Origin
Arlington, TX
Afternoon in Arlington on Thursday
Local time
4:04 PM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Arlington, TX to Mount Pleasant, TX
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
2h 30m
Distance
138 mi
222 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 21m
★
6 AM
2h 31m
8 AM
2h 51m
10 AM
2h 38m
12 PM
2h 36m
3 PM
2h 39m
5 PM
2h 50m
8 PM
2h 25m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Arlington, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Mount Pleasant, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This straightforward 138-mile drive from Arlington, TX to Mount Pleasant, TX takes approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes, making it a perfect day trip. With 96% of the journey on highways, you'll find yourself on a focused, efficient route. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $21, so it’s quite budget-friendly. You'll traverse the Great Plains region throughout your drive, experiencing a consistent landscape. Given its manageable length and the single recommended stop, this route is ideal for a single-day excursion, allowing for plenty of flexibility.
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
69 miles from Arlington, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 18m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 30m. Total distance: 138 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive for most of this 138-mile journey, with 96% of the route utilizing major roadways. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on the East R L Thornton Freeway, which forms the longest uninterrupted stretch at 116.3 miles. This means the majority of your drive will be characterized by consistent speed and efficient travel, rather than winding backroads or urban navigation. The road's personality remains largely highway-centric from start to finish, offering a predictable driving experience.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 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 116.3 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 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near South Mesquite Street.
Driving Effort
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 138 miles you will encounter 10 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 0.2 miles (South Mesquite Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 3 miles (I 30 / Tom Landry Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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 straight / slight right lanes.
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
5
135.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 27m in
Take the exit toward Bus. US 271, FM 1402, FM 2152: Mount Pleasant
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Bus. US 271, FM 1402, FM 2152: Mount Ple...
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| East R L Thornton Freeway | 116.3 mi | 2h 1m |
| Tom Landry Freeway | 16.5 mi | 18m |
| South Mesquite Street | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| North Jefferson Avenue | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| East Copeland Road | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| North Center Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| North Madison Avenue | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Burton Road | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
East R L Thornton Freeway
— 116.3 mi, about 2h 1m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arlington, TX and Mount Pleasant, 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
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
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 straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 30; US 67
7.5 mi
·
9 min
·
East R L Thornton Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 30; US 67
109 mi
·
1 hr 52 min
·
East R L Thornton Freeway
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Toward Bus. US 271, FM 1402, FM 2152: Mount Pleasant
13
Turn straight onto Burton Road
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
·
Burton Road
14
Turn right onto US 271 Bus
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
North Jefferson Avenue
15
Turn right onto US 271 Bus
0.5 mi
·
54 sec
·
North Madison Avenue
16
Turn left onto FM 899
380 ft
·
12 sec
·
West 1st Street
17
Arrive at destination
East 1st Street
Trip Plan
With a duration of just 2 hours and 30 minutes, this trip offers considerable flexibility for departure times. Aim to leave Arlington in the morning to maximize your time in Mount Pleasant. Since the drive is relatively short and has only one recommended stop, you can easily complete it in a single day without feeling rushed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on the longest stretch of 116.3 miles on the East R L Thornton Freeway, to ensure you don't need to make an unplanned stop. The $21 fuel cost suggests you won't need to worry too much about budgeting for gas.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 69 miles from Arlington, TX, or about 1h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 116.3 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 30 miles or 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 69 miles or 1h 18m 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 3m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mount Pleasant, 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 138 miles and 2h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 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 116.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 69 mi from Arlington, TX · 1h 18m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
69 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 30 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 69 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 116.3 miles.
Arriving in Mount Pleasant, TX
The final approach into Mount Pleasant, 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 Mount Pleasant, 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
$20.85 one way
$41.70 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
48 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $22.82 | $45.65 |
| premium | $4.54 | $24.64 | $49.28 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $30.47 | $60.94 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 48.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 41.4 | 0 | $14.49 | $6.62 |
| Efficient EV | 34.5 | 0 | $12.08 | $5.52 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 55.2 | 0 | $19.32 | $8.83 |
Gas CO2
48 kg
EV CO2
16 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.
Destination
Mount Pleasant, TX
Afternoon in Mount Pleasant on Thursday
Local time
4:04 PM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
71°F
Nevada, TX
69 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
17 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
2h 30m 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 Mount Pleasant, TX covers 138 miles and takes about 2h 30m 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, South Mesquite Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 69 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 $20.85 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
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 138 miles you will encounter 10 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 0.2 miles (South Mesquite Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 3 miles (I 30 / Tom Landry Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Arlington, TX to Mount Pleasant, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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