Arlington, TX to Dalhart, TX is 435.1 miles and takes about 7h 50m via US 81 and US Highway 287, with a fuel budget near $68 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive takes you from the edge of the Great Plains region in Texas all the way across the state, staying within the same general landscape. You'll spend most of your time on highways, making it a straightforward trip. With only 2 planned stops, this route is designed for efficient travel. Consider this a solid choice if you need to cover a good amount of ground in Texas without much fuss.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
217.5 miles from Arlington, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 57m 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
US 87
40.3 mi
42m
East 11th Street
28.7 mi
32m
Boykin Drive
26.2 mi
28m
US Highway 287 West
25.7 mi
26m
TX 354
21.4 mi
21m
Longest stretch:
US 81
— 103.4 mi, about 1h 49m
Traffic on I-30
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 2 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
7 AM
~4,470 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~418 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 50 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 Dalhart, 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 right at fork onto East Interstate Drive
329 ft·8 sec·East Interstate Drive
Toward East 3rd Avenue
34
Keep slight right at fork onto Southeast 3rd Avenue
2.6 mi·3 min·Southeast 3rd Avenue
35
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·26 sec
36
Merge onto Loop 335
4.1 mi·4 min·North Lakeside Drive
37
Continue on Loop 335
0.6 mi·36 sec·East Loop 335 North
38
Continue on Loop 335
4.7 mi·5 min·East Saint Francis Avenue
39
Turn right onto Dumas Drive
0.1 mi·15 sec·Dumas Drive
40
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·22 sec
41
Merge onto US 87; US 287
31 mi·30 min·US 87; US 287
42
Take the exit
0.3 mi·46 sec
Toward SH 354 West, FM 1319 East
43
Turn left onto TX 354
21 mi·21 min·TX 354
44
Turn right onto US 385
15 mi·15 min·Rock Island Avenue
45
Take the ramp onto US 385
4.7 mi·5 min·US 385
46
Continue on US 87; US 385
9.5 mi·11 min·US 87; US 385
47
Arrive at destination
US 87; US 385
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 7h 50m drive, aim for an early morning departure from Arlington to maximize daylight. With a fuel cost estimated around $68, plan your fill-ups accordingly, especially considering the 103.4-mile stretch on US 81 where you'll want to ensure you have enough fuel. Since this route is recommended for a single day, you have flexibility with your two stops; choose them for convenience or a brief break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as services can be spread out in some of the more rural sections between major towns.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 217.5 miles from Arlington, TX, or about 3h 57m 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 96 miles or 1h 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 217.5 miles or 3h 57m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 46m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Dalhart, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Arlington, TX
This is one driving day of about 435.1 miles and 7h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 96 miles from Arlington, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks 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 24
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.3 and 129.2 — 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
7
7.5 mi into trip|~12m in
Take the exit toward I 820 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 21B
Toward I 820 North
7
12.5 mi into trip|~19m in|I 820
Keep slight left at fork onto I 820 toward I 820 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 820 West
7
18.7 mi into trip|~26m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 35W Express North: Denton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35W Express North: Denton
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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$59.59 one way
$119.19 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg152 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$66.57
$133.13
premium
$4.23
$72.37
$144.75
diesel
$4.80
$82.16
$164.31
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$60
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$85–$110
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 152.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $46 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
130.5
1
$45.69
$20.88
Efficient EV
108.8
1
$38.07
$17.40
EV Truck/SUV
174
2
$60.91
$27.85
Gas CO2
152 kg
EV CO2
51 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Arlington, TX
Afternoon
in Arlington on Sunday
Local time
2:47 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 5 to 10 mph33% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 8:11PM CDT until July 17 at 11:34PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 8:11PM CDT until July 17 at 11:00PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Dalhart, TX
Afternoon
in Dalhart on Sunday
Local time
2:47 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Mostly Clear
SSE 10 to 15 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 8:11PM CDT until July 17 at 11:34PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 8:11PM CDT until July 17 at 11:00PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
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
13 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
7h 50m 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.
15 mi from route
~38 min detour
Free
near mile 375.1
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...
15 mi from route
~38 min detour
Free
near mile 375.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll be on highways for about 77% of this 435.1-mile trip. The longest continuous stretch without a major road change is 103.4 miles on US 81. Expect a good amount of rural cruising as you transition from US 81 to US Highway 287 East. The bulk of the mileage is on these primary roads, so you won't encounter excessive merging or dense exit sequences until you get closer to the starting point.
77% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
47 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 24 significant decision points across 435.1 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 7.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.5 miles (I 820): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
3,983 ft604 ft
Total Climb
3,571 ft
Total Descent
191 ft
Highest Point
3,983 ft
~435.1 mi in
Elevation Range
3,380 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 Dalhart, TX, road signs point toward Amarillo, Sh 354 West and Fm 1319 East.
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
Dalhart is a city in the High Plains of the Texas Panhandle. It is known as the "Gateway to the Rockies" because it is an important stopover and resting place for many Texans on their way to the ski slopes of northeast New Mexico and Colorado.
Top landmarks
•Dallam County Courthouse — historic place in Dalhart, Dallam County, Texas
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 50m. Total distance: 435.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 50m 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.
Yes — we found about 30 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 Dalhart, 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 30 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 7.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.5 miles (I 820): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 7.8 hours each way, a round trip means 15.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Dalhart, TX before the return drive.
