How far is Arlington, TX from Rockdale, TX?
The driving distance from Arlington, TX to Rockdale, TX is about 165.2 miles (265.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 08m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 143.8 miles (231.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 16m 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 08m.
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 McLennan County, Texas
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Arlington and Rockdale.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arlington and Rockdale.
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1
Start on West Abram Street
28 m · 8 sec · West Abram Street
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2
Continue on West Abram Street
127 m · 22 sec · West Abram Street
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3
Turn right onto South Center Street
2 mi · 4 min · South Center Street
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4
Turn right onto West Pioneer Parkway
2543 ft · 49 sec · West Pioneer Parkway
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5
Turn left onto South Cooper Street
1.5 mi · 2 min · South Cooper Street
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6
Keep slight right to continue on South Cooper Street
1.5 km · 2 min · South Cooper Street
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7
Take the ramp straight toward I 20 West: Fort Worth
2943 ft · 1 min
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8
Merge slight left onto Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
10.3 mi · 11 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward I 35W South, I 35W North: Waco, Denton
1177 ft · 29 sec
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10
Keep slight left to continue on I 35W South: Waco
1.4 km · 2 min
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11
Merge slight left onto South Freeway
78 mi · 1 hr 21 min · South Freeway
-
12
Continue on North Jack Kultgen Expressway
4.3 mi · 5 min · North Jack Kultgen Expressway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward Loop 396
1239 ft · 30 sec
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14
Turn straight onto South Jack Kultgen Expressway
707 ft · 25 sec · South Jack Kultgen Expressway
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15
Turn left onto South Valley Mills Drive
760 ft · 20 sec · South Valley Mills Drive
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16
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward The Circle
38 m · 6 sec · Robinson Drive
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17
Exit the rotary onto Robinson Drive
29.5 mi · 34 min · Robinson Drive
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18
Continue straight
19.1 mi · 22 min
-
19
Turn left onto East 4th Street
1340 ft · 19 sec · East 4th Street
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20
Continue on Kemp Street
1272 ft · 16 sec · Kemp Street
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21
Continue on East 1st Street
2.9 mi · 3 min · East 1st Street
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22
Take the exit slight right
11.8 mi · 14 min
-
23
Take the exit slight right
1185 ft · 33 sec
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24
Keep slight right
129 m · 12 sec
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25
Merge slight left
1.3 mi · 3 min
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26
Turn left onto North Main Street
15 m · 1 sec · North Main Street
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Arlington and Rockdale.
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 Freeway
Merge slight left onto South Freeway
78 mi · 01h 21m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Arlington and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy near Rockdale.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Arlington to Rockdale?
The road trip is about 165.2 miles (265.8 km) and usually takes 03h 08m 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?
West is a useful midpoint, sitting about 82.8 miles from Arlington and 82.4 miles from Rockdale.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 143.8 miles (231.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 21.4 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 10:44 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.03 one way or $44.06 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 51.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Arlington and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy near Rockdale.
Stop Ideas Near West
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 West.
Waco, TX
McGregor
Cleburne
Temple
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Arlington and Rockdale. Straight-line distance: 143.87 mi (231.53 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 Rockdale
City in Milam County, Texas
| Population | 5,448 |
| Coordinates | 30.6554800, -97.0013700 |
| Altitude | 142 |
| Country | United States |
End: Rockdale (-97.00137, 30.65548)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 266 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 30m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 07m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 18m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 45m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 21m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 03m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $22.03 | $44.06 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $24.79 | $49.58 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $26.77 | $53.53 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $23.28 | $46.56 |
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.