 2h 10m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 20, US 80, Tom Landry Freeway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 58.8 miles from Tyler, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $17.96 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 117.6 miles you will encounter 8 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 10.7 miles (I 20): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 67.1 miles (Spur 557): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 90.4 miles (I 30; US 67 / East R L Thornton Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Tyler, TX to Arlington, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Dallas along the way.

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