Driving from Arlington to Hughes Springs is a straightforward 160.6-mile journey that typically takes about 3 hours and 1 minute. Since you stay within the Great Plains region of Texas, the transition between these two locations is seamless and efficient. You can easily complete this trip in a single day, making it a perfect candidate for a weekend getaway or a direct commute. Budgeting around $25 for fuel should cover your travel costs comfortably. Because the route is compact, you won't need to worry about overnight logistics, allowing you to focus on a quick, productive transit 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
80.3 miles from Arlington, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 29m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
East R L Thornton Freeway
114.7 mi
1h 59m
Tom Landry Freeway
16.5 mi
18m
State Highway 49
16.1 mi
18m
West William Marvin Watson Boulevard
6.2 mi
9m
West Ferguson Road
3.6 mi
6m
South Mesquite Street
1.2 mi
2m
East Copeland Road
0.5 mi
<1m
North Center Street
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
East R L Thornton Freeway
— 114.7 mi, about 1h 59m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arlington, TX and Hughes Springs, TX.
1
Start on West Abram Street
93 ft·8 sec·West Abram Street
2
Continue on West Abram Street
0.2 mi·34 sec·West Abram Street
3
Turn left onto South Mesquite Street
1.2 mi·2 min·South Mesquite Street
Use the left lane.
4
Turn straight onto North Center Street
0.5 mi·1 min·North Center Street
5
Turn slight right
218 ft·9 sec
Use the right lane.
6
Turn straight onto East Interstate 30
0.2 mi·45 sec·East Interstate 30
7
Continue on East Copeland Road
0.5 mi·55 sec·East Copeland Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
8
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·56 sec
Toward I 30 EastUse the straight / left lanes.
9
Merge onto I 30
16 mi·18 min·Tom Landry Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 30; US 67
7.5 mi·9 min·East R L Thornton Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 30; US 67
107 mi·1 hr 50 min·East R L Thornton Freeway
Toward I 30 East: TexarkanaUse the straight / right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
Toward US 271 to US 67, SH 49, FM 1734: Mount Pleasant, Paris, Pittsburg
13
Turn right onto US 271
0.4 mi·50 sec·West Ferguson Road
14
Continue on TX 49
3.2 mi·5 min·West Ferguson Road
15
Continue on TX 49
16 mi·18 min·State Highway 49
16
At end of road, turn left onto US 259; TX 11; TX 49
6.2 mi·9 min·West William Marvin Watson Boulevard
17
Turn left onto Ward
104 ft·4 sec·Ward
18
Arrive at destination
Ward
Trip Plan
To keep your drive smooth, plan for at least one stop during the 3-hour journey to stretch your legs and refresh. Since the route relies heavily on major freeways, checking traffic reports before you leave Arlington is a smart way to avoid delays on the initial segments. With a fuel budget of $25, you have plenty of flexibility to fill up at your convenience without stressing over high costs. If you prefer quieter roads, be mindful that your transition onto State Highway 49 marks the shift away from the heavy interstate traffic. Keep an eye on your mileage after that long 114.7-mile stretch to ensure you are ready for the final turn into Hughes Springs.
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 80.3 miles from Arlington, TX, or about 1h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 114.7 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 35 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 80.3 miles or 1h 29m 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 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hughes Springs, 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 160.6 miles and 3h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 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 East R L Thornton Freeway for about 114.7 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 134.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|South Mesquite Street
Turn left onto South Mesquite Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
2.6 mi into trip|~6m in
Take the ramp toward I 30 East
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Toward I 30 East
5
3 mi into trip|~7m 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.
7
27 mi into trip|~35m in|I 30; US 67 / East R L Thornton Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 30; US 67 / East R L Thornton Freeway toward I 30 East: Texarkana
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana
5
134.3 mi into trip|~2h 25m in
Take the exit toward US 271 to US 67, SH 49, FM 1734: Mount Pleasant, Paris, Pittsburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 271 to US 67, SH 49, FM 1734: Mount P...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.27 one way
$48.53 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg56 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$26.56
$53.12
premium
$4.54
$28.67
$57.35
diesel
$5.61
$35.46
$70.92
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: 56.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
48.2
0
$16.86
$7.71
Efficient EV
40.2
0
$14.05
$6.42
EV Truck/SUV
64.2
0
$22.48
$10.28
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 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.
Forecast as of Apr 14, 2026
Origin
Arlington, TX
Late night
in Arlington on Sunday
Local time
4:54 AM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Hughes Springs, TX
Late night
in Hughes Springs on Sunday
Local time
4:54 AM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
83°F
Greenville, TX
80 mi in
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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 1m 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 trip defined by highway efficiency, as 92% of your travel occurs on major thoroughfares. You will begin by navigating the Tom Landry Freeway and the East R L Thornton Freeway, which accounts for your longest uninterrupted stretch of 114.7 miles. Transitioning onto State Highway 49 shifts the pace, offering a more localized feel as you approach your destination. The drive maintains a consistent, highway-focused rhythm, moving you away from the dense metro infrastructure of Arlington toward the more open landscapes of Hughes Springs. It is a functional, high-speed route designed to get you to your destination with minimal detours.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 114.7 mi on East R L Thornton Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on East R L Thornton Freeway and Tom Landry Freeway. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near South Mesquite Street.
Driving Effort5/10
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 160.6 miles you will encounter 10 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 0.2 miles (South Mesquite Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 3 miles (I 30 / Tom Landry Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Hughes Springs, TX, road signs point toward Sh 49, Fm 1734: Mount Pleasant, Paris and Pittsburg.
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 1m. Total distance: 160.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 114.7 miles on East R L Thornton Freeway. 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.
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 0.2 miles (South Mesquite Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 3 miles (I 30 / Tom Landry Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Hughes Springs, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.
