Arlington is a city where cars dominate, making walking only practical in certain areas. Neighborhoods such as Heart of Arlington, Town North, and Woodland West show better walkability, but overall, sidewalks are often absent or incomplete, and the spread-out nature of attractions and services means a car is typically necessary. While there are places of interest, they are often far apart, so a traveler would find walking less convenient.

Public transit in Arlington is limited, as the city lacks a traditional bus or train system. The main option is the on-demand service, Arlington Transportation (Via), which connects to the CentrePort TRE station for access to Dallas and Fort Worth. This service is akin to ride-sharing and could be less reliable or more costly than regular public transit options. Although efforts are being made to expand these services, coverage and frequency remain a challenge.

While Arlington has some bike paths and trails, it doesn't offer a comprehensive biking infrastructure. The flat terrain is biker-friendly, but the limited number of buffered bike lanes and gaps in the network diminish its attractiveness for daily commuting. Traffic conditions can make biking daunting, confining it more to recreational use rather than a dependable mode of transport for errands.