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Trip from Arlington, TX to Goldthwaite, TX

Compiled by the Trip.ovh editorial team · Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026 · Methodology

Drive Time

3h 6m

Distance

155.8 mi

251 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$24

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min
4 AM
2h 55m ★
6 AM
3h 7m
8 AM
3h 30m
10 AM
3h 15m
12 PM
3h 13m
3 PM
3h 16m
5 PM
3h 29m
8 PM
3h 0m

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

suburban city in Tarrant County, Texas, United States

Arlington, TX

Wikimedia Commons

city in and county seat of Mills County, Texas, United States

Goldthwaite, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

If you are planning a trip from Arlington to Goldthwaite, expect a straightforward 155.8-mile journey that typically takes about 3 hours and 6 minutes to complete. This drive is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You will navigate primarily via the Chisholm Trail Parkway, US 67, and West US Highway 84, keeping your estimated fuel costs around $24. Since both locations are situated within the Great Plains region, the terrain remains consistent throughout your travel. It is a practical, highway-focused route that offers a reliable connection between these two Texas points.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

77.9 miles from Arlington, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 32m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 6m. Total distance: 155.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (83%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

Expect a drive defined by efficiency, as roughly 83% of your time behind the wheel will be spent on highways. The route balances faster, multi-lane sections with the steady pace of US-designated roads. You will encounter your longest uninterrupted segment on US 67, which spans 36.2 miles of the trip. As you transition between these thoroughfares, the road character shifts from the initial highway flow into a more rural, consistent drive. This highway-heavy profile ensures that you spend less time navigating complex local turns and more time moving toward your final destination.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 26 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 67 is the longest continuous segment at about 36.2 miles.

Elevation Profile

Gently rolling terrain

1,572 ft 573 ft

Total Climb

1,630 ft

Total Descent

661 ft

Highest Point

1,572 ft

~155.8 mi in

Elevation Range

1,000 ft

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 67 and West US Highway 84. 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.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 155.8 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 4.1 miles (FM 157 / South Cooper Street): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 21 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 18 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.
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.
7
21 mi into trip | ~27m in

Take the exit toward CTP Toll South: Chisholm Trail Parkway

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 432B Toward CTP Toll South: Chisholm Trail Parkway
6
94.1 mi into trip | ~1h 55m in | US 281 / North Walnut Street

Turn left onto US 281 / North Walnut Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
6
130.7 mi into trip | ~2h 39m in

Keep slight right at fork toward US 84 West: Goldthwatie

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward US 84 West: Goldthwatie

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 Goldthwaite, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Gatesville along the way.

Gatesville

130.6 mi in | ~2h 39m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 67 36.2 mi 41m
West US Highway 84 24.4 mi 25m
Chisholm Trail Parkway 21.3 mi 23m
North US Highway 281 19 mi 20m
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway 15.4 mi 16m
South US Highway 281 14.7 mi 20m
TX 220 13.6 mi 19m
South Cooper Street 2.4 mi 4m
Longest stretch: US 67 — 36.2 mi, about 41m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Arlington, TX and Goldthwaite, 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

15 mi · 16 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Take the exit

1.3 mi · 2 min
Exit 432B Toward CTP Toll South: Chisholm Trail Parkway Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Merge onto CTP

21 mi · 23 min · Chisholm Trail Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Turn right onto West Katherine P Raines Drive

0.2 mi · 20 sec · West Katherine P Raines Drive
12

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 32 sec
Toward US 67 South
13

Merge onto US 67

36 mi · 41 min · US 67
14

Turn slight left onto TX 220

14 mi · 19 min · TX 220
15

Turn right onto TX 6

0.1 mi · 8 sec · East 2nd Street
16

Continue on TX 6

0.2 mi · 21 sec · West 2nd Street
17

Turn left onto US 281

0.6 mi · 38 sec · North Walnut Street
Use the left lane.
18

Turn straight onto US 281

19 mi · 20 min · North US Highway 281
19

Continue on US 281

2.3 mi · 2 min · North Rice Street
20

Continue on US 281

15 mi · 20 min · South US Highway 281
21

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 23 sec
Toward US 84: Goldthwatie, Gatesville
22

Keep slight right at fork

346 ft · 9 sec
Toward US 84 West: Goldthwatie
23

Turn slight right onto US 84

24 mi · 25 min · West US Highway 84
24

Turn left onto Loop 15

0.6 mi · 1 min · Loop 15
25

Turn left

35 ft · 2 sec
26

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Because this drive is easily manageable in one day, you have the flexibility to depart whenever fits your schedule best. Plan for at least one dedicated stop along the way to break up the three-hour duration and keep your energy levels steady. Given that the route relies heavily on major roads, keep an eye on traffic patterns when exiting the Arlington area to ensure a smooth start to your journey. Since your total fuel budget is approximately $24, topping off your tank before leaving the metro area is a smart, time-saving move. Use the 155.8-mile distance to your advantage by planning your single rest break near the halfway point of your travel time.

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 77.9 miles from Arlington, TX, or about 1h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 36.2 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 34 miles or 42m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 77.9 miles or 1h 32m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 35m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Goldthwaite, 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 155.8 miles and 3h 6m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 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 67 for about 36.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 77.9 mi from Arlington, TX · 1h 32m into the drive

Downtown Cleburne, TX, TX

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Cleburne, TX

78 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

Crowley, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Hico, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 77.9 miles from Arlington, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Goldthwaite, TX

The final approach into Goldthwaite, 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 Goldthwaite, 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

$23.54 one way

$47.08 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 55 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.20 $25.77 $51.54
premium $4.54 $27.82 $55.63
diesel $5.61 $34.40 $68.80

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$24

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$49–$74

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 54.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 46.7 0 $16.36 $7.48
Efficient EV 39 0 $13.63 $6.23
EV Truck/SUV 62.3 0 $21.81 $9.97

Gas CO2

55 kg

EV CO2

18 kg (67% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

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 14, 2026

Origin

Arlington, TX

Late night in Arlington on Friday

Local time

2:24 AM

CDT

Current temp

55°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Goldthwaite, TX

Late night in Goldthwaite on Friday

Local time

2:24 AM

CDT

Current temp

58°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

3 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

3h 6m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

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 Goldthwaite, TX covers 155.8 miles and takes about 3h 6m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are US 67, West US Highway 84, Chisholm Trail Parkway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 77.9 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 $23.54 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 155.8 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 4.1 miles (FM 157 / South Cooper Street): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 21 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

On the drive from Arlington, TX to Goldthwaite, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Gatesville along the way.

Gently rolling terrain. The route ranges from 573 ft to 1,572 ft elevation with about 1,630 ft of total climbing.

Data sources

The figures on this page are computed from open government and mapping datasets, not crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. Elevation is sampled from USGS 3DEP. Full methodology, refresh cadence, and limitations are documented on the methodology page.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Goldthwaite, TX to Arlington, TX

Plan the drive back the other way.

156 mi 3h 6m

Explore more options from Arlington, TX or browse trips ending in Goldthwaite, TX.

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