How far is Arlington, TX from Buchanan Dam, TX?
The driving distance from Arlington, TX to Buchanan Dam, TX is about 195.2 miles (314.2 km), with a travel time of about 03h 52m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 158.3 miles (254.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 45m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 03h 52m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Hamilton County, Texas, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Arlington and Buchanan Dam.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arlington and Buchanan Dam.
-
1
Start on West Abram Street
28 m · 8 sec · West Abram Street
-
2
Continue on West Abram Street
127 m · 22 sec · West Abram Street
-
3
Turn right onto South Center Street
2 mi · 4 min · South Center Street
-
4
Turn right onto West Pioneer Parkway
2543 ft · 49 sec · West Pioneer Parkway
-
5
Turn left onto South Cooper Street
1.5 mi · 2 min · South Cooper Street
-
6
Keep slight right to continue on South Cooper Street
1.5 km · 2 min · South Cooper Street
-
7
Take the ramp straight toward I 20 West: Fort Worth
2943 ft · 1 min
-
8
Merge slight left onto Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
15.4 mi · 16 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
-
9
Take the exit slight right toward CTP Toll South: Chisholm Trail Parkway
1.3 mi · 3 min
-
10
Merge slight left onto Chisholm Trail Parkway
21.3 mi · 23 min · Chisholm Trail Parkway
-
11
Turn right onto West Katherine P Raines Drive
1005 ft · 20 sec · West Katherine P Raines Drive
-
12
Take the ramp straight toward US 67 South
1343 ft · 33 sec
-
13
Merge slight left
36.2 mi · 41 min
-
14
Turn slight left
13.6 mi · 20 min
-
15
Turn right onto East 2nd Street
663 ft · 9 sec · East 2nd Street
-
16
Continue on West 2nd Street
1010 ft · 21 sec · West 2nd Street
-
17
Turn left onto North Walnut Street
2995 ft · 39 sec · North Walnut Street
-
18
Turn straight onto North US Highway 281
19 mi · 20 min · North US Highway 281
-
19
Continue on North Rice Street
2.3 mi · 3 min · North Rice Street
-
20
Continue on South US Highway 281
43.1 mi · 49 min · South US Highway 281
-
21
Continue on North Key Avenue
1.6 mi · 3 min · North Key Avenue
-
22
Turn right onto South US Highway 281
20 mi · 22 min · South US Highway 281
-
23
Continue on North Water Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · North Water Street
-
24
Turn right onto West Polk Street
919 ft · 22 sec · West Polk Street
-
25
Continue on Buchanan Drive
1.9 mi · 3 min · Buchanan Drive
-
26
Continue on TX 29
10.9 mi · 13 min · TX 29
-
27
Turn right onto Island Lodges Drive
43 m · 6 sec · Island Lodges Drive
-
28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Island Lodges Drive
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Arlington and Buchanan Dam.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
South US Highway 281
Continue on South US Highway 281
43.1 mi · 00h 49m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Arlington and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Buchanan Dam.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Arlington to Buchanan Dam?
The road trip is about 195.2 miles (314.2 km) and usually takes 03h 52m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Hico is a useful midpoint, sitting about 97.7 miles from Arlington and 97.5 miles from Buchanan Dam.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 158.3 miles (254.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 36.9 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:14 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.04 one way or $52.07 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 61.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Arlington and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Buchanan Dam.
Stop Ideas Near Hico
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Hico.
Cleburne
McGregor
Fort Hood, Texas
Waco, TX
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Arlington and Buchanan Dam. Straight-line distance: 158.3 mi (254.76 km).
#1 Arlington
The third most populous city in Texas and the center of the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area.
| Population | 398,864 |
| Coordinates | 32.7356900, -97.1080700 |
| Altitude | 184 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Buchanan Dam
Place in Texas
| Population | 1,519 |
| Coordinates | 30.7399000, -98.4311400 |
| Altitude | 318 |
| Country | United States |
End: Buchanan Dam (-98.43114, 30.7399)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 314 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 30m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 52m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 54m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 15m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 47m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 26m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $26.04 | $52.07 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $29.30 | $58.59 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $31.63 | $63.26 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $27.51 | $55.02 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Texas · Apr 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.