How far is Arlington, TX from Waco, TX?

The driving distance from Arlington, TX to Waco, TX is about 98.5 miles (158.5 km), with a travel time of about 01h 52m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 82 miles (132 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 44m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
98.48 mi
01h 52m
Flight
82 mi
131.97 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Arlington.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
82 mi
Kilometers
131.97 km
Flight Time
00h 09m

Driving Distance

Road route
98.48 mi
Kilometers
158.49 km
Drive Time
01h 52m

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 01h 52m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Waco
Sun, May 3, 7:22 PM CDT
Return by in Arlington
Sun, May 3, 9:14 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Arlington
2026-05-03T17:30
Arrive Waco
Sun, May 3, 7:22 PM CDT
Route Timing
01h 52m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:52 AM to 11:52 AM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
2:46 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Arlington
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Grandview
TX

City in Johnson County, Texas, United States of America

From Arlington
49.3 mi
00h 56m
To Waco
49.2 mi
00h 56m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
81°F
Sunday

Sunny

Starts
Sun, May 3 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph SW
Destination
55°F
Overnight

Mostly Clear

Starts
Sun, May 3 2:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Arlington and Waco.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Arlington and Waco.

  1. 1

    Start on West Abram Street

    28 m · 8 sec · West Abram Street

  2. 2

    Continue on West Abram Street

    127 m · 22 sec · West Abram Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto South Center Street

    2 mi · 4 min · South Center Street

  4. 4

    Turn right onto West Pioneer Parkway

    2543 ft · 49 sec · West Pioneer Parkway

  5. 5

    Turn left onto South Cooper Street

    1.5 mi · 2 min · South Cooper Street

  6. 6

    Keep slight right to continue on South Cooper Street

    1.5 km · 2 min · South Cooper Street

  7. 7

    Take the ramp straight toward I 20 West: Fort Worth

    2943 ft · 1 min

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway

    10.3 mi · 11 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward I 35W South, I 35W North: Waco, Denton

    1177 ft · 29 sec

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on I 35W South: Waco

    1.4 km · 2 min

  11. 11

    Merge slight left onto South Freeway

    77.8 mi · 1 hr 20 min · South Freeway

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward US 84: Waco Drive, Bellmead Drive

    1531 ft · 37 sec

  13. 13

    Continue on North Jack Kultgen Expressway

    801 ft · 18 sec · North Jack Kultgen Expressway

  14. 14

    Turn right onto East Waco Drive

    3.3 mi · 7 min · East Waco Drive

  15. 15

    Continue on West Waco Drive

    34 m · 8 sec · West Waco Drive

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West Waco Drive

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Arlington and Waco.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
16 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
16.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
South Freeway
77.8 mi · 79%
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
10.3 mi · 10%
East Waco Drive
3.31 mi · 3%
South Cooper Street
2.43 mi · 2%
South Center Street
2.02 mi · 2%
I 35W South
1.09 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

South Freeway

Merge slight left onto South Freeway

77.8 mi · 01h 20m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
01h 52m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 44m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+16.5 mi
82 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Grandview
00h 56m from Arlington
Leave By
2:46 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Arlington and Mostly Clear near Waco.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Arlington to Waco?

The road trip is about 98.5 miles (158.5 km) and usually takes 01h 52m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Grandview is a useful midpoint, sitting about 49.3 miles from Arlington and 49.2 miles from Waco.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 82 miles (132 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.5 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:46 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $13.11 one way or $26.23 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 30.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Arlington and Mostly Clear near Waco.

Stop Ideas Near Grandview

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Grandview and the surrounding midpoint area.
Historic City Hall
Scenic stop 14.8 mi away

Historic City Hall

Hillsboro , TX
127/129 E Franklin St, Hillsboro, TX 76645
Rating 4.6/5 24 reviews Museum
Stop photo coming soon
Meeting point 13 mi away

Alvarado Administration

Alvarado , TX
104 W College St, Alvarado, TX 76009
Rating 4.8/5 4 reviews City government office

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Grandview.

RAIL

Cleburne

21 mi away
206 North Border St.
RAIL

Fort Worth Central Station

55 mi away
1001 Jones Street
RAIL

Union Station

66 mi away
400 South Houston St.
BUS

Dallas, TX

67 mi away
205 South Lamar Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Arlington and Waco. Straight-line distance: 82 mi (131.97 km).

Arlington

#1 Arlington

The third most populous city in Texas and the center of the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area.

Population398,864
Coordinates32.7356900, -97.1080700
Altitude184
CountryUnited States
Waco

#2 Waco

The 11th most populous city in Texas.

Population141,377
Coordinates31.5493300, -97.1466700
Altitude143
CountryUnited States
Start: Arlington (-97.10807, 32.73569)
End: Waco (-97.14667, 31.54933)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 158 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 16m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 27m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 58m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 38m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 24m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 13m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.47 gal
13.15 L · about $13.11
Round trip
$26.23
6.94 gal · 26.3 L
Estimated CO2
30.8 kg one way
Round trip: 61.7 kg / 136 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.78 $13.11 $26.23
Mid-grade $4.25 $14.75 $29.51
Premium $4.59 $15.93 $31.86
Diesel $3.99 $13.86 $27.71

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 · May 03, 2026

There is no time difference between Arlington and Waco. The current time is 17:30:36.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.