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Trip from Arlington, TX to El Campo, TX

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

5h 26m

Distance

284.2 mi

457 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$43

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min
4 AM
5h 13m ★
6 AM
5h 27m
8 AM
5h 54m
10 AM
5h 36m
12 PM
5h 33m
3 PM
5h 37m
5 PM
5h 52m
8 PM
5h 19m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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suburban city in Tarrant County, Texas, United States

Arlington, TX

Wikimedia Commons

city in Wharton County, Texas, United States

El Campo, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Arlington, TX to El Campo, TX covers 284.2 miles and takes about 5h 26m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on US 77, South Freeway, State Highway 71 South for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 85.4 miles on US 77. At current regular gas prices, budget about $42.94 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

142.1 miles from Arlington, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 39m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 5h 26m highway drive covering 284.2 miles, with most of the trip on US 77 and South Freeway. The longest continuous stretch is about 85.4 miles on US 77.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 29 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 77 is the longest continuous segment at about 85.4 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 77 and South Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near South Center Street.

Route Complexity 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 284.2 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (South Center Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.1 miles (Spur 303 / West Pioneer Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.1 miles (FM 157 / South Cooper Street): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 21 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

6
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | South Center Street

Turn right onto South Center Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
5
2.1 mi into trip | ~4m in | Spur 303 / West Pioneer Parkway

Turn right onto Spur 303 / West Pioneer Parkway

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
6
4.1 mi into trip | ~7m in | FM 157 / South Cooper Street

Keep slight right at fork onto FM 157 / South Cooper Street

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
8
15.9 mi into trip | ~21m in

Take the exit toward I 35W South, I 35W North: Waco, Denton

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 437 Toward I 35W South, I 35W North: Waco, Denton
7
16.1 mi into trip | ~22m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 35W South: Waco

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 35W South: Waco

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Arlington, TX and El Campo, TX, road signs point toward Denton and Loop 396.

Denton

15.9 mi in | ~21m

Loop 396

99.2 mi in | ~1h 49m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 77 85.4 mi 1h 40m
South Freeway 78 mi 1h 20m
State Highway 71 South 38.2 mi 47m
Robinson Drive 29.5 mi 33m
East State Highway 71 Bypass 27.4 mi 28m
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway 10.3 mi 11m
North Jack Kultgen Expressway 4.3 mi 4m
East 1st Street 2.9 mi 3m
Longest stretch: US 77 — 85.4 mi, about 1h 40m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Arlington, TX and El Campo, TX.

1

Start on West Abram Street

93 ft · 8 sec · West Abram Street
2

Continue on West Abram Street

417 ft · 21 sec · West Abram Street
3

Turn right onto South Center Street

2.0 mi · 4 min · South Center Street
Use the right lane.
4

Turn right onto Spur 303

0.5 mi · 48 sec · West Pioneer Parkway
Use the left lane.
5

Turn left onto FM 157

1.5 mi · 2 min · South Cooper Street
Use the left lane.
6

Keep slight right at fork onto FM 157

1.0 mi · 1 min · South Cooper Street
Use the left lane.
7

Take the ramp

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward I 20 West: Fort Worth
8

Merge onto I 20

10 mi · 11 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 28 sec
Exit 437 Toward I 35W South, I 35W North: Waco, Denton Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Keep slight left at fork

0.9 mi · 1 min
Toward I 35W South: Waco Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Merge onto I 35W

78 mi · 1 hr 20 min · South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Continue on I 35; US 77

4.3 mi · 4 min · North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 30 sec
Exit 333A Toward Loop 396
14

Turn straight onto South Jack Kultgen Expressway

0.1 mi · 24 sec · South Jack Kultgen Expressway
15

Turn left onto Loop 396

0.1 mi · 19 sec · South Valley Mills Drive
16

Enter roundabout onto Robinson Drive

125 ft · 5 sec · Robinson Drive
17

Continue on Robinson Drive

29 mi · 33 min · Robinson Drive
Use the straight / left lanes.
18

Continue on US 77

19 mi · 21 min · US 77
19

Turn left onto US 77; US 190; TX 36

0.3 mi · 19 sec · East 4th Street
20

Continue on US 77; US 190; TX 36

0.2 mi · 16 sec · Kemp Street
21

Continue on US 77; US 190; TX 36

2.9 mi · 3 min · East 1st Street
22

Take the exit onto US 77

66 mi · 1 hr 18 min · US 77
23

Turn sharp left onto East State Highway 71 Bypass

0.3 mi · 36 sec · East State Highway 71 Bypass
24

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 39 sec
25

Merge onto TX 71

27 mi · 27 min · East State Highway 71 Bypass
26

Take the exit

365 ft · 8 sec
Toward TX 71 East, TX 71 BUS: Columbus, El Campo
27

Continue on TX 71

0.3 mi · 35 sec · TX 71
Toward TX 71 East, TX 71 BUS: Columbus, El Campo
28

Turn right onto TX 71

38 mi · 47 min · State Highway 71 South
29

Arrive at destination

TX 71

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 142.1 miles from Arlington, TX, or about 2h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 85.4 miles.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 63 miles or 1h 11m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 142.1 miles or 2h 39m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 25m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near El Campo, TX than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Arlington, TX so your first major turns are already loaded.

+

Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.

+

Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Arlington, TX

This is one driving day of about 284.2 miles and 5h 26m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 miles from Arlington, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US 77 for about 85.4 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 142.1 mi from Arlington, TX · 2h 39m into the drive

city in Bell County, Texas

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Troy, TX

142 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Cleburne, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 63 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Troy, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 142.1 miles from Arlington, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 77 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 85.4 miles.

Arriving in El Campo, TX

The final approach into El Campo, TX usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around El Campo, TX.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$42.94 one way

$85.89 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 99 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.20 $47.00 $94.01
premium $4.54 $50.74 $101.48
diesel $5.61 $62.75 $125.50

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$43

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$68–$93

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 99.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 85.3 1 $29.84 $13.64
Efficient EV 71.1 0 $24.87 $11.37
EV Truck/SUV 113.7 1 $39.79 $18.19

Gas CO2

99 kg

EV CO2

33 kg (67% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 13, 2026

Origin

Arlington, TX

Evening in Arlington on Wednesday

Local time

8:32 PM

CDT

Current temp

85°F

Mostly Sunny

S 15 mph 4% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 13 at 2:25PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX

Red Flag Warning

Red Flag Warning issued April 13 at 10:42AM CDT until April 13 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX

Destination

El Campo, TX

Evening in El Campo on Wednesday

Local time

8:32 PM

CDT

Current temp

78°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

60°F

Troy, TX

142 mi in

Seasonal Notes

Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.

Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.

Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.

Time zone

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

7 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

5h 26m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Arlington, TX to El Campo, TX covers 284.2 miles and takes about 5h 26m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 77, South Freeway, State Highway 71 South. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 142.1 miles from Arlington, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $42.94 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 284.2 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (South Center Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.1 miles (Spur 303 / West Pioneer Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.1 miles (FM 157 / South Cooper Street): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Arlington, TX and El Campo, TX, road signs point toward Denton and Loop 396.

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