Picnic Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Arlington, TX to Del Rio, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
7h 35m
Distance
412.4 mi
664 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$56
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 25m
★
6 AM
7h 35m
8 AM
7h 55m
10 AM
7h 42m
12 PM
7h 40m
3 PM
7h 43m
5 PM
7h 54m
8 PM
7h 29m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Arlington, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Del Rio, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Arlington, TX to Del Rio, TX is 412.4 miles and takes about 7h 35m via US 277, with a fuel budget near $62 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip primarily uses US Highway 277 South for its entire duration, making it a straightforward drive through the Great Plains region of Texas. Given its mostly highway nature and single-day recommendation, it's a solid option if you're looking for an efficient way to cover ground without extensive planning. You'll find the route is set up for steady progress, with a high percentage of time spent on major roadways.
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
206.2 miles from Arlington, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 41m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 277 | 152.8 mi | 2h 50m |
| I 20 | 137.3 mi | 2h 19m |
| US Highway 277 South | 78.6 mi | 1h 24m |
| West Freeway | 15.5 mi | 17m |
| Tom Landry Freeway | 12 mi | 15m |
| Veterans Boulevard | 4.5 mi | 7m |
| South Bryant Boulevard | 3.5 mi | 4m |
| Winters Freeway | 2.5 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
US 277
— 152.8 mi, about 2h 50m
Traffic on I-20
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 48 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,819 veh/hr typical · worst 2,291
Quietest
2 AM
~200 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.1×
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 Del Rio, 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 West
Use the left lane.
5
Merge onto I 30
12 mi
·
15 min
·
Tom Landry Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on I 30; US 377
15 mi
·
17 min
·
West Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 20
137 mi
·
2 hr 19 min
·
I 20
Use the slight right lane.
8
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 283A
Toward US 83 South, US 277 South: San Angelo, Ballinger, Anson
9
Merge onto US 83; US 277
2.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Winters Freeway
10
Take the exit onto US 277
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
US 277
Toward US 277 South: San Angelo
11
Turn right onto US 277
79 mi
·
1 hr 24 min
·
US Highway 277 South
12
Keep slight right at fork onto US 277
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
·
US 277
Toward US 67 South, US 277 South: San Angelo
13
Keep slight left at fork onto US 277
5.1 mi
·
6 min
·
US 277
Toward US 67 South, US 277 South: San Angelo
14
Take the exit onto US 277
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
·
US 277
Toward US 87, US 277 South
15
Turn left onto US 87; US 277; US 67 Bus
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
North Bryant Boulevard
16
Continue on US 87; US 277; US 67 Bus
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
North Abe Street
17
Continue on US 87; US 277
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
South Bryant Boulevard
18
Take the exit onto US 277
60 mi
·
1 hr 7 min
·
US 277
Toward US 277 South: Eldorado
19
Turn left onto US 277; Loop 467
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
North Crockett Avenue
20
Turn right onto US 277
22 mi
·
24 min
·
US 277
21
Keep slight right at fork onto US 277
64 mi
·
1 hr 9 min
·
US 277
22
Turn left onto US 90; US 277; US 377
4.5 mi
·
7 min
·
Veterans Boulevard
23
Continue on Spur 297
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
Spur 297
24
Turn left onto US 277 Spur
377 ft
·
30 sec
·
East Garfield Street
25
Turn left onto Spur 297
107 ft
·
2 sec
·
Spur 297
26
Arrive at destination
Spur 297
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 7.5-hour drive, aim for an early morning departure from Arlington to ensure you have ample daylight for the 412.4-mile journey. With only 2 recommended stops, you can choose to make them brief rests or longer breaks depending on your preference. The estimated fuel cost of $62 is based on current averages, so be sure to check prices as you travel. Given that the longest stretch is over 150 miles, plan your fuel stops accordingly, especially as you get further into the rural sections of US 277 South.
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 206.2 miles from Arlington, TX, or about 3h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 152.8 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 91 miles or 1h 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 206.2 miles or 3h 41m 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 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Del Rio, 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 412.4 miles and 7h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 91 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 277 for about 152.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
206 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 91 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 206.2 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 277 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 152.8 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.
Picnic Area
0 mi from route
Road Ranger
0 mi from route
I-20 Westbound Picnic Area
0 mi from route
I-20 Eastbound Picnic Area
0 mi from route
Rest Area
0 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Eastland County Eastbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Eastland County Westbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.2 mi from route
Callahan County Eastbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Callahan County Westbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Waterfall Overlook
0.2 mi from route
Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Hill Arbor
0.3 mi from route
Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.5 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.6 mi from route
Sonora Ice House Ranch Museum
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
2.2 mi from route
~6 min detour
Sonora, Texas
Hours: 1–5 pm
+13253873754
Visit websiteFort Chadbourne
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour
Halfway reset
4.9 mi from route
~12 min detour
Bronte, Texas
Hours: 8 am–4:30 pm
+13257432555
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 185 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 250.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.4 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
FM 157 / South Cooper Street
Turn right onto FM 157 / South Cooper Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
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
6
167.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 58m in
Take the exit toward US 83 South, US 277 South: San Angelo, Ballinger, Anson
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 283A
Toward US 83 South, US 277 South: San Angelo, B...
6
250.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 28m in
|
US 277
Keep slight right at fork onto US 277 toward US 67 South, US 277 South: San Angelo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 67 South, US 277 South: San Angelo
6
250.6 mi into trip
|
~4h 29m in
|
US 277
Keep slight left at fork onto US 277 toward US 67 South, US 277 South: San Angelo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 67 South, US 277 South: San Angelo
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$56.49 one way
$112.97 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
144 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $63.09 | $126.19 |
| premium | $4.23 | $68.60 | $137.20 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $77.87 | $155.74 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$56
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$81–$106
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 144.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $43 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 123.7 | 1 | $43.30 | $19.80 |
| Efficient EV | 103.1 | 1 | $36.09 | $16.50 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 165 | 2 | $57.74 | $26.39 |
Gas CO2
144 kg
EV CO2
48 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
Late night in Arlington on Monday
Local time
2:40 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 5 mph
33% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 9:36PM CDT until July 19 at 3:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 9:36PM CDT until July 19 at 1:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Del Rio, TX
Late night in Del Rio on Monday
Local time
2:40 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
ESE 5 to 10 mph
81% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 9:36PM CDT until July 19 at 3:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 9:36PM CDT until July 19 at 1:00AM 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
1 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 35m 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.
Amistad National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
An oasis in the desert, Amistad National Recreation Area consists of the US portion of the International Amistad Reservoir. Amistad, a Spanish word meaning "friendship," is known for excellent water-b...
11 mi from route
~28 min detour
Free
near mile 398.2
Park Closure: Diablo East Marina Cove, Scuba Cove, and Walkway Access Are Closed
Caution: Help Prevent Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Infestation
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect almost entirely highway driving, with 97% of the route on major roads. The longest continuous stretch without needing to navigate significant turns or exits is 152.8 miles, also on US 277. This means you’ll experience extended periods of rural cruising. Once you do leave the highway, the transition is minimal given the high highway share.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 152.8 mi on US 277.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 277 and I 20. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near FM 157 / South Cooper Street.
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 18 significant decision points across 412.4 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 0.4 miles (FM 157 / South Cooper Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 167.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,310 ft
603 ft
Total Climb
2,223 ft
Total Descent
1,862 ft
Highest Point
2,310 ft
~294.6 mi in
Elevation Range
1,707 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.
Between Arlington, TX and Del Rio, TX, road signs point toward Ballinger and Anson.
Ballinger
167.4 mi in
|
~2h 58m
Anson
167.4 mi in
|
~2h 58m
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 Del Rio, 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 7h 35m. Total distance: 412.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 35m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 152.8 miles on US 277. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 28 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 Del Rio, 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 28 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (FM 157 / South Cooper Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 167.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Amistad National Recreation Area. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.6 hours each way, a round trip means 15.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Del Rio, 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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