How far is Buchanan Dam, TX from Arlington, TX?
The driving distance from Buchanan Dam, TX to Arlington, TX is about 199.7 miles (321.4 km), with a travel time of about 03h 29m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 158.3 miles (254.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 59m 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 29m.
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 Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Buchanan Dam and Arlington.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Buchanan Dam and Arlington.
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1
Start on Island Lodges Drive
43 m · 11 sec · Island Lodges Drive
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2
Turn left
13 mi · 17 min
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3
Turn left onto North Water Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · North Water Street
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4
Continue on North US Highway 281
20 mi · 22 min · North US Highway 281
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5
At the end of the road, turn left onto South Key Avenue
1.6 mi · 3 min · South Key Avenue
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6
Continue on North US Highway 281
965 ft · 15 sec · North US Highway 281
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7
Keep slight right to continue on North US Highway 281
42.9 mi · 49 min · North US Highway 281
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8
Continue on South Rice Street
2.3 mi · 3 min · South Rice Street
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9
Continue on North US Highway 281
19 mi · 20 min · North US Highway 281
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10
Continue on South Walnut Street
2995 ft · 44 sec · South Walnut Street
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11
At the end of the road, turn right onto West 2nd Street
973 ft · 13 sec · West 2nd Street
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12
Continue on East 2nd Street
701 ft · 15 sec · East 2nd Street
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13
Turn left onto North Cedar Street
1.3 km · 1 min · North Cedar Street
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14
Continue on State Highway 220
12.8 mi · 19 min · State Highway 220
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15
Merge slight left onto US Highway 67
12.1 mi · 14 min · US Highway 67
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16
Continue on Northeast Big Bend Trail
24 mi · 27 min · Northeast Big Bend Trail
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17
Take the exit slight right toward TX 171, CTP: Nolan River Road, County Road 1216
1845 ft · 45 sec
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18
Continue on West Katherine P Raines Drive
860 ft · 24 sec · West Katherine P Raines Drive
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19
Turn left onto Chisholm Trail Parkway
21.3 mi · 23 min · Chisholm Trail Parkway
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20
Take the exit slight right toward I 20 East: Dallas
1.1 mi · 2 min
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21
Merge slight left onto Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
10.9 mi · 12 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
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22
Keep slight left to continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
4.6 mi · 5 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
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23
Take the exit slight right toward FM 157 South: UT Arlington, Mansfield
1054 ft · 26 sec
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24
Continue on West Interstate 20
1357 ft · 25 sec · West Interstate 20
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25
Turn left onto South Cooper Street
1 mi · 2 min · South Cooper Street
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26
Keep slight right to continue on South Cooper Street
1.7 mi · 3 min · South Cooper Street
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27
Turn right onto West Pioneer Parkway
2548 ft · 51 sec · West Pioneer Parkway
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28
Turn left onto South Center Street
1.2 mi · 2 min · South Center Street
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29
Continue on South Mesquite Street
1.3 km · 2 min · South Mesquite Street
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30
Turn left onto East Abram Street
708 ft · 26 sec · East Abram Street
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31
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Abram Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Buchanan Dam and Arlington.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
North US Highway 281
Keep slight right to continue on North US Highway 281
42.9 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 Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Buchanan Dam and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Arlington.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Buchanan Dam to Arlington?
The road trip is about 199.7 miles (321.4 km) and usually takes 03h 29m 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 Buchanan Dam and 102 miles from Arlington.
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 41.4 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 10:00 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.64 one way or $53.28 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 62.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Buchanan Dam and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Arlington.
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 Buchanan Dam and Arlington. Straight-line distance: 158.3 mi (254.76 km).
#1 Buchanan Dam
Place in Texas
| Population | 1,519 |
| Coordinates | 30.7399000, -98.4311400 |
| Altitude | 318 |
| Country | United States |
#2 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 |
End: West Abram Street (-97.108073, 32.735603)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 321 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 39m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 59m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 59m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 19m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 51m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 29m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $26.64 | $53.28 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $29.98 | $59.95 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $32.37 | $64.73 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $28.15 | $56.30 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.