Origin
Hughes Springs, TX
Afternoon in Hughes Springs on Sunday
Local time
2:24 PM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Hughes Springs, TX to Arlington, TX
Drive Time
3h
Distance
160.6 mi
258 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
Hughes Springs, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Arlington, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Trip Overview
Spanning 160.6 miles through the heart of Texas, this drive from Hughes Springs to Arlington is a straightforward journey that typically takes about 3 hours to complete. Because the route is primarily highway-focused, you can comfortably manage the entire distance in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $25 on fuel for this one-way trip, making it a budget-friendly option for travelers moving between these two Great Plains locations. Since the road is heavily reliant on I-30, you will find the navigation simple and predictable. Whether you are heading to the metroplex for business or a quick getaway, this route offers a practical, no-nonsense connection across the state.
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
80.3 miles from Hughes Springs, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 32m into the drive .
Drive Character
You will spend about 93% of your time on highways, giving this trip a consistent, fast-paced feel. The journey begins with local navigation on TX-49 and 1st Street, but you will quickly transition to the interstate system. Once you merge onto I-30, you face a long, uninterrupted stretch of 131.6 miles that dominates the majority of the drive. This highway-focused path provides a steady rhythm, ideal for those who prefer consistent cruising over frequent turns or technical maneuvers. Prepare for a high-speed experience where the road remains reliable and efficient from start to finish.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 12 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 30 is the longest continuous segment at about 131.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 30 and TX 49. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near TX 11; TX 49; FM 250 / 1st Street.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 3h drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (TX 11; TX 49; FM 250 / 1st Street): Navigation decision point; at 26 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 26.4 miles (I 30): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
TX 11; TX 49; FM 250 / 1st Street
Turn right onto TX 11; TX 49; FM 250 / 1st Street
Navigation decision point
5
26 mi into trip
|
~35m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
5
26.4 mi into trip
|
~35m in
|
I 30
Merge onto I 30
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
7
157.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 54m in
Take the exit toward FM 157: Collins Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 28B
Toward FM 157: Collins Street
4
158.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 56m in
|
North Center Street
Turn left onto North Center Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 30 | 131.6 mi | 2h 18m |
| TX 49 | 18.3 mi | 23m |
| 1st Street | 6.2 mi | 9m |
| North Center Street | 1.8 mi | 4m |
| Broadnax Street | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| West Ferguson Road | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Wet N Wild Way | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| West Abram Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 30
— 131.6 mi, about 2h 18m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hughes Springs, TX and Arlington, TX.
1
Start on Ward
104 ft
·
6 sec
·
Ward
2
Turn right onto TX 11; TX 49; FM 250
6.2 mi
·
9 min
·
1st Street
3
Turn right onto US 259; TX 49
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Broadnax Street
4
Turn slight left onto TX 49
18 mi
·
23 min
·
TX 49
5
Continue on US 271
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
West Ferguson Road
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
7
Merge onto I 30
132 mi
·
2 hr 18 min
·
I 30
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Exit 28B
Toward FM 157: Collins Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Turn straight onto Wet N Wild Way
0.5 mi
·
59 sec
·
Wet N Wild Way
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
10
Turn left onto North Center Street
1.8 mi
·
4 min
·
North Center Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
11
Turn right onto West Abram Street
297 ft
·
8 sec
·
West Abram Street
12
Arrive at destination
West Abram Street
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour duration, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though avoiding peak traffic near the Arlington area is always a smart move. Plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs, as the long 131.6-mile stretch on I-30 can become monotonous if you stay behind the wheel for the entire duration without a break. Since fuel costs for the trip hover around $25, consider topping off your tank before leaving Hughes Springs to avoid fluctuating prices along the interstate. Because the route is relatively short, you have the advantage of a relaxed pace, allowing you to arrive at your destination refreshed rather than exhausted by a long day of travel.
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 80.3 miles from Hughes Springs, TX, or about 1h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 131.6 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 80 miles or 1h 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 80.3 miles or 1h 32m 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 27m
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 Hughes Springs, 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 Hughes Springs, TX
This is one driving day of about 160.6 miles and 3h.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Hughes Springs, 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 30 for about 131.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 80.3 mi from Hughes Springs, TX · 1h 32m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
80 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 80.3 miles from Hughes Springs, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 30 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 131.6 miles.
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.
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
$24.53 one way
$49.07 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
56 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $26.88 | $53.77 |
| premium | $4.59 | $29.03 | $58.06 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $35.68 | $71.36 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 56.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 48.2 | 0 | $16.86 | $7.71 |
| Efficient EV | 40.2 | 0 | $14.05 | $6.42 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 64.2 | 0 | $22.48 | $10.28 |
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (66% 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
Arlington, TX
Afternoon in Arlington on Sunday
Local time
2:24 PM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
59°F
Greenville, TX
80 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
16 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
3h 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 Hughes Springs, TX to Arlington, TX covers 160.6 miles and takes about 3h without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 30, TX 49, 1st 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 80.3 miles from Hughes Springs, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $24.53 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a straightforward 3h drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (TX 11; TX 49; FM 250 / 1st Street): Navigation decision point; at 26 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 26.4 miles (I 30): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Hughes Springs, TX to Arlington, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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