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Trip from San Leon, TX to Arlington, TX

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 24m

Distance

294.4 mi

474 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$44

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
5h 11m ★
6 AM
5h 24m
8 AM
5h 51m
10 AM
5h 34m
12 PM
5h 31m
3 PM
5h 35m
5 PM
5h 50m
8 PM
5h 16m

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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Downtown San Leon, TX, TX

San Leon, TX

Mark Direen

suburban city in Tarrant County, Texas, United States

Arlington, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 294.4-mile drive from San Leon, Texas, to Arlington, Texas, will take you approximately 5 hours and 24 minutes. It's a straightforward, highway-focused trip that's entirely manageable as a single-day excursion, so you won't need to plan for an overnight stay. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $44, making it a budget-friendly option. You'll primarily be on routes like the North Freeway, South Gulf Freeway, and Lyndon B Johnson Freeway as you travel through the Great Plains region of Texas. This route offers a consistent and efficient way to get from the coast inland.

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

147.2 miles from San Leon, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 44m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
North Freeway 226.9 mi 3h 57m
South Gulf Freeway 28.6 mi 33m
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway 15.1 mi 16m
FM 517 8.7 mi 14m
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway 6.1 mi 6m
South Collins Street 3.9 mi 7m
Pine Drive 1.4 mi 2m
Gulf Freeway Frontage Road 1 mi 1m
Longest stretch: North Freeway — 226.9 mi, about 3h 57m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on Avenue I

165 ft · 9 sec · Avenue I
2

Continue on FM 517

8.7 mi · 14 min · FM 517
3

Turn left onto FM 517

0.3 mi · 28 sec · Parke Street
4

Turn straight onto FM 517

446 ft · 9 sec · Main Street
5

Continue on FM 517

0.3 mi · 31 sec · Pine Street
6

Continue on FM 517

1.4 mi · 2 min · Pine Drive
7

Turn right onto Gulf Freeway Frontage Road

1.0 mi · 1 min · Gulf Freeway Frontage Road
8

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 25 sec
Toward I 45 North Use the slight left lane.
9

Merge onto I 45

29 mi · 33 min · South Gulf Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Continue on I 45

227 mi · 3 hr 57 min · North Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Take the exit

1.0 mi · 2 min
Exit 276A Toward I 20 West: Fort Worth Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Merge onto I 20

15 mi · 16 min · Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Continue on I 20

6.1 mi · 6 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 29 sec
Exit 451 Toward Collins Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Turn straight onto East Interstate 20

0.1 mi · 17 sec · East Interstate 20
16

Turn right onto South Collins Street

3.9 mi · 7 min · South Collins Street
Use the right lane.
17

Turn left onto East Abram Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · East Abram Street
Use the left lane.
18

Arrive at destination

West Abram Street

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 5-hour, 24-minute drive, consider an early morning departure to avoid potential traffic, especially as you approach the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. With a single recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing; however, ensure you refuel before embarking on the longest stretch of 226.9 miles on the North Freeway to maintain a smooth journey. Being a highway-focused route, keep an eye on your fuel gauge and plan your single stop strategically for rest and any needed amenities. The relatively short duration means you can easily complete this trip within a single day.

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 147.2 miles from San Leon, TX, or about 2h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 226.9 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 65 miles or 1h 18m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 147.2 miles or 2h 44m 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 23m

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 Leon, 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 San Leon, TX

This is one driving day of about 294.4 miles and 5h 24m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 65 miles from San Leon, 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 North Freeway for about 226.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Corsicana, TX, TX

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Corsicana, TX

147 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

Conroe, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 65 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Corsicana, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 147.2 miles from San Leon, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before North Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 226.9 miles.

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

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Downtown Aquarium

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Houston, Texas

Near the start, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 42.1

Hours: 10 am–8:30 pm

+17132233474

Visit website

Downtown Aquarium

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 42.1

Houston, Texas

Hours: 10 am–8:30 pm

+17132233474

Visit website

Cidercade Houston

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 42.1

Houston, Texas

Hours: 10 am–12 pm

+13462417524

Visit website

Dennis Johnston Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 63.1

Spring, Texas

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+17132740930

Visit website

Lone Star Flight Museum

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 21

Houston, Texas

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+13467082517

Visit website

Frankie Carter Randolph Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 21

Friendswood, Texas

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+12814826055

Waugh Drive Bat Colony

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 42.1

Houston, Texas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+17137520314

Visit website

Barbara Fish Daniel Nature Play Area and Picnic Pavilion

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 42.1

Houston, Texas

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+17137520314

Visit website

Union Station

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 42.1

Houston, Texas

+17132598070

Visit website

Midtown Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 42.1

Houston, Texas

Hours: 8 am–10 pm

+17135267577

Visit website

Break Free Escape Room

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 21

Webster, Texas

Hours: 12–9 pm

+12812013556

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 7

5 decision points cluster between mile 11.8 and 289.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
11.8 mi into trip | ~19m in

Take the ramp toward I 45 North

Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Toward I 45 North
5
12 mi into trip | ~19m in | I 45 / South Gulf Freeway

Merge onto I 45 / South Gulf Freeway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
267.4 mi into trip | ~4h 50m in

Take the exit toward I 20 West: Fort Worth

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 276A Toward I 20 West: Fort Worth
5
268.4 mi into trip | ~4h 52m in | I 20 / Lyndon B Johnson Freeway

Merge onto I 20 / Lyndon B Johnson Freeway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
289.5 mi into trip | ~5h 14m in

Take the exit toward Collins Street

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 451 Toward Collins Street

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$44.48 one way

$88.97 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 103 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.20 $48.69 $97.38
premium $4.54 $52.56 $105.13
diesel $5.61 $65.00 $130.00

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$44

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$69–$94

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 103 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 88.3 1 $30.91 $14.13
Efficient EV 73.6 0 $25.76 $11.78
EV Truck/SUV 117.8 1 $41.22 $18.84

Gas CO2

103 kg

EV CO2

34 kg (67% 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 Dec 19, 2023

Origin

San Leon, TX

Afternoon in San Leon on Saturday

Local time

12:52 PM

CDT

Current temp

68°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Arlington, TX

Afternoon in Arlington on Saturday

Local time

12:52 PM

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

13 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 24m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a highway-intensive experience, with 95% of the drive taking place on major freeways. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 226.9 miles, primarily on the North Freeway, meaning you can settle in for a good amount of time without significant interruptions. This profile suggests a consistent pace, ideal for covering distance efficiently. While not designed for scenic detours, this type of drive excels at getting you to your destination with minimal fuss, featuring a predictable road environment throughout.

95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 226.9 mi on North Freeway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

4/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on North Freeway and South Gulf Freeway. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 11.8 miles in.

Driving Effort 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 5h 24m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 11.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 12 miles (I 45 / South Gulf Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 267.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

About the Cities

Arriving in Arlington, TX

Full guide →

Founded 1876

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.

Top landmarks

  • • Six Flags Over Texas — amusement park
  • • Mini Mine Train — Steel roller coaster
  • • Arlington Museum of Art — art museum in Texas, United States

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 24m. Total distance: 294.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (95%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 226.9 miles on North Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 11.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 12 miles (I 45 / South Gulf Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 267.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Not recommended in a single day. At 5.4 hours each way, a round trip means 10.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Arlington, TX before the return drive.

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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