Trip from Palmview South, TX to Arlington, TX

Drive Time

9h 27m

Distance

511.5 mi

823 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$78

one way

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Arlington, TX

Jeff Stapleton

Trip Overview

Spanning 511.5 miles from Palmview South to Arlington, this trek across the Great Plains takes approximately 9 hours and 27 minutes of active driving time. Given the length of the journey, you should plan for a two-day itinerary to keep the experience manageable and stress-free. Budgeting around $78 for fuel is a solid starting point, though your final costs may vary based on vehicle efficiency. You will navigate a mix of thoroughfares, including the Purple Heart Trail, I-69C, and the Pickle Parkway. Since both the origin and destination are located within the Great Plains region of Texas, the landscape remains consistent as you head north. This trip is best approached as a multi-day commitment rather than a single-day sprint.

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

255.7 miles from Palmview South, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 55m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a balanced driving experience where highway travel makes up 66% of your total journey. The route is characterized by long, steady stretches, the longest of which covers 97.7 miles along the Purple Heart Trail. You will find yourself transitioning between major interstate corridors and regional parkways, providing a blend of high-speed transit and standard road conditions. While much of the drive is a straightforward interstate grind, the constant road changes help break up the monotony. Prepare for a consistent pace that requires sustained focus throughout the nearly 512-mile span.

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

There are about 42 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 97.7 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

At 9h 27m, this is a long-haul route where pacing matters more than any single turn. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 344.8 miles in.

Route Complexity 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 511.5 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 344.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 449.6 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 494.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 23 key points

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

344.8 mi into trip | ~6h 28m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 35 North: Waco

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward I 35 North: Waco

449.6 mi into trip | ~8h 16m 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

494.7 mi into trip | ~9h 3m 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

495 mi into trip | ~9h 4m 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

505.7 mi into trip | ~9h 16m 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 Along This Route

On the drive from Palmview South, TX to Arlington, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Waco along the way.

Waco

285.9 mi in | ~5h 33m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Purple Heart Trail	97.7 mi	1h 39m
I 69C	92 mi	1h 43m
Pickle Parkway	58.5 mi	54m
US 281	57.1 mi	1h
I 35W	45.1 mi	47m
King David Drive	31.8 mi	39m
State Highway 80 North	30.8 mi	35m
State Highway 80	23.6 mi	25m

Longest stretch: Purple Heart Trail — 97.7 mi, about 1h 39m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on Watson Road

0.4 mi · 1 min · Watson Road

At end of road, turn right onto US 83 Bus

1.3 mi · 2 min · West Loop 374

Continue on US 83 Bus

0.4 mi · 42 sec · West US Business 83

Turn right onto North Inspiration Road

313 ft · 10 sec · North Inspiration Road

Turn slight left onto West Expressway 83

1.3 mi · 2 min · West Expressway 83

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 35 sec

Merge onto I 2; US 83

9.1 mi · 10 min · I 2; US 83

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

1.0 mi · 1 min

Exit 416B Toward I 69C North, US 281: Edinburg

Continue on I 69C

22 mi · 23 min · I 69C

Use the none lane.

Continue on US 281

57 mi · 1 hr · US 281

Keep slight right at fork onto I 69C; US 281

70 mi · 1 hr 19 min · I 69C; US 281

Keep slight left at fork onto US 281

11 mi · 14 min · Nueces Street

Turn right onto TX 72

32 mi · 39 min · King David Drive

Continue on TX 72; TX 239

0.8 mi · 1 min · West Main Street

Keep slight left at fork onto TX 72; TX 239

233 ft · 3 sec · East Main Street

Continue on FM 792

8.4 mi · 10 min · Helena Road

Turn straight onto TX 80

24 mi · 25 min · State Highway 80

Continue on TX 80

1.0 mi · 2 min · South Nixon Avenue

Continue on TX 80; TX 97

31 mi · 35 min · State Highway 80 North

Continue on US 183

10 mi · 11 min · US 183

Continue on US 183

4.9 mi · 8 min · South Colorado Street

Continue on US 183

0.2 mi · 16 sec · United States Highway 183

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 35 sec

Toward TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco

Merge onto TX 130 Toll

59 mi · 54 min · Pickle Parkway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 49 sec

Toward I 35 North: Waco Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 35

65 mi · 1 hr 6 min · Purple Heart Trail

Use the none lane.

Continue on I 35

6.6 mi · 7 min · South Jack Kultgen Expressway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 35; US 77

33 mi · 33 min · Purple Heart Trail

Use the none lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W

45 mi · 47 min · I 35W

Toward I 35W: Fort Worth Use the slight left lane.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 42 sec

Exit 45B Toward I 20 East: Dallas Use the right lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 58 sec

Toward I 20 East: Dallas Use the slight left lane.

Merge onto I 20

5.7 mi · 6 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway

Use the none lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 20

4.6 mi · 4 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway

Toward I 20 East: Dallas Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 25 sec

Exit 449A Toward FM 157 South: UT Arlington, Mansfield Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on West Interstate 20

0.3 mi · 24 sec · West Interstate 20

Turn left onto FM 157

1.0 mi · 1 min · South Cooper Street

Use the left / straight lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto FM 157

1.7 mi · 2 min · South Cooper Street

Use the left / none lanes.

Turn right onto Spur 303

0.5 mi · 50 sec · West Pioneer Parkway

Use the right lane.

Turn left onto South Center Street

1.2 mi · 2 min · South Center Street

Use the left lane.

Continue on South Mesquite Street

0.8 mi · 1 min · South Mesquite Street

Turn left onto East Abram Street

0.1 mi · 26 sec · East Abram Street

Use the none lane.

Arrive at destination

West Abram Street

Trip Plan

To tackle this 511.5-mile drive successfully, aim to split your travel into two distinct segments to avoid fatigue. With two planned stops recommended along the way, you can easily manage your energy levels and stay refreshed. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during that 97.7-mile stretch on the Purple Heart Trail, as service intervals can feel spaced out. Departing early in the morning is your best strategy for avoiding traffic congestion as you approach the Arlington area. Prioritize your rest breaks strategically rather than pushing through the full 9-hour duration in one sitting to ensure a safer arrival.

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 255.7 miles from Palmview South, TX, or about 4h 55m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 97.7 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 113 miles or 2h 6m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 255.7 miles or 4h 55m 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 255.7 miles or 4h 55m

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 8h 18m

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 Palmview South, 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 Palmview South, TX

Aim for roughly 256 miles and 4.7 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Finish the approach into Arlington, TX

Aim for roughly 256 miles and 4.7 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 113 miles from Palmview South, 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 Purple Heart Trail for about 97.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 255.7 mi from Palmview South, TX · 4h 55m into the drive

First major stop

Coffee and fuel

San Antonio, TX

169 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.

Popular next leg

San Antonio, TX to Arlington, TX

276.9 mi · 5h 2m

Second major stop

Overnight candidate

Killeen, TX

338 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 Killeen, TX

Overnight Options

Night 1

Austin, TX

256 mi · about 4.7h in

A practical overnight split lands near Austin, TX after about 256 miles or 4.7 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

Corpus Christi, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 113 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Austin, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 255.7 miles from Palmview South, 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 97.7 miles.

Overnight split

Hotel stop

For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 256 miles or 4.7 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.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$78.13 one way

$156.27 round trip

$3.88/gal 25.4 MPG avg 179 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$85.63	$171.25
premium	$4.59	$92.45	$184.91
diesel	$5.64	$113.64	$227.28

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$78

Hotel (1n)

$80–$140

Meals

$50–$100

Total

$208–$318

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 179 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $54 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	153.5	1	$53.71	$24.55
Efficient EV	127.9	1	$44.76	$20.46
EV Truck/SUV	204.6	2	$71.61	$32.74

Gas CO2

179 kg

EV CO2

60 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 data refreshed 1 day ago

Origin

Palmview South, TX

Afternoon in Palmview South on Sunday

Local time

2:18 PM

CDT

Current temp

73°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Arlington, TX

Afternoon in Arlington on Sunday

Local time

2:18 PM

CDT

Current temp

80°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.

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

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

7 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

9h 27m 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 Palmview South, TX to Arlington, TX covers 511.5 miles and takes about 9h 27m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Purple Heart Trail, I 69C, Pickle Parkway. 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 256 miles on day one.

The midpoint is about 255.7 miles from Palmview South, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $78.13 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.

On the drive from Palmview South, TX to Arlington, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Waco along the way.

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