Drive Time
7h 17m
Distance
466.3 mi
Route Type
Turn-heavy local drive
Long day tripThe drive from Rio Bravo, TX to Arlington, TX covers 466.3 miles and takes about 7h 17m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Peña Drive, Centeno Lane, Martha Drive for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $69.38 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
233.2 miles from Rio Bravo, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 38m into the drive .
Expect a 7h 17m drive with frequent turns across 466.3 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Peña Drive | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Centeno Lane | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Martha Drive | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Paseo de Danubio | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| US 83 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Highway 83 South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South Zapata Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South Meadow Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Rio Bravo, TX and Arlington, TX.
Start on Orquidia Lane
Turn left onto Peña Drive
Turn right onto Centeno Lane
Turn left onto Martha Drive
Continue on Paseo de Danubio
Turn right onto US 83 Frontage Road
Continue on US 83 Frontage Road
Take the ramp straight
Merge slight left onto US Highway 83 South
Continue on South Zapata Highway
Turn left onto South Meadow Avenue
Turn left onto Guadalupe Street
Continue on Houston Street
Turn right onto San Dario Avenue
Continue on Purple Heart Trail
Continue on South Pan Am Expressway
Keep slight left to continue on South Pan Am Expressway
Keep slight right to continue on South Pan Am Expressway
Keep slight left to continue on North Pan Am Expressway
Continue on Purple Heart Trail
Continue on Interstate Highway 35
Continue on Purple Heart Trail
Keep slight right to continue on Purple Heart Trail
Continue on South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Continue on Purple Heart Trail
Keep slight left to continue on I 35W: Fort Worth
Take the exit slight right toward I 20 East: Dallas
Keep slight left to continue on I 20 East: Dallas
Merge slight left onto Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Keep slight left to continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Take the exit slight right toward FM 157 South: UT Arlington, Mansfield
Continue on West Interstate 20
Turn left onto South Cooper Street
Keep slight right to continue on South Cooper Street
Turn right onto West Pioneer Parkway
Turn left onto South Center Street
Continue on South Mesquite Street
Turn left onto East Abram Street
Arrive at your destination
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 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 103 miles or 1h 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 233.2 miles or 3h 38m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Arlington, TX than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Rio Bravo, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Rio Bravo, TX
This is one driving day of about 466.3 miles and 7h 17m.
These towns line up with the pace of this drive and give you clearer places to stop with a purpose.
Late stop town
Meal stop
233 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.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 233.2 mi from Rio Bravo, TX
A short stop after about 103 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 233.2 miles from Rio Bravo, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions for the drive, so the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| regular | $3.78 | $69.38 | $138.75 |
| midgrade | $4.25 | $78.06 | $156.12 |
| premium | $4.59 | $84.28 | $168.57 |
| diesel | $3.99 | $73.30 | $146.61 |
Based on 25.4 MPG average. Estimated CO2 emission: 163.1 kg one way.
Travel Intel
Compare the departure city with the arrival city before you leave so the route feels predictable, not reactive.
Origin
Late night in Rio Bravo on Saturday
Local time
2:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in Arlington on Saturday
Local time
2:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Explore more options from Rio Bravo, TX or browse trips ending in Arlington, TX .
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TX road trips .
Explore maps and details for Rio Bravo, TX or Arlington, TX on MapSof.net.