Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Arlington, TX to Medina, 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
5h 54m
Distance
296.6 mi
477 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$41
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 41m
★
6 AM
5h 54m
8 AM
6h 20m
10 AM
6h 3m
12 PM
6h 1m
3 PM
6h 5m
5 PM
6h 19m
8 PM
5h 46m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Arlington, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Medina, TX
Mark Direen
Trip Overview
This 296.6-mile drive from Arlington, TX to Medina, TX is a straightforward trip that can comfortably be done in a single day, taking approximately 5 hours and 54 minutes. You'll primarily be on South US Highway 281, US 67, and West US Highway 290, with a significant 78% of the journey on highways. Expect a fuel cost of around $45 for this relatively focused highway drive, which traverses the Great Plains region throughout. With just one recommended stop, this route is well-suited for a day trip, allowing you to reach your destination 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
148.3 miles from Arlington, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 56m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South US Highway 281 | 96.7 mi | 1h 50m |
| US 67 | 36.2 mi | 41m |
| West US Highway 290 | 27.2 mi | 30m |
| Chisholm Trail Parkway | 21.3 mi | 23m |
| North US Highway 281 | 19 mi | 20m |
| Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway | 15.4 mi | 16m |
| South State Highway 16 | 14.2 mi | 15m |
| TX 220 | 13.6 mi | 19m |
Longest stretch:
South US Highway 281
— 96.7 mi, about 1h 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arlington, TX and Medina, 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 432B
Toward CTP Toll South: Chisholm Trail Parkway
Use 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
43 mi
·
49 min
·
South US Highway 281
21
Continue on US 183; US 190; US 281
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
North Key Avenue
22
Turn right onto US 281 Bus
20 mi
·
21 min
·
South US Highway 281
23
Continue on US 281
3.6 mi
·
5 min
·
North Water Street
24
Continue on US 281
34 mi
·
40 min
·
South US Highway 281
25
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
Toward Fredericksburg
26
Merge onto US 290
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
East Main Street
Toward Fredericksburg
27
Continue on US 290
27 mi
·
30 min
·
West US Highway 290
28
Continue on US 290
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
East Main Street
29
Turn left onto Friendship Lane
2.9 mi
·
5 min
·
Friendship Lane
30
Turn left onto TX 16
14 mi
·
15 min
·
South State Highway 16
31
Continue on TX 16
5.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Fredericksburg Road
32
Continue on TX 16
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
·
Sidney Baker Street
33
Turn left onto Loop 534
4.3 mi
·
6 min
·
Veterans Highway
34
At end of road, turn left onto TX 173
11 mi
·
13 min
·
Bandera Highway
35
Continue on TX 173
0.9 mi
·
57 sec
·
State Highway 173 North
36
Turn right onto RM 2828
9.0 mi
·
9 min
·
Ranch Road 2828
37
Turn right onto TX 16
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
State Highway 16 North
38
Turn right onto Newcomer Lane
65 ft
·
2 sec
·
Newcomer Lane
39
Arrive at destination
Newcomer Lane
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour 54-minute duration, starting your trip from Arlington in the early morning is advisable to maximize daylight and allow ample time for the drive. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost estimated at $45, planning your fuel and rest breaks around the longest stretch of 96.7 miles on South US Highway 281 will help break up the journey effectively. This route is best suited as a single-day adventure, so you can enjoy the flexibility of leaving when you're ready, keeping in mind that most services will be concentrated along the main highways.
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 148.3 miles from Arlington, TX, or about 2h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 96.7 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 65 miles or 1h 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 148.3 miles or 2h 56m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 48m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Medina, 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 296.6 miles and 5h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 65 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 South US Highway 281 for about 96.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
148 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 65 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 148.3 miles from Arlington, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before South US Highway 281 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 96.7 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.
Gillespie County US 290 Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Gillespie County Ranch Road 1 Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.3 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.4 mi from route
TXB Market
2.5 mi from route
Lyndon B. Johnson State Park & Historic Site
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
1.2 mi from route
~3 min detour
Stonewall, Texas
Hours: 8:30 am–4 pm
+18306442252
Visit websitePlay Street Museum - Fort Worth
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
First break
1.3 mi from route
~3 min detour
Fort Worth, Texas
Hours: 8:30 am–8 pm
+18179302577
Visit websiteForest Park Miniature Railroad
4.4
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the start, ~9 min detour
First break
3.8 mi from route
~9 min detour
Fort Worth, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+18179665509
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 235 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 94.1 — 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.
5
2.1 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
Spur 303 / West Pioneer Parkway
Turn right onto Spur 303 / West Pioneer Parkway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.62 one way
$81.25 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
104 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $45.38 | $90.75 |
| premium | $4.23 | $49.34 | $98.67 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $56.00 | $112.01 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 103.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 89 | 1 | $31.14 | $14.24 |
| Efficient EV | 74.2 | 0 | $25.95 | $11.86 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 118.6 | 1 | $41.52 | $18.98 |
Gas CO2
104 kg
EV CO2
35 kg (66% 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Arlington, TX
Evening in Arlington on Monday
Local time
6:58 PM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Clear
SSW 5 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 20 at 6:38PM CDT until July 21 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 20 at 3:54PM MDT until July 20 at 6:00PM MDT by NWS El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa NM
Destination
Medina, TX
Evening in Medina on Monday
Local time
6:58 PM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Mostly Clear
ESE 0 to 5 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 20 at 6:38PM CDT until July 21 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 20 at 3:54PM MDT until July 20 at 6:00PM MDT by NWS El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa NM
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
10 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
5h 54m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park tells the story of our 36th president beginning with his ancestors until his final resting place on his beloved LBJ Ranch. This entire "circle of life" gives...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 235.3
Park Closure: Texas White House Complex Closure
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
The character of this drive is largely highway-focused, accounting for 78% of the total mileage. You'll experience stretches of efficient travel, including a notable 96.7-mile segment on South US Highway 281 without needing to turn off. While predominantly highway, the route incorporates US 67 and West US Highway 290, offering a mix of high-speed travel and potentially more varied road conditions as you progress towards Medina. This route is designed for covering ground efficiently.
78% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
39 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 96.7 mi on South US Highway 281.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on South US Highway 281 and US 67. 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 Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 296.6 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 2.1 miles (Spur 303 / West Pioneer Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.1 miles (FM 157 / South Cooper Street): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,653 ft
604 ft
Total Climb
1,797 ft
Total Descent
958 ft
Highest Point
1,653 ft
~254.3 mi in
Elevation Range
1,050 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Medina, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Fredericksburg along the way.
Fredericksburg
217.7 mi in
|
~4h 19m
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 Medina, TX
Full guide →Founded -900
Top landmarks
- • Prophet's Mosque — mosque in Medina, Saudi Arabia
- • Hejaz Railway Museum — railway museum
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 5h 54m. Total distance: 296.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (78%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 96.7 miles on South US Highway 281. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 6 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.
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 Medina, 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. There are 6 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (South Center Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.1 miles (Spur 303 / West Pioneer Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.1 miles (FM 157 / South Cooper Street): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.9 hours each way, a round trip means 11.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Medina, TX before the return drive.
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 NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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