Dallas and Houston are both host cities for the 2026 international soccer tournament, and they sit just 239 miles apart on Interstate 45. If your schedule includes matches in both cities, the drive between them is one of the easiest multi-city trips you can make during the tournament. Three and a half hours of highway, a few worthwhile stops and you are in a completely different corner of Texas.
Here is how to plan the trip.
The most direct route from Arlington to central Houston follows I-45 south. The drive covers roughly 265 miles from the Arlington Entertainment District and takes about three and a half to four hours without stops. Add a Buc-ee’s run and a photo op, and most travelers land in Houston in four to five hours.
Traffic leaving the DFW area can be heavy during weekday mornings, and Houston’s loop system slows down during rush hours on both ends of the day. Early morning departures or midday starts tend to move faster.
If you do not want to drive, several options connect Dallas and Houston. Flights between DFW Airport and Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) or William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) take under an hour in the air. Factor in check-in, security and ground transport on both ends, and the total time is comparable to driving.
Intercity bus services run between the two cities in about four hours depending on traffic and stops. There is no high-speed rail connecting Dallas and Houston at this time.
About an hour south of Arlington on I-45. Collin Street Bakery has been a Texas institution since 1896 and is famous for its fruitcake and baked goods. It is a quick stop that adds maybe 20 minutes to your drive.
Roughly halfway between Dallas and Houston. The 67-foot Sam Houston statue stands along I-45 and is impossible to miss. Huntsville State Park offers hiking trails and lake access if you want to stretch your legs. The Texas Prison Museum is a quirky roadside attraction worth a walk-through.
Buc-ee’s is a Texas travel center chain with massive locations along I-45. The Madisonville and Ennis locations are popular midway stops with clean restrooms, an overwhelming snack selection and enough jerky to last a week. If you have never been to a Buc-ee’s, it is part of the Texas road trip experience.
Houston hosts seven official matches at NRG Stadium (referred to as “Houston Stadium” for the tournament) from June 14 through July 4. The stadium seats over 72,000 and is located in the NRG Park complex south of downtown Houston.
Houston’s food scene is one of the most diverse in the country. Truth BBQ is a strong pick for Texas barbecue. The Museum District, Hermann Park and Space Center Houston are all worth building a day around if your schedule allows.
Check the tournament fixture list alongside your travel dates. If you are attending a match in Arlington early in the tournament, Houston fixtures in the following days could line up for a road trip south. Give yourself at least a full day between matches for the drive and settling in.
If you are based in Arlington for the duration, a two to three-day side trip to Houston is manageable without losing your DFW home base.
Before you head south, check the Texas Rangers schedule. The Rangers play home games at Globe Life Field throughout the summer, and catching a game the night before a Houston road trip is an easy add to your itinerary. Get tickets to see the Rangers in 2026 and build it into your trip.
Globe Life Field has a retractable roof and air conditioning, so the Texas heat will not affect your evening. After the game, head back to your hotel, get some sleep and hit the road the next morning.
About 239 miles from downtown Dallas, or roughly 265 miles from the Arlington Entertainment District. The drive takes three and a half to four hours on I-45.
Yes. Flights take under an hour in the air. DFW Airport and Dallas Love Field both serve Houston’s two major airports (IAH and HOU).
Huntsville is the most popular midway stop, with Huntsville State Park, the Sam Houston statue and the Texas Prison Museum. Corsicana is a shorter detour for Collin Street Bakery.
Houston will host seven matches at NRG Stadium from June 14 through July 4, 2026.
A rental car gives you the most flexibility for the drive, stops along the way and getting around Houston. Rideshare works within each city but is not practical for the highway stretch.
It is possible but long. A seven to eight-hour round trip plus time in Houston makes it a full day. An overnight stay is more comfortable and lets you experience Houston properly.
