Bell County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Arlington, TX to Converse, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 16, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 50m
Distance
265.6 mi
427 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$41
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 37m
★
6 AM
4h 50m
8 AM
5h 17m
10 AM
4h 59m
12 PM
4h 57m
3 PM
5h 1m
5 PM
5h 16m
8 PM
4h 42m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Arlington, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Converse, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Arlington, TX to Converse, TX is 265.6 miles and takes about 4h 50m via Purple Heart Trail, South Freeway, and I 35, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Texas, moving from the general region of the Great Plains to another part of the same region. The route is a mix of highway and surface roads, suggesting you’ll experience both faster travel and more local driving. With only one recommended stop and a drive time under five hours, this is a straightforward trip perfect for a single day.
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
132.8 miles from Arlington, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 24m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Purple Heart Trail | 99.6 mi | 1h 46m |
| South Freeway | 78 mi | 1h 20m |
| I 35 | 55.8 mi | 58m |
| Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway | 10.3 mi | 11m |
| North Jack Kultgen Expressway | 6.6 mi | 7m |
| South Cooper Street | 2.4 mi | 4m |
| South Center Street | 2 mi | 4m |
| North Pan Am Expressway | 1.8 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Purple Heart Trail
— 99.6 mi, about 1h 46m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 100 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,362 veh/hr typical · worst 4,075
Quietest
2 AM
~579 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 104 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 Converse, 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
56 mi
·
58 min
·
I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35; US 290
50 mi
·
54 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Toward 32nd Street, Dean Keeton Street
Use the slight left lane.
16
Continue on I 35
1.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Interstate Highway 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on I 35
12 mi
·
12 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on I 35
1.8 mi
·
1 min
·
North Pan Am Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
Exit 172
Toward Loop 1604: Anderson Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward Loop 1604 South, TX 218: Anderson Loop, Pat Booker Road, Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward Loop 1604 South: Anderson Loop, JBSA-Randolph
Use the right lane.
22
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Toward Loop 1604 South
Use the straight lane.
23
Merge onto Loop 1604
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Anderson Loop
24
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Toward FM 1976
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Turn straight onto East Loop 1604 North
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
East Loop 1604 North
26
At end of road, turn right onto FM 1976
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Farm-to-Market Road 1976
Use the right lane.
27
Continue on FM 1976
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
1st Street
28
Turn left onto Toepperwein Road
99 ft
·
4 sec
·
Toepperwein Road
29
Arrive at destination
Toepperwein Road
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour 50-minute estimated drive time, leaving Arlington in the morning should allow you to reach Converse with plenty of daylight to spare. The route includes just one recommended stop, but with a drive this length, you have the flexibility to add more breaks if needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 99.6-mile stretch on the Purple Heart Trail, as services might be more spread out. The fuel cost is estimated at $38, so factor that into your budget. Planning for the transition between highway and surface roads will help you adjust your driving pace smoothly.
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 132.8 miles from Arlington, TX, or about 2h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.6 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 58 miles or 1h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 132.8 miles or 2h 24m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 54m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Converse, 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 265.6 miles and 4h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 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 Purple Heart Trail for about 99.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
133 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 58 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 132.8 miles from Arlington, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Purple Heart Trail if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 99.6 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.
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Hill County Northbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Walburg Travel Center & Food Court
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Ascent Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Hill County Southbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.2 mi from route
Marlstone Retail Center
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Bell County Southbound Rest Area
0.4 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.4 mi from route
Children's Park
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
San Marcos, Texas
Hours: 6 am–11 pm
+15123938400
Visit websitePioneer Farms
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
1.2 mi from route
~3 min detour
Austin, Texas
Hours: 10 am–2 pm
+15128371215
Visit websiteCalaboose African American History Museum
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.9 mi from route
~2 min detour
San Marcos, Texas
Hours: 10 am–2 pm
+15123938421
Visit websiteThe Sophienburg Museum & Archives
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.3 mi from route
~3 min detour
New Braunfels, Texas
Hours: 10 am–4 pm
+18306291572
Visit websiteTube Chute
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.8 mi from route
~5 min detour
New Braunfels, Texas
+18302214000
Visit websiteDoris D Miller Park
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Early stretch
2.1 mi from route
~5 min detour
Waco, Texas
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteCultural Activities Center
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
2.9 mi from route
~7 min detour
Temple, Texas
Hours: 8:30 am–4 pm
+12547739926
Visit websiteAnimal World & Snake Farm Zoo
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, ~9 min detour
Home stretch
3.5 mi from route
~9 min detour
New Braunfels, Texas
Hours: 10 am–6 pm
+18304024603
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 15.9 and 260.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
8
195.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 30m in
|
I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail toward 32nd Street, Dean Keeton Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward 32nd Street, Dean Keeton Street
9
260.7 mi into trip
|
~4h 41m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Loop 1604 South, TX 218: Anderson Loop, Pat Booker Road, Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Loop 1604 South, TX 218: Anderson Loop,...
8
260.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 42m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Loop 1604 South: Anderson Loop, JBSA-Randolph
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward Loop 1604 South: Anderson Loop, JBSA-Ran...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.67 one way
$81.33 round trip
$3.89/gal
25.4 MPG avg
93 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.29 | $44.88 | $89.76 |
| premium | $4.64 | $48.50 | $97.00 |
| diesel | $6.18 | $64.61 | $129.22 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 79.7 | 0 | $27.89 | $12.75 |
| Efficient EV | 66.4 | 0 | $23.24 | $10.62 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 106.2 | 1 | $37.18 | $17.00 |
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Friday
Local time
6:47 AM
CDT
Current temp
90°F
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 5 to 10 mph
15% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued October 15 at 6:07AM CDT until October 15 at 8:00AM CDT by NWS Lubbock TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued October 15 at 5:07AM CDT until October 15 at 8:00AM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Destination
Converse, TX
Morning in Converse on Friday
Local time
6:47 AM
CDT
Current temp
90°F
Mostly Sunny
SE 5 to 10 mph
5% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued October 15 at 6:07AM CDT until October 15 at 8:00AM CDT by NWS Lubbock TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued October 15 at 5:07AM CDT until October 15 at 8:00AM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
63°F
Troy, TX
133 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
4h 50m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 91.6
View on nps.gov
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Welcome to San Antonio Missions, a National Park Service site and the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Texas. Each mission in the park is a center of community and has been since the early 1700s. Th...
16 mi from route
~39 min detour
Free
near mile 265.6
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
About 54% of this drive is on highways, which means you'll spend a significant portion of the 265.6 miles on faster-paced roads. The longest continuous stretch without a major change in road type is 99.6 miles on the Purple Heart Trail. You'll transition between these highways and surface roads, so be prepared for varying traffic patterns and speed limits as you navigate the mixed highway and surface profile. Expect a noticeable shift in driving environment around the 99.6-mile mark.
54% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 99.6 mi on Purple Heart Trail.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 15.9 miles in.
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 265.6 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 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; at 195.3 miles (I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
749 ft
416 ft
Total Climb
613 ft
Total Descent
498 ft
Highest Point
749 ft
~170.7 mi in
Elevation Range
333 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Arlington, TX to Converse, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Denton along the way.
Denton
15.9 mi in
|
~21m
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 Converse, 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 4h 50m. Total distance: 265.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 99.6 miles on Purple Heart Trail. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 26 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 Converse, 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 26 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: 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; at 195.3 miles (I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument and San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Converse, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.
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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