Origin
Arlington, TX
Night in Arlington on Thursday
Local time
9:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Arlington, TX to Orange County, TX
Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026
Drive Time
5h 59m
Distance
309.2 mi
498 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$47
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 46m
★
6 AM
5h 59m
8 AM
6h 25m
10 AM
6h 8m
12 PM
6h 6m
3 PM
6h 9m
5 PM
6h 24m
8 PM
5h 51m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Arlington, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Orange County, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Arlington, TX to Orange County, TX covers 309.2 miles and takes about 5h 59m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US Highway 69 South, C F Hawn Freeway, East Denman Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 63.3 miles on US Highway 69 South. At current regular gas prices, budget about $46.72 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
154.6 miles from Arlington, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 57m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 59m. Total distance: 309.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (71%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 5h 59m highway drive covering 309.2 miles, with most of the trip on US Highway 69 South and C F Hawn Freeway. The longest continuous stretch is about 63.3 miles on US Highway 69 South.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 43 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US Highway 69 South is the longest continuous segment at about 63.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US Highway 69 South and C F Hawn Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.7 miles in.
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 19 significant decision points across 309.2 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 0.7 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 19 key pointsThese 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
7
32.7 mi into trip
|
~39m in
Take the exit toward US 175 East: Kaufman
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 479B
Toward US 175 East: Kaufman
6
292.5 mi into trip
|
~5h 38m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 10 East, US 90 East: Lake Charles
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 10 East, US 90 East: Lake Charles
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 Orange County, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Lake Charles along the way.
Lake Charles
293 mi in
|
~5h 39m
|
via I 10; US 90
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US Highway 69 South | 63.3 mi | 1h 11m |
| C F Hawn Freeway | 58.8 mi | 1h 3m |
| East Denman Avenue | 38.5 mi | 43m |
| Lyndon B Johnson Freeway | 21.4 mi | 22m |
| US Highway 175 East | 20.8 mi | 22m |
| US Highway 69 North | 16.2 mi | 18m |
| I 10 | 15.1 mi | 15m |
| Rusk Street | 15.1 mi | 19m |
Longest stretch:
US Highway 69 South
— 63.3 mi, about 1h 11m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arlington, TX and Orange County, 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 East
Use 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
21 mi
·
22 min
·
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Exit 479B
Toward US 175 East: Kaufman
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto US 175
59 mi
·
1 hr 3 min
·
C F Hawn Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on US 175 Bus
151 ft
·
9 sec
·
US Highway 175 West
12
Turn left onto US 175 Bus; TX 31 Bus
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
West Corsicana Street
13
Continue on US 175 Bus
21 mi
·
22 min
·
US Highway 175 East
14
Continue on US 175
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
West Pine Street
15
Continue on US 175
13 mi
·
14 min
·
US Highway 175
16
Continue on US 175
0.6 mi
·
58 sec
·
Frankston Highway
17
Continue on US 175
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
Alexander Boulevard
18
At end of road, turn right onto US 69
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
North Jackson Street
19
Continue on US 69
9.5 mi
·
10 min
·
US Highway 69 North
20
Continue on US 69
3.4 mi
·
3 min
·
North Dickinson Drive
21
Continue on US 69
9.3 mi
·
10 min
·
US Highway 69 South
22
Continue on US 69
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
North Marcus Street
23
Continue on US 69
11 mi
·
13 min
·
US Highway 69 South
24
Continue on US 69
15 mi
·
19 min
·
Rusk Street
25
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
26
Continue on Loop 287 Frontage Road
0.5 mi
·
49 sec
·
Loop 287 Frontage Road
27
Continue on Loop 287
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
Loop 287 Frontage Road
28
Turn right onto US 69 Bus
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Kurth Drive
29
Turn straight onto US 59 Bus; US 69 Bus; TX 103
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
North Timberland Drive
30
Turn left onto US 69 Bus
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Chestnut Street
31
Turn left onto US 69 Bus
39 mi
·
43 min
·
East Denman Avenue
32
Continue on US 69
3.0 mi
·
3 min
·
North Wheeler Avenue
33
Continue on US 69
6.7 mi
·
7 min
·
US Highway 69 North
34
Continue on US 69
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
North Magnolia Street
35
Continue on US 69; US 287
42 mi
·
48 min
·
US Highway 69 South
36
Merge onto US 69; US 96; US 287
9.5 mi
·
10 min
·
US 69; US 96; US 287
37
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 10 East, US 90 East: Lake Charles
38
Merge onto I 10; US 90
15 mi
·
15 min
·
I 10; US 90
Toward Lake Charles
39
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
13 sec
Exit 869
Toward FM 1442: Bridge City
40
Turn straight onto West I-10 Service Road
105 ft
·
5 sec
·
West I-10 Service Road
41
Turn right onto Lawrence Road
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Lawrence Road
42
Turn right onto Kristi Lane
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Kristi Lane
43
Arrive at destination
Kristi Lane
Trip Plan
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 154.6 miles from Arlington, TX, or about 2h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 63.3 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 68 miles or 1h 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 154.6 miles or 2h 57m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 55m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Orange County, 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 309.2 miles and 5h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 68 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 Highway 69 South for about 63.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 154.6 mi from Arlington, TX · 2h 57m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
155 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 68 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 154.6 miles from Arlington, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US Highway 69 South if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 63.3 miles.
Arriving in Orange County, TX
The final approach into Orange County, 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 Orange County, 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
$46.72 one way
$93.44 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
108 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $51.14 | $102.28 |
| premium | $4.54 | $55.21 | $110.41 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $68.27 | $136.53 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$47
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$72–$97
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 108.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 92.8 | 1 | $32.47 | $14.84 |
| Efficient EV | 77.3 | 0 | $27.05 | $12.37 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 123.7 | 1 | $43.29 | $19.79 |
Gas CO2
108 kg
EV CO2
36 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Orange County, TX
Night in Orange County on Thursday
Local time
9:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
66°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
11 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
5h 59m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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 Orange County, TX covers 309.2 miles and takes about 5h 59m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US Highway 69 South, C F Hawn Freeway, East Denman Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 154.6 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 $46.72 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 309.2 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 0.7 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 Orange County, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Lake Charles along the way.
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