Origin
Vernon, TX
Afternoon in Vernon on Thursday
Local time
3:41 PM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Vernon, TX to Arlington, TX
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
3h 16m
Distance
176.1 mi
283 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 5m
★
6 AM
3h 17m
8 AM
3h 41m
10 AM
3h 25m
12 PM
3h 23m
3 PM
3h 26m
5 PM
3h 39m
8 PM
3h 10m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Vernon, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Arlington, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Vernon, TX to Arlington, TX covers 176.1 miles and takes about 3h 16m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Central East Freeway, US Highway 287 East, Northwest Freeway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 99.2 miles on Central East Freeway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $26.61 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
88.1 miles from Vernon, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 36m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 16m. Total distance: 176.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 16m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 3h 16m highway drive covering 176.1 miles, with most of the trip on Central East Freeway and US Highway 287 East. The longest continuous stretch is about 99.2 miles on Central East Freeway.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 31 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Central East Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 99.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Central East Freeway and US Highway 287 East. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near US Highway 287 East.
Driving Effort
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 176.1 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 0.1 miles (US Highway 287 East): Lane positioning matters here; at 156.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 156.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 22 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
0.1 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
US Highway 287 East
At end of road, turn right onto US Highway 287 East
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
156.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 49m in
Take the exit toward I 820
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 57
Toward I 820
7
156.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 49m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 820 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 820 East
7
164.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 59m in
|
I 820
Keep slight left at fork onto I 820 toward I 820 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 820 South
8
173.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 11m 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
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Central East Freeway | 99.2 mi | 1h 46m |
| US Highway 287 East | 41.1 mi | 43m |
| Northwest Freeway | 5.2 mi | 5m |
| Tom Landry Freeway | 4.8 mi | 6m |
| US 81 | 4.6 mi | 4m |
| I 820 TEXpress | 3.3 mi | 3m |
| I 820 | 3 mi | 3m |
| Northeast Loop | 2.6 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Central East Freeway
— 99.2 mi, about 1h 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Vernon, TX and Arlington, TX.
1
Start on this road
145 ft
·
15 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left
0.1 mi
·
47 sec
3
At end of road, turn right onto US Highway 287 East
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
US Highway 287 East
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
5
Continue on US 70; US 183; US 287
41 mi
·
42 min
·
US Highway 287 East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on US 287
4.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Northwest Freeway
7
Keep slight right at fork onto US 287
0.6 mi
·
42 sec
·
Northwest Freeway
Toward I 44 West, US 277 South, US 281 South, US 287 South: Wichita Falls
8
Merge onto I 44; US 277; US 281; US 287
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Central Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on US 277; US 281; US 287
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Lloyd Ruby Overpass
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on US 281; US 287
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Central East Freeway
11
Keep slight right at fork onto US 82; US 287
1.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Central East Freeway
12
Keep slight right at fork onto US 82; US 287
97 mi
·
1 hr 43 min
·
Central East Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on US 81; US 287
4.6 mi
·
4 min
·
US 81; US 287
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto I 35W; US 287
2.3 mi
·
2 min
·
North Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
24 sec
Exit 57
Toward I 820
Use the slight right lane.
16
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 820 East
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
17
Merge onto I 820
0.4 mi
·
24 sec
·
Northeast Loop
18
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
7 sec
Toward I 820 Express East Toll
19
Merge onto I 820 TEXpress
3.3 mi
·
3 min
·
I 820 TEXpress
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Merge onto I 820
2.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Northeast Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Merge onto I 820; TX 121; TX 183
0.8 mi
·
56 sec
·
Airport Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight left at fork onto I 820
3.0 mi
·
3 min
·
I 820
Toward I 820 South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
1.2 mi
·
2 min
Exit 28A
Toward I 30 East: Dallas
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Merge onto I 30
4.8 mi
·
6 min
·
Tom Landry Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Exit 27A
Toward Lamar Boulevard, Cooper Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Turn right onto North Cooper Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
North Cooper Street
28
Turn left onto West Randol Mill Road
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
·
West Randol Mill Road
Use the left lane.
29
Turn right onto North Center Street
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
North Center Street
Use the right lane.
30
Turn right onto West Abram Street
297 ft
·
8 sec
·
West Abram Street
31
Arrive at destination
West Abram Street
Trip Plan
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 88.1 miles from Vernon, TX, or about 1h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.2 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 39 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 88.1 miles or 1h 36m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 36m
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 Vernon, 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 Vernon, TX
This is one driving day of about 176.1 miles and 3h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Vernon, 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 Central East Freeway for about 99.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 88.1 mi from Vernon, TX · 1h 36m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
88 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 39 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 88.1 miles from Vernon, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Central East Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 99.2 miles.
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.61 one way
$53.22 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
62 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $29.13 | $58.25 |
| premium | $4.54 | $31.44 | $62.88 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $38.88 | $77.76 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 61.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 52.8 | 0 | $18.49 | $8.45 |
| Efficient EV | 44 | 0 | $15.41 | $7.04 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 70.4 | 0 | $24.65 | $11.27 |
Gas CO2
62 kg
EV CO2
21 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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 Thursday
Local time
3:41 PM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
59°F
Aurora, TX
88 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.
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
26 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
3h 16m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Vernon, TX to Arlington, TX covers 176.1 miles and takes about 3h 16m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Central East Freeway, US Highway 287 East, Northwest Freeway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 88.1 miles from Vernon, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $26.61 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 176.1 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (US Highway 287 East): Lane positioning matters here; at 156.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 156.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Vernon, TX to Arlington, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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