Origin
Arlington, TX
Afternoon in Arlington on Sunday
Local time
2:24 PM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Arlington, TX to Hughes Springs, TX
Drive Time
3h 1m
Distance
160.6 mi
258 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
Arlington, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Hughes Springs, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Trip Overview
Driving from Arlington to Hughes Springs is a straightforward 160.6-mile journey that typically takes about 3 hours and 1 minute. Since you stay within the Great Plains region of Texas, the transition between these two locations is seamless and efficient. You can easily complete this trip in a single day, making it a perfect candidate for a weekend getaway or a direct commute. Budgeting around $25 for fuel should cover your travel costs comfortably. Because the route is compact, you won't need to worry about overnight logistics, allowing you to focus on a quick, productive transit 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
80.3 miles from Arlington, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 29m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a trip defined by highway efficiency, as 92% of your travel occurs on major thoroughfares. You will begin by navigating the Tom Landry Freeway and the East R L Thornton Freeway, which accounts for your longest uninterrupted stretch of 114.7 miles. Transitioning onto State Highway 49 shifts the pace, offering a more localized feel as you approach your destination. The drive maintains a consistent, highway-focused rhythm, moving you away from the dense metro infrastructure of Arlington toward the more open landscapes of Hughes Springs. It is a functional, high-speed route designed to get you to your destination with minimal detours.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
East R L Thornton Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 114.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on East R L Thornton Freeway and Tom Landry Freeway. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near West Abram Street.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 160.6 miles you will encounter 11 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: near the start (West Abram Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.2 miles (South Mesquite Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.6 miles: 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.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
West Abram Street
Continue onto West Abram Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
5
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
South Mesquite Street
Turn left onto South Mesquite Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
2.6 mi into trip
|
~6m in
Take the ramp toward I 30 East
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Toward I 30 East
5
3 mi into trip
|
~7m in
|
I 30 / Tom Landry Freeway
Merge onto I 30 / Tom Landry Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
7
27 mi into trip
|
~35m in
|
I 30; US 67 / East R L Thornton Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 30; US 67 / East R L Thornton Freeway toward I 30 East: Texarkana
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana
Towns Along This Route
Between Arlington, TX and Hughes Springs, TX, road signs point toward Sh 49, Fm 1734: Mount Pleasant, Paris and Pittsburg.
Sh 49
134.3 mi in
|
~2h 25m
Fm 1734: Mount Pleasant
134.3 mi in
|
~2h 25m
Paris
134.3 mi in
|
~2h 25m
Pittsburg
134.3 mi in
|
~2h 25m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| East R L Thornton Freeway | 114.7 mi | 1h 59m |
| Tom Landry Freeway | 16.5 mi | 18m |
| State Highway 49 | 16.1 mi | 18m |
| West William Marvin Watson Boulevard | 6.2 mi | 9m |
| West Ferguson Road | 3.6 mi | 6m |
| South Mesquite Street | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| East Copeland Road | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| North Center Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
East R L Thornton Freeway
— 114.7 mi, about 1h 59m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arlington, TX and Hughes Springs, TX.
1
Start on West Abram Street
93 ft
·
8 sec
·
West Abram Street
2
Continue on West Abram Street
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
West Abram Street
Use the none lane.
3
Turn left onto South Mesquite Street
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
South Mesquite Street
Use the left lane.
4
Turn straight onto North Center Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
North Center Street
Use the none lane.
5
Turn slight right
218 ft
·
9 sec
Use the right lane.
6
Turn straight onto East Interstate 30
0.2 mi
·
45 sec
·
East Interstate 30
7
Continue on East Copeland Road
0.5 mi
·
55 sec
·
East Copeland Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
8
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
Toward I 30 East
Use the straight / left lanes.
9
Merge onto I 30
16 mi
·
18 min
·
Tom Landry Freeway
Use the none lane.
10
Continue on I 30; US 67
7.5 mi
·
9 min
·
East R L Thornton Freeway
Use the none lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 30; US 67
107 mi
·
1 hr 50 min
·
East R L Thornton Freeway
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Toward US 271 to US 67, SH 49, FM 1734: Mount Pleasant, Paris, Pittsburg
13
Turn right onto US 271
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
·
West Ferguson Road
14
Continue on TX 49
3.2 mi
·
5 min
·
West Ferguson Road
15
Continue on TX 49
16 mi
·
18 min
·
State Highway 49
16
At end of road, turn left onto US 259; TX 11; TX 49
6.2 mi
·
9 min
·
West William Marvin Watson Boulevard
17
Turn left onto Ward
104 ft
·
4 sec
·
Ward
18
Arrive at destination
Ward
Trip Plan
To keep your drive smooth, plan for at least one stop during the 3-hour journey to stretch your legs and refresh. Since the route relies heavily on major freeways, checking traffic reports before you leave Arlington is a smart way to avoid delays on the initial segments. With a fuel budget of $25, you have plenty of flexibility to fill up at your convenience without stressing over high costs. If you prefer quieter roads, be mindful that your transition onto State Highway 49 marks the shift away from the heavy interstate traffic. Keep an eye on your mileage after that long 114.7-mile stretch to ensure you are ready for the final turn into Hughes Springs.
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 80.3 miles from Arlington, TX, or about 1h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 114.7 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 80 miles or 1h 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 80.3 miles or 1h 29m 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 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hughes Springs, 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 160.6 miles and 3h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 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 East R L Thornton Freeway for about 114.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 80.3 mi from Arlington, TX · 1h 29m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
80 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 80.3 miles from Arlington, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before East R L Thornton Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 114.7 miles.
Arriving in Hughes Springs, TX
The final approach into Hughes Springs, 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 Hughes Springs, 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
$24.53 one way
$49.07 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
56 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $26.88 | $53.77 |
| premium | $4.59 | $29.03 | $58.06 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $35.68 | $71.36 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 56.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 48.2 | 0 | $16.86 | $7.71 |
| Efficient EV | 40.2 | 0 | $14.05 | $6.42 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 64.2 | 0 | $22.48 | $10.28 |
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Hughes Springs, TX
Afternoon in Hughes Springs on Sunday
Local time
2:24 PM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
59°F
Greenville, TX
80 mi in
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
16 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 1m 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 Hughes Springs, TX covers 160.6 miles and takes about 3h 1m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are East R L Thornton Freeway, Tom Landry Freeway, State Highway 49. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 80.3 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 $24.53 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 160.6 miles you will encounter 11 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: near the start (West Abram Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.2 miles (South Mesquite Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Between Arlington, TX and Hughes Springs, TX, road signs point toward Sh 49, Fm 1734: Mount Pleasant, Paris and Pittsburg.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Hughes Springs, TX
More trips to Hughes Springs, TX
Explore more options from Arlington, TX or browse trips ending in Hughes Springs, TX.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TX road trips.
Explore maps for Arlington, TX or Hughes Springs, TX on MapSof.net.