Origin
Arlington, TX
Late night in Arlington on Wednesday
Local time
2:16 AM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Arlington, TX to Ames, TX
Data updated 1 hour ago
Drive Time
4h 59m
Distance
279 mi
449 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$42
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 46m
★
6 AM
5h 0m
8 AM
5h 27m
10 AM
5h 9m
12 PM
5h 7m
3 PM
5h 11m
5 PM
5h 26m
8 PM
4h 52m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Arlington, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Ames, TX
Thomas balabaud
Trip Overview
This 279-mile drive from Arlington, TX to Ames, TX is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in under 5 hours. With 96% of the route on highways, it's a practical choice for a single-day trip, especially given the estimated fuel cost of around $42. You'll be staying within the Great Plains region throughout your travel. This route is designed for efficient travel, making it a good option if you're looking to get from point A to point B without many detours. Consider this a quick hop within Texas, perfect for a day trip.
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
139.5 miles from Arlington, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 29m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a predominantly highway experience on this 279-mile trip, with 96% of your travel occurring on major roadways. The route features a substantial uninterrupted stretch of 202.3 miles on the Julius Schepps Freeway, indicating long, consistent periods of driving. You'll navigate primarily via the Julius Schepps Freeway, North Grand Parkway East, and Lyndon B Johnson Freeway. This highway-focused profile suggests a driving experience geared towards covering distance efficiently rather than exploring winding backroads.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Julius Schepps Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 202.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Julius Schepps Freeway and North Grand Parkway East. You will hit about 17 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 4.8 miles in near East Interstate 20.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 279 miles you will encounter 17 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 4.8 miles (East Interstate 20): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 26.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
4.8 mi into trip
|
~9m in
|
East Interstate 20
Turn left onto East Interstate 20
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
5.1 mi into trip
|
~9m in
Take the ramp toward I 20 East
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward I 20 East
7
26.7 mi into trip
|
~33m in
Take the exit toward I 45 South: Houston
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 473C
Toward I 45 South: Houston
7
229.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 1m in
Take the exit toward Grand Parkway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 72A
Toward Grand Parkway
6
279 mi into trip
|
~4h 59m in
|
FM 160 / Martin L King Street North
Turn left onto FM 160 / Martin L King Street North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
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 Ames, TX, road signs point toward Fm 1960: Dayton and Humble.
Fm 1960: Dayton
264.2 mi in
|
~4h 41m
Humble
264.2 mi in
|
~4h 41m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Julius Schepps Freeway | 202.3 mi | 3h 27m |
| North Grand Parkway East | 32.3 mi | 34m |
| Lyndon B Johnson Freeway | 15.4 mi | 16m |
| United States Highway 90 West | 9 mi | 10m |
| Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway | 5.9 mi | 6m |
| FM 1960 | 5.1 mi | 6m |
| South Collins Street | 4.1 mi | 7m |
| Interstate 45 North Frontage Road | 2.1 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
Julius Schepps Freeway
— 202.3 mi, about 3h 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arlington, TX and Ames, TX.
1
Start on West Abram Street
93 ft
·
8 sec
·
West Abram Street
2
Continue on West Abram Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
West Abram Street
3
Turn right
153 ft
·
6 sec
Use the right lane.
4
Turn slight right onto South Collins Street
4.1 mi
·
7 min
·
South Collins Street
Use the left lane.
5
Turn left onto East Interstate 20
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
·
East Interstate 20
Use the left lane.
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Toward I 20 East
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
7
Merge onto I 20
5.9 mi
·
6 min
·
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 20
15 mi
·
16 min
·
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Exit 473C
Toward I 45 South: Houston
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 45
202 mi
·
3 hr 27 min
·
Julius Schepps Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Exit 72A
Toward Grand Parkway
Use the slight right lane.
12
Turn straight onto Interstate 45 North Frontage Road
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Interstate 45 North Frontage Road
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
13
Turn left onto North Grand Parkway West
382 ft
·
8 sec
·
North Grand Parkway West
Use the left lane.
14
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward TX 99 Toll East
15
Merge onto TX 99 Toll
32 mi
·
34 min
·
North Grand Parkway East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
1 min
Toward FM 1960: Dayton, Humble
17
Turn left onto FM 1960
5.1 mi
·
6 min
·
FM 1960
18
Turn right onto TX 321
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
North Cleveland Street
19
Turn left onto US 90; TX 146
9.0 mi
·
10 min
·
United States Highway 90 West
20
Turn left onto FM 160
98 ft
·
2 sec
·
Martin L King Street North
Use the left lane.
21
Arrive at destination
FM 160
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour and 59-minute duration, this drive is best tackled in a single day. Aim to depart Arlington early to maximize daylight and ensure you arrive in Ames with ample time. With only one recommended stop, you'll want to make it count for fuel and a quick stretch. The longest stretch on the Julius Schepps Freeway is over 200 miles, so plan your fuel accordingly before you embark on that segment. This straightforward route allows for flexibility, but keeping an eye on your fuel gauge is always wise on longer highway stretches.
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 139.5 miles from Arlington, TX, or about 2h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 202.3 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 80 miles or 1h 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 139.5 miles or 2h 29m 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
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ames, 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 279 miles and 4h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 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 Julius Schepps Freeway for about 202.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 139.5 mi from Arlington, TX · 2h 29m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
140 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 139.5 miles from Arlington, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Julius Schepps Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 202.3 miles.
Arriving in Ames, TX
The final approach into Ames, 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 Ames, TX.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.16 one way
$84.32 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
98 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $46.14 | $92.29 |
| premium | $4.54 | $49.81 | $99.63 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $61.60 | $123.20 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 97.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 83.7 | 1 | $29.29 | $13.39 |
| Efficient EV | 69.8 | 0 | $24.41 | $11.16 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 111.6 | 1 | $39.06 | $17.86 |
Gas CO2
98 kg
EV CO2
33 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Ames, TX
Late night in Ames on Wednesday
Local time
2:16 AM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
13 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 59m 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 Ames, TX covers 279 miles and takes about 4h 59m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Julius Schepps Freeway, North Grand Parkway East, Lyndon B Johnson Freeway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 139.5 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 $42.16 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 279 miles you will encounter 17 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 4.8 miles (East Interstate 20): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 26.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Arlington, TX and Ames, TX, road signs point toward Fm 1960: Dayton and Humble.
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