This 309.7-mile drive from Arlington, TX to Boling, TX is designed as a single-day adventure, taking approximately 5 hours and 49 minutes. With a projected fuel cost of around $47, it's an accessible trip for most budgets. The route primarily utilizes major freeways, making it a highway-focused experience. You'll be spending about 85% of your time on high-speed roads, with the longest uninterrupted stretch covering 214.3 miles. This drive is straightforward and efficient, perfect for getting you to your destination without extensive planning.
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
154.8 miles from Arlington, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 46m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Julius Schepps Freeway
214.3 mi
3h 41m
North Sam Houston Tollway West
20.1 mi
23m
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
15.4 mi
16m
Southwest Freeway
14.9 mi
16m
FM 442
8.1 mi
14m
TX 36
6.5 mi
9m
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
5.9 mi
6m
West Sam Houston Tollway South
5.6 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
Julius Schepps Freeway
— 214.3 mi, about 3h 41m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arlington, TX and Boling, TX.
1
Start on West Abram Street
93 ft·8 sec·West Abram Street
2
Continue on West Abram Street
0.6 mi·1 min·West Abram Street
3
Turn right
153 ft·6 sec
Use the right lane.
4
Turn slight right onto South Collins Street
4.1 mi·7 min·South Collins Street
Use the left lane.
5
Turn left onto East Interstate 20
0.3 mi·28 sec·East Interstate 20
Use the left lane.
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward I 20 EastUse the straight / slight left lanes.
7
Merge onto I 20
5.9 mi·6 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 20
15 mi·16 min·Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
Exit 473CToward I 45 South: HoustonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 45
214 mi·3 hr 41 min·Julius Schepps Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 60BToward BW 8 East, SHT West: Bush Intercontinental Airport, Sam Houston Tollway WestUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward SHT West: Sam Houston TollwayUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto BW 8
0.2 mi·14 sec·North Sam Houston Parkway West
14
Continue on SHT
2.3 mi·2 min·North Sam Houston Tollway West
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto SHT
18 mi·20 min·North Sam Houston Tollway West
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto SHT
5.6 mi·6 min·West Sam Houston Tollway South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on BW 8
0.6 mi·40 sec·West Sam Houston Parkway South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward US 59 North, US 59 South: Downtown, VictoriaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 69 South, US 59 South: VictoriaUse the straight / slight left lanes.
For this 5-hour and 49-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Arlington to make the most of daylight and avoid potential traffic. With only one recommended stop and 309.7 miles to cover, you have flexibility in pacing. The fuel cost is estimated at $47, so ensure your tank is full before leaving, especially given the longest stretch is over 200 miles. Keep an eye on signage for the Julius Schepps Freeway, as staying on this main artery is key to maintaining your momentum towards Boling.
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 154.8 miles from Arlington, TX, or about 2h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 214.3 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 68 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 154.8 miles or 2h 46m 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 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Boling, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Arlington, TX
This is one driving day of about 309.7 miles and 5h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 68 miles from Arlington, 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 Julius Schepps Freeway for about 214.3 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 26.7 and 269.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
26.7 mi into trip|~33m in
Take the exit toward I 45 South: Houston
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 473C
Toward I 45 South: Houston
8
241.3 mi into trip|~4h 15m in
Take the exit toward BW 8 East, SHT West: Bush Intercontinental Airport, Sam Houston Tollway West
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 60B
Toward BW 8 East, SHT West: Bush Intercontinent...
7
241.9 mi into trip|~4h 16m in
Keep slight right at fork toward SHT West: Sam Houston Tollway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward SHT West: Sam Houston Tollway
7
268.9 mi into trip|~4h 48m in
Take the exit toward US 59 North, US 59 South: Downtown, Victoria
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 US 59 North, US 59 South: Downtown, Vict...
8
269.2 mi into trip|~4h 49m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 69 South, US 59 South: Victoria
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward I 69 South, US 59 South: Victoria
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$46.80 one way
$93.59 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg108 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$51.22
$102.44
premium
$4.54
$55.29
$110.59
diesel
$5.61
$68.38
$136.76
Estimated Tolls: $2.05
Sam Houston Tollway
(25.6 mi)$2.05
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$47
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$74–$99
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 108.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
92.9
1
$32.52
$14.87
Efficient EV
77.4
0
$27.10
$12.39
EV Truck/SUV
123.9
1
$43.36
$19.82
Gas CO2
108 kg
EV CO2
36 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 21, 2026
Origin
Arlington, TX
Morning
in Arlington on Tuesday
Local time
7:41 AM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Mostly Cloudy then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
S 5 mph73% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued April 20 at 7:44PM CDT until April 21 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued April 20 at 5:57PM CDT until April 20 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Boling, TX
Morning
in Boling on Tuesday
Local time
7:41 AM
CDT
Current temp
85°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
29 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 49m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this route, with 85% of the mileage on high-speed roads. The bulk of your journey, a substantial 214.3 miles, will be on the Julius Schepps Freeway, offering a consistent and fast-paced drive. You'll navigate through sections of the North Sam Houston Tollway West and the Lyndon B Johnson Freeway, all contributing to the efficient, albeit less varied, character of this trip. This isn't a route for winding country lanes, but rather for covering ground effectively.
85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 214.3 mi on Julius Schepps Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Julius Schepps Freeway and North Sam Houston Tollway West. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 26.7 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 309.7 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 26.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 241.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 241.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Arlington, TX and Boling, TX, road signs point toward Bw 8 East, Sht West: Bush Intercontinental Airport, Sam Houston Tollway West, Sht West: Sam Houston Tollway, Victoria and Fm 2218.
Bw 8 East
241.3 mi in|~4h 15m
Sht West: Bush Intercontinental Airport
241.3 mi in|~4h 15m
Sam Houston Tollway West
241.3 mi in|~4h 15m
Sht West: Sam Houston Tollway
241.9 mi in|~4h 16m
Victoria
268.9 mi in|~4h 48m
Fm 2218
284.8 mi in|~5h 7m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 49m. Total distance: 309.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 214.3 miles on Julius Schepps Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.05 in tolls one way, starting with Sam Houston Tollway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
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 Boling, 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 26.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 241.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 241.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.8 hours each way, a round trip means 11.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Boling, TX before the return drive.
