The Rowlett DART Blue Line — complete commuter guide 2026

The DART Blue Line coming to Rowlett in 2012 changed the city. If you commute to downtown Dallas, this is the most complete guide you'll find.

Rowlett DART Station

• Address: 4401 Rowlett Rd (at the intersection of Rowlett Rd and the PGBT)
• The station is the eastern terminus of the Blue Line. End of the line. You'll always get a seat if you board here.

Ride times:

• Rowlett to Downtown Plano: ~25 minutes
• Rowlett to Cityplace/Uptown: ~32 minutes
• Rowlett to Akard (downtown Dallas): ~37 minutes
• Rowlett to Convention Center: ~39 minutes
• Rowlett to UNT Dallas: ~55 minutes (Blue Line to transfer)

Schedule:

• First train: 4:45am (weekdays)
• Last train (outbound from downtown): 12:15am
• Frequency: Every 10-12 minutes during rush hour (6-9am, 4-7pm), every 20 minutes midday and evenings
• Weekend frequency: Every 20 minutes all day

Parking:

• Free surface lot — 800+ spaces. Free. No permit needed. Fills up by 8:00am on weekdays.
• Parking garage — Multi-level, also free. Go here if the surface lot is full. Has covered spaces on upper levels (your car won't be 180 degrees when you get back in July).
• Pro tip: If you consistently take the 7:30am or later train, go straight to the garage. The surface lot is full by then.

Monthly pass:

• Local DART pass: $96/month (covers all buses and trains within the DART service area)
• Many employers offer pre-tax transit benefits. Check with HR — this effectively makes it ~$70/month after tax savings.

Commuter tips from a 4-year DART rider:

• The Rowlett station has covered waiting areas but no indoor space. In winter, wait in your car and watch for the train headlight.
• Bring headphones. The morning commuters are quiet and respectful. The evening train after a Stars/Mavs game is not.
• The quiet car is car 1 (front). Unwritten rule but regulars enforce it.
• Cell service is spotty in the underground downtown stations. Download your podcasts before boarding.
• The DART GoPass app works for mobile tickets. No need for a physical card.

What DART changed about Rowlett:

• Home values near the station increased 15-20% in the 5 years after the line opened. Source: D Magazine analysis.
• The station area is becoming a mixed-use hub. Sapphire Bay is partially a result of the improved transit access.
• Rowlett went from a commuter dead zone to having a direct rail connection to downtown Dallas. That's a big deal for a city of 70,000.

Sources:

• DART.org — Blue Line schedule and station info
• GoPass app for real-time arrivals
• D Magazine — "How DART Changed Rowlett" (2020 analysis)
• Personal commuting experience 2021-2025