Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Arlington, TX to Buna, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 34m
Distance
278.8 mi
449 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$38
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 22m
★
6 AM
5h 35m
8 AM
6h 1m
10 AM
5h 44m
12 PM
5h 42m
3 PM
5h 46m
5 PM
6h 0m
8 PM
5h 27m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Arlington, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Buna, TX
Mark Direen
Trip Overview
Arlington, TX to Buna, TX is 278.8 miles and takes about 5h 34m via C F Hawn Freeway, with a fuel budget near $42 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Texas, moving from the Great Plains region to another part of the Great Plains. The drive is mostly highway, offering a straightforward path. With a single recommended day, this route is ideal for a quick transit or a relaxed day trip, especially if you want to avoid 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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
139.4 miles from Arlington, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 40m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| C F Hawn Freeway | 58.8 mi | 1h 3m |
| South Wheeler Street | 34.3 mi | 38m |
| East Main Street | 31.1 mi | 46m |
| Lyndon B Johnson Freeway | 21.4 mi | 22m |
| East Denman Avenue | 21.2 mi | 24m |
| US Highway 175 East | 20.8 mi | 22m |
| US Highway 69 South | 20.8 mi | 23m |
| Rusk Street | 15.1 mi | 19m |
Longest stretch:
C F Hawn Freeway
— 58.8 mi, about 1h 3m
Traffic on I-20
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 6 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
7 AM
~5,669 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~614 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
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 Buna, 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 East
Use 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
21 mi
·
22 min
·
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Exit 479B
Toward US 175 East: Kaufman
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto US 175
59 mi
·
1 hr 3 min
·
C F Hawn Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on US 175 Bus
151 ft
·
9 sec
·
US Highway 175 West
12
Turn left onto US 175 Bus; TX 31 Bus
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
West Corsicana Street
13
Continue on US 175 Bus
21 mi
·
22 min
·
US Highway 175 East
14
Continue on US 175
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
West Pine Street
15
Continue on US 175
13 mi
·
14 min
·
US Highway 175
16
Continue on US 175
0.6 mi
·
58 sec
·
Frankston Highway
17
Continue on US 175
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
Alexander Boulevard
18
At end of road, turn right onto US 69
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
North Jackson Street
19
Continue on US 69
9.5 mi
·
10 min
·
US Highway 69 North
20
Continue on US 69
3.4 mi
·
3 min
·
North Dickinson Drive
21
Continue on US 69
9.3 mi
·
10 min
·
US Highway 69 South
22
Continue on US 69
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
North Marcus Street
23
Continue on US 69
11 mi
·
13 min
·
US Highway 69 South
24
Continue on US 69
15 mi
·
19 min
·
Rusk Street
25
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
26
Continue on Loop 287 Frontage Road
0.5 mi
·
49 sec
·
Loop 287 Frontage Road
27
Continue on Loop 287
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
Loop 287 Frontage Road
28
Turn right onto US 69 Bus
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Kurth Drive
29
Turn straight onto US 59 Bus; US 69 Bus; TX 103
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
North Timberland Drive
30
Turn left onto US 69 Bus
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Chestnut Street
31
Turn left onto US 69 Bus
21 mi
·
24 min
·
East Denman Avenue
32
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
1 min
33
Turn left onto TX 63
31 mi
·
46 min
·
East Main Street
34
At end of road, turn left onto US 190; TX 63
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
West Gibson Street
35
Take the exit
240 ft
·
6 sec
36
Merge onto US 96
34 mi
·
38 min
·
South Wheeler Street
37
Turn left onto TX 62
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
TX 62
38
Arrive at destination
TX 62
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5h 34m drive, consider an early morning departure from Arlington to maximize daylight. With only one recommended day, you have flexibility in how you pace your single stop. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially as you move from highway sections to potentially more spread-out services on surface roads. A practical tip: plan your stop around the 58.8-mile mark on C F Hawn Freeway to break up the initial highway portion before hitting more varied road types.
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 139.4 miles from Arlington, TX, or about 2h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 58.8 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 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 139.4 miles or 2h 40m 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 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Buna, 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 278.8 miles and 5h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 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 C F Hawn Freeway for about 58.8 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 139.4 miles from Arlington, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
TA
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.4 mi from route
Rest Area
0.4 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.8 mi from route
Service Plaza
2.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
2.3 mi from route
QuikTrip
2.5 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 195 decision points cluster between mile 0.7 and 32.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.7 mi into trip
|
~1m in
Turn right
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
4.8 mi into trip
|
~9m in
|
East Interstate 20
Turn left onto East Interstate 20
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
5.1 mi into trip
|
~9m in
Take the ramp toward I 20 East
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward I 20 East
5
5.3 mi into trip
|
~10m in
|
I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Merge onto I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
32.7 mi into trip
|
~39m in
Take the exit toward US 175 East: Kaufman
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 479B
Toward US 175 East: Kaufman
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.19 one way
$76.37 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
98 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $42.65 | $85.31 |
| premium | $4.23 | $46.38 | $92.75 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $52.64 | $105.29 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
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, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 83.6 | 1 | $29.27 | $13.38 |
| Efficient EV | 69.7 | 0 | $24.40 | $11.15 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 111.5 | 1 | $39.03 | $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
Arlington, TX
Late night in Arlington on Sunday
Local time
1:52 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Partly Cloudy
S 5 to 10 mph
2% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:47PM CDT until July 18 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:34PM CDT until July 19 at 9:45AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Buna, TX
Late night in Buna on Sunday
Local time
1:52 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Mostly Cloudy
0 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:47PM CDT until July 18 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:34PM CDT until July 19 at 9:45AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
76°F
Jacksonville, 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
2 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
5h 34m 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?
This route features a 52% highway share, meaning you'll experience a mix of faster travel and slower surface roads. The longest continuous stretch on the highway is 58.8 miles on C F Hawn Freeway. Expect to transition from highway speeds to surface road conditions as you progress. You'll notice merging traffic and exit sequences common to highway driving before shifting to less congested areas.
52% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
38 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 58.8 mi on C F Hawn Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 19 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.7 miles in.
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 278.8 miles you will encounter 19 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 0.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 4.8 miles (East Interstate 20): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
650 ft
76 ft
Total Climb
469 ft
Total Descent
996 ft
Highest Point
650 ft
~139.4 mi in
Elevation Range
573 ft
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 Buna, 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 5h 34m. Total distance: 278.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 58.8 miles on C F Hawn Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 13 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 Buna, 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 13 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 4.8 miles (East Interstate 20): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.6 hours each way, a round trip means 11.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Buna, 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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