Introduction
Arlington, Texas, might be best known for football, roller coasters, and a buzzing nightlife, but when the sun goes down and the highways empty, the city hides a darker side. With a history tied to frontier days, tragic accidents, and eerie legends, Arlington and its surrounding towns are filled with stories of haunted roads and ghostly encounters. Local ghost tours often highlight famous stops like Arlington Cemetery or Fort Worth’s haunted stockyards, but there’s something far more chilling about experiencing these tales from behind the wheel.
Driving itself can be thrilling, yet when you add flickering lights, phantom hitchhikers, and rural roads swallowed in fog, every curve feels like a step into the unknown. Below are some of the spookiest roads and destinations you can explore around Arlington—whether you’re after a quick, eerie detour or a full night drive into Texas’s haunted history.
Spooky Drive List
1. Watson Cemetery Road (Arlington, TX)
Right in Arlington sits the historic Watson Cemetery (902 W Division St, Arlington, TX 76012), rumored to be haunted by wandering spirits. The adjacent backroads feel unnerving at night—locals report strange shadows near the gates and the feeling of being watched while driving past. With its overgrown trees and dim lighting, the road bordering the cemetery makes for a short, spine-tingling nighttime loop.
Proximity: Within city limits, just minutes from downtown Arlington.
Best time: After midnight for maximum eeriness.
2. Arlington Cemetery & Division Street
Not far from Watson is Arlington Cemetery (801 Mary St, Arlington, TX 76010), established in the 1800s. By day, it’s a historic landmark, but by night, its surrounding roads transform into a chilling drive. Drivers have reported headlights dimming unexpectedly, sudden cold drafts inside cars, and unexplained figures near the cemetery gates.
For those practicing their nerves on short night routes, this is a perfect warm-up before venturing farther.
3. Manual Driving Academy – Mastering Night Drives
Exploring haunted stretches requires more than just bravery—it requires confidence behind the wheel. Manual Driving Academy in Arlington offers professional instruction to help drivers feel secure navigating dark winding roads, sudden stops, and rural detours. Their gift certificates never expire, making them a perfect spooky-season surprise for anyone who loves both driving and adventure.
Check out lesson details here: Manual Driving Academy Arlington
4. Trinity River Bottoms (Fort Worth, ~15 minutes from Arlington)
The roads weaving through the Trinity River bottoms in Fort Worth are often cited as eerie late-night drives. Locals tell of “ghost lights” floating above the water, especially near old crossings. The low-lying fog along the riverbanks creates the perfect setting for unsettling encounters. Some say phantom figures can be seen walking the dirt paths near the bridges.
Directions: Head west on I-30 from Arlington into Fort Worth and follow signs toward Trinity Park.
5. Screaming Bridge of River Legacy Park (Arlington/North Arlington)
Perhaps the area’s most infamous haunted site, the Screaming Bridge in River Legacy Park is the subject of countless urban legends. One story claims that a group of teenagers died in a car accident here in the 1960s, and their screams can still be heard when you drive across the narrow bridge at night. Reports also mention vehicles stalling mid-bridge and the smell of burning rubber.
Address: Near River Legacy Park, 701 NW Green Oaks Blvd, Arlington, TX 76006.
Note: Parts of the original bridge have been rerouted, so confirm with local maps or ghost tour groups for directions.
6. White Rock Lake’s Lady of the Lake (Dallas, ~30 minutes from Arlington)
One of North Texas’s most famous ghost stories lies just a short drive east. At White Rock Lake in Dallas, countless drivers have reported picking up a pale, soaked woman—“the Lady of the Lake”—who vanishes from the back seat before reaching her destination. Cruising the roads around the lake at night is a must-try for any paranormal enthusiast.
Proximity: ~25–30 miles northeast of Arlington.
Best route: Take I-30 E directly from Arlington into Dallas.
7. Extended Adventure: Baker Hotel in Mineral Wells (~1 hour west)
For thrill-seekers who don’t mind a longer night drive, the Baker Hotel in Mineral Wells is legendary. Abandoned for decades and scheduled for restoration, it has been called one of the most haunted hotels in Texas. The drive from Arlington takes you across rural Texas highways, where the isolation alone is chilling.
Address: 200 E Hubbard St, Mineral Wells, TX 76067.
Drive time: About 1 hour west of Arlington.
Conclusion
Arlington’s roads may be filled with everyday traffic by day, but by night, they transform into paths where history and legend blur. From haunted cemeteries to bridges echoing with screams, and from eerie river crossings to ghostly figures near Dallas, every route offers a new story to tell.
So gather your bravest friends, check your headlights, and map out your own ghostly tour. And if you want to feel truly confident behind the wheel—whether on eerie backroads or city freeways—book a lesson with Manual Driving Academy in Arlington. Skilled instructors will help you sharpen your driving so that even the darkest roads feel safe.
