Origin
Arlington, TX
Late night in Arlington on Friday
Local time
2:24 AM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
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
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Arlington, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Goldthwaite, TX
Wikimedia Commons
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 .
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.
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.
Gently rolling terrain
Total Climb
1,630 ft
Total Descent
661 ft
Highest Point
1,572 ft
~155.8 mi in
Elevation Range
1,000 ft
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.
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.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto South Center Street
Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto FM 157 / South Cooper Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward CTP Toll South: Chisholm Trail Parkway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto US 281 / North Walnut Street
Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork toward US 84 West: Goldthwatie
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
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
| 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 |
Step-by-step road directions between Arlington, TX and Goldthwaite, 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
Merge onto CTP
Turn right onto West Katherine P Raines Drive
Take the ramp
Merge onto US 67
Turn slight left onto TX 220
Turn right onto TX 6
Continue on TX 6
Turn left onto US 281
Turn straight onto US 281
Continue on US 281
Continue on US 281
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Turn slight right onto US 84
Turn left onto Loop 15
Turn left
Arrive at destination
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.
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.
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.
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
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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.
A short stop after about 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 77.9 miles from Arlington, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Regular Gas
$23.54 one way
$47.08 round trip
| 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Arlington on Friday
Local time
2:24 AM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Goldthwaite on Friday
Local time
2:24 AM
CDT
Current temp
58°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
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.
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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