The drive from Arlington, TX to Sonora, TX covers 322.1 miles and takes about 5h 53m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 20, US Highway 277 South, US 277 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 137.3 miles on I 20.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $48.67 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
161.1 miles from Arlington, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 52m into the drive
.
Arlington is a city in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex metropolitan area, in the Prairies and Lakes region of Texas. With a population of almost 400,000 (2019), it is Texas' seventh largest, and the third largest in the Metroplex. Arlington is south of the sprawling DFW International Airport.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 53m. Total distance: 322.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 5h 53m highway drive covering 322.1 miles, with most of the trip on I 20 and US Highway 277 South. The longest continuous stretch is about 137.3 miles on I 20.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 20 is the longest continuous segment at about 137.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and US Highway 277 South. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near FM 157 / South Cooper Street.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 322.1 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 0.4 miles (FM 157 / South Cooper Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 167.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.4 mi into trip|~1m in|FM 157 / South Cooper Street
Turn right onto FM 157 / South Cooper Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
2.3 mi into trip|~5m in
Turn left toward I 30 West
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 30 West
6
167.4 mi into trip|~2h 58m in
Take the exit toward US 83 South, US 277 South: San Angelo, Ballinger, Anson
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 283A
Toward US 83 South, US 277 South: San Angelo, B...
6
250.2 mi into trip|~4h 28m in|US 277
Keep slight right at fork onto US 277 toward US 67 South, US 277 South: San Angelo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 67 South, US 277 South: San Angelo
6
250.6 mi into trip|~4h 29m in|US 277
Keep slight left at fork onto US 277 toward US 67 South, US 277 South: San Angelo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 67 South, US 277 South: San Angelo
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Arlington, TX and Sonora, TX, road signs point toward Ballinger and Anson.
Ballinger
167.4 mi in|~2h 58m
Anson
167.4 mi in|~2h 58m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 20
137.3 mi
2h 19m
US Highway 277 South
78.6 mi
1h 24m
US 277
67.3 mi
1h 17m
West Freeway
15.5 mi
17m
Tom Landry Freeway
12 mi
15m
South Bryant Boulevard
3.5 mi
4m
Winters Freeway
2.5 mi
2m
South Cooper Street
1.7 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 137.3 mi, about 2h 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arlington, TX and Sonora, TX.
1
Start on West Abram Street
0.4 mi·1 min·West Abram Street
2
Turn right onto FM 157
1.7 mi·3 min·South Cooper Street
Use the right lane.
3
Turn left onto West Lamar Boulevard
0.3 mi·41 sec·West Lamar Boulevard
Use the left lane.
4
Turn left
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward I 30 WestUse the left lane.
5
Merge onto I 30
12 mi·15 min·Tom Landry Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on I 30; US 377
15 mi·17 min·West Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 20
137 mi·2 hr 19 min·I 20
Use the slight right lane.
8
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 283AToward US 83 South, US 277 South: San Angelo, Ballinger, Anson
9
Merge onto US 83; US 277
2.5 mi·2 min·Winters Freeway
10
Take the exit onto US 277
1.1 mi·2 min·US 277
Toward US 277 South: San Angelo
11
Turn right onto US 277
79 mi·1 hr 24 min·US Highway 277 South
12
Keep slight right at fork onto US 277
0.4 mi·56 sec·US 277
Toward US 67 South, US 277 South: San Angelo
13
Keep slight left at fork onto US 277
5.1 mi·6 min·US 277
Toward US 67 South, US 277 South: San Angelo
14
Take the exit onto US 277
0.4 mi·55 sec·US 277
Toward US 87, US 277 South
15
Turn left onto US 87; US 277; US 67 Bus
0.3 mi·36 sec·North Bryant Boulevard
16
Continue on US 87; US 277; US 67 Bus
1.3 mi·2 min·North Abe Street
17
Continue on US 87; US 277
3.5 mi·4 min·South Bryant Boulevard
18
Take the exit onto US 277
60 mi·1 hr 7 min·US 277
Toward US 277 South: Eldorado
19
Turn left onto US 277; Loop 467
0.8 mi·1 min·North Crockett Avenue
20
Turn left onto Southeast 3rd Street
107 ft·4 sec·Southeast 3rd Street
21
Arrive at destination
Southeast 3rd Street
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 161.1 miles from Arlington, TX, or about 2h 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 137.3 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 71 miles or 1h 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 161.1 miles or 2h 52m 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 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sonora, 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 322.1 miles and 5h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 71 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 I 20 for about 137.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 161.1 mi from Arlington, TX
· 2h 52m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$48.67 one way
$97.34 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg113 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$53.27
$106.55
premium
$4.54
$57.51
$115.02
diesel
$5.61
$71.12
$142.23
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$49
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$74–$99
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 112.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
96.6
1
$33.82
$15.46
Efficient EV
80.5
0
$28.18
$12.88
EV Truck/SUV
128.8
1
$45.09
$20.61
Gas CO2
113 kg
EV CO2
38 kg (66% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 14, 2026
Origin
Arlington, TX
Late night
in Arlington on Saturday
Local time
12:55 AM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Sonora, TX
Late night
in Sonora on Saturday
Local time
12:55 AM
CDT
Current temp
58°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
3 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 53m 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 Sonora, TX covers 322.1 miles and takes about 5h 53m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 20, US Highway 277 South, US 277. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 161.1 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 $48.67 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 14 significant decision points across 322.1 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 0.4 miles (FM 157 / South Cooper Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 167.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Arlington, TX and Sonora, TX, road signs point toward Ballinger and Anson.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
