Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Alto, TX to Arlington, TX
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h
Distance
157.2 mi
253 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 49m
★
6 AM
3h 1m
8 AM
3h 23m
10 AM
3h 9m
12 PM
3h 6m
3 PM
3h 10m
5 PM
3h 22m
8 PM
2h 54m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Alto, TX
Thomas balabaud
Arlington, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This straightforward 157.2-mile drive from Alto, TX, to Arlington, TX, is designed for a single day, taking approximately 3 hours to complete. The route is predominantly highway-focused, with 82% of the journey utilizing major roadways like US Highway 175 West and the Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway. With an estimated fuel cost of $24, this trip is an economical option for a quick transition between regions within the Great Plains. It's a practical choice if you're looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B without extensive planning.
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
78.6 miles from Alto, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 30m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US Highway 175 West | 68.5 mi | 1h 14m |
| Lyndon B Johnson Freeway | 21.1 mi | 22m |
| US Highway 175 | 20.8 mi | 22m |
| US Highway 69 North | 9.5 mi | 10m |
| US Highway 69 South | 9.3 mi | 10m |
| Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway | 6.1 mi | 6m |
| South Collins Street | 3.9 mi | 7m |
| South Dickinson Drive | 3.4 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
US Highway 175 West
— 68.5 mi, about 1h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alto, TX and Arlington, TX.
1
Start on US 69
0.5 mi
·
37 sec
·
South Marcus Street
2
Continue on US 69
9.3 mi
·
10 min
·
US Highway 69 South
3
Continue on US 69
3.4 mi
·
3 min
·
South Dickinson Drive
4
Continue on US 69
9.5 mi
·
10 min
·
US Highway 69 North
5
Continue on US 69
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
South Jackson Street
6
Turn left onto US 175
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
Alexander Boulevard
7
Continue on US 175
0.6 mi
·
56 sec
·
Frankston Highway
8
Continue on US 175
9.6 mi
·
10 min
·
US Highway 175 West
9
Turn slight right
3.8 mi
·
4 min
10
Merge onto US 175
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
East Pine Street
11
Continue on US 175
21 mi
·
22 min
·
US Highway 175
12
Continue on US 175 Bus
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
East Corsicana Street
13
Keep slight right at fork onto US 175 Bus
59 mi
·
1 hr 3 min
·
US Highway 175 West
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 20 West: Fort Worth
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto I 20
21 mi
·
22 min
·
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on I 20
6.1 mi
·
6 min
·
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Exit 451
Toward Collins Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Turn straight onto East Interstate 20
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
East Interstate 20
19
Turn right onto South Collins Street
3.9 mi
·
7 min
·
South Collins Street
Use the right lane.
20
Turn left onto East Abram Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East Abram Street
Use the left lane.
21
Arrive at destination
West Abram Street
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour duration and 157.2-mile length, this trip is perfectly suited for a single-day journey. You can comfortably complete it without needing an overnight stop. Aim to depart in the morning to take advantage of daylight and less traffic. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $24, you have flexibility in your timing. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 68.5-mile stretch on US Highway 175 West, as services might be more spread out during that segment.
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 78.6 miles from Alto, TX, or about 1h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 68.5 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 35 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 78.6 miles or 1h 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 2h 26m
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 Alto, 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 Alto, TX
This is one driving day of about 157.2 miles and 3h.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Alto, 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 US Highway 175 West for about 68.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
79 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 35 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 78.6 miles from Alto, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US Highway 175 West if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 68.5 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.
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.4 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 85 decision points cluster between mile 65.4 and 152.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
65.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 16m in
|
US 175 Bus / US Highway 175 West
Keep slight right at fork onto US 175 Bus / US Highway 175 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
124.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 20m 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.
Toward I 20 West: Fort Worth
5
125.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 22m 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
152.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 51m 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
5
152.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 52m in
|
South Collins Street
Turn right onto South Collins Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.75 one way
$47.51 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
55 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $26.00 | $52.00 |
| premium | $4.54 | $28.07 | $56.13 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $34.71 | $69.42 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 55 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 47.2 | 0 | $16.51 | $7.55 |
| Efficient EV | 39.3 | 0 | $13.75 | $6.29 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 62.9 | 0 | $22.01 | $10.06 |
Gas CO2
55 kg
EV CO2
18 kg (67% 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.
Origin
Alto, TX
Late night in Alto on Sunday
Local time
1:02 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Arlington, TX
Late night in Arlington on Sunday
Local time
1:02 AM
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
2 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 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience for most of this 157.2-mile trip, with 82% of the drive on major roads. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 68.5 miles on US Highway 175 West, offering a sustained period of consistent travel. The route primarily follows US Highway 175, transitioning onto the Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway as you approach your destination. This profile suggests a drive characterized by steady progress rather than winding scenic byways.
82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 68.5 mi on US Highway 175 West.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US Highway 175 West and Lyndon B Johnson Freeway. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 65.4 miles in near US 175 Bus / US Highway 175 West.
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 157.2 miles you will encounter 8 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 65.4 miles (US 175 Bus / US Highway 175 West): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 124.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 125.1 miles (I 20 / Lyndon B Johnson Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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 3h. Total distance: 157.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 68.5 miles on US Highway 175 West. 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 65.4 miles (US 175 Bus / US Highway 175 West): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 124.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 125.1 miles (I 20 / Lyndon B Johnson Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Arlington, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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