Arlington, TX to Canyon, TX is 366.2 miles and takes about 6h 40m via I-30 West and surface roads, with a fuel budget near $52 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Texas, beginning in the Great Plains region and concluding in the same area. You'll primarily navigate surface streets for the majority of this drive, so don't expect constant highway speeds. It's a manageable one-day trip, perfect if you prefer to reach your destination without an overnight stop.
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
183.1 miles from Arlington, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 21m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 81
103.4 mi
1h 49m
US Highway 287
75.4 mi
1h 17m
US Highway 287 East
40.5 mi
42m
East 11th Street
28.7 mi
32m
Boykin Drive
26.2 mi
28m
US Highway 287 West
25.7 mi
26m
Canyon Expressway
16 mi
18m
US 287
8 mi
10m
Longest stretch:
US 81
— 103.4 mi, about 1h 49m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arlington, TX and Canyon, 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
4.9 mi·6 min·Tom Landry Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 21BToward I 820 NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 820
4.2 mi·5 min·I 820
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 820
2.3 mi·2 min·I 820
Toward I 820 WestUse the slight left lane.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward I 820 Express WestUse the left lane.
10
Merge onto I 820 TEXpress
3.5 mi·3 min·I 820 TEXpress
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward I 35W Express: Fort Worth, Denton
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.8 mi·50 sec
Toward I 35W Express North: DentonUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 35W TEXpress
2.3 mi·2 min·I 35W TEXpress
14
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward US 81 North, US 287 North: DecaturUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto US 81; US 287
1.7 mi·1 min·US 81; US 287
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on US 81; US 287
102 mi·1 hr 47 min·US 81; US 287
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on US 281; US 287
0.8 mi·58 sec·Lloyd Ruby Overpass
18
Continue on US 277; US 281; US 287
2.4 mi·3 min·Central Freeway
Use the straight lane.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto US 287
5.3 mi·5 min·Northwest Freeway
Exit 3AToward US 287 North: Vernon, AmarilloUse the slight left / straight lanes.
20
Continue on US 287
40 mi·42 min·US Highway 287 East
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
21
Continue on US 70; US 183; US 287
4.1 mi·4 min·Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on US 287
26 mi·26 min·US Highway 287 West
Use the straight lane.
23
Continue on US 287
29 mi·32 min·East 11th Street
24
Continue on US 287
2.8 mi·3 min·Avenue F Northeast
25
Continue on US 287
14 mi·14 min·US Highway 287
26
Continue on US 287
0.7 mi·1 min·Burnett Street
27
Continue on US 287
14 mi·13 min·US Highway 287
28
Turn straight onto US 287
26 mi·28 min·Boykin Drive
29
Continue on US 287
1.6 mi·1 min·East 2nd Street
30
Continue on US 287
28 mi·28 min·US Highway 287
31
Continue on US 287; FM 1151
1.1 mi·2 min·East 1st Street
32
Continue on US 287
20 mi·20 min·US Highway 287
33
Keep slight left at fork onto US 287
7.9 mi·10 min·US 287
Toward I 40 West, US 287 NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Take the exit onto US 287
470 ft·8 sec·US 287
Exit 70Toward I 27 South, US 87, US 60, US 287 North: Canyon, Lubbock, Dumas, Pampa, Downtown
35
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 70Toward I 27 South, US 87 South, US 60 West: Canyon, LubbockUse the slight left lane.
36
Merge onto I 27; US 60; US 87
13 mi·14 min·Canyon Expressway
37
Keep slight right at fork onto US 60; US 87
2.4 mi·2 min·Canyon Expressway
38
Keep slight left at fork onto US 87
0.4 mi·41 sec·Canyon Expressway
Toward US 87 South, to TX 217: Palo Duro Canyon State ParkUse the straight / slight right lanes.
39
Continue on US 87
0.4 mi·59 sec·North 23rd Street
40
Arrive at destination
US 87
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 40m estimated duration, leaving Arlington in the morning is your best bet to avoid driving after dark. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility with stops; plan for one main stop to break up the 366.2 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you transition to more rural stretches where stations might be less frequent. The estimated fuel cost of $52 is a good baseline, but always factor in potential price variations.
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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 183.1 miles from Arlington, TX, or about 3h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 103.4 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 81 miles or 1h 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 183.1 miles or 3h 21m 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 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Canyon, 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 366.2 miles and 6h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 81 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 US 81 for about 103.4 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 2.3 and 365.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
9
129.2 mi into trip|~2h 24m in|US 287 / Northwest Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto US 287 / Northwest Freeway toward US 287 North: Vernon, Amarillo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 3A
Toward US 287 North: Vernon, Amarillo
8
341.3 mi into trip|~6h 10m in|US 287
Keep slight left at fork onto US 287 toward I 40 West, US 287 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 40 West, US 287 North
9
349.2 mi into trip|~6h 20m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 27 South, US 87 South, US 60 West: Canyon, Lubbock
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 70
Toward I 27 South, US 87 South, US 60 West: Can...
8
365.4 mi into trip|~6h 38m in|US 87 / Canyon Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto US 87 / Canyon Expressway toward US 87 South, to TX 217: Palo Duro Canyon State Park
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 87 South, to TX 217: Palo Duro Canyon...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$54.97 one way
$109.95 round trip
$3.81/gal25.4 MPG avg128 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$60.83
$121.65
premium
$4.57
$65.82
$131.63
diesel
$6.28
$90.48
$180.97
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$55
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$80–$105
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 128.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
109.9
1
$38.45
$17.58
Efficient EV
91.6
1
$32.04
$14.65
EV Truck/SUV
146.5
1
$51.27
$23.44
Gas CO2
128 kg
EV CO2
43 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.
Forecast as of Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Arlington, TX
Late night
in Arlington on Friday
Local time
4:37 AM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Partly Cloudy
SE 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Canyon, TX
Late night
in Canyon on Friday
Local time
4:37 AM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Mostly Clear
S 5 mph0% chanceLive 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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
6h 40m 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.
Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument
National Monument
13,000 years ago, Alibates Flint was used by mammoth hunters as a source of flint for tools. Learn how important this site was to the survival, commerce, and culture of the people of the High Plains.
27 mi from route
~67 min detour
Free
near mile 340.9
Set within the wide‑open Texas Plains, Lake Meredith National Recreation Area offers a peaceful retreat in the heart of rugged grasslands. Over thousands of years, the Canadian River carved dramatic 2...
29 mi from route
~74 min detour
Free
near mile 340.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is almost entirely on surface roads, with 0% highway usage, meaning you'll be encountering frequent intersections and traffic signals for the entire 366.2 miles. The longest stretch without a significant break is not specified, but expect a consistent pace dictated by local traffic rather than high-speed cruising. You'll notice the shift from more urban approaches to potentially sparser, rural road conditions as you progress.
80% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
40 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 103.4 mi on US 81.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 81 and US Highway 287. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.3 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 366.2 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 2.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 129.2 miles (US 287 / Northwest Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 341.3 miles (US 287): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
3,570 ft604 ft
Total Climb
3,094 ft
Total Descent
156 ft
Highest Point
3,570 ft
~340 mi in
Elevation Range
2,967 ft
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 Canyon, TX, road signs point toward Denton and Amarillo.
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
Canyon is a city in the High Plains region of the Texas Panhandle. It is home to the West Texas branch of Texas A&M University, the most prestigious in the region, and is the gateway city to Palo Duro Canyon.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 40m. Total distance: 366.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 40m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 103.4 miles on US 81. 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 Canyon, 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 2.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 129.2 miles (US 287 / Northwest Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 341.3 miles (US 287): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument and Lake Meredith National Recreation Area. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.7 hours each way, a round trip means 13.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Canyon, TX before the return drive.
