Navarro County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Arlington, TX to Franklin, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 50m
Distance
254.2 mi
409 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$35
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 37m
★
6 AM
4h 50m
8 AM
5h 17m
10 AM
5h 0m
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
Franklin, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Trip Overview
Arlington, TX to Franklin, TX is 254.2 miles and takes about 4h 50m via Julius Schepps Freeway, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Texas, moving from the Great Plains region to another part of the Great Plains. It's a straightforward drive, mostly on highways, making it a practical choice for a single-day trip. You'll find it a convenient way to cover this distance without needing an overnight stay.
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
127.1 miles from Arlington, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 14m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Julius Schepps Freeway | 178.2 mi | 2h 59m |
| Lyndon B Johnson Freeway | 15.4 mi | 16m |
| State Highway 105 | 15.2 mi | 22m |
| TX 105 | 12.6 mi | 18m |
| East Houston Street | 6.2 mi | 9m |
| Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway | 5.9 mi | 6m |
| Willis Waukegan Road | 5.8 mi | 8m |
| East Powell Street | 5.1 mi | 9m |
Longest stretch:
Julius Schepps Freeway
— 178.2 mi, about 2h 59m
Traffic on I-45
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 14 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
1 PM
~1,496 veh/hr typical · worst 2,185
Quietest
1 AM
~238 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 45 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 Franklin, 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
15 mi
·
16 min
·
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Exit 473C
Toward I 45 South: Houston
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 45
178 mi
·
2 hr 59 min
·
Julius Schepps Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Toward Calvary Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on Interstate 45 North Frontage Road
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Interstate 45 North Frontage Road
13
Turn left onto Calvary Road
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
Calvary Road
14
At end of road, turn right onto TX 75
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
North State Highway 75
15
Continue on TX 75
0.5 mi
·
57 sec
·
North Danville Street
16
Turn left onto FM 2432
5.1 mi
·
9 min
·
East Powell Street
Use the left lane.
17
Continue on Willis Waukegan Road
5.8 mi
·
8 min
·
Willis Waukegan Road
18
Turn left onto TX 105
15 mi
·
22 min
·
State Highway 105
19
At end of road, turn left onto TX 105 Business; Loop 573
0.5 mi
·
52 sec
·
Washington Avenue
Use the left / right lanes.
20
Turn right onto TX 105 Business; TX 321
6.2 mi
·
9 min
·
East Houston Street
21
Turn left onto TX 105
13 mi
·
18 min
·
TX 105
Use the left lane.
22
Arrive at destination
TX 105
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 50m estimated drive time, leaving Arlington, TX in the morning is ideal to maximize daylight. You'll only have one recommended stop on this 254.2-mile route, so plan this break strategically. With a fuel cost estimated at $38, ensure your tank is full before departing, as there are no specific fuel advisories beyond the general cost. The longest stretch without a break is 178.2 miles on Julius Schepps Freeway, so factor in a stop before or after that segment for comfort.
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 127.1 miles from Arlington, TX, or about 2h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 178.2 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 56 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 127.1 miles or 2h 14m 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 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Franklin, 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 254.2 miles and 4h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 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 Julius Schepps Freeway for about 178.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
127 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 56 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 127.1 miles from Arlington, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Julius Schepps Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 178.2 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.
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Navarro County Southbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.1 mi from route
TA Express
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Walker County Southbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Walker County Northbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
TA Express
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.4 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.6 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.7 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.8 mi from route
Service Plaza
2.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
2.3 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 155 decision points cluster between mile 4.8 and 234.9 — 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
26.7 mi into trip
|
~33m in
Take the exit toward I 45 South: Houston
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 473C
Toward I 45 South: Houston
6
205.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 33m in
Take the exit toward Calvary Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Calvary Road
6
234.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 21m in
|
TX 105 Business; Loop 573 / Washington Avenue
At end of road, turn left onto TX 105 Business; Loop 573 / Washington Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.82 one way
$69.63 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
89 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $38.89 | $77.78 |
| premium | $4.23 | $42.28 | $84.57 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $48.00 | $96.00 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 88.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 76.3 | 0 | $26.69 | $12.20 |
| Efficient EV | 63.6 | 0 | $22.24 | $10.17 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 101.7 | 1 | $35.59 | $16.27 |
Gas CO2
89 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (66% 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
Afternoon in Arlington on Sunday
Local time
1:25 PM
CDT
Current temp
98°F
Sunny
SSW 5 to 10 mph
11% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 19 at 9:42AM CDT until July 19 at 12:45PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 19 at 8:33AM CDT until July 19 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Franklin, TX
Afternoon in Franklin on Sunday
Local time
1:25 PM
CDT
Current temp
97°F
Sunny
0 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 19 at 9:42AM CDT until July 19 at 12:45PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 19 at 8:33AM CDT until July 19 at 10:00PM 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
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
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.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway, with 88% of the 254.2 miles on high-speed roads. You'll experience a long stretch of 178.2 miles on Julius Schepps Freeway, offering uninterrupted driving. The transition to surface roads will occur after this long highway segment, so be prepared for a change in pace and potentially more local traffic as you approach your destination.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 178.2 mi on Julius Schepps Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Julius Schepps Freeway and Lyndon B Johnson Freeway. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 4.8 miles in near East Interstate 20.
Driving Effort
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 254.2 miles you will encounter 15 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
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 26.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
661 ft
60 ft
Total Climb
130 ft
Total Descent
673 ft
Highest Point
661 ft
~18.2 mi in
Elevation Range
601 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 Franklin, TX
Full guide →Top landmarks
- • Franklin Carnegie Library — historic place in Franklin, Robertson County, Texas
- • Robertson County Courthouse — courthouse at Deckerd St. at Alley St. Franklin, Texas
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: 254.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 178.2 miles on Julius Schepps Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 27 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
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 26.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Franklin, 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, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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