Origin
El Paso, TX
Afternoon in El Paso on Sunday
Local time
12:07 PM
MDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from El Paso, TX to Arlington, TX
Drive Time
10h 23m
Distance
618.6 mi
995 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$94
one way
Photo: Jeff Stapleton
Trip Overview
Spanning 618.5 miles across the heart of Texas, your journey from El Paso to Arlington requires approximately 8 hours and 48 minutes of pure drive time. While it is technically possible to push through in one go, splitting this trip over two days is the most comfortable way to manage the distance. You will primarily navigate via I-10 East, eventually transitioning to the West Freeway as you approach the DFW metroplex. Budgeting around $92 for fuel is a solid starting point for your planning. Since both your origin and destination fall within the Great Plains, you can expect a consistent landscape throughout the drive. This trek is a significant commitment, so preparing for a multi-day itinerary will keep your arrival in Arlington much more enjoyable.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
309.3 miles from El Paso, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 5h 6m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a long-distance haul that defines the classic Texas road trip experience. You will spend the vast majority of your time on major interstates, providing a steady, high-speed pace as you traverse the state. The transition from the desert-adjacent terrain of El Paso into the more populated regions of North Texas means the road environment stays relatively consistent in terms of driving style. Because this route involves lengthy stretches on I-10, you should prepare for a focused, monotonous drive that requires maintaining consistent highway speeds. Keep in mind that the road character is functional and built for efficiency rather than technical curves or scenic detours.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 13 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 421.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and I 10. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 167.6 miles in near I 20.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 618.6 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 167.6 miles (I 20): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 588.6 miles (I 30 / West Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 616.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
167.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 45m in
|
I 20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 20
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
8
588.6 mi into trip
|
~9h 44m in
|
I 30 / West Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 30 / West Freeway toward I 30 East: Downtown Fort Worth
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Exit 421
Toward I 30 East: Downtown Fort Worth
8
616.2 mi into trip
|
~10h 17m in
Take the exit toward Lamar Boulevard, Cooper Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 27A
Toward Lamar Boulevard, Cooper Street
6
617.1 mi into trip
|
~10h 19m in
|
West Randol Mill Road
Turn left onto West Randol Mill Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
617.5 mi into trip
|
~10h 20m in
|
North Center Street
Turn right onto North Center Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 20 | 421.1 mi | 6h 59m |
| I 10 | 166.8 mi | 2h 43m |
| West Freeway | 15.2 mi | 17m |
| Tom Landry Freeway | 12.3 mi | 15m |
| North Center Street | 1 mi | 2m |
| North Cooper Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| West Randol Mill Road | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| North Mesa Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 421.1 mi, about 6h 59m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between El Paso, TX and Arlington, TX.
1
Start on North Mesa Street
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
North Mesa Street
2
Turn right onto East Franklin Avenue
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
East Franklin Avenue
3
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
Toward I 10 East
4
Merge onto I 10; US 180
167 mi
·
2 hr 43 min
·
I 10; US 180
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 20
421 mi
·
6 hr 59 min
·
I 20
Use the none lane.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 30
15 mi
·
17 min
·
West Freeway
Exit 421
Toward I 30 East: Downtown Fort Worth
Use the none lane.
7
Continue on I 30
12 mi
·
15 min
·
Tom Landry Freeway
Use the none lane.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Exit 27A
Toward Lamar Boulevard, Cooper Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Turn right onto North Cooper Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
North Cooper Street
Use the none lane.
10
Turn left onto West Randol Mill Road
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
·
West Randol Mill Road
Use the left lane.
11
Turn right onto North Center Street
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
North Center Street
Use the right lane.
12
Turn right onto West Abram Street
297 ft
·
8 sec
·
West Abram Street
13
Arrive at destination
West Abram Street
Trip Plan
To tackle this 618.5-mile drive effectively, aim for an early morning departure to maximize daylight and beat potential congestion near your destination. Planning for two designated stops will help break up the nearly nine-hour travel time and keep you alert behind the wheel. Given the $92 fuel estimate, monitor your gas levels closely during the more remote segments of I-10 to avoid any unnecessary range anxiety. If you choose to split the trip into two days, look for lodging options roughly halfway to ensure your second day is manageable. Always check local traffic reports for the West Freeway as you near Arlington, as urban volume can fluctuate significantly depending on the time of day.
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.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 309.3 miles from El Paso, TX, or about 5h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 421.1 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 136 miles or 2h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 309.3 miles or 5h 6m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 309.3 miles or 5h 6m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 9h 14m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Arlington, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving El Paso, 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.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from El Paso, TX
Aim for roughly 309 miles and 5.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Arlington, TX
Aim for roughly 309 miles and 5.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 136 miles from El Paso, TX.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 20 for about 421.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 309.3 mi from El Paso, TX · 5h 6m into the drive
First major stop
Coffee and fuel
204 mi into the route
Best for: Coffee, fuel, and an easy first stretch
This is a natural early stop once the first hours of the drive are behind you.
Second major stop
Overnight candidate
408 mi into the route
Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start
This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.
Find hotels in Sweetwater, TXOvernight Options
Night 1
309 mi · about 5.2h in
A practical overnight split lands near Big Spring, TX after about 309 miles or 5.2 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 136 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 309.3 miles from El Paso, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 20 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 421.1 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 309 miles or 5.2 hours on the road.
Arriving in Arlington, TX
The final approach into Arlington, 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 Arlington, TX.
On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach Arlington, TX with some flexibility left in the schedule.
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
$94.49 one way
$188.99 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
216 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $103.55 | $207.11 |
| premium | $4.59 | $111.81 | $223.62 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $137.43 | $274.86 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$94
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$224–$334
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 216.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $65 in charging · 2 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 185.6 | 2 | $64.95 | $29.69 |
| Efficient EV | 154.7 | 1 | $54.13 | $24.74 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 247.4 | 3 | $86.60 | $39.59 |
Gas CO2
216 kg
EV CO2
72 kg (67% less)
Plan for 2 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Arlington, TX
Afternoon in Arlington on Sunday
Local time
1:07 PM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
55°F
Sweetwater, TX
408 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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
Time zone
1 hour later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
25 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
10h 23m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from El Paso, TX to Arlington, TX covers 618.6 miles and takes about 10h 23m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 20, I 10, West Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Yes. This route is usually more comfortable as a 2-day drive. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 309 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 309.3 miles from El Paso, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $94.49 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 618.6 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 167.6 miles (I 20): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 588.6 miles (I 30 / West Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 616.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from El Paso, TX to Arlington, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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