Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Ames, TX to Arlington, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 24, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 59m
Distance
278.7 mi
448 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$42
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 46m
★
6 AM
4h 59m
8 AM
5h 26m
10 AM
5h 9m
12 PM
5h 6m
3 PM
5h 10m
5 PM
5h 25m
8 PM
4h 51m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ames, TX
Thomas balabaud
Arlington, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 278.7-mile drive from Ames to Arlington, Texas, is designed for a single day, taking approximately 4 hours and 59 minutes. Primarily utilizing I 45, East Grand Parkway North, and Lyndon B Johnson Freeway, this highway-focused trip covers 90% of its distance on major roads. With an estimated fuel cost of $42, it's an efficient journey across the Great Plains region of Texas. While there's only one recommended stop, the longest uninterrupted stretch is a substantial 202.1 miles on I 45, so plan your breaks accordingly.
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
139.3 miles from Ames, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 29m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 45 | 202.1 mi | 3h 27m |
| East Grand Parkway North | 32.5 mi | 34m |
| Lyndon B Johnson Freeway | 15.1 mi | 16m |
| West Main Street | 9 mi | 10m |
| Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway | 6.1 mi | 6m |
| West Clayton Street | 5.1 mi | 6m |
| South Collins Street | 3.9 mi | 7m |
| Interstate 45 North Frontage Road | 2 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
I 45
— 202.1 mi, about 3h 27m
Traffic on I-45
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 28 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
1 PM
~1,643 veh/hr typical · worst 2,385
Quietest
2 AM
~247 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 88 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ames, TX and Arlington, TX.
1
Start on FM 160
98 ft
·
7 sec
·
Martin L King Street North
2
Turn right onto US 90
9.0 mi
·
10 min
·
West Main Street
3
Turn right onto TX 321
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
North Cleveland Street
4
Turn left onto FM 1960
5.1 mi
·
6 min
·
West Clayton Street
5
Turn right onto East Grand Parkway North
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
East Grand Parkway North
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
7
Merge onto TX 99 Toll
32 mi
·
34 min
·
East Grand Parkway North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
Toward Houston, Dallas
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Turn right onto Interstate 45 North Frontage Road
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Interstate 45 North Frontage Road
Use the right lane.
10
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
8 sec
Toward I 45 North
11
Merge onto I 45
202 mi
·
3 hr 27 min
·
I 45
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
1.0 mi
·
2 min
Exit 276A
Toward I 20 West: Fort Worth
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 20
15 mi
·
16 min
·
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 20
6.1 mi
·
6 min
·
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Exit 451
Toward Collins Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Turn straight onto East Interstate 20
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
East Interstate 20
17
Turn right onto South Collins Street
3.9 mi
·
7 min
·
South Collins Street
Use the right lane.
18
Turn left onto East Abram Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East Abram Street
Use the left lane.
19
Arrive at destination
West Abram Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4 hour and 59-minute duration, this route is easily manageable as a single-day trip. To make the most of your drive, consider departing early in the morning to avoid potential traffic, especially as you approach the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. With a longest stretch of over 200 miles on I 45, plan your fuel and rest stops strategically before you begin that lengthy segment. The estimated fuel cost is $42, so ensure your tank is full before heading out.
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 139.3 miles from Ames, TX, or about 2h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 202.1 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 61 miles or 1h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 139.3 miles or 2h 29m 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 1m
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 Ames, 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 Ames, TX
This is one driving day of about 278.7 miles and 4h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 miles from Ames, 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 I 45 for about 202.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
139 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 61 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 139.3 miles from Ames, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 45 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 202.1 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.1 mi from route
TA Express
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Navarro County Northbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
TA Express
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Walker County Southbound Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Walker County Northbound Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Navarro County Southbound Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.4 mi from route
Carl Barton Jr Park
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
2.9 mi from route
~7 min detour
Conroe, Texas
Hours: 6 am–8:30 pm
+19365223000
Visit websiteCandy Cane Park
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, ~9 min detour
Early stretch
3.7 mi from route
~9 min detour
Conroe, Texas
Hours: 9 am–11 pm
+19365223804
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 155 decision points cluster between mile 14.7 and 273.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
14.7 mi into trip
|
~18m in
|
TX 99 Toll / East Grand Parkway North
Merge onto TX 99 Toll / East Grand Parkway North
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
47.1 mi into trip
|
~53m in
Take the exit toward Houston, Dallas
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.
Toward Houston, Dallas
5
47.4 mi into trip
|
~53m in
|
Interstate 45 North Frontage Road
Turn right onto Interstate 45 North Frontage Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
251.6 mi into trip
|
~4h 25m 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
7
273.7 mi into trip
|
~4h 49m 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
$41.84 one way
$83.68 round trip
$3.81/gal
25.4 MPG avg
98 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.22 | $46.29 | $92.59 |
| premium | $4.57 | $50.09 | $100.18 |
| diesel | $6.28 | $68.86 | $137.73 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 97.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 83.6 | 1 | $29.26 | $13.38 |
| Efficient EV | 69.7 | 0 | $24.39 | $11.15 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 111.5 | 1 | $39.02 | $17.84 |
Gas CO2
98 kg
EV CO2
33 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.
Origin
Ames, TX
Night in Ames on Friday
Local time
10:15 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Mostly Sunny
NE 5 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Arlington, TX
Night in Arlington on Friday
Local time
10:15 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Partly Cloudy
SE 0 to 5 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
58°F
Italy, TX
139 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
25 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
4h 59m 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 predominantly highway-focused experience for this 278.7-mile journey, with 90% of the drive on major interstates and freeways. The character of the road is largely consistent, featuring long stretches of fast-paced driving. The most significant uninterrupted segment spans 202.1 miles on I 45, meaning you'll encounter fewer opportunities for spontaneous detours during this portion. This route prioritizes direct travel rather than scenic byways.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 202.1 mi on I 45.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 45 and East Grand Parkway North. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 14.7 miles in near TX 99 Toll / East Grand Parkway North.
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 278.7 miles you will encounter 15 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 14.7 miles (TX 99 Toll / East Grand Parkway North): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 47.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 47.4 miles (Interstate 45 North Frontage Road): Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
636 ft
76 ft
Total Climb
628 ft
Total Descent
100 ft
Highest Point
636 ft
~258.8 mi in
Elevation Range
560 ft
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.
Between Ames, TX and Arlington, TX, road signs point toward Houston and Dallas.
Houston
47.1 mi in
|
~53m
Dallas
47.1 mi in
|
~53m
About the Cities
Starting in Ames, TX
Full guide →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 4h 59m. Total distance: 278.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 202.1 miles on I 45. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 24 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. There are 24 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 14.7 miles (TX 99 Toll / East Grand Parkway North): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 47.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 47.4 miles (Interstate 45 North Frontage Road): Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 5.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 10.0 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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