Connecting between Dallas Fort Worth International Airport and Dallas Love Field is a common trip: a domestic connection at Love Field after an international arrival at DFW, a Southwest flight out of DAL after landing at DFW, or a driver meeting a family at one airport and delivering them to the other. The good news is that the two airports are close. Here is the full picture: distance, drive time, and every transfer option compared. DFW to Love Field shuttle
How Far Is DFW from Dallas Love Field?
The two airports sit about 17 to 20 road miles apart, depending on the route you take through the western Metroplex. Among completed door-to-door trips between DFW and Love Field over the past year, the median one-way distance was 18 miles, and the distance barely varied from trip to trip because the route options are few and direct. By Texas standards this is a short hop, but it is not a walk-across-the-street one: the two airports serve entirely different parts of the region, and there is no people-mover between them. Love Field airport shuttle
How Long Does the Drive Take?
In normal traffic the airport-to-airport drive runs about 25 to 40 minutes, typically via State Highway 114 or State Highway 183 and State Highway 161. Rush hour stretches that materially, and midday incidents on 114 or 183 can add 20 minutes or more. If you are connecting to a departing flight at the other airport, budget at least two hours of buffer between landing at one and checking in at the other, more at peak departure waves. DFW airport shuttle service
Option 1: Door-to-Door Shuttle or Private Car
For most travelers carrying luggage, a reserved shuttle or private car is the cleanest transfer: one vehicle, curbside to curbside, no transfers with bags. Real completed airport-to-airport trips between DFW and Love Field over the past year priced at a median of about $50 one way, with 25 percent under $47 and 75 percent under $56. Because these are flat pre-booked rates, the price is locked when you reserve rather than metered by traffic or route. DFW public transit connections
Option 2: Public Transit on DART
The budget route exists but takes commitment. Board the DART Orange Line at DFW Airport Station, located at Terminal A's lower level, and ride toward Dallas; the line reaches downtown in roughly 50 minutes. There is no direct rail stop at Love Field, so you would exit at the Inwood/Love Field station and transfer to the free Love Link shuttle, Route 5, for the short ride to the Love Field terminal. Count on well over an hour total, plus a transfer with your bags. It is the right choice for light-luggage travelers with flexible schedules and the wrong one for tight connections.
Option 3: Rental Car, Rideshare, or Taxi
A rental car only makes sense if DFW or Love Field is your final stop rather than a connection, since you would otherwise rent, drive 18 miles, and return the car at the second airport. Rideshare and taxis cover the distance in the same 25 to 40 minutes as a private shuttle, with pricing that moves with demand; at surge times the metered fare can exceed the flat rate of a reserved car. Travelers landing at DFW Terminal D after an international flight should also account for the walk from the federal inspections area to ground transport at either airport.
Which Airport Should Your Itinerary Use?
If you are choosing rather than connecting, the decision usually comes down to the flight, not the transfer. Love Field is compact, domestic-only, and overwhelmingly Southwest; DFW carries the region's international and long-haul schedule across five terminals. When your itinerary includes both, the 18-mile transfer is the bridge, and booking it in advance turns a two-airport day into a non-event.
Quick Answers
How far is Dallas Love Field from DFW Airport?
About 17 to 20 road miles, with a median of 18 miles on completed airport-to-airport trips.
How long does it take to get from DFW to Love Field?
Roughly 25 to 40 minutes by road in normal traffic; add buffer at rush hour or for terminal time at the second airport.
Is there a shuttle between DFW and Love Field?
Yes. Door-to-door shuttles and private cars run the route on flat pre-booked rates, with completed trips pricing at a median of about $50 one way.
Can you take public transit from DFW to Love Field?
Yes, with a transfer: the DART Orange Line from Terminal A to the Inwood/Love Field station, then the free Love Link shuttle to the terminal. Total time usually exceeds an hour.
Why do flights arrive at DFW and depart from Love Field?
The two airports host different airlines and route networks: DFW is the international hub, while Love Field is domestic-only and Southwest-dominated. Connecting itineraries between them are common enough that the 18-mile transfer is a routine trip.
Driving Directions: I-35E vs. TX-183 Between DFW and Love Field
Two primary highways serve the DFW-to-Love Field corridor, and the right choice depends on your departure time, whether you want to avoid tolls, and how you feel about congestion. Both span roughly 20 road miles, but their efficiency shifts dramatically with conditions.
Route A: I-35E South (Most Direct Path)
Exit DFW via the North Exit, merge onto Highway 121, and follow signs to I-35E South. Stay on the freeway for approximately 15 miles before exiting near Mockingbird Lane toward the Love Field terminal. Without traffic, this leg takes 25 to 35 minutes. During peak commuter windows—roughly 6 to 9 a.m. and 4 to 7 p.m.—I-35E's bottleneck near the Dallas city boundary can stretch the drive past an hour. I-35E also offers managed toll lanes; estimates suggest a $1 to $3 fee depending on the time of day that trims several minutes off the trip when conditions are heavy.
Route B: TX-183 East (Rush-Hour Backup)
Exit DFW via the South Exit and merge onto TX-183 East. After roughly 10 miles, take the I-35E South interchange and follow it for about 5 miles before exiting at Mockingbird Lane. TX-183 is slightly longer but rarely backs up the way I-35E does during the business commute, making it a dependable alternative when construction or a multi-vehicle incident has gridlocked the main artery. Plan for an extra 10 to 15 minutes if you are driving through a known work zone, which is common on both corridors during weekday business hours.
Rush-Hour, Holiday, and Event Tips
Major events at nearby venues—AT&T Stadium, the Dallas Arena district, or holiday weekends when I-35E sees spillover traffic—can add unpredictable delays beyond the average. If your connection is time-sensitive, book a driver to depart at least 90 minutes before your target check-in at Love Field and build a 15-to-20 percent buffer for security lines at the second terminal.
Shuttle and Rideshare: Shared vs. Private, What to Expect
Shared shuttles typically include multiple stops along the route, cutting the per-person cost but adding 10 to 20 minutes versus a direct vehicle. Private shuttles run door-to-door with no intermediate passengers, keeping the trip close to 30 minutes under normal conditions. When comparing providers, look for a flat-rate quote rather than a metered fare; this keeps the price predictable even if traffic forces a detour around I-35E congestion. Major rental companies—Hertz, Enterprise, and others—maintain counters at both DFW and Love Field, but a rental only makes practical sense when one airport is your final destination and you need wheels for the remainder of your itinerary rather than simply connecting.
Rideshare estimates from DFW to Love Field generally land in the $35 to $60 range for a standard UberX or Lyft ride under normal conditions, with surge pricing potentially doubling that figure during peak demand or high-visibility events. Taxis at both airports typically post a flat or near-flat fare for the corridor, offering the advantage of not shifting with demand, though they rarely undercut a well-timed rideshare. Tip 15 to 20 percent for either service, and confirm your driver is heading to the correct terminal before getting in the vehicle.
Public Transit: DART Orange Line and Love Link, Step by Step
The DART Orange Line departs DFW Airport Station (Terminal A, lower level) and runs directly into downtown Dallas. Trains arrive every 15 to 20 minutes during peak service windows, so you will rarely wait more than a short interval. From downtown, transfer to the Love Link shuttle—Route 524—which runs the final segment to the Love Field terminal. The full rail-plus-shuttle journey typically totals 1.5 to 2 hours door to door, including transfer time and any wait at the Inwood/Love Field station. A DART day pass, which grants unlimited rides on both buses and trains for 24 hours, costs just a few dollars and makes the route the most economical option between the two airports. There is no direct rail stop at Love Field; the Inwood/Love Field station is the closest rail point, and the shuttle covers the last mile. For a bus-only alternative, DART Route 39 (Irving Transit Center to Market Center) can be combined with connecting bus lines, though the limited direct service makes it a longer and less predictable option.
Quick Comparison: Every DFW-to-Love Field Transfer Option
| Option | Typical Time (Est.) | Cost (Est.) | Stops / Transfers | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private car / shuttle | 25–40 min | Mid-range flat fee | None (door-to-door) | Tight connections, heavy luggage |
| Shared shuttle | 40–60 min | Lower per person | 1–3 intermediate stops | Flexible schedule, budget |
| Rideshare (UberX, Lyft) | 25–40 min | Varies with demand | None | On-demand, no advance booking |
| Taxi | 25–40 min | Flat or near-flat | None | Predictable pricing, no app |
| DART + Love Link | 90–120 min | Lowest (day pass) | 1 rail transfer + shuttle | Light luggage, flexible time |
| Rental car | 25–40 min | Per-day rate | None | Final-stop driver |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a direct train from DFW Airport to Dallas Love Field?
No. The DART Orange Line runs from DFW into downtown Dallas, but Love Field has no rail platform. The closest stop is Inwood/Love Field, and from there you take the Love Link shuttle (Route 524) for the final short segment to the terminal.
How long does it take to get from DFW to Love Field by DART light rail?
The Orange Line leg to downtown runs about 50 minutes, and the full journey including the Love Link transfer typically totals 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on wait times and transfer speed at the Inwood/Love Field station.
What is the cheapest way to get from DFW to Love Field?
A DART day pass combined with the complimentary Love Link shuttle is the most economical option available. The pass covers unlimited rail and bus rides for 24 hours, making the airport-to-airport trip a fraction of what a rideshare, taxi, or private shuttle would cost.
How much does an Uber from DFW to Love Field cost on average?
Estimates suggest a standard UberX or Lyft ride typically falls in the $35 to $60 range under normal conditions. Surge pricing during peak hours, holiday weekends, or high-demand events can push the fare higher, so check the in-app estimate before committing.
Is there a free shuttle between DFW Airport and Love Field?
No airline or city operates a complimentary direct shuttle between the two airports. The closest free element is the Love Link shuttle (Route 524), which covers the last segment from the Inwood/Love Field DART station to the terminal, but the rail leg from DFW itself is not free.
When should I choose a taxi or rideshare over DART?
If you are carrying more than one bag, connecting to a flight within two hours, or traveling on a weekend when DART frequency drops, a taxi or rideshare is the more reliable choice. The direct, single-vehicle trip avoids a transfer with luggage and the risk of missing a connection due to a missed train or a long shuttle wait at the station.
Whatever your preference, a reserved DFW to Love Field transfer or a DFW airport shuttle booking in advance turns the 18-mile gap into a non-event. For the reverse direction, see our Love Field to DFW guide.
