This 154.4-mile drive from Lone Star, TX to Arlington, TX is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 49 minutes. You'll traverse a mix of roads, including the Purple Heart Trail, I-35W, and the Central Texas Expressway, with about 41% of the journey on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $23, making it an economical option. Since both your origin and destination are in the Great Plains region of Texas, expect a relatively consistent landscape throughout your journey. This route offers a straightforward connection between these two Texas locations, perfect for a quick transition.
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
77.2 miles from Lone Star, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 23m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 49m. Total distance: 154.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (41%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
The drive offers a mixed experience, blending highway speeds with more local road travel. You'll encounter stretches on the Purple Heart Trail, which makes up your longest uninterrupted segment at 70.8 miles, before transitioning to faster interstates like I-35W and the Central Texas Expressway. With 41% of the route on highways, you'll have opportunities for steady progress, but be prepared for the shift in driving dynamics as you move between these different road types. This varied profile means you won't be stuck in a monotonous interstate grind for the entire trip.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 22 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 70.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 92.5 miles in near I 35W.
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 154.4 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 92.5 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 137.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 137.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
92.5 mi into trip|~1h 38m 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
137.6 mi into trip|~2h 25m 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
7
137.9 mi into trip|~2h 26m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 20 East: Dallas
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 20 East: Dallas
8
148.6 mi into trip|~2h 38m 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
6
150.1 mi into trip|~2h 41m in|FM 157 / South Cooper Street
Keep slight right at fork onto FM 157 / South Cooper Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Step-by-step road directions between Lone Star, TX and Arlington, TX.
1
Start on 46th Street
0.1 mi·21 sec·46th Street
2
Turn left onto US 190 Bus
3.1 mi·5 min·East Veterans Memorial Boulevard
3
Turn slight right onto Edwards Drive
0.5 mi·55 sec·Edwards Drive
4
Take the ramp
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 14 East, US 190 East
5
Merge onto I 14; US 190
11 mi·11 min·Central Texas Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Merge onto I 35; US 190
38 mi·38 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 35
6.6 mi·7 min·South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 35; US 77
33 mi·33 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W
45 mi·47 min·I 35W
Toward I 35W: Fort WorthUse the slight left lane.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Exit 45BToward I 20 East: DallasUse the right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·58 sec
Toward I 20 East: DallasUse the slight left lane.
12
Merge onto I 20
5.7 mi·6 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 20
4.6 mi·4 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Toward I 20 East: Dallas
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Exit 449AToward FM 157 South: UT Arlington, MansfieldUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on West Interstate 20
0.3 mi·24 sec·West Interstate 20
16
Turn left onto FM 157
1.0 mi·1 min·South Cooper Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto FM 157
1.7 mi·2 min·South Cooper Street
Use the left lane.
18
Turn right onto Spur 303
0.5 mi·50 sec·West Pioneer Parkway
Use the right lane.
19
Turn left onto South Center Street
1.2 mi·2 min·South Center Street
Use the left lane.
20
Continue on South Mesquite Street
0.8 mi·1 min·South Mesquite Street
21
Turn left onto East Abram Street
0.1 mi·26 sec·East Abram Street
22
Arrive at destination
West Abram Street
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of under 3 hours, this route is best tackled in one go, offering flexibility for your departure time. Aim to leave Lone Star in the morning to maximize your time upon arrival in Arlington. With only one recommended stop, you can choose to make it a swift journey or take your time at a planned break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $23 estimated cost suggests a need for at least one refueling stop. A specific tip for this drive: be aware of the transition points between the Purple Heart Trail and the faster interstates to adjust your speed accordingly.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 77.2 miles from Lone Star, TX, or about 1h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 70.8 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 34 miles or 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 77.2 miles or 1h 23m 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 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 Lone Star, 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 Lone Star, TX
This is one driving day of about 154.4 miles and 2h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Lone Star, 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 70.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 77.2 mi from Lone Star, TX
· 1h 23m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
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 58.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.33 one way
$46.66 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg54 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$25.54
$51.07
premium
$4.54
$27.57
$55.13
diesel
$5.61
$34.09
$68.18
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 54 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
46.3
0
$16.21
$7.41
Efficient EV
38.6
0
$13.51
$6.18
EV Truck/SUV
61.8
0
$21.62
$9.88
Gas CO2
54 kg
EV CO2
18 kg (67% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Lone Star, TX
Morning
in Lone Star on Friday
Local time
10:28 AM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Arlington, TX
Morning
in Arlington on Friday
Local time
10:28 AM
CDT
Current temp
88°F
Sunny
S 10 mph4% chanceLive 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
28 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
2h 49m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Lone Star, TX to Arlington, TX covers 154.4 miles and takes about 2h 49m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Purple Heart Trail, I 35W, Central Texas Expressway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 77.2 miles from Lone Star, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $23.33 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
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 demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 154.4 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 92.5 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 137.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 137.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Lone Star, TX to Arlington, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Waco Mammoth National Monument.
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.
