If you’ve ever looked at a map of North Texas, you’ve probably noticed that Irving is basically the belly button of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. It’s right there in the middle. But ask anyone who actually lives here, "How far is Irving?" and they won’t give you a mileage. They’ll give you a facial expression.
Usually, that expression says, "Depends on the time of day."
Getting to Irving is either a 12-minute breeze or a 45-minute test of your patience, depending on whether the 183 is behaving. It’s a weirdly deceptive city. It looks like it’s attached to Dallas’s hip, yet it has its own massive business hub in Las Colinas that makes it feel like its own planet.
The Dallas Connection: It’s Closer Than You Think
Honestly, if you’re coming from Downtown Dallas, Irving is practically a neighbor. We’re talking about 9.6 to 10 miles of road. If you hop on I-35E and merge onto TX-183 W, you can theoretically be there in 13 to 15 minutes.
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But let’s be real.
Dallas traffic is a beast. If you’re trying to make that drive at 5:15 PM on a Tuesday, you’re looking at more like 35 minutes. The beauty of Irving’s location is the Trinity Railway Express (TRE). It’s the "secret" way to skip the highway mess. You can jump on the train at Union Station or Victory Station in Dallas and be at the Downtown Irving/Heritage Crossing station in about 14 to 16 minutes. It’s cheap, it’s fast, and you don’t have to stare at brake lights.
Irving to Major Hubs (Mileage & Real Time)
- Dallas Love Field (DAL): About 8.5 miles. Roughly 15 minutes by car.
- DFW International Airport: This is where it gets interesting. Part of the airport is actually in Irving. It’s about 10 miles to the main terminals, taking roughly 13 minutes.
- Fort Worth: This is the longer haul. It’s about 25 to 27 miles. Plan for 30 minutes with no traffic, but usually closer to 50 minutes during the daily grind.
- Arlington (AT&T Stadium): Around 15 miles. You can get there in 20 minutes if you’re lucky, which is great for Cowboys fans—even though the team left Irving years ago.
Why the "Distance" to Irving is Actually a Strategy
A lot of business travelers ask how far is irving because they’re trying to figure out where to stay. Las Colinas—the master-planned "city within a city" inside Irving—is a corporate powerhouse. It’s home to Fortune 500 companies and the Toyota Music Factory.
If you stay in Las Colinas, you aren't just "near" Dallas; you're in a spot where you can reach almost anywhere in the Metroplex in under 30 minutes. It’s sort of the ultimate home base. You’ve got the DART Orange Line connecting the Irving Convention Center directly to DFW Airport and Downtown Dallas.
You’re literally in the center of the action.
The Venice of Texas: Is it Far from the Action?
People often think Irving is just a suburban sprawl of office buildings. That’s a mistake. The Mandalay Canals in Las Colinas feel like a completely different world. You can actually take a gondola ride there.
Wait, a gondola in Texas?
Yeah, it’s a thing. It’s located right on Lake Carolyn. If you’re staying in Dallas and wondering if it’s worth the "trek" to Irving for a date night or a concert, the answer is usually yes. You aren't traveling out into the sticks; you're traveling into a high-end entertainment district.
Navigating the Highways
Irving is surrounded by what I call the "High-Speed Box."
- I-635 to the north.
- Loop 12 to the east.
- I-30 to the south.
- SH-360 to the west.
Basically, every major artery in North Texas feeds into or around Irving. This makes it incredibly accessible, but it also means you need to check Google Maps before you put the car in reverse. One accident on the President George Bush Turnpike (SH-161) can change your "10-minute trip" into a podcast-marathon.
Getting Around Without a Car
Can you do Irving without a car? Sorta. If you’re sticking to the Las Colinas Urban Center, it’s surprisingly walkable. There’s the APT (Area Personal Transit), which is an elevated people mover that circles the office towers and residential areas.
For longer distances, DART is your best friend.
The Orange Line is the workhorse here. It hits the University of Dallas, the Convention Center, and the Las Colinas Urban Center. It’s a lifesaver for people who want to catch a game in Dallas but don't want to pay $50 for parking.
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Myths About the Distance
One thing people get wrong is thinking Irving is "way out there" past the airport. In reality, Irving sits between the airport and Dallas. If you’re flying into DFW, Irving is the first thing you hit when you exit the East side of the airport. You’re literally there the second you leave the airport grounds.
Another misconception? That it’s a long haul to see the "real" Texas. Irving is home to the Mustangs of Las Colinas, which is the largest equestrian sculpture in the world. It’s right in Williams Square. It’s a 15-minute drive from the middle of Dallas to see a piece of art that’s more "Texas" than almost anything in the Dallas city limits.
The Practical Side of the Distance
If you’re moving here or visiting, here is the breakdown of what to expect:
Commuting to Dallas: Expect heavy traffic on 183. If you can, take the TRE train from the Heritage Crossing station. It’s a game changer for commuters who hate the "183 crawl."
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Airport Access: If you’re staying in South Irving, you’ll likely use the South Entry of DFW Airport via Highway 183. If you’re in North Irving/Las Colinas, you’ll use the North Entry via Highway 114. Both are incredibly close—usually under 15 minutes.
Exploring the Region: From Irving, you are roughly 20 minutes from the Fort Worth Stockyards (if you time it right), 15 minutes from the American Airlines Center, and 20 minutes from Six Flags Over Texas.
Actionable Steps for Your Trip
- Download the GoPass App: This is the easiest way to buy DART and TRE tickets on your phone. No fumbling with kiosks.
- Check the Schedule: The TRE doesn't run on Sundays, so don't count on it for a weekend trip to a Mavs game.
- Avoid the 183/Loop 12 Split at 5 PM: Just don't do it. Find a coffee shop in Las Colinas and wait an hour. Your mental health will thank you.
- Use the Canals: If you’re in town for a meeting, take 20 minutes to walk the Mandalay Canals. It’s the best way to forget you’re in the middle of a massive concrete metroplex.
Irving isn't just a place you pass through on your way to the airport. It's a strategic hub that sits at the literal crossroads of North Texas. Whether you’re measuring by miles or by minutes, it’s closer to the heart of the action than most people realize. Just watch the clock when the sun starts to set—that’s when the "10 miles" starts feeling a lot longer.
To make the most of your time, plan your arrival outside of the 7:30–9:00 AM and 4:30–6:30 PM windows. Use the Orange Line for direct access to the nightlife in Deep Ellum or the museums in the Dallas Arts District without the hassle of city driving.