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Trip from Van Horn, TX to Arlington, TX

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

8h 22m

Distance

498 mi

802 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$75

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 23 min
4 AM
8h 15m ★
6 AM
8h 23m
8 AM
8h 38m
10 AM
8h 28m
12 PM
8h 27m
3 PM
8h 29m
5 PM
8h 37m
8 PM
8h 18m

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 Van Horn, TX, TX

Van Horn, TX

Wikimedia Commons

suburban city in Tarrant County, Texas, United States

Arlington, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Van Horn, TX to Arlington, TX covers 498 miles and takes about 8h 22m 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 highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 421.1 miles on I 20. At current regular gas prices, budget about $75.25 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

249 miles from Van Horn, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 6m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

8h 22m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Drive Character

This is a 8h 22m highway drive covering 498 miles, with most of the trip on I 20 and I 10. The longest continuous stretch is about 421.1 miles on I 20.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 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 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 47.1 miles in near I 20.

Driving Effort 6/10

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 498 miles you will encounter 11 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 47.1 miles (I 20): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 468.1 miles (I 30 / West Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 495.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 11 key points

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

6
47.1 mi into trip | ~45m 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
468.1 mi into trip | ~7h 44m 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
495.7 mi into trip | ~8h 17m 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
496.6 mi into trip | ~8h 19m in | West Randol Mill Road

Turn left onto West Randol Mill Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
6
497 mi into trip | ~8h 20m 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 46.5 mi 43m
West Freeway 15.2 mi 17m
Tom Landry Freeway 12.3 mi 15m
North Center Street 1 mi 2m
North Cooper Street 0.7 mi 1m
West Randol Mill Road 0.4 mi <1m
Van Horn Street 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 20 — 421.1 mi, about 6h 59m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Van Horn, TX and Arlington, TX.

1

Start on TX 54

156 ft · 6 sec · La Caverna Street
2

Turn right onto I 10 Bus; TX 54

196 ft · 10 sec · East Broadway Street
3

Turn left onto US 90; TX 54

0.2 mi · 25 sec · Van Horn Street
4

Turn left onto Southeast Frontage Road

0.2 mi · 25 sec · Southeast Frontage Road
5

Take the ramp

0.1 mi · 17 sec
Toward I 10 East: San Antonio
6

Merge onto I 10

46 mi · 43 min · I 10
7

Keep slight left at fork onto I 20

421 mi · 6 hr 59 min · I 20
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Keep slight left at fork onto I 30

15 mi · 17 min · West Freeway
Exit 421 Toward I 30 East: Downtown Fort Worth Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Continue on I 30

12 mi · 15 min · Tom Landry Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 36 sec
Exit 27A Toward Lamar Boulevard, Cooper Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Turn right onto North Cooper Street

0.7 mi · 1 min · North Cooper Street
12

Turn left onto West Randol Mill Road

0.4 mi · 49 sec · West Randol Mill Road
Use the left lane.
13

Turn right onto North Center Street

1.0 mi · 2 min · North Center Street
Use the right lane.
14

Turn right onto West Abram Street

297 ft · 8 sec · West Abram Street
15

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 249 miles from Van Horn, TX, or about 4h 6m 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 110 miles or 1h 47m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 249 miles or 4h 6m 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 249 miles or 4h 6m

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 7h 14m

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 Van Horn, 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 Van Horn, TX

Aim for roughly 249 miles and 4.2 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Finish the approach into Arlington, TX

Aim for roughly 249 miles and 4.2 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 110 miles from Van Horn, 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 249 mi from Van Horn, TX · 4h 6m into the drive

city in and county seat of Nolan County, Texas, United States

Mid-route town

Overnight candidate

Sweetwater, TX

249 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 Sweetwater, TX

Overnight Options

Night 1

Sweetwater, TX

249 mi · about 4.2h in

A practical overnight split lands near Sweetwater, TX after about 249 miles or 4.2 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

Kermit, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 110 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Roscoe, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 249 miles from Van Horn, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 20 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 421.1 miles.

Overnight split

Hotel stop

For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 249 miles or 4.2 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.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

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.

Clark Hotel Museum

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route

Van Horn, Texas

Hours: 2–6 pm

+14322838028

Visit website

Permian Basin Petroleum Museum

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 177.8

Midland, Texas

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+14326834403

Visit website

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$75.25 one way

$150.50 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 174 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.20 $82.37 $164.73
premium $4.54 $88.91 $177.83
diesel $5.61 $109.95 $219.90

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$75

Hotel (1n)

$80–$140

Meals

$50–$100

Total

$205–$315

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 174.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $52 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 149.4 1 $52.29 $23.90
Efficient EV 124.5 1 $43.57 $19.92
EV Truck/SUV 199.2 2 $69.72 $31.87

Gas CO2

174 kg

EV CO2

58 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 Apr 14, 2026

Origin

Van Horn, TX

Afternoon in Van Horn on Friday

Local time

1:47 PM

CDT

Current temp

--

Unavailable

Destination

Arlington, TX

Afternoon in Arlington on Friday

Local time

1:47 PM

CDT

Current temp

55°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

59°F

Sweetwater, TX

249 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

Same local time

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

Road read

8h 22m 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 Van Horn, TX to Arlington, TX covers 498 miles and takes about 8h 22m 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. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

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 249 miles on day one.

The midpoint is about 249 miles from Van Horn, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $75.25 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 498 miles you will encounter 11 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 47.1 miles (I 20): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 468.1 miles (I 30 / West Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 495.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

The route from Van Horn, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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