Lakehills to Arlington is 306.2 miles and takes about 5 hours 41 minutes via Purple Heart Trail and I-35W, with a fuel budget near $46 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Great Plains region, moving from one part of Texas to another. Expect a mix of driving experiences, so plan for a day that requires your attention on the road. The recommended single day for this drive should allow ample time for the 5h 41m journey, plus any brief pauses.
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
153.1 miles from Lakehills, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 55m 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 41m. Total distance: 306.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
This route is characterized as a "turn-heavy local drive" with a relatively low 19% highway share. You'll encounter a significant portion of your journey on the Purple Heart Trail, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch at 188.3 miles. This suggests a drive that involves more varied terrain and potentially more frequent turns and speed adjustments compared to a pure interstate trip. Be prepared for the road to feel more intimate and less about high-speed transit for much of the way.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 36 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Purple Heart Trail is the longest continuous segment at about 188.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 44.5 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 306.2 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 44.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 45 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 244.2 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 20 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
44.5 mi into trip|~57m in
Take the exit toward I 35: San Antonio, Austin
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.
Toward I 35: San Antonio, Austin
7
45 mi into trip|~58m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35 North: Austin
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 35 North: Austin
7
244.2 mi into trip|~4h 30m in|I 35W
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W toward I 35W: Fort Worth
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 35W: Fort Worth
7
289.4 mi into trip|~5h 17m in
Take the exit toward I 20 East: Dallas
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 45B
Toward I 20 East: Dallas
8
300.4 mi into trip|~5h 30m in
Take the exit toward FM 157 South: UT Arlington, Mansfield
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 449A
Toward FM 157 South: UT Arlington, Mansfield
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Lakehills, TX and Arlington, TX, road signs point toward Austin and San Antonio.
Step-by-step road directions between Lakehills, TX and Arlington, TX.
1
Start on Upland Drive
0.5 mi·1 min·Upland Drive
2
At end of road, turn left onto PR 37
6.0 mi·9 min·Park Road 37
3
Continue on PR 37
4.0 mi·6 min·Park Road 37
4
Turn right onto TX 16
0.3 mi·18 sec·State Highway 16 South
5
Continue on TX 16
3.6 mi·4 min·Bandera Road
6
Continue on TX 16
7.1 mi·9 min·Bandera Road
7
Turn slight left
0.1 mi·29 sec
8
Continue on FM 1560
2.0 mi·3 min·FM 1560 North
Use the left lane.
9
Continue on West Hausman Road
0.1 mi·13 sec·West Hausman Road
10
Turn left onto North Loop 1604 West
0.3 mi·29 sec·North Loop 1604 West
Use the left lane.
11
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·19 sec
12
Merge onto Loop 1604
20 mi·21 min·Anderson Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward I 35: San Antonio, AustinUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·14 sec
Toward I 35 North, I 35 South: Austin, San Antonio
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 35 North: AustinUse the slight left lane.
16
Merge onto I 35
1.6 mi·1 min·North Pan Am Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on I 35
12 mi·12 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on I 35
1.9 mi·2 min·Interstate Highway 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on I 35
48 mi·52 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35; US 290
96 mi·1 hr 40 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on I 35
6.6 mi·7 min·South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on I 35; US 77
33 mi·33 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W
45 mi·47 min·I 35W
Toward I 35W: Fort WorthUse the slight left lane.
24
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Exit 45BToward I 20 East: DallasUse the right lane.
25
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·58 sec
Toward I 20 East: DallasUse the slight left lane.
26
Merge onto I 20
5.7 mi·6 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Keep slight left at fork onto I 20
4.6 mi·4 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Toward I 20 East: Dallas
28
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Exit 449AToward FM 157 South: UT Arlington, MansfieldUse the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Continue on West Interstate 20
0.3 mi·24 sec·West Interstate 20
30
Turn left onto FM 157
1.0 mi·1 min·South Cooper Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
31
Keep slight right at fork onto FM 157
1.7 mi·2 min·South Cooper Street
Use the left lane.
32
Turn right onto Spur 303
0.5 mi·50 sec·West Pioneer Parkway
Use the right lane.
33
Turn left onto South Center Street
1.2 mi·2 min·South Center Street
Use the left lane.
34
Continue on South Mesquite Street
0.8 mi·1 min·South Mesquite Street
35
Turn left onto East Abram Street
0.1 mi·26 sec·East Abram Street
36
Arrive at destination
West Abram Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 41m estimated drive time, starting your journey from Lakehills in the morning is advisable to allow for flexibility. While this is a single-day trip, don't rush the 188.3-mile stretch on the Purple Heart Trail; take advantage of any opportunities to pull over briefly if needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before heading into longer stretches where services might be less frequent. The $46 fuel cost is an estimate, so confirm current prices as you go.
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 153.1 miles from Lakehills, TX, or about 2h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 188.3 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 67 miles or 1h 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 153.1 miles or 2h 55m 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 37m
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 Lakehills, 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 Lakehills, TX
This is one driving day of about 306.2 miles and 5h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 67 miles from Lakehills, 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 Purple Heart Trail for about 188.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 153.1 mi from Lakehills, TX
· 2h 55m into the drive
The midpoint is around 153.1 miles from Lakehills, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before Purple Heart Trail if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 188.3 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Waco Mammoth National Monument
National Monument
Standing as tall as 14 feet and weighing 20,000 pounds, Columbian mammoths roamed across what is present-day Texas thousands of years ago. Today, the fossil specimens represent the nation's first and...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 211.2
Welcome to San Antonio Missions, a National Park Service site and the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Texas. Each mission in the park is a center of community and has been since the early 1700s. Th...
20 mi from route
~51 min detour
Free
near mile 42.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$46.27 one way
$92.54 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg107 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$50.64
$101.29
premium
$4.54
$54.67
$109.34
diesel
$5.61
$67.61
$135.21
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$46
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 107.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
91.9
1
$32.15
$14.70
Efficient EV
76.6
0
$26.79
$12.25
EV Truck/SUV
122.5
1
$42.87
$19.60
Gas CO2
107 kg
EV CO2
36 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 15, 2026
Origin
Lakehills, TX
Late night
in Lakehills on Saturday
Local time
4:48 AM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Arlington, TX
Late night
in Arlington on Saturday
Local time
4:48 AM
CDT
Current temp
55°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
6 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
5h 41m 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 Lakehills, TX to Arlington, TX covers 306.2 miles and takes about 5h 41m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Purple Heart Trail, I 35W, Anderson Loop. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 153.1 miles from Lakehills, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $46.27 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 20 significant decision points across 306.2 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 44.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 45 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 244.2 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Lakehills, TX and Arlington, TX, road signs point toward Austin and San Antonio.
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.
