Origin
Taft, TX
Afternoon in Taft on Saturday
Local time
3:48 PM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Taft, TX to Arlington, TX
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 48m
Distance
374.2 mi
602 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$57
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 36m
★
6 AM
6h 48m
8 AM
7h 12m
10 AM
6h 56m
12 PM
6h 54m
3 PM
6h 58m
5 PM
7h 11m
8 PM
6h 41m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Taft, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Arlington, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 374.2-mile drive from Taft, Texas, to Arlington, Texas, will take approximately 6 hours and 48 minutes. Designed as a single-day trip, it covers ground efficiently across the Great Plains region of Texas. You'll primarily navigate on the Purple Heart Trail, Pickle Parkway, and I-35W, with about 65% of the journey on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $57, making it a budget-friendly option. This route offers a straightforward way to cover significant distance within the state.
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
187.1 miles from Taft, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 30m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Purple Heart Trail | 97.7 mi | 1h 39m |
| Pickle Parkway | 58.5 mi | 54m |
| I 35W | 45.1 mi | 47m |
| US Highway 181 South | 40.2 mi | 45m |
| State Highway 80 North | 30.8 mi | 35m |
| State Highway 80 | 23.6 mi | 25m |
| US Highway 181 | 22 mi | 25m |
| Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway | 10.3 mi | 11m |
Longest stretch:
Purple Heart Trail
— 97.7 mi, about 1h 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Taft, TX and Arlington, TX.
1
Start on Industrial Street
11 ft
·
4 sec
·
Industrial Street
2
Turn right onto US 181
0.3 mi
·
20 sec
·
Railroad Avenue
3
Continue on US 181
6.0 mi
·
6 min
·
US Highway 181
4
Continue on TX 89
4.1 mi
·
4 min
·
State Highway 89
5
Continue on US 181
16 mi
·
18 min
·
US Highway 181
6
Continue on US 181
0.8 mi
·
55 sec
·
South 8th Street
7
Continue on US 181
40 mi
·
45 min
·
US Highway 181 South
8
Continue on US 181
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
South Sunset Strip Drive
9
Turn right onto TX 72; TX 239
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
West Main Street
10
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 72; TX 239
233 ft
·
3 sec
·
East Main Street
11
Continue on FM 792
8.4 mi
·
10 min
·
Helena Road
12
Turn straight onto TX 80
24 mi
·
25 min
·
State Highway 80
13
Continue on TX 80
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
South Nixon Avenue
14
Continue on TX 80; TX 97
31 mi
·
35 min
·
State Highway 80 North
15
Continue on US 183
10 mi
·
11 min
·
US 183
16
Continue on US 183
4.9 mi
·
8 min
·
South Colorado Street
17
Continue on US 183
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
United States Highway 183
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
35 sec
Toward TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco
19
Merge onto TX 130 Toll
59 mi
·
54 min
·
Pickle Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
Toward I 35 North: Waco
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
21
Merge onto I 35
65 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on I 35
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on I 35; US 77
33 mi
·
33 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W
45 mi
·
47 min
·
I 35W
Toward I 35W: Fort Worth
Use the slight left lane.
25
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Exit 45B
Toward I 20 East: Dallas
Use the right lane.
26
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
Toward I 20 East: Dallas
Use the slight left lane.
27
Merge onto I 20
5.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Keep slight left at fork onto I 20
4.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Toward I 20 East: Dallas
29
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Exit 449A
Toward FM 157 South: UT Arlington, Mansfield
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Continue on West Interstate 20
0.3 mi
·
24 sec
·
West Interstate 20
31
Turn left onto FM 157
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South Cooper Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
32
Keep slight right at fork onto FM 157
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
South Cooper Street
Use the left lane.
33
Turn right onto Spur 303
0.5 mi
·
50 sec
·
West Pioneer Parkway
Use the right lane.
34
Turn left onto South Center Street
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
South Center Street
Use the left lane.
35
Continue on South Mesquite Street
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
South Mesquite Street
36
Turn left onto East Abram Street
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
·
East Abram Street
37
Arrive at destination
West Abram Street
Trip Plan
Given the 6 hour and 48 minute duration, starting your drive from Taft in the morning is advisable to reach Arlington with daylight to spare. With only one recommended stop and a longest stretch of 97.7 miles, you have flexibility in planning your breaks. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the longer highway segments, and budget around $57 for gas. A key consideration for this route is the transition onto I-35W as you approach the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex; be prepared for increased traffic and variable speeds.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 187.1 miles from Taft, TX, or about 3h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 97.7 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 82 miles or 1h 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 187.1 miles or 3h 30m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 39m
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 Taft, 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 Taft, TX
This is one driving day of about 374.2 miles and 6h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 82 miles from Taft, 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 Purple Heart Trail for about 97.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
187 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 82 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 187.1 miles from Taft, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Purple Heart Trail if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 97.7 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 175 decision points cluster between mile 207.5 and 368.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
207.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 49m 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
7
312.3 mi into trip
|
~5h 37m 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
7
357.4 mi into trip
|
~6h 24m 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
7
357.7 mi into trip
|
~6h 25m 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
8
368.4 mi into trip
|
~6h 37m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$56.54 one way
$113.09 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
131 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $61.89 | $123.78 |
| premium | $4.54 | $66.81 | $133.62 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $82.62 | $165.24 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$57
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$82–$107
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 130.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 112.3 | 1 | $39.29 | $17.96 |
| Efficient EV | 93.6 | 1 | $32.74 | $14.97 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 149.7 | 1 | $52.39 | $23.95 |
Gas CO2
131 kg
EV CO2
44 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.
Destination
Arlington, TX
Afternoon in Arlington on Saturday
Local time
3:48 PM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 15 mph
28% chance
Live forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 14 at 7:20PM CDT until April 14 at 7:45PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 14 at 7:14PM CDT until April 14 at 7:30PM CDT by NWS Norman OK
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
14 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
6h 48m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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-focused drive for the majority of this journey, with 65% of the route utilizing major roadways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 97.7 miles on the Purple Heart Trail, offering a chance to settle into a steady pace. While largely a highway experience, the transition between roads like the Purple Heart Trail, Pickle Parkway, and I-35W will provide some variety. This route is built for covering miles efficiently rather than for extensive sightseeing along the way.
65% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
37 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 97.7 mi on Purple Heart Trail.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Purple Heart Trail and Pickle Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 207.5 miles in.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 374.2 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 207.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 312.3 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 357.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Taft, TX to Arlington, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Waco along the way.
Waco
148.6 mi in
|
~2h 54m
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 6h 48m. Total distance: 374.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 48m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 97.7 miles on Purple Heart Trail. 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.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Arlington, TX before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
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 207.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 312.3 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 357.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.8 hours each way, a round trip means 13.6 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 US Trip Planner 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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