Origin
Arlington, TX
Night in Arlington on Thursday
Local time
10:31 PM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Arlington, TX to Freeport, TX
Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026
Drive Time
5h 47m
Distance
316.2 mi
509 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$48
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 35m
★
6 AM
5h 48m
8 AM
6h 14m
10 AM
5h 57m
12 PM
5h 54m
3 PM
5h 58m
5 PM
6h 13m
8 PM
5h 40m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Arlington, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Freeport, TX
Tom Tran
Trip Overview
This 316.2-mile drive from Arlington, TX to Freeport, TX is designed for a single day, taking approximately 5 hours and 47 minutes. With a 95% highway share, it's a straightforward trip focused on efficient travel. Expect a fuel cost of around $48 for this journey. Both your origin and destination are within the Great Plains region, so you won't be crossing major geographical divides. This route is best tackled in one go, making it a convenient option if you're looking for a direct path to Freeport.
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
158.1 miles from Arlington, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 51m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 47m. Total distance: 316.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 47m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is overwhelmingly a highway-focused drive, with 95% of the route utilizing major roadways like the Julius Schepps Freeway, Nolan Ryan Expressway, and Lyndon B Johnson Freeway. You'll experience a long, uninterrupted stretch of 227.2 miles on the Julius Schepps Freeway, indicating a consistent pace for a significant portion of your journey. The road character remains largely consistent, offering a smooth, high-speed experience throughout most of the trip.
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 227.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Julius Schepps Freeway and Nolan Ryan Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.8 miles in near East Interstate 20.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 316.2 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 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 11 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
8
256.7 mi into trip
|
~4h 34m in
Take the exit toward US 59 South, TX 288 South, I 69 South: Lake Jackson, Freeport, Victoria
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 46B
Toward US 59 South, TX 288 South, I 69 South: L...
6
257.5 mi into trip
|
~4h 35m in
Keep slight left at fork toward TX 288 South: Lake Jackson, Freeport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward TX 288 South: Lake Jackson, Freeport
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Arlington, TX to Freeport, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Victoria along the way.
Victoria
256.7 mi in
|
~4h 34m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Julius Schepps Freeway | 227.2 mi | 3h 57m |
| Nolan Ryan Expressway | 38.9 mi | 46m |
| Lyndon B Johnson Freeway | 15.4 mi | 16m |
| TX 288 Toll | 14.4 mi | 16m |
| Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway | 5.9 mi | 6m |
| South Collins Street | 4.1 mi | 7m |
| Gulf Freeway | 2.6 mi | 3m |
| North Brazosport Boulevard | 1.9 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Julius Schepps Freeway
— 227.2 mi, about 3h 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arlington, TX and Freeport, 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
227 mi
·
3 hr 57 min
·
Julius Schepps Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 45
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Gulf Freeway
Use the straight / left lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 46B
Toward US 59 South, TX 288 South, I 69 South: Lake Jackson, Freeport, Victoria
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward TX 288 South: Lake Jackson, Freeport
14
Continue on TX 288
0.6 mi
·
46 sec
·
South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 288 Toll
14 mi
·
16 min
·
TX 288 Toll
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
16
Merge onto TX 288
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
South Freeway
17
Continue on TX 288
39 mi
·
46 min
·
Nolan Ryan Expressway
18
Continue on TX 288
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
State Highway 288
19
Continue on TX 288
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
North Brazosport Boulevard
20
Turn left onto West 2nd Street
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
West 2nd Street
21
Arrive at destination
West 2nd Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5-hour, 47-minute drive, consider an early morning departure to avoid potential traffic, especially as you navigate through the initial urban areas. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in planning your breaks. Budgeting around $48 for fuel should cover your needs. A key tip for this route: be mindful of the extensive stretch on the Julius Schepps Freeway; ensure you have adequate fuel before you embark on that 227.2-mile segment to minimize any stops.
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 158.1 miles from Arlington, TX, or about 2h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 227.2 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 70 miles or 1h 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 158.1 miles or 2h 51m 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 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Freeport, 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 316.2 miles and 5h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 70 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 227.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 158.1 mi from Arlington, TX · 2h 51m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
158 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 70 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 158.1 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 227.2 miles.
Arriving in Freeport, TX
The final approach into Freeport, 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 Freeport, 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
$47.78 one way
$95.56 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
111 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $52.30 | $104.59 |
| premium | $4.54 | $56.46 | $112.91 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $69.81 | $139.63 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$48
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 110.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 94.9 | 1 | $33.20 | $15.18 |
| Efficient EV | 79.1 | 0 | $27.67 | $12.65 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 126.5 | 1 | $44.27 | $20.24 |
Gas CO2
111 kg
EV CO2
37 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.
Destination
Freeport, TX
Night in Freeport on Thursday
Local time
10:31 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°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
21 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
5h 47m 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 Freeport, TX covers 316.2 miles and takes about 5h 47m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Julius Schepps Freeway, Nolan Ryan Expressway, 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 158.1 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 $47.78 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 11 significant decision points across 316.2 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 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.
On the drive from Arlington, TX to Freeport, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Victoria along the way.
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