Origin
Arlington, TX
Late night in Arlington on Thursday
Local time
1:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
6h 29m
Distance
359.6 mi
579 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$54
one way
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Arlington, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Batesville, TX
Jeff Stapleton
This 359.6-mile journey from Arlington, TX to Batesville, TX is a manageable one-day drive, estimated to take about 6 hours and 29 minutes. You'll primarily be on the Purple Heart Trail, South Freeway, and I-35, with 58% of the route being highway driving. With a fuel cost estimated at $54, this trip offers a straightforward travel experience within the Great Plains region of Texas. Considering the duration and distance, it's perfectly feasible to complete this drive in a single day, allowing for a flexible departure time. This route offers a consistent driving experience without significant regional shifts.
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
179.8 miles from Arlington, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 13m into the drive .
The drive presents a mixed profile, blending faster highway sections with other road types. You'll encounter 58% highway driving, which means you'll spend a good portion of your time on high-speed roads. The longest continuous stretch you'll navigate is 133.1 miles along the Purple Heart Trail, offering a substantial period of uninterrupted travel. Expect a relatively consistent road experience throughout the 6 hours and 29 minutes, with the character of the drive remaining largely the same as you progress from Arlington to Batesville.
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 15.9 miles in.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 359.6 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 15.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 195.3 miles (I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35W South: Waco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail toward 32nd Street, Dean Keeton Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway toward I 35 South: Lower Level, Laredo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87 / South Pan Am Expressway toward I 10 East, US 87 South, Spur 536: Houston, South Alamo Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Arlington, TX and Batesville, TX, road signs point toward Laredo and Spur 536: Houston.
Laredo
Spur 536: Houston
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Purple Heart Trail | 133.1 mi | 2h 20m |
| South Freeway | 78 mi | 1h 20m |
| I 35 | 55.8 mi | 58m |
| US Highway 57 | 37.3 mi | 39m |
| North Pan Am Expressway | 18.5 mi | 22m |
| South Pan Am Expressway | 10.4 mi | 12m |
| Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway | 10.3 mi | 11m |
| North Jack Kultgen Expressway | 6.6 mi | 7m |
Step-by-step road directions between Arlington, TX and Batesville, TX.
Start on West Abram Street
Continue on West Abram Street
Turn right onto South Center Street
Turn right onto Spur 303
Turn left onto FM 157
Keep slight right at fork onto FM 157
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 20
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 35W
Continue on I 35; US 77
Continue on I 35
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35; US 290
Continue on I 35
Continue on I 35
Continue on I 35
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87
Continue on I 35
Take the exit
Turn straight
Continue on Interstate 35 North
Turn right onto US 57
Turn left onto FM 117
Turn right onto Ramos Street
Arrive at destination
For this 359.6-mile trip, a single day of travel is well within reach, so you can afford to be flexible with your departure time. Plan for one main stop to break up the 6 hours and 29 minutes of driving. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $54, and it’s always wise to top up before hitting longer stretches like the 133.1 miles on the Purple Heart Trail. Since the route is predominantly on major roads like I-35, traffic near urban areas could be a factor, so consider an early morning start to avoid potential delays.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
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 79 miles or 1h 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 179.8 miles or 3h 13m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Batesville, TX than in the middle of the route.
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 359.6 miles and 6h 29m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 179.8 mi from Arlington, TX · 3h 13m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
180 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.
A short stop after about 79 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 179.8 miles from Arlington, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Purple Heart Trail if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 133.1 miles.
The final approach into Batesville, 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 Batesville, 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.
Regular Gas
$54.34 one way
$108.67 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $59.48 | $118.95 |
| premium | $4.54 | $64.20 | $128.41 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $79.40 | $158.79 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$54
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$79–$104
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 125.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 107.9 | 1 | $37.76 | $17.26 |
| Efficient EV | 89.9 | 1 | $31.47 | $14.38 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 143.8 | 1 | $50.34 | $23.01 |
Gas CO2
126 kg
EV CO2
42 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Arlington on Thursday
Local time
1:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Batesville on Thursday
Local time
1:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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