If you are planning a trip from Arlington to Goldthwaite, expect a straightforward 155.8-mile journey that typically takes about 3 hours and 6 minutes to complete. This drive is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You will navigate primarily via the Chisholm Trail Parkway, US 67, and West US Highway 84, keeping your estimated fuel costs around $24. Since both locations are situated within the Great Plains region, the terrain remains consistent throughout your travel. It is a practical, highway-focused route that offers a reliable connection between these two Texas points.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
77.9 miles from Arlington, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 32m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 67
36.2 mi
41m
West US Highway 84
24.4 mi
25m
Chisholm Trail Parkway
21.3 mi
23m
North US Highway 281
19 mi
20m
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
15.4 mi
16m
South US Highway 281
14.7 mi
20m
TX 220
13.6 mi
19m
South Cooper Street
2.4 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
US 67
— 36.2 mi, about 41m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arlington, TX and Goldthwaite, 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
15 mi·16 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
1.3 mi·2 min
Exit 432BToward CTP Toll South: Chisholm Trail ParkwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto CTP
21 mi·23 min·Chisholm Trail Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Turn right onto West Katherine P Raines Drive
0.2 mi·20 sec·West Katherine P Raines Drive
12
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·32 sec
Toward US 67 South
13
Merge onto US 67
36 mi·41 min·US 67
14
Turn slight left onto TX 220
14 mi·19 min·TX 220
15
Turn right onto TX 6
0.1 mi·8 sec·East 2nd Street
16
Continue on TX 6
0.2 mi·21 sec·West 2nd Street
17
Turn left onto US 281
0.6 mi·38 sec·North Walnut Street
Use the left lane.
18
Turn straight onto US 281
19 mi·20 min·North US Highway 281
19
Continue on US 281
2.3 mi·2 min·North Rice Street
20
Continue on US 281
15 mi·20 min·South US Highway 281
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward US 84: Goldthwatie, Gatesville
22
Keep slight right at fork
346 ft·9 sec
Toward US 84 West: Goldthwatie
23
Turn slight right onto US 84
24 mi·25 min·West US Highway 84
24
Turn left onto Loop 15
0.6 mi·1 min·Loop 15
25
Turn left
35 ft·2 sec
26
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Because this drive is easily manageable in one day, you have the flexibility to depart whenever fits your schedule best. Plan for at least one dedicated stop along the way to break up the three-hour duration and keep your energy levels steady. Given that the route relies heavily on major roads, keep an eye on traffic patterns when exiting the Arlington area to ensure a smooth start to your journey. Since your total fuel budget is approximately $24, topping off your tank before leaving the metro area is a smart, time-saving move. Use the 155.8-mile distance to your advantage by planning your single rest break near the halfway point of your travel time.
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 77.9 miles from Arlington, TX, or about 1h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 36.2 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 34 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 77.9 miles or 1h 32m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Goldthwaite, 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 155.8 miles and 3h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 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 67 for about 36.2 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 130.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|South Center Street
Turn right onto South Center Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
4.1 mi into trip|~7m in|FM 157 / South Cooper Street
Keep slight right at fork onto FM 157 / South Cooper Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
21 mi into trip|~27m in
Take the exit toward CTP Toll South: Chisholm Trail Parkway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 432B
Toward CTP Toll South: Chisholm Trail Parkway
6
94.1 mi into trip|~1h 55m in|US 281 / North Walnut Street
Turn left onto US 281 / North Walnut Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
130.7 mi into trip|~2h 39m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 84 West: Goldthwatie
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward US 84 West: Goldthwatie
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.54 one way
$47.08 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg55 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$25.77
$51.54
premium
$4.54
$27.82
$55.63
diesel
$5.61
$34.40
$68.80
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 54.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
46.7
0
$16.36
$7.48
Efficient EV
39
0
$13.63
$6.23
EV Truck/SUV
62.3
0
$21.81
$9.97
Gas CO2
55 kg
EV CO2
18 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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 Apr 19, 2026
Origin
Arlington, TX
Evening
in Arlington on Sunday
Local time
5:17 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Goldthwaite, TX
Evening
in Goldthwaite on Sunday
Local time
5:17 PM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
3 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
3h 6m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a drive defined by efficiency, as roughly 83% of your time behind the wheel will be spent on highways. The route balances faster, multi-lane sections with the steady pace of US-designated roads. You will encounter your longest uninterrupted segment on US 67, which spans 36.2 miles of the trip. As you transition between these thoroughfares, the road character shifts from the initial highway flow into a more rural, consistent drive. This highway-heavy profile ensures that you spend less time navigating complex local turns and more time moving toward your final destination.
83% 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: 36.2 mi on US 67.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 67 and West US Highway 84. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near South Center Street.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 155.8 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 0.1 miles (South Center Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.1 miles (FM 157 / South Cooper Street): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 21 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,572 ft573 ft
Total Climb
1,630 ft
Total Descent
661 ft
Highest Point
1,572 ft
~155.8 mi in
Elevation Range
1,000 ft
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 Goldthwaite, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Gatesville along the way.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 6m. Total distance: 155.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (83%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 36.2 miles on US 67. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Goldthwaite, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (South Center Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.1 miles (FM 157 / South Cooper Street): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 21 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Goldthwaite, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.
