Trip from Midland, TX to Arlington, TX

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 27m

Distance

313.6 mi

505 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$47

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

5h 14m ★

6 AM

5h 27m

8 AM

5h 54m

10 AM

5h 36m

12 PM

5h 34m

3 PM

5h 38m

5 PM

5h 53m

8 PM

5h 19m

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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Trip Overview

This 313.6-mile drive from Midland, Texas, to Arlington, Texas, is designed for a single day, taking approximately 5 hours and 27 minutes. Primarily utilizing I-20, West Freeway, and Tom Landry Freeway for 98% of the journey, it offers a straightforward, highway-focused experience across the Texas Great Plains. With a projected fuel cost of around $47, this route is an efficient option for completing the trip in one go. You'll encounter one recommended stop along the way, with the longest stretch covering 276 miles on I-20, making it a manageable, albeit long, day trip. Consider this a practical transit between two points in the same state, focusing on efficient travel.

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

156.8 miles from Midland, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 40m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 27m. Total distance: 313.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive for this trip, with 98% of the route on major roads. The character is largely that of an interstate experience, featuring a significant 276-mile stretch on I-20 without requiring significant deviations. You'll transition onto West Freeway and then Tom Landry Freeway as you approach your destination. This setup suggests a consistent pace for most of the journey, with minimal complex navigation required. The drive is built for covering distance efficiently, rather than for scenic exploration, emphasizing the practical nature of the road.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 15 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 276 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and West Freeway. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near TX 349 Bus / North Big Spring Street.

Driving Effort 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 313.6 miles you will encounter 9 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: near the start (TX 349 Bus / North Big Spring Street): Navigation decision point; at 283.7 miles (I 30 / West Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 311.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 9 key points

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

5

0 mi into trip | ~0m in | TX 349 Bus / North Big Spring Street

Turn right onto TX 349 Bus / North Big Spring Street

Navigation decision point

8

283.7 mi into trip | ~4h 48m 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 straight / slight right lanes. Exit 421 Toward I 30 East: Downtown Fort Worth

8

311.2 mi into trip | ~5h 21m 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

312.2 mi into trip | ~5h 23m in | West Randol Mill Road

Turn left onto West Randol Mill Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

6

312.6 mi into trip | ~5h 24m 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	276 mi	4h 38m
West Freeway	15.2 mi	17m
Tom Landry Freeway	12.3 mi	15m
East Highway 80	4.5 mi	5m
East Front Street	1.3 mi	2m
North Center Street	1 mi	2m
North Cooper Street	0.7 mi	1m
West Texas Avenue	0.5 mi	<1m

Longest stretch: I 20 — 276 mi, about 4h 38m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Midland, TX and Arlington, TX.

1

Start on Loop 269

44 ft · 3 sec · West Wall Street

2

Turn right onto TX 349 Bus

383 ft · 10 sec · North Big Spring Street

3

Turn right onto West Texas Avenue

0.5 mi · 57 sec · West Texas Avenue

4

Turn straight onto I 20 Bus

1.3 mi · 2 min · East Front Street

5

Continue on I 20 Bus

4.5 mi · 5 min · East Highway 80

Use the straight lane.

6

Take the exit

1.4 mi · 1 min

Toward I 20 East: Abilene

7

Merge onto I 20

276 mi · 4 hr 38 min · I 20

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

8

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 straight / slight right lanes.

9

Continue on I 30

12 mi · 15 min · Tom Landry Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

10

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 36 sec

Exit 27A Toward Lamar Boulevard, Cooper Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.

11

Turn right onto North Cooper Street

0.7 mi · 1 min · North Cooper Street

12

Turn left onto West Randol Mill Road

0.4 mi · 49 sec · West Randol Mill Road

Use the left lane.

13

Turn right onto North Center Street

1.0 mi · 2 min · North Center Street

Use the right lane.

14

Turn right onto West Abram Street

297 ft · 8 sec · West Abram Street

15

Arrive at destination

West Abram Street

Trip Plan

For this 5-hour and 27-minute journey, leaving Midland early in the morning is advisable to maximize daylight and minimize potential traffic as you near Arlington. The single recommended stop is well-placed for a break during the longest 276-mile stretch on I-20. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as you'll be covering significant distances on the interstate; the estimated fuel cost is $47. Given the 313.6-mile distance, it's entirely feasible as a single-day trip, offering flexibility in your departure and arrival times. A practical tip: have your navigation set for Arlington before you depart Midland to ensure a smooth transition onto the final freeway segments.

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 156.8 miles from Midland, TX, or about 2h 40m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 276 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 69 miles or 1h 11m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 156.8 miles or 2h 40m 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 22m

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 Midland, 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 Midland, TX

This is one driving day of about 313.6 miles and 5h 27m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 69 miles from Midland, 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 20 for about 276 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 156.8 mi from Midland, TX · 2h 40m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Abilene, TX

157 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

Big Spring, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 69 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Abilene, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 156.8 miles from Midland, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 20 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 276 miles.

Arriving in Arlington, TX

Near the end, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 291.2

White Settlement, Texas

Hours: 10 am–3 pm

+18172469719

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$47.39 one way

$94.77 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 110 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.20	$51.87	$103.73
premium	$4.54	$55.99	$111.98
diesel	$5.61	$69.24	$138.48

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$47

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$72–$97

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 109.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	94.1	1	$32.93	$15.05
Efficient EV	78.4	0	$27.44	$12.54
EV Truck/SUV	125.4	1	$43.90	$20.07

Gas CO2

110 kg

EV CO2

37 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

Midland, TX

Morning in Midland on Friday

Local time

8:53 AM

CDT

Current temp

79°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Arlington, TX

Morning in Arlington on Friday

Local time

8:53 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

24 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 27m 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 Midland, TX to Arlington, TX covers 313.6 miles and takes about 5h 27m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 20, West Freeway, Tom Landry Freeway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 156.8 miles from Midland, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $47.39 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 313.6 miles you will encounter 9 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: near the start (TX 349 Bus / North Big Spring Street): Navigation decision point; at 283.7 miles (I 30 / West Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 311.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

The route from Midland, TX to Arlington, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Explore more options from Midland, TX or browse trips ending in Arlington, TX.

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Trip from Midland, TX to Arlington, TX

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Who Is This Route For?

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Arlington, TX

Nearby Places

Chuck E. Cheese

Liberty City Rage Room

Centennial Park

Midland County History Museum

Dennis the Menace Park

Museum of the Southwest

Blakemore Planetarium

Permian Basin Petroleum Museum

White Settlement Museum

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Midland, TX

Arlington, TX

Same local time

24 degrees cooler at arrival

5h 27m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the trip from Midland, TX to Arlington, TX?

What are the main roads on this route?

Is this a good same-day trip?

Where should I stop halfway?

How much does gas cost for this trip?

What is the best time to leave?

How many breaks should I plan?

How hard is the drive from Midland, TX to Arlington, TX?

Where does this route get tricky?

What towns show up on signs driving from Midland, TX to Arlington, TX?

How this page is built

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