If you plan your trip thru during the non-peak hours, then it shouldn't be too bad. I-20 thru Arlington can be challenging, so just stay in the fast lane and you'll be fine. I've lived here for 30+ years, and you learn when not to go.
There's really no time saving way around. You might have less traffic, but more lights. You can take the tollways if you're will ing to pay the $$
This is probably far too late but the route of I-20 west to east (or vice versa) is no problem. I have usually been able to keep at full highway speed all the way south around Fort Worth and Dallas. On the eastern edge of Dallas you can take I-30 to go northeast.
