Origin
Waco, TX
Afternoon in Waco on Sunday
Local time
4:44 PM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Waco, TX to Arlington, TX
Drive Time
1h 37m
Distance
99.3 mi
160 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 30m
★
6 AM
1h 37m
8 AM
1h 52m
10 AM
1h 42m
12 PM
1h 41m
3 PM
1h 43m
5 PM
1h 51m
8 PM
1h 33m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Waco, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Arlington, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Trip Overview
Traveling from Waco to Arlington covers approximately 99.3 miles, making for a straightforward trek through the heart of the Texas Great Plains. You can expect a drive time of about 1 hour and 37 minutes, which is ideal for a single-day excursion. Budgeting around $15 for fuel will cover your transit costs comfortably. Since the entire trip takes place within the state of Texas, you won't need to worry about crossing regional borders or navigating complex terrain changes. It is a highly manageable distance that doesn't require an overnight stay, allowing you the flexibility to complete the journey in one sitting.
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
49.6 miles from Waco, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 48m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that keeps you engaged rather than lulling you into a monotonous highway grind. You will primarily navigate via Interstate 35, I-35 North, and the Purple Heart Trail to reach your destination. While the route connects two major hubs, the character of the road leans more toward local navigation than a high-speed interstate sprint. Because the highway share is effectively zero for long, uninterrupted stretches, you should prepare for a more hands-on driving experience. With no single stretch of Interstate 35 lasting for a significant duration, your focus will remain on managing the local segments of the path.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Interstate 35 is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
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.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Waco, TX to Arlington, TX is easy. At 1h 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 Waco, TX to Arlington, TX is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Interstate 35 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 35 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Purple Heart Trail | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 35W | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 20 East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| FM 157 South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Interstate 20 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
Interstate 35
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waco, TX and Arlington, TX.
1
Start on West Waco Drive
3.4 mi
·
6 min
·
West Waco Drive
2
Turn left onto North Interstate 35
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
North Interstate 35
3
Take the ramp straight toward I 35 North, US 77 North
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
I 35 North, US 77 North
4
Merge slight left onto Purple Heart Trail
33 mi
·
32 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
5
Keep slight left to continue on I 35W: Fort Worth
45 mi
·
47 min
·
I 35W: Fort Worth
6
Take the exit slight right toward I 20 East: Dallas
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
·
I 20 East: Dallas
7
Keep slight left to continue on I 20 East: Dallas
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
·
I 20 East: Dallas
8
Merge slight left onto Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
5.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
9
Keep slight left to continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
4.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
10
Take the exit slight right toward FM 157 South: UT Arlington, Mansfield
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
FM 157 South: UT Arlington, Mansfield
11
Continue on West Interstate 20
0.3 mi
·
25 sec
·
West Interstate 20
12
Turn left onto South Cooper Street
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South Cooper Street
13
Keep slight right to continue on South Cooper Street
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
South Cooper Street
14
Turn right onto West Pioneer Parkway
0.5 mi
·
51 sec
·
West Pioneer Parkway
15
Turn left onto South Center Street
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
South Center Street
16
Continue on South Mesquite Street
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
South Mesquite Street
17
Turn left onto East Abram Street
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
·
East Abram Street
18
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the advantage of total scheduling flexibility. Aim to depart outside of peak traffic hours to ensure you maintain your estimated 1 hour and 37 minute travel time. You won't need to plan for any mandatory stops given the modest mileage, but keeping your fuel budget around $15 in mind will help you stay on track financially. Pay close attention to the turn-heavy nature of the route, as staying alert through the various local transitions is key to a smooth arrival. If you are prone to fatigue, even a quick stretch during the 99.3-mile journey can help you finish the drive feeling refreshed.
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 49.6 miles from Waco, TX, or about 48m into the drive.
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 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 49.6 miles or 48m 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 19m
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 Waco, 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 Waco, TX
This is one driving day of about 99.3 miles and 1h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Waco, 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 49.6 mi from Waco, TX · 48m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
50 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 49.6 miles from Waco, 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
$15.17 one way
$30.34 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
35 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $16.62 | $33.25 |
| premium | $4.59 | $17.95 | $35.90 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $22.06 | $44.12 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 34.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 29.8 | 0 | $10.43 | $4.77 |
| Efficient EV | 24.8 | 0 | $8.69 | $3.97 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 39.7 | 0 | $13.90 | $6.36 |
Gas CO2
35 kg
EV CO2
12 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.
Destination
Arlington, TX
Afternoon in Arlington on Sunday
Local time
4:44 PM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
18 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 37m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Waco, TX to Arlington, TX covers 99.3 miles and takes about 1h 37m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Interstate 35, I 35 North, Purple Heart Trail. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 49.6 miles from Waco, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $15.17 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.
The drive from Waco, TX to Arlington, TX is easy. At 1h 37m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Waco, TX to Arlington, TX is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Waco, TX to Arlington, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Arlington, TX
More trips to Arlington, TX
Explore more options from Waco, TX or browse trips ending in Arlington, TX.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TX road trips.
Explore maps for Waco, TX or Arlington, TX on MapSof.net.