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Trip from Arlington, TX to Aransas Pass, TX

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

7h

Distance

385.1 mi

620 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$58

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min
4 AM
6h 49m ★
6 AM
7h 1m
8 AM
7h 23m
10 AM
7h 9m
12 PM
7h 6m
3 PM
7h 10m
5 PM
7h 22m
8 PM
6h 54m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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suburban city in Tarrant County, Texas, United States

Arlington, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Aransas Pass, TX, TX

Aransas Pass, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 385.1-mile journey from Arlington, TX, to Aransas Pass, TX, is designed for a single, focused day of driving, estimated to take about 7 hours. You'll primarily be on major highways, with 77% of the route being on these faster roads. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $58. This drive, traversing the Great Plains region within Texas, offers a straightforward path to the coast. With two planned stops, you can break up the drive effectively. It's a practical option for those looking to cover ground efficiently without needing an overnight stay.

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

2 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

192.5 miles from Arlington, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 23m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
South Freeway 78 mi 1h 20m
TX 130 Toll 58.5 mi 54m
North United States Highway 183 43.5 mi 47m
Purple Heart Trail 37.9 mi 39m
South US Highway 183/ US 87 26.7 mi 28m
I 35 26.5 mi 26m
South US Highway 183 24.6 mi 27m
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway 10.3 mi 11m
Longest stretch: South Freeway — 78 mi, about 1h 20m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Arlington, TX and Aransas Pass, TX.

1

Start on West Abram Street

93 ft · 8 sec · West Abram Street
2

Continue on West Abram Street

417 ft · 21 sec · West Abram Street
3

Turn right onto South Center Street

2.0 mi · 4 min · South Center Street
Use the right lane.
4

Turn right onto Spur 303

0.5 mi · 48 sec · West Pioneer Parkway
Use the left lane.
5

Turn left onto FM 157

1.5 mi · 2 min · South Cooper Street
Use the left lane.
6

Keep slight right at fork onto FM 157

1.0 mi · 1 min · South Cooper Street
Use the left lane.
7

Take the ramp

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward I 20 West: Fort Worth
8

Merge onto I 20

10 mi · 11 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 28 sec
Exit 437 Toward I 35W South, I 35W North: Waco, Denton Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Keep slight left at fork

0.9 mi · 1 min
Toward I 35W South: Waco Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Merge onto I 35W

78 mi · 1 hr 20 min · South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Continue on I 35; US 77

6.6 mi · 7 min · North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Continue on I 35

38 mi · 39 min · Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Keep slight left at fork onto I 35

26 mi · 26 min · I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 55 sec
Exit 265 Toward TX 130 Toll South: San Antonio Use the slight right lane.
16

Continue on TX 130 Toll

59 mi · 54 min · TX 130 Toll
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 29 sec
Exit 470 Toward US 183 South: Lockhart Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Continue on US 183

0.5 mi · 35 sec · United States Highway 183
19

Continue on US 183

4.9 mi · 8 min · North Colorado Street
20

Continue on US 183

10 mi · 11 min · US 183
21

Continue on US 183

1.2 mi · 2 min · North Magnolia Avenue
22

Turn left onto US 90; US 183

5.0 mi · 6 min · East Pierce Street
23

Continue on US 183

43 mi · 47 min · North United States Highway 183
24

Continue on US 77 Alt; US 183

2.8 mi · 3 min · North Esplanade Street
25

Continue on US 77 Alt; US 87; US 183

2.0 mi · 2 min · South US Highway 183
26

Continue on US 77 Alt; US 183

27 mi · 28 min · South US Highway 183/ US 87
27

Continue on US 77 Alt; US 183

3.7 mi · 5 min · North Jefferson Street
28

Continue on US 77 Alt; US 183

23 mi · 24 min · South US Highway 183
29

Continue on US 77 Alt; US 183

0.7 mi · 1 min · North Alamo Street
30

Continue on US 77

1.4 mi · 2 min · North Alamo Street
31

Turn left onto FM 774

1.5 mi · 2 min · East Empresario Street
32

Turn right onto FM 2678

9.6 mi · 9 min · FM 2678
Use the right lane.
33

Continue on FM 136

10.0 mi · 11 min · Farm to Market Road 136
34

Turn left onto TX 188

7.2 mi · 7 min · State Highway 188
35

Turn right onto FM 1069

4.3 mi · 5 min · FM 1069 North
36

Turn left onto TX 35 Bus

1.9 mi · 3 min · West Wheeler Avenue
37

Keep slight left at fork onto TX 35 Bus

240 ft · 11 sec · West Cleveland Boulevard
38

Turn left onto Loop 90

16 ft · 0 sec · Harrison Boulevard
39

Arrive at destination

Loop 90

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 7-hour, 385.1-mile drive, consider an early morning departure from Arlington to maximize daylight and minimize traffic. With only two recommended stops, you have flexibility in timing them to suit your needs, but be mindful of the 78-mile stretch on South Freeway before planning your first break. The $58 fuel cost is a good estimate, but it's always wise to fill up before leaving Arlington. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you approach your destination in Aransas Pass, to ensure a smooth arrival.

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 192.5 miles from Arlington, TX, or about 3h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 78 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 85 miles or 1h 34m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 192.5 miles or 3h 23m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 5h 51m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Aransas Pass, 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.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Arlington, TX

This is one driving day of about 385.1 miles and 7h.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 85 miles from Arlington, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on South Freeway for about 78 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Wells Branch, TX, TX

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Wells Branch, TX

193 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

Killeen, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 85 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Wells Branch, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 192.5 miles from Arlington, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before South Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 78 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.

Hike And Bike Trail Conn Brown Harbor / Redfish Bay

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 385.1

Aransas Pass, Texas

Pioneer Farms

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 192.5

Austin, Texas

Hours: 10 am–2 pm

+15128371215

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 21

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 225.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | South Center Street

Turn right onto South Center Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
8
15.9 mi into trip | ~21m in

Take the exit toward I 35W South, I 35W North: Waco, Denton

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 437 Toward I 35W South, I 35W North: Waco, Denton
7
16.1 mi into trip | ~22m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 35W South: Waco

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 35W South: Waco
7
166 mi into trip | ~2h 58m in

Take the exit toward TX 130 Toll South: San Antonio

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 265 Toward TX 130 Toll South: San Antonio
7
225.2 mi into trip | ~3h 54m in

Take the exit toward US 183 South: Lockhart

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 470 Toward US 183 South: Lockhart

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$58.19 one way

$116.38 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 135 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.20 $63.69 $127.39
premium $4.54 $68.76 $137.51
diesel $5.61 $85.03 $170.05

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$58

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$83–$108

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 134.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $40 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 115.5 1 $40.44 $18.48
Efficient EV 96.3 1 $33.70 $15.40
EV Truck/SUV 154 1 $53.91 $24.65

Gas CO2

135 kg

EV CO2

45 kg (67% 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.

Forecast as of Apr 14, 2026

Origin

Arlington, TX

Late night in Arlington on Sunday

Local time

2:46 AM

CDT

Current temp

55°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Aransas Pass, TX

Late night in Aransas Pass on Sunday

Local time

2:46 AM

CDT

Current temp

79°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

24 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

7h on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

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.

Waco Mammoth National Monument

Waco Mammoth National Monument

National Monument

Standing as tall as 14 feet and weighing 20,000 pounds, Columbian mammoths roamed across what is present-day Texas thousands of years ago. Today, the fossil specimens represent the nation's first and...

4 mi from route ~11 min detour Free near mile 93
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive, making up 77% of your total mileage. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 78 miles along the South Freeway. Your path will largely follow major arteries like the South Freeway, TX 130 Toll, and North United States Highway 183, suggesting a consistent pace for much of the trip. While not a winding scenic route, this highway-centric profile means you'll be covering distance efficiently, with the road character remaining fairly consistent throughout.

77% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
39 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 78 mi on South Freeway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on South Freeway and TX 130 Toll. 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 South Center Street.

Driving Effort 9/10

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 21 significant decision points across 385.1 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 (South Center Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 15.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

About the Cities

Starting 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

Arriving in Aransas Pass, TX

Full guide →

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 7h. Total distance: 385.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

7h drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 78 miles on South 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 Aransas Pass, 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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (South Center Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 15.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Not recommended in a single day. At 7.0 hours each way, a round trip means 14.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Aransas Pass, 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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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