The drive from San Elizario, TX to Arlington, TX covers 601.1 miles and takes about 10h 5m behind the wheel.
It usually feels better as a 2-day road trip than as one long push.
The route leans on I 20, I 10, West Freeway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is long-distance drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 421.1 miles on I 20.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $90.83 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
300.6 miles from San Elizario, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 57m 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.
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
10h 5m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
At 601.1 miles and 10h 5m of driving, this is a route where fuel stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single turn. The main roads are I 20 and I 10.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 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 421.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and I 10. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 150.2 miles in near I 20.
Driving Effort6/10
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 601.1 miles you will encounter 12 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: at 150.2 miles (I 20): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 571.2 miles (I 30 / West Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 598.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
150.2 mi into trip|~2h 27m in|I 20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 20
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
571.2 mi into trip|~9h 27m 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
598.7 mi into trip|~10h 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
599.7 mi into trip|~10h 2m in|West Randol Mill Road
Turn left onto West Randol Mill Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
600.1 mi into trip|~10h 3m 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
421.1 mi
6h 59m
I 10
143.7 mi
2h 16m
West Freeway
15.2 mi
17m
Tom Landry Freeway
12.3 mi
15m
South San Elizario Road
3.4 mi
6m
North Loop Drive
1.2 mi
2m
North Center Street
1 mi
2m
FM 1110
0.8 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 421.1 mi, about 6h 59m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Elizario, TX and Arlington, TX.
1
Start on San Elizario Rd.
438 ft·24 sec·San Elizario Rd
2
At end of road, turn left onto FM 258
398 ft·12 sec·Socorro Road
3
Turn right onto FM 1110
0.3 mi·27 sec·Clint - San Elizario Road
4
Continue on FM 1110
3.4 mi·6 min·South San Elizario Road
5
Turn right onto FM 76
1.2 mi·2 min·North Loop Drive
6
Turn left onto FM 1110
0.3 mi·26 sec·Clint-San Elizario Road
7
Continue on FM 1110
0.8 mi·1 min·FM 1110
8
Turn right onto Gateway Boulevard East
0.2 mi·26 sec·Gateway Boulevard East
9
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·23 sec
10
Merge onto I 10
144 mi·2 hr 16 min·I 10
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 20
421 mi·6 hr 59 min·I 20
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 30
15 mi·17 min·West Freeway
Exit 421Toward I 30 East: Downtown Fort WorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 30
12 mi·15 min·Tom Landry Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 27AToward Lamar Boulevard, Cooper StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Turn right onto North Cooper Street
0.7 mi·1 min·North Cooper Street
16
Turn left onto West Randol Mill Road
0.4 mi·49 sec·West Randol Mill Road
Use the left lane.
17
Turn right onto North Center Street
1.0 mi·2 min·North Center Street
Use the right lane.
18
Turn right onto West Abram Street
297 ft·8 sec·West Abram Street
19
Arrive at destination
West Abram Street
Trip Plan
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 300.6 miles from San Elizario, TX, or about 4h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 421.1 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 132 miles or 2h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 300.6 miles or 4h 57m 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 300.6 miles or 4h 57m
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 57m
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 San Elizario, 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 San Elizario, TX
Aim for roughly 301 miles and 5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Arlington, TX
Aim for roughly 301 miles and 5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 132 miles from San Elizario, 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 I 20 for about 421.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 300.6 mi from San Elizario, TX
· 4h 57m 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.
Chamizal National Memorial
National Memorial
Chamizal is more than just an urban park to recreate or enjoy a quiet afternoon. These grounds are a reminder of the harmonious settlement of a 100-year boundary dispute between the United States and...
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $63 in charging
· 2 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
180.3
2
$63.12
$28.85
Efficient EV
150.3
1
$52.60
$24.04
EV Truck/SUV
240.4
3
$84.15
$38.47
Gas CO2
210 kg
EV CO2
70 kg (67% less)
Plan for 2 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 14, 2026
Origin
San Elizario, TX
Night
in San Elizario on Friday
Local time
11:32 PM
MDT
Current temp
--
Unavailable
Destination
Arlington, TX
Late night
in Arlington on Saturday
Local time
12:32 AM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
59°F
Sweetwater, TX
397 mi in
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
1 hour later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Road read
10h 5m 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 San Elizario, TX to Arlington, TX covers 601.1 miles and takes about 10h 5m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 20, I 10, West Freeway. 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 301 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 300.6 miles from San Elizario, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $90.83 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.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 601.1 miles you will encounter 12 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: at 150.2 miles (I 20): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 571.2 miles (I 30 / West Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 598.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from San Elizario, 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, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
