Trip from Arlington, TX to Mustang Ridge, TX

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed May 27, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 48m

Distance

217.5 mi

350 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$34

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min

4 AM

3h 36m ★

6 AM

3h 49m

8 AM

4h 14m

10 AM

3h 58m

12 PM

3h 55m

3 PM

3h 59m

5 PM

4h 13m

8 PM

3h 41m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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suburban city in Tarrant County, Texas, United States

Arlington, TX

Wikimedia Commons

city in Caldwell, Bastrop, and Travis Counties, Texas, United States

Mustang Ridge, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 217.5-mile drive from Arlington, TX to Mustang Ridge, TX is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in a single day. With an estimated duration of 3 hours and 48 minutes, it’s a manageable trip, even with one planned stop. The route primarily utilizes the South Freeway and TX 130 Toll, making it a quick transit through the Great Plains region of Texas. Budget around $33 for fuel, and you'll find this drive offers a practical way to get from point A to point B without much fuss. It's a good option for a day trip, allowing for flexibility in your departure and arrival times.

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

108.7 miles from Arlington, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 59m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
South Freeway	78 mi	1h 20m
TX 130 Toll	49.2 mi	46m
Purple Heart Trail	37.9 mi	39m
I 35	26.5 mi	26m
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway	10.3 mi	11m
North Jack Kultgen Expressway	6.6 mi	7m
South Cooper Street	2.4 mi	4m
South Center Street	2 mi	4m

Longest stretch: South Freeway — 78 mi, about 1h 20m

Traffic on I-35

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 26 FHWA count stations on your route.

Peak

4 PM

~2,461 veh/hr typical · worst 3,169

Quietest

2 AM

~387 veh/hr

Peak-to-quiet ratio

6.4×

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 Mustang Ridge, TX.

Start on West Abram Street

93 ft · 8 sec · West Abram Street

Continue on West Abram Street

417 ft · 21 sec · West Abram Street

Turn right onto South Center Street

2.0 mi · 4 min · South Center Street

Use the right lane.

Turn right onto Spur 303

0.5 mi · 48 sec · West Pioneer Parkway

Use the left lane.

Turn left onto FM 157

1.5 mi · 2 min · South Cooper Street

Use the left lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto FM 157

1.0 mi · 1 min · South Cooper Street

Use the left lane.

Take the ramp

0.6 mi · 1 min

Toward I 20 West: Fort Worth

Merge onto I 20

10 mi · 11 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 28 sec

Exit 437 Toward I 35W South, I 35W North: Waco, Denton Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.9 mi · 1 min

Toward I 35W South: Waco Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 35W

78 mi · 1 hr 20 min · South Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 35; US 77

6.6 mi · 7 min · North Jack Kultgen Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 35

38 mi · 39 min · Purple Heart Trail

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 35

26 mi · 26 min · I 35

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 55 sec

Exit 265 Toward TX 130 Toll South: San Antonio Use the slight right lane.

Continue on TX 130 Toll

49 mi · 46 min · TX 130 Toll

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 41 sec

Exit 460 Toward Old Lockhart Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn straight onto US 183

0.3 mi · 28 sec · US Highway 183 South

Turn left onto CR 176

0.1 mi · 23 sec · Old Lockhart Road

Turn left onto US 183

0.2 mi · 18 sec · US Highway 183 South

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 39 sec

Toward TX 130 Toll North

Merge onto TX 130 Toll

0.3 mi · 18 sec · Pickle Parkway

Arrive at destination

TX 130 Toll

Trip Plan

For this 3 hour and 48 minute drive, starting early can help you avoid potential traffic, especially if you're leaving during peak commuting hours. With only one recommended stop and a total distance of 217.5 miles, you have the flexibility to take your time or push through. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without a services exit could be up to 78 miles. The estimated fuel cost is $33, so factor that into your budget. Given the efficiency of this highway-focused route, you won't need to split it into multiple days.

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 108.7 miles from Arlington, TX, or about 1h 59m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 78 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 48 miles or 55m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 108.7 miles or 1h 59m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 10m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mustang Ridge, 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 217.5 miles and 3h 48m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 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 Freeway for about 78 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Laguna Park, TX

109 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

Mansfield, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 48 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Moody, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 108.7 miles from Arlington, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

2.5 mi from route

Doris D Miller Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

Halfway reset 3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour

Waco, Texas

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Forest Park Miniature Railroad

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~12 min detour

First break 4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour

Fort Worth, Texas

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+18179665509

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 17

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 215.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | South Center Street

Turn right onto South Center Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

15.9 mi into trip | ~21m in

Take the exit toward I 35W South, I 35W North: Waco, Denton

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 437 Toward I 35W South, I 35W North: Waco, Denton

16.1 mi into trip | ~22m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 35W South: Waco

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 35W South: Waco

166 mi into trip | ~2h 58m in

Take the exit toward TX 130 Toll South: San Antonio

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 265 Toward TX 130 Toll South: San Antonio

215.9 mi into trip | ~3h 45m in

Take the exit toward Old Lockhart Road

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 460 Toward Old Lockhart Road

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$34.18 one way

$68.37 round trip

$3.99/gal 25.4 MPG avg 76 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.39	$37.57	$75.13
premium	$4.72	$40.41	$80.82
diesel	$5.60	$47.92	$95.84

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$34

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$59–$84

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 76.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-05-18.

Driving Electric?

About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	65.3	0	$22.84	$10.44
Efficient EV	54.4	0	$19.03	$8.70
EV Truck/SUV	87	1	$30.45	$13.92

Gas CO2

76 kg

EV CO2

25 kg (67% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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 May 24, 2026

Origin

Arlington, TX

Evening in Arlington on Wednesday

Local time

6:22 PM

CDT

Current temp

68°F

Partly Cloudy

0 mph 6% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued May 24 at 12:28AM CDT until May 24 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX

Flood Watch

Flood Watch issued May 24 at 12:06AM CDT until May 25 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Lake Charles LA

Destination

Mustang Ridge, TX

Evening in Mustang Ridge on Wednesday

Local time

6:22 PM

CDT

Current temp

69°F

Mostly Cloudy

0 mph 3% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued May 24 at 12:28AM CDT until May 24 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX

Flood Watch

Flood Watch issued May 24 at 12:06AM CDT until May 25 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Lake Charles LA

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 48m 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Waco Mammoth National Monument

National Monument

Standing as tall as 14 feet and weighing 20,000 pounds, Columbian mammoths roamed across what is present-day Texas thousands of years ago. Today, the fossil specimens represent the nation's first and...

5 mi from route ~12 min detour Free near mile 97.5

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a predominantly highway experience on this route, with 74% of the drive taking place on main roads like the South Freeway and TX 130 Toll. You'll encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 78 miles on the South Freeway, so be prepared for extended periods of steady driving. While largely highway-focused, the inclusion of the Purple Heart Trail might offer subtle shifts in scenery, though the overall character remains that of efficient travel. This is a route designed for covering distance effectively, rather than winding through charming backroads.

74% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 78 mi on South Freeway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on South Freeway and TX 130 Toll. 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 9/10

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 17 significant decision points across 217.5 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 15.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

861 ft 446 ft

Total Climb

912 ft

Total Descent

876 ft

Highest Point

861 ft

~155.4 mi in

Elevation Range

415 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 Mustang Ridge, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Denton along the way.

Denton

15.9 mi in | ~21m

Detours Along the Way

Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.

Starbucks

Cafe

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

Arlington, TX

Cuisine: coffee_shop

Hours: Mo-Th 07:00-20:00; Fr 07:00-17:00

Visit website

iCafe

Cafe

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

Cuisine: japanese

Hours: Su-Fr 11:00-15:00,16:00-21:00

Visit website

Starbucks

Cafe

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Waco, TX

Cuisine: coffee_shop

Visit website

Dichotomy Coffee & Spirits

Cafe

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Cuisine: coffee_shop

Entwined Grounds

Cafe

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour

Grandview, TX

Cuisine: coffee_shop

Hours: Mo-Fr 06:00-14:00; Sa 07:00-15:00

Visit website

Halfway reset 3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour

Waco, TX

Visit website

Points of interest from OpenStreetMap contributors. Listings may not reflect current hours or availability.

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 Mustang Ridge, TX

Full guide →

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 48m. Total distance: 217.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (74%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 78 miles on South Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — we found about 26 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 Mustang Ridge, 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 26 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Possible but tiring. At 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Mustang Ridge, 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, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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