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Trip from Arlington, TX to Sunray, TX

Drive Time

7h 28m

Distance

414.8 mi

668 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$63

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 30 min
4 AM
7h 18m ★
6 AM
7h 28m
8 AM
7h 48m
10 AM
7h 35m
12 PM
7h 33m
3 PM
7h 36m
5 PM
7h 47m
8 PM
7h 22m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Arlington, TX, TX

Arlington, TX

Jeff Stapleton

Downtown Sunray, TX, TX

Sunray, TX

Pixabay

Trip Overview

The drive from Arlington, TX to Sunray, TX covers 414.8 miles and takes about 7h 28m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on US 81, US Highway 287, US 87 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 103.4 miles on US 81. At current regular gas prices, budget about $63.36 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

2 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

207.4 miles from Arlington, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 46m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 7h 28m highway drive covering 414.8 miles, with most of the trip on US 81 and US Highway 287. The longest continuous stretch is about 103.4 miles on US 81.

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 81 is the longest continuous segment at about 103.4 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 81 and US Highway 287. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.3 miles in.

Route Complexity 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 414.8 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 2.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 7.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.5 miles (I 820): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 22 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

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
7
7.5 mi into trip | ~12m in

Take the exit toward I 820 North

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 21B Toward I 820 North
7
12.5 mi into trip | ~19m in | I 820

Keep slight left at fork onto I 820 toward I 820 West

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Toward I 820 West
7
18.7 mi into trip | ~26m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 35W Express North: Denton

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward I 35W Express North: Denton
9
129.2 mi into trip | ~2h 24m in | US 287 / Northwest Freeway

Keep slight left at fork onto US 287 / Northwest Freeway toward US 287 North: Vernon, Amarillo

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / straight lanes. Exit 3A Toward US 287 North: Vernon, Amarillo

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Arlington, TX to Sunray, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Amarillo along the way.

Amarillo

129.2 mi in | ~2h 24m | via US 287

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 81 103.4 mi 1h 49m
US Highway 287 75.4 mi 1h 17m
US 87 47 mi 48m
US Highway 287 East 40.5 mi 42m
East 11th Street 28.7 mi 32m
Boykin Drive 26.2 mi 28m
US Highway 287 West 25.7 mi 26m
FM 119 14 mi 14m
Longest stretch: US 81 — 103.4 mi, about 1h 49m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Arlington, TX and Sunray, 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 West Use the left lane.
5

Merge onto I 30

4.9 mi · 6 min · Tom Landry Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min
Exit 21B Toward I 820 North Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Merge onto I 820

4.2 mi · 5 min · I 820
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Keep slight left at fork onto I 820

2.3 mi · 2 min · I 820
Toward I 820 West Use the slight left lane.
9

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 42 sec
Toward I 820 Express West Use the left lane.
10

Merge onto I 820 TEXpress

3.5 mi · 3 min · I 820 TEXpress
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 26 sec
Toward I 35W Express: Fort Worth, Denton
12

Keep slight right at fork

0.8 mi · 50 sec
Toward I 35W Express North: Denton Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
13

Merge onto I 35W TEXpress

2.3 mi · 2 min · I 35W TEXpress
14

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min
Toward US 81 North, US 287 North: Decatur Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Merge onto US 81; US 287

1.7 mi · 1 min · US 81; US 287
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Continue on US 81; US 287

102 mi · 1 hr 47 min · US 81; US 287
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Continue on US 281; US 287

0.8 mi · 58 sec · Lloyd Ruby Overpass
18

Continue on US 277; US 281; US 287

2.4 mi · 3 min · Central Freeway
Use the straight lane.
19

Keep slight left at fork onto US 287

5.3 mi · 5 min · Northwest Freeway
Exit 3A Toward US 287 North: Vernon, Amarillo Use the slight left / straight lanes.
20

Continue on US 287

40 mi · 42 min · US Highway 287 East
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
21

Continue on US 70; US 183; US 287

4.1 mi · 4 min · Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22

Continue on US 287

26 mi · 26 min · US Highway 287 West
Use the straight lane.
23

Continue on US 287

29 mi · 32 min · East 11th Street
24

Continue on US 287

2.8 mi · 3 min · Avenue F Northeast
25

Continue on US 287

14 mi · 14 min · US Highway 287
26

Continue on US 287

0.7 mi · 1 min · Burnett Street
27

Continue on US 287

14 mi · 13 min · US Highway 287
28

Turn straight onto US 287

26 mi · 28 min · Boykin Drive
29

Continue on US 287

1.6 mi · 1 min · East 2nd Street
30

Continue on US 287

28 mi · 28 min · US Highway 287
31

Continue on US 287; FM 1151

1.1 mi · 2 min · East 1st Street
32

Continue on US 287

20 mi · 20 min · US Highway 287
33

Keep slight right at fork onto East Interstate Drive

329 ft · 8 sec · East Interstate Drive
Toward East 3rd Avenue
34

Keep slight right at fork onto Southeast 3rd Avenue

2.6 mi · 3 min · Southeast 3rd Avenue
35

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 26 sec
36

Merge onto Loop 335

4.1 mi · 4 min · North Lakeside Drive
37

Continue on Loop 335

0.6 mi · 36 sec · East Loop 335 North
38

Continue on Loop 335

4.7 mi · 5 min · East Saint Francis Avenue
39

Turn right onto Dumas Drive

0.1 mi · 15 sec · Dumas Drive
40

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 22 sec
41

Merge onto US 87; US 287

47 mi · 48 min · US 87; US 287
42

Turn right onto FM 119

14 mi · 14 min · FM 119
43

Arrive at destination

FM 119; FM 281

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 207.4 miles from Arlington, TX, or about 3h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 103.4 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 91 miles or 1h 43m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 207.4 miles or 3h 46m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 6h 26m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sunray, 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.

+

Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Arlington, TX

This is one driving day of about 414.8 miles and 7h 28m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 91 miles from Arlington, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US 81 for about 103.4 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 207.4 mi from Arlington, TX · 3h 46m into the drive

Downtown Childress, TX, TX

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Childress, TX

207 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

Wichita Falls, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 91 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Childress, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 207.4 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 US 81 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 103.4 miles.

Arriving in Sunray, TX

The final approach into Sunray, 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 Sunray, 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument

Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument

National Monument

13,000 years ago, Alibates Flint was used by mammoth hunters as a source of flint for tools. Learn how important this site was to the survival, commerce, and culture of the people of the High Plains.

14 mi from route ~36 min detour Free near mile 371.9
View on nps.gov
Lake Meredith National Recreation Area

Lake Meredith National Recreation Area

National Recreation Area

Set within the wide‑open Texas Plains, Lake Meredith National Recreation Area offers a peaceful retreat in the heart of rugged grasslands. Over thousands of years, the Canadian River carved dramatic 2...

15 mi from route ~37 min detour Free near mile 371.9
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$63.36 one way

$126.73 round trip

$3.88/gal 25.4 MPG avg 145 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.25 $69.44 $138.88
premium $4.59 $74.97 $149.95
diesel $5.64 $92.15 $184.31

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$63

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$88–$113

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 145.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $44 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 124.4 1 $43.55 $19.91
Efficient EV 103.7 1 $36.30 $16.59
EV Truck/SUV 165.9 2 $58.07 $26.55

Gas CO2

145 kg

EV CO2

49 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 data refreshed 5 hours ago

Origin

Arlington, TX

Afternoon in Arlington on Monday

Local time

12:47 PM

CDT

Current temp

85°F

Partly Sunny

S 15 mph 10% chance Live forecast

High Wind Watch

High Wind Watch issued April 12 at 11:58PM MDT until April 14 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX

Red Flag Warning

Red Flag Warning issued April 13 at 12:38AM CDT until April 13 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX

Destination

Sunray, TX

Afternoon in Sunray on Monday

Local time

12:47 PM

CDT

Current temp

45°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

40 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

7h 28m on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

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 Sunray, TX covers 414.8 miles and takes about 7h 28m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 81, US Highway 287, US 87. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 207.4 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 $63.36 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 2 meaningful breaks 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 22 significant decision points across 414.8 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 2.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 7.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.5 miles (I 820): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Arlington, TX to Sunray, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Amarillo along the way.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Sunray, TX to Arlington, TX

Plan the drive back the other way.

415.4 mi 7h 29m

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