Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Arlington, TX to Central Gardens, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 54m
Distance
303.3 mi
488 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$46
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 42m
★
6 AM
5h 55m
8 AM
6h 21m
10 AM
6h 4m
12 PM
6h 1m
3 PM
6h 5m
5 PM
6h 20m
8 PM
5h 47m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Arlington, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Central Gardens, TX
Cyrill
Trip Overview
Arlington, TX to Central Gardens, TX is 303.3 miles and takes about 5h 54m via US Highway 69 South and C F Hawn Freeway, with a fuel budget near $44 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily stays within the Great Plains region, offering a straightforward path across Texas. Expect a mostly highway experience, making it an efficient option for reaching your destination. With a single recommended day of travel and a manageable duration, this route is well-suited for a direct trip.
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
151.7 miles from Arlington, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 54m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US Highway 69 South | 63.3 mi | 1h 11m |
| C F Hawn Freeway | 58.8 mi | 1h 3m |
| East Denman Avenue | 38.5 mi | 43m |
| Lyndon B Johnson Freeway | 21.4 mi | 22m |
| US Highway 175 East | 20.8 mi | 22m |
| US Highway 69 North | 16.2 mi | 18m |
| Rusk Street | 15.1 mi | 19m |
| US Highway 175 | 13.3 mi | 14m |
Longest stretch:
US Highway 69 South
— 63.3 mi, about 1h 11m
Traffic on I-20
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 12 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
7 AM
~5,659 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~615 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 102 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 Central Gardens, 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
39 mi
·
43 min
·
East Denman Avenue
32
Continue on US 69
3.0 mi
·
3 min
·
North Wheeler Avenue
33
Continue on US 69
6.7 mi
·
7 min
·
US Highway 69 North
34
Continue on US 69
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
North Magnolia Street
35
Continue on US 69; US 287
42 mi
·
48 min
·
US Highway 69 South
36
Merge onto US 69; US 96; US 287
9.5 mi
·
10 min
·
US 69; US 96; US 287
37
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 10 East, US 90 East: Lake Charles
38
Merge onto I 10; US 90
0.8 mi
·
59 sec
·
I 10; US 90
Toward Lake Charles
39
Take the exit
492 ft
·
12 sec
Exit 854
Toward Spur 380: Martin Luther King Parkway, Magnolia Avenue
40
Turn straight onto Interstate 10 East Frontage Road
488 ft
·
13 sec
·
Interstate 10 East Frontage Road
41
Turn right onto Spur 380
5.8 mi
·
8 min
·
Gulf Street
42
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 347
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
TX 347
43
Continue on TX 347
56 ft
·
7 sec
·
North Twin City Highway
Use the left lane.
44
Arrive at destination
TX 347
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 54m estimated drive time, departing in the morning from Arlington, TX, will allow you to arrive in Central Gardens, TX, with plenty of daylight remaining. The route has only one recommended stop, so plan your breaks strategically, perhaps around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially as you leave the main highway stretches, as services can become more spaced out. With a fuel cost estimate of around $44, it's wise to fill up before heading out to ensure you have a full tank for the 303.3-mile journey.
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 151.7 miles from Arlington, TX, or about 2h 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 63.3 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 67 miles or 1h 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 151.7 miles or 2h 54m 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 49m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Central Gardens, 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 303.3 miles and 5h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 67 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 Highway 69 South for about 63.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
152 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 67 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 151.7 miles from Arlington, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US Highway 69 South if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 63.3 miles.
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
QuikTrip
2.5 mi from route
Port Neches Riverfront Park
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, ~9 min detour
Home stretch
3.7 mi from route
~9 min detour
Port Neches, Texas
Hours: 8 am–8 pm
+14097194280
Visit websiteSpindletop Gladys-City Boomtown Museum
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, ~12 min detour
Home stretch
4.7 mi from route
~12 min detour
Beaumont, Texas
Hours: 10 am–4 pm
+14098801750
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 205 decision points cluster between mile 4.8 and 293.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
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
6
292.5 mi into trip
|
~5h 38m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 10 East, US 90 East: Lake Charles
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 10 East, US 90 East: Lake Charles
6
293.9 mi into trip
|
~5h 40m in
Take the exit toward Spur 380: Martin Luther King Parkway, Magnolia Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 854
Toward Spur 380: Martin Luther King Parkway, Ma...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$46.44 one way
$92.88 round trip
$3.89/gal
25.4 MPG avg
106 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.29 | $51.25 | $102.50 |
| premium | $4.64 | $55.38 | $110.76 |
| diesel | $6.18 | $73.78 | $147.57 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$46
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 106.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 91 | 1 | $31.85 | $14.56 |
| Efficient EV | 75.8 | 0 | $26.54 | $12.13 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 121.3 | 1 | $42.46 | $19.41 |
Gas CO2
106 kg
EV CO2
35 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.
Origin
Arlington, TX
Morning in Arlington on Saturday
Local time
11:33 AM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Mostly Clear
N 10 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 17 at 3:25AM CDT until October 18 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued October 17 at 2:37AM CDT until October 20 at 4:00AM CDT by NWS Norman OK
Destination
Central Gardens, TX
Morning in Central Gardens on Saturday
Local time
11:33 AM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Mostly Clear
N 15 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 17 at 3:25AM CDT until October 18 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued October 17 at 2:37AM CDT until October 20 at 4:00AM CDT by NWS Norman OK
61°F
Jacksonville, TX
152 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
8 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 54m 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 trip is mostly highway, with 69% of the route on freeways and major roads. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 63.3 miles on US Highway 69 South before transitioning to surface roads. The C F Hawn Freeway section will likely involve navigating urban merging and denser traffic patterns. Expect a steady pace on the highway portions of this drive.
69% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
44 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 63.3 mi on US Highway 69 South.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US Highway 69 South and C F Hawn Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.8 miles in near East Interstate 20.
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 20 significant decision points across 303.3 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 4.8 miles (East Interstate 20): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 32.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
604 ft
18 ft
Total Climb
225 ft
Total Descent
810 ft
Highest Point
604 ft
~21.7 mi in
Elevation Range
586 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 Central Gardens, 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 54m. Total distance: 303.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 63.3 miles on US Highway 69 South. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 11 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 Central Gardens, 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 11 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 4.8 miles (East Interstate 20): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 32.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.9 hours each way, a round trip means 11.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Central Gardens, 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, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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