Origin
Angleton, TX
Late night in Angleton on Tuesday
Local time
5:09 AM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Angleton, TX to Arlington, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 26m
Distance
297.7 mi
479 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$45
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 13m
★
6 AM
5h 26m
8 AM
5h 53m
10 AM
5h 36m
12 PM
5h 33m
3 PM
5h 37m
5 PM
5h 52m
8 PM
5h 18m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Angleton, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Arlington, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 297.7-mile journey from Angleton, TX, to Arlington, TX, is a straightforward drive that can comfortably be completed in about 5 hours and 26 minutes, making it ideal as a single-day trip. Primarily utilizing the North Freeway, Nolan Ryan Expressway, and Brazoria County Expressway, the route is heavily highway-focused, with 95% of it being on major roadways. With an estimated fuel cost of $45, this drive through the Great Plains region offers a practical and efficient way to travel between these two Texas locations. You'll find this route to be a direct and uncomplicated option for your travel plans.
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
148.8 miles from Angleton, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 44m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North Freeway | 226.9 mi | 3h 57m |
| Nolan Ryan Expressway | 17.8 mi | 20m |
| Brazoria County Expressway | 16.1 mi | 19m |
| Lyndon B Johnson Freeway | 15.1 mi | 16m |
| Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway | 6.1 mi | 6m |
| South Collins Street | 3.9 mi | 7m |
| North Velasco Street | 3.6 mi | 5m |
| North Business State Highway 288 | 2.8 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
North Freeway
— 226.9 mi, about 3h 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Angleton, TX and Arlington, TX.
1
Start on TX 288 Bus
0.5 mi
·
54 sec
·
North Velasco Street
2
At end of road, turn left onto TX 288 Bus
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
North Velasco Street
3
Continue on TX 288 Bus
2.8 mi
·
4 min
·
North Business State Highway 288
4
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward TX 288 North: Houston
5
Merge onto TX 288
18 mi
·
20 min
·
Nolan Ryan Expressway
6
Continue on TX 288
0.1 mi
·
7 sec
·
South Freeway
7
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 288 Toll
16 mi
·
19 min
·
Brazoria County Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
59 sec
Toward I 45 North: Dallas
Use the slight left lane.
9
Merge onto I 45
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Gulf Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 45
227 mi
·
3 hr 57 min
·
North Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
1.0 mi
·
2 min
Exit 276A
Toward I 20 West: Fort Worth
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 20
15 mi
·
16 min
·
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 20
6.1 mi
·
6 min
·
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Exit 451
Toward Collins Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Turn straight onto East Interstate 20
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
East Interstate 20
16
Turn right onto South Collins Street
3.9 mi
·
7 min
·
South Collins Street
Use the right lane.
17
Turn left onto East Abram Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East Abram Street
Use the left lane.
18
Arrive at destination
West Abram Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5 hour and 26 minute duration, departing Angleton, TX, in the early morning is your best bet to avoid potential traffic congestion as you approach Arlington, TX. With only one recommended stop and a significant 226.9-mile stretch on the North Freeway, plan your breaks strategically. Consider stopping around the halfway point or slightly after this long stretch to refuel and stretch your legs. The estimated fuel cost of $45 is a good budget to keep in mind, and since this is a manageable day trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time as needed.
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 148.8 miles from Angleton, TX, or about 2h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 226.9 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 65 miles or 1h 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 148.8 miles or 2h 44m 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 24m
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 Angleton, 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 Angleton, TX
This is one driving day of about 297.7 miles and 5h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 65 miles from Angleton, 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 North Freeway for about 226.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
149 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 65 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 148.8 miles from Angleton, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before North Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 226.9 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 115 decision points cluster between mile 24.8 and 292.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
24.8 mi into trip
|
~31m in
|
TX 288 Toll / Brazoria County Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 288 Toll / Brazoria County Expressway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
40.9 mi into trip
|
~50m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 45 North: Dallas
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 45 North: Dallas
5
41.4 mi into trip
|
~51m in
|
I 45 / Gulf Freeway
Merge onto I 45 / Gulf Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
270.7 mi into trip
|
~4h 52m 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
292.8 mi into trip
|
~5h 16m 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
$44.98 one way
$89.97 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
104 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $49.24 | $98.48 |
| premium | $4.54 | $53.15 | $106.30 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $65.73 | $131.46 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$45
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 104.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 89.3 | 1 | $31.26 | $14.29 |
| Efficient EV | 74.4 | 0 | $26.05 | $11.91 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 119.1 | 1 | $41.68 | $19.05 |
Gas CO2
104 kg
EV CO2
35 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
Late night in Arlington on Tuesday
Local time
5:09 AM
CDT
Current temp
88°F
Mostly Sunny
S 10 to 15 mph
4% chance
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
4 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 26m 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 highway-focused drive for the vast majority of this 297.7-mile trip, with 95% of your travel on major roads. The route unfolds primarily on the North Freeway, Nolan Ryan Expressway, and Brazoria County Expressway, offering a consistent driving experience. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 226.9 miles on the North Freeway, meaning extended periods of steady travel are likely. This profile suggests a direct and efficient path, minimizing the need for navigation on slower local roads, and maintaining a consistent pace for most of the journey.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 226.9 mi on North Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on North Freeway and Nolan Ryan Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 24.8 miles in near TX 288 Toll / Brazoria County Expressway.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 297.7 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 24.8 miles (TX 288 Toll / Brazoria County Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 40.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 41.4 miles (I 45 / Gulf Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Starting in Angleton, TX
Full guide →Top landmarks
- • Old Brazoria County Courthouse — historic place in Angleton, Brazoria County, Texas
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 5h 26m. Total distance: 297.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 226.9 miles on North Freeway. 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 24.8 miles (TX 288 Toll / Brazoria County Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 40.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 41.4 miles (I 45 / Gulf Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.4 hours each way, a round trip means 10.9 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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Arlington, TX
More trips to Arlington, TX
Explore more options from Angleton, TX or browse trips ending in Arlington, TX.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TX road trips.