Picnic Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Arlington, TX to Hamlin, 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
3h 46m
Distance
203.6 mi
328 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$28
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 34m
★
6 AM
3h 46m
8 AM
4h 12m
10 AM
3h 55m
12 PM
3h 53m
3 PM
3h 56m
5 PM
4h 10m
8 PM
3h 39m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Arlington, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Hamlin, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Trip Overview
Arlington, TX to Hamlin, TX is 203.6 miles and takes about 3h 46m via I 20 and US 83, with a fuel budget near $32 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Texas, moving from the Great Plains region to another part of the Great Plains. Most of your travel will be on major highways, making for a straightforward trip. With a drive time under four hours, this route is ideal for a same-day journey, allowing for plenty of flexibility in your schedule.
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
101.8 miles from Arlington, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 51m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 20 | 134.9 mi | 2h 17m |
| US 83 | 34.6 mi | 44m |
| West Freeway | 15.5 mi | 17m |
| Tom Landry Freeway | 12 mi | 15m |
| Pine Street | 2.3 mi | 3m |
| South Cooper Street | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| Commercial Avenue | 1.4 mi | 1m |
| West Abram Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 134.9 mi, about 2h 17m
Traffic on I-20
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 44 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 Hamlin, 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
135 mi
·
2 hr 17 min
·
I 20
Use the slight right lane.
8
Take the exit
151 ft
·
6 sec
Exit 286A
Toward US 83 Business: Abilene
9
Turn slight right
0.2 mi
·
41 sec
Exit 286A
Toward US 83 Business: Abilene
10
At end of road, turn left onto US 83 Bus
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Pine Street
11
Take the ramp onto US 83 Bus
0.6 mi
·
45 sec
·
Pine Street
12
Continue on US 83; US 277
19 mi
·
20 min
·
US 83; US 277
13
Turn slight right onto US 83; US 277
0.1 mi
·
7 sec
·
East Court Plaza
14
Continue on US 83; US 277
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Commercial Avenue
15
Take the exit onto US 83
16 mi
·
23 min
·
US 83
16
Arrive at destination
US 83
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 3 hours and 46 minutes, you can easily depart anytime in the morning and still arrive with ample daylight. There's only one recommended stop, so you can be flexible with your timing. Plan your fuel stops accordingly, as the estimated cost is $32. The longest stretch without services is on I 20, so ensure you have enough gas before embarking on that segment. Since this is a single-day trip, you have the advantage of making spontaneous stops if needed.
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 101.8 miles from Arlington, TX, or about 1h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 134.9 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 45 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 101.8 miles or 1h 51m 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 59m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hamlin, 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 203.6 miles and 3h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 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 I 20 for about 134.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
102 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 45 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 101.8 miles from Arlington, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 20 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 134.9 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
I-20 Westbound Picnic Area
0 mi from route
I-20 Eastbound Picnic 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
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
QuikTrip
0.8 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.5 mi from route
Forest Park Miniature Railroad
4.4
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the start, short detour
First break
2.4 mi from route
~6 min detour
Fort Worth, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+18179665509
Visit websiteFort Worth Herd
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
First break
3.3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Fort Worth, Texas
Hours: 11:30 am–4 pm
+18173364373
Visit websiteParamount Theatre
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Later in the drive, ~10 min detour
Final third
4.1 mi from route
~10 min detour
Abilene, Texas
+13256769620
Visit websiteAdamson-Spalding Storybook Garden
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Later in the drive, ~10 min detour
Final third
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Abilene, Texas
Visit website12th Armored Division Memorial
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Later in the drive, ~11 min detour
Final third
4.2 mi from route
~11 min detour
Abilene, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+13256776515
Visit websiteThe Discovery Center & Truth Bookstore
4.4
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Later in the drive, ~11 min detour
Final third
4.4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Abilene, Texas
Hours: 1–5 pm
+13256735050
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 95 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 165 — 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
5
2.6 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
I 30 / Tom Landry Freeway
Merge onto I 30 / Tom Landry Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
30.1 mi into trip
|
~39m in
|
I 20
Merge onto I 20
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
5
165 mi into trip
|
~2h 56m in
Take the exit toward US 83 Business: Abilene
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 286A
Toward US 83 Business: Abilene
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.89 one way
$55.77 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
71 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $31.15 | $62.30 |
| premium | $4.23 | $33.87 | $67.73 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $38.44 | $76.89 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 71.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 61.1 | 0 | $21.38 | $9.77 |
| Efficient EV | 50.9 | 0 | $17.82 | $8.14 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 81.4 | 1 | $28.50 | $13.03 |
Gas CO2
71 kg
EV CO2
24 kg (66% 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.
Origin
Arlington, TX
Morning in Arlington on Monday
Local time
6:27 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Mostly Clear
S 5 to 10 mph
2% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 9:18PM CDT by NWS Lubbock TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 9:06PM CDT until July 18 at 11:15PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Destination
Hamlin, TX
Morning in Hamlin on Monday
Local time
6:27 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy
SSW 5 to 10 mph
15% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 9:18PM CDT by NWS Lubbock TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 9:06PM CDT until July 18 at 11:15PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa 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
6 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 46m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is overwhelmingly highway driving, with 97% on high-speed roads. You'll experience a long stretch of 134.9 miles on I 20 before transitioning. The final portion of your drive will be on surface roads, specifically US 83, as you approach Hamlin, TX. Expect a consistent cruising speed for the majority of the trip.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 134.9 mi on I 20.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and US 83. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near FM 157 / South Cooper Street.
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 203.6 miles you will encounter 9 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 0.4 miles (FM 157 / South Cooper Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 2.6 miles (I 30 / Tom Landry Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,820 ft
604 ft
Total Climb
1,663 ft
Total Descent
546 ft
Highest Point
1,820 ft
~145.4 mi in
Elevation Range
1,216 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 Hamlin, TX
Full guide →Founded 1907
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 3h 46m. Total distance: 203.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 134.9 miles on I 20. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 25 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 0.4 miles (FM 157 / South Cooper Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 2.6 miles (I 30 / Tom Landry Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Hamlin, 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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