Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
7h 47m
Distance
405.4 mi
652 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$61
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Arlington, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Gruver, TX
Action Construction Equipment Ltd. - ACE
This 405.4-mile drive from Arlington, TX, to Gruver, TX, is a substantial trek that can be completed in about 7 hours and 47 minutes. It's primarily a highway-focused experience, with 74% of the journey on major roads like US 81 and US Highway 287. While it's possible to do this in a single day, consider the 103.4-mile longest stretch on US 81; you might want to plan for one carefully timed stop. With an estimated fuel cost of $61, it's a budget-friendly trip, and you'll be traveling through the Great Plains region for the entire duration, so expect consistent scenery. This route is best suited for those who don't mind a straightforward highway journey.
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
202.7 miles from Arlington, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 41m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 81 | 103.4 mi | 1h 49m |
| US Highway 287 | 55.8 mi | 57m |
| US Highway 287 East | 40.5 mi | 42m |
| TX 136 | 32.7 mi | 45m |
| East 11th Street | 28.7 mi | 32m |
| Boykin Drive | 26.2 mi | 28m |
| US Highway 287 West | 25.7 mi | 26m |
| Elsie Avenue | 24.3 mi | 36m |
Step-by-step road directions between Arlington, TX and Gruver, TX.
Start on West Abram Street
Turn right onto FM 157
Turn left onto West Lamar Boulevard
Turn left
Merge onto I 30
Take the exit
Merge onto I 820
Keep slight left at fork onto I 820
Take the exit
Merge onto I 820 TEXpress
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 35W TEXpress
Take the exit
Merge onto US 81; US 287
Continue on US 81; US 287
Continue on US 281; US 287
Continue on US 277; US 281; US 287
Keep slight left at fork onto US 287
Continue on US 287
Continue on US 70; US 183; US 287
Continue on US 287
Continue on US 287
Continue on US 287
Continue on US 287
Continue on US 287
Continue on US 287
Turn straight onto US 287
Continue on US 287
Continue on US 287
Continue on US 287; FM 1151
Turn right onto TX 207
Continue on TX 207
Turn left onto TX 207; US 66 Hist
Turn straight onto TX 207
Continue on TX 207; FM 293
Turn left onto TX 207; FM 293
Enter roundabout onto TX 136; TX 152; TX 207
Continue on TX 136; TX 152; TX 207
Turn straight onto TX 136; TX 207
Turn slight left onto TX 136
Turn right onto Loop 84
Arrive at destination
For this 7-hour, 47-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Arlington to maximize your daylight hours. With only two recommended stops for a 405.4-mile journey, plan them strategically to break up the longest stretch of 103.4 miles on US 81. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during those longer segments, and budget around $61 for gas. Since it's a highway-focused route, you'll find rest areas and services generally available, but it's always wise to be prepared. This drive is manageable in one day, but if you prefer a more relaxed pace, splitting it with an overnight stay around the halfway point could be a good option.
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.
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 89 miles or 1h 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 202.7 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 25m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gruver, TX than in the middle of the route.
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 405.4 miles and 7h 47m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
203 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.
A short stop after about 89 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 202.7 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 81 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 103.4 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
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.
Turn left toward I 30 West
Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 820 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork onto I 820 toward I 820 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork toward I 35W Express North: Denton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
Regular Gas
$61.26 one way
$122.51 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $67.05 | $134.10 |
| premium | $4.54 | $72.38 | $144.76 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $89.51 | $179.01 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$61
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$86–$111
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 141.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $43 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 121.6 | 1 | $42.57 | $19.46 |
| Efficient EV | 101.4 | 1 | $35.47 | $16.22 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 162.2 | 2 | $56.76 | $25.95 |
Gas CO2
142 kg
EV CO2
47 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in Arlington on Saturday
Local time
11:17 PM
CDT
Current temp
83°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
Destination
Night in Gruver on Saturday
Local time
11:17 PM
CDT
Current temp
87°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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.
National Recreation Area
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this 405.4-mile trip, with 74% of your time spent on major arteries. You'll navigate primarily via US 81 and US Highway 287, encountering stretches that are designed for steady progress. The longest uninterrupted segment you'll experience is 103.4 miles on US 81, offering a chance to settle into a rhythm. While not overly complex, the road demands attention as you cover significant ground. The character remains consistent, emphasizing efficiency over winding exploration.
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.
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 405.4 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 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.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Arlington, TX to Gruver, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Amarillo along the way.
Amarillo
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
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 47m. Total distance: 405.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 47m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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