This 157.5-mile drive from Arlington, TX to Hilltop Lakes, TX is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours to complete. With 78% of the route on highways, you'll spend most of your time on the open road. Your estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $24. The drive offers a straightforward path through the Great Plains region of Texas, making it a practical option for those looking for a direct route. This trip is well-suited for a quick getaway or an efficient transfer between locations without needing an overnight stay.
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
78.8 miles from Arlington, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 26m into the drive
.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this trip, with 78% of the journey utilizing major roadways. You'll navigate through segments like the Julius Schepps Freeway, Main Street, and the Lyndon B Johnson Freeway. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is a substantial 96.6 miles on the Julius Schepps Freeway, indicating extended periods of consistent driving. This profile suggests a route that prioritizes efficient travel over varied scenery, with ample opportunities to maintain highway speeds.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 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 96.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Julius Schepps Freeway and Main Street. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.7 miles in.
Route Complexity5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 157.5 miles you will encounter 12 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 0.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 4.8 miles (East Interstate 20): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.7 mi into trip|~1m in
Turn right
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
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
5
5.3 mi into trip|~10m in|I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Merge onto I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
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
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 Hilltop Lakes, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Jewett along the way.
Jewett
123.6 mi in|~2h 11m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Julius Schepps Freeway
96.6 mi
1h 37m
Main Street
21.1 mi
24m
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
15.4 mi
16m
FM 3
10.6 mi
18m
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
5.9 mi
6m
South Collins Street
4.1 mi
7m
Hilltop Boulevard
1 mi
3m
West Abram Street
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Julius Schepps Freeway
— 96.6 mi, about 1h 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arlington, TX and Hilltop Lakes, 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 EastUse 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 473CToward I 45 South: HoustonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 45
97 mi·1 hr 37 min·Julius Schepps Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·23 sec
Toward US 79: Buffalo, Jewett
12
Turn straight onto North Craig Street
0.6 mi·1 min·North Craig Street
13
Turn right onto US 79
0.2 mi·15 sec·West Commerce Street
Use the right lane.
14
Continue on US 79
21 mi·24 min·Main Street
15
Turn left onto FM 3
5.2 mi·9 min·FM 3
16
Turn slight right onto FM 3
5.5 mi·9 min·FM 3
17
Turn left onto Hilltop Boulevard
1.0 mi·3 min·Hilltop Boulevard
18
Turn left onto Deerfield Drive
226 ft·10 sec·Deerfield Drive
19
Arrive at destination
Deerfield Drive
Trip Plan
For this 3-hour drive, leaving Arlington, TX in the morning is ideal, allowing you to arrive in Hilltop Lakes with plenty of daylight. With only one recommended stop over 157.5 miles, you have flexibility in pacing yourself. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 96.6-mile stretch on the Julius Schepps Freeway, as services might be less frequent. The estimated fuel cost of $24 is a good budget to keep in mind. Given the relatively short duration, you can depart at your leisure and still have a relaxed arrival.
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 78.8 miles from Arlington, TX, or about 1h 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 96.6 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 35 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 78.8 miles or 1h 26m 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 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hilltop Lakes, 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 157.5 miles and 3h.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 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 96.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 78.8 mi from Arlington, TX
· 1h 26m into the drive
The midpoint is around 78.8 miles from Arlington, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before Julius Schepps Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 96.6 miles.
Arriving in Hilltop Lakes, TX
The final approach into Hilltop Lakes, 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 Hilltop Lakes, 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
$23.80 one way
$47.60 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg55 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$26.05
$52.10
premium
$4.54
$28.12
$56.24
diesel
$5.61
$34.77
$69.55
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: 55.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
47.3
0
$16.54
$7.56
Efficient EV
39.4
0
$13.78
$6.30
EV Truck/SUV
63
0
$22.05
$10.08
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
Night
in Arlington on Wednesday
Local time
11:27 PM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 15 mph28% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 14 at 6:50PM CDT until April 14 at 7:45PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued April 14 at 6:49PM CDT until April 14 at 7:30PM CDT by NWS Lubbock TX
Destination
Hilltop Lakes, TX
Night
in Hilltop Lakes on Wednesday
Local time
11:27 PM
CDT
Current temp
72°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
4 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 on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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 Hilltop Lakes, TX covers 157.5 miles and takes about 3h without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Julius Schepps Freeway, Main Street, 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 78.8 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 $23.80 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 157.5 miles you will encounter 12 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 0.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 4.8 miles (East Interstate 20): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Arlington, TX to Hilltop Lakes, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Jewett along the way.
