Arlington, TX to Anthony, TX is 638.9 miles and takes about 10h 51m via I-20 and I-10, with a fuel budget near $93 and an overnight stay recommended. This long-haul drive traverses the vast Great Plains region of Texas, offering a straightforward path across the state. With a high percentage of highway driving, expect consistent travel for most of the trip. This route is best suited for those prioritizing efficient travel over extensive sightseeing, making it a practical choice for reaching your destination with minimal detours.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
3 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
319.5 miles from Arlington, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 5h 27m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 20
421 mi
7h
I 10
175.6 mi
2h 54m
West Freeway
15.5 mi
17m
Tom Landry Freeway
12 mi
15m
Camino Real de Tierra Adentro
9.4 mi
11m
South Cooper Street
1.7 mi
3m
North Desert Boulevard
1.2 mi
3m
Franklin Street
0.8 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 421 mi, about 7h
Traffic on I-20
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 48 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~1,511 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,850
Quietest
2 AM
~212 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
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Averaged across 52 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 Arlington, TX and Anthony, TX.
1
Start on West Abram Street
0.4 mi·1 min·West Abram Street
2
Turn right onto FM 157
1.7 mi·3 min·South Cooper Street
Use the right lane.
3
Turn left onto West Lamar Boulevard
0.3 mi·41 sec·West Lamar Boulevard
Use the left lane.
4
Turn left
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward I 30 WestUse the left lane.
5
Merge onto I 30
12 mi·15 min·Tom Landry Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on I 30; US 377
15 mi·17 min·West Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 20
421 mi·7 hr·I 20
Use the slight right lane.
8
Merge onto I 10
176 mi·2 hr 54 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10; US 85; US 180
9.4 mi·11 min·Camino Real de Tierra Adentro
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·14 sec
Toward FM 1905: Anthony
11
Turn straight onto North Desert Boulevard
1.2 mi·3 min·North Desert Boulevard
12
Turn left onto FM 1905
0.6 mi·1 min·Antonio Street
13
Continue on FM 1905
0.8 mi·1 min·Franklin Street
14
At end of road, turn right onto TX 20; FM 1905
261 ft·8 sec·South Main Street
15
Turn right onto Jefferson Street
122 ft·5 sec·Jefferson Street
16
Arrive at destination
Jefferson Street
Trip Plan
Given the nearly 11-hour driving time, this route is best split over two days. Plan to depart early in the morning to make good progress. With 3 recommended stops, you can break up the 638.9 miles comfortably. The longest stretch of 421 miles on I-20 means you should ensure you have ample fuel before entering that segment, as services might be less frequent. Consider your overnight stop around the halfway point to avoid excessive driving on either day.
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 3 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 319.5 miles from Arlington, TX, or about 5h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 421 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 141 miles or 2h 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 319.5 miles or 5h 27m 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 319.5 miles or 5h 27m
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 9h 46m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Anthony, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Arlington, 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 Arlington, TX
Aim for roughly 319 miles and 5.4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Anthony, TX
Aim for roughly 319 miles and 5.4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 141 miles from Arlington, TX.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 3 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 20 for about 421 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 626.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.4 mi into trip|~1m in|FM 157 / South Cooper Street
Turn right onto FM 157 / South Cooper Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
2.3 mi into trip|~5m in
Turn left toward I 30 West
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 30 West
5
2.6 mi into trip|~6m in|I 30 / Tom Landry Freeway
Merge onto I 30 / Tom Landry Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
30.1 mi into trip|~39m in|I 20
Merge onto I 20
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
6
626.7 mi into trip|~10h 33m in|I 10; US 85; US 180 / Camino Real de Tierra Adentro
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10; US 85; US 180 / Camino Real de Tierra Adentro
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$87.51 one way
$175.02 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg224 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$97.75
$195.49
premium
$4.23
$106.27
$212.55
diesel
$4.80
$120.64
$241.27
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$88
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$218–$328
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 223.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $67 in charging
· 2 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
191.7
2
$67.08
$30.67
Efficient EV
159.7
1
$55.90
$25.56
EV Truck/SUV
255.6
3
$89.45
$40.89
Gas CO2
224 kg
EV CO2
75 kg (67% less)
Plan for 2 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Jul 16, 2026
Origin
Arlington, TX
Morning
in Arlington on Sunday
Local time
7:15 AM
CDT
Current temp
89°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 10 mph47% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 3:35PM CDT until July 16 at 6:00PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 3:32PM CDT until July 21 at 2:00PM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX
Destination
Anthony, TX
Morning
in Anthony on Sunday
Local time
6:15 AM
MDT
Current temp
92°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
E 6 mph15% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 3:35PM CDT until July 16 at 6:00PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 3:32PM CDT until July 21 at 2:00PM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX
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
1 hour earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
3 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
10h 51m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Chamizal National Memorial
National Memorial
Chamizal is more than just an urban park to recreate or enjoy a quiet afternoon. These grounds are a reminder of the harmonious settlement of a 100-year boundary dispute between the United States and...
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Free
near mile 616.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend nearly all of your 10 hours and 51 minutes on highways, with a 98% highway share. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 421 miles, primarily on I-20. This means you can expect to be in rural cruising mode for extended periods. Be prepared for long distances between significant changes in scenery or road conditions.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 421 mi on I 20.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
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 0.4 miles in near FM 157 / South Cooper Street.
Driving Effort6/10
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 638.9 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 0.4 miles (FM 157 / South Cooper Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 2.6 miles (I 30 / Tom Landry Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
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
Moderate complexity with 3 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
10h 51m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 421 miles on I 20. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 319 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 78 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 Anthony, 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 3 meaningful breaks. There are 78 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (FM 157 / South Cooper Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 2.6 miles (I 30 / Tom Landry Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Chamizal National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 10.9 hours each way, a round trip means 21.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Anthony, TX before the return drive.
